Quinoa is a powerhouse ingredient every dad should know how to make. Perfect for bulking up salads, bowls, or meal prep, quinoa is nutritious, versatile, and quick to cook—ready in under 30 minutes! With this foolproof method, you’ll have fluffy, perfectly cooked quinoa every time. So, here’s the ultimate guide from Dads Got It for making this healthy staple at home.
What is Quinoa?
Quinoa is often grouped with grains like rice and millet, but it’s actually a seed from South America with a mild, nutty taste and fantastic nutritional value. A single cup contains over 8 grams of protein and essential minerals like magnesium and copper, making it a powerful addition to your diet.
Quinoa comes in various colors—white, red, and black. White quinoa has the mildest flavor, so if you’re trying it for the first time, start with white and explore other types from there.
Important Prep Step: Rinse First
Before cooking quinoa, rinse it in a fine-mesh strainer. This step removes saponins, naturally occurring insecticides that coat the seeds, which can otherwise make quinoa taste bitter or harder to digest.
How to Cook Perfect Quinoa on the Stove
All you need is quinoa, water, and a pot—no oil required! Here’s our ideal water-to-quinoa ratio: 1 ¾ cups of water per cup of quinoa. This ensures the grains stay light and fluffy without becoming mushy.
Steps to Make Fluffy Quinoa:
- Combine rinsed quinoa and water in a medium pot and bring to a boil.
- Cover, reduce the heat, and let it simmer for 15 minutes.
- Remove the pot from the heat, but keep it covered for another 10 minutes.
- Fluff with a fork, and you’re ready to go!
If you’re serving quinoa as a side, add a little salt, pepper, lemon or lime juice, and a drizzle of olive oil for flavor. You can also mix in fresh herbs, garlic, nuts, or feta for a more flavorful dish.
How to Cook Quinoa in a Rice Cooker
Pressed for time? Quinoa cooks easily in a rice cooker. If you have one with a quinoa setting, like a Zojirushi Micom Rice cooker, simply add rinsed quinoa and water, and start it up. The automatic settings handle everything from cooking to warming.
Once you’ve cooked up a batch, quinoa can go in endless directions:
- Make it the base of a grain bowl
- Add it to salads or stuff it in veggies
- Use it in soups, wraps, or breakfast dishes
For something a little different, try topping it with cinnamon and fruit for a morning boost, or mix it into protein-packed breakfast cookies. Quinoa is as versatile as it is healthy—so get cooking and enjoy!
