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    Home » Vegan » Cilantro Lime Quinoa

    Cilantro Lime Quinoa

    Whitney Bond Posted Mar 4, 2021 This post may contain affiliate links.

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    collage of images showing cooked quinoa in bowl and grilled shrimp chicken in bowl with avocado and diced fruit
    cooked quinoa tossed with cilantro in bowl with spoon and lime wedge
    cooked quinoa in bowl with wooden spoon and lime wedge
    cooked quinoa tossed with cilantro in bowl with spoon and lime wedge
    cooked quinoa in bowl with wooden spoon and lime wedge
    collage of images showing cooked quinoa in bowl and grilled shrimp in bowl with vegetables

    Vegan and gluten free, this Cilantro Lime Quinoa recipe is the perfect base for a healthy bowl! It's easy to make on the stovetop, or in an Instant Pot, in 30 minutes or less!

    Use it as the base of this Jerk Chicken Bowl or this Shrimp Taco Bowl!

    cooked quinoa in bowl with wooden spoon and lime wedge

    I love using quinoa as the base of a bowl. It's a naturally gluten free whole grain and one of the few plant-based foods that contains sufficient amounts of all 9 essential amino acids.

    Cilantro lime quinoa is a great alternative to cilantro lime rice, which is commonly made with white rice. As white rice contains 15 times the carbohydrates and 40 more calories per cup, than the same amount of quinoa.

    Quinoa is fluffy in texture and mild in flavor. Adding just a few simple, fresh ingredients to quinoa can really enhance the flavor! In this recipe, we're adding lime and cilantro. Two simple ingredients that add bright, fresh flavor to cooked quinoa.

    If you want to spice it up a bit more, I've got some other ideas for you later in the post!

    Jump to:
    • How to make it on the stovetop
    • How to make it in an Instant Pot
    • What else can you add to the quinoa?
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Ways to use it
    • More quinoa recipes
    • Recipe
    • Comments

    How to make it on the stovetop

    1. Combine 4 cups of water with 2 cups of quinoa and ½ teaspoon of salt in a medium to large saucepan on the stove.
    2. Bring to a boil on the stove over high heat.
    3. Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
    4. Remove from the heat and let the quinoa sit covered for 10 minutes.
    5. Uncover the quinoa and fluff it with a fork.
    6. Add ¼ cup lime juice and ¼ cup fresh chopped cilantro to the quinoa and stir to combine.

    How to make it in an Instant Pot

    1. Add 2 cups quinoa, 3 cups water and ½ teaspoon salt to an Instant Pot.
    2. Place the lid on the Instant Pot and set the steam valve to the "sealing" position.
    3. Use the manual button to set the Instant Pot to high for 1 minute.
    4. After the timer beeps 3 times, wait 10 minutes before releasing any remaining pressure from the Instant Pot.
    5. Remove the lid from the Instant Pot and fluff the quinoa with a fork.
    6. Add ¼ cup lime juice and ¼ cup fresh chopped cilantro, stir to combine.
    cooked quinoa mixed with fresh cilantro in bowl with lime wedge

    What else can you add to the quinoa?

    In addition to the cilantro and lime juice, try any of these add-ins to make it spicy or add a bit more zest!

    • Lime zest - in addition to the lime juice, try adding the zest from the outside of the lime to the quinoa. This will enhance the lime flavor in the quinoa and give it a little more of a zesty flavor!
    • Minced jalapenos - for a kick of spice, stir in 1-2 minced jalapenos in the quinoa. They will add flavor, spice and a nice crunch in the quinoa!
    • Black beans - to make a more filling base for a bowl, drain and rinse a can of black beans and add it to the quinoa with the cilantro and lime juice. This could also be used as a delicious, healthy side dish for tacos, enchiladas or fajitas.
    • Zhoug sauce - stir in 1-2 tablespoons of my favorite spicy cilantro sauce for even more fresh cilantro flavor and a kick of spice!

    Frequently asked questions

    • Which type of quinoa should I use in this recipe? I used white quinoa in this recipe. It's the most mild in flavor, which is perfect to use as a blank canvas and add flavor with the cilantro and lime juice. Red, black or tricolor quinoa can also be used in this recipe, just know that the red and black varieties will have a stronger nutty taste.
    • How many cups of cooked quinoa do you get from a cup of dry quinoa? One cup of dry quinoa will cook up to become 3 cups of cooked quinoa. This recipe calls for two cups of dry quinoa, so you will end up with 6 cups of cooked quinoa. If you ever want to alter the serving amount, simply hover over the "servings" in the recipe card below and adjust to how many cups of quinoa you'd like to make. The ingredients will automatically update when you change the serving amount.
    • Should you rinse quinoa before cooking? Yes, you should always rinse the quinoa before cooking. This removes the outer coating of the quinoa, which can leave a bitter or soapy taste. To do this, place the quinoa in a fine mesh strainer and place under cold running water for 10-15 seconds.
    collage of images showing cooked quinoa in bowl and grilled shrimp in bowl with vegetables

    Ways to use it

    This cilantro lime quinoa is extremely versatile and can be used as the base in dozens of bowls or as a side dish. It's perfect for meal prep, as you can make a big batch on Sunday or Monday, then eat it throughout the week!

    Here are some of my favorite ways to use it:

    • Use it as the base of a taco bowl. It's perfect for the base of this Shrimp Taco Bowl (pictured above), this Cauliflower Taco Bowl or this Chipotle Taco Bowl with Tofu Taco Crumbles.
    • Use it as the base of a burrito bowl. Try it in this Sweet Potato Burrito Bowl!
    • Use it as a side dish with Mexican food. Cilantro lime quinoa is the perfect side for Taco Tuesday or really any Mexican dish! It's great with fajitas, enchiladas and burritos. Replace a side of rice and refried beans with cilantro lime quinoa and black beans for a healthier Mexican side dish!
    • Use it as a side dish with Chinese food. Ditch the white rice and serve this cilantro lime quinoa with your favorite Chinese recipes. It's perfect with this delicious recipe for Gluten Free General Tso's Chicken!
    cooked quinoa tossed with cilantro in bowl with spoon and lime wedge

    More quinoa recipes

    Don't miss this post on how to cook quinoa 3 ways! And be sure to use your new favorite method for cooking quinoa to make one of these delicious quinoa bowls!

    1. Lemon Herb Greek Quinoa Bowl
    2. Cauliflower Shawarma Bowl
    3. Mexican Roasted Delicata Squash Bowl
    4. Harissa Shrimp Bowl
    5. Roasted Summer Squash Quinoa Bowl
    6. 10 Minute Quinoa Breakfast Bowl
    7. Za'atar Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Bowl

    Recipe

    cooked quinoa in bowl with spoon
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    5 from 3 votes

    Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Quinoa

    Vegan and gluten free, this Cilantro Lime Quinoa recipe is the perfect base for a healthy bowl. It's easy to make on the stovetop, or in an Instant Pot, in 30 minutes or less!
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American, Mexican, Tex-Mex
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Cook Time 20 minutes
    Total Time 25 minutes
    Servings 6 cups cooked quinoa
    Calories 211kcal
    Author Whitney Bond

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups quinoa
    • 3 cups water
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ cup cilantro fresh chopped
    • ¼ cup lime juice fresh squeezed

    Instructions

    • Place the quinoa in a fine mesh strainer under cold running water for 10-15 seconds to rinse the quinoa.
    • Add the rinsed quinoa, water and salt to an Instant Pot, or electric pressure cooker.
    • Place the lid on the Instant Pot and set the steam valve to the "sealing" position.
    • Use the manual button to set the Instant Pot to high for 1 minute.
    • After the timer beeps 3 times, wait 10 minutes before releasing any remaining pressure from the Instant Pot.
    • Remove the lid from the Instant Pot and fluff the quinoa with a fork.
    • Add ¼ cup lime juice and ¼ cup fresh chopped cilantro, stir to combine.

    Notes

    • Follow these instructions to make this recipe on the stovetop.
      1. Combine 4 cups of water with 2 cups of quinoa and ½ teaspoon of salt in a medium to large saucepan on the stove.
      2. Bring the quinoa to a boil on the stove over high heat.
      3. Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
      4. Remove from the heat and let the quinoa sit covered for 10 minutes.
      5. Uncover the quinoa and fluff it with a fork.
      6. Add ¼ cup lime juice and ¼ cup fresh chopped cilantro to the quinoa and stir to combine.
    • This recipe will make 6 cups of cooked quinoa. The nutritional information provided is for one serving, which is 1 cup of cooked quinoa.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 211kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 203mg | Potassium: 334mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 58mg | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 3mg
    Made this recipe & loved it?Mention @BowlsAreTheNewPlates or tag #BowlsNotPlates on Instagram!
    « Shrimp Taco Bowl with Creamy Chipotle Sauce
    Breakfast Burrito Bowl »

    Filed Under: Dairy Free, Pressure Cooker (Instant Pot), Quinoa, Recipes, Vegan, Vegetarian

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Galilee

      March 04, 2022 at 4:57 pm

      Just letting you know I think you mixed up the words “quinoa” and “water” at the top of the recipe for stovetop! Mine didn’t have near enough water 😅

      Reply
      • Whitney Bond

        March 07, 2022 at 10:27 am

        My sincerest apologies Galilee, you are exactly right, it should have been 4 cups of water and 2 cups of quinoa. I have updated the post, thank you for letting me know!

        Reply
    2. Renee

      November 19, 2021 at 6:27 am

      Could you please check the stovetop ingredients again? Not planning to do it that way myself but I pity the poor soul who is cooking quinoa for the first time. It looks like the water:quinoa ratio got reversed?
      I was also surprised that the IP version calls for so much water, as most advice say it only requires a little more water than quinoa.

      Reply
      • Whitney Bond

        March 07, 2022 at 10:30 am

        Hi Renee, thank you for the comment. You were correct, the stovetop ingredients were reversed. I have updated the recipe to 4 cups water and 2 cups quinoa.

        The Instant Pot version is correct. This is how I make quinoa every week and it works perfectly every time!

        Reply

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