• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Bowls Are The New Plates
  • Browse Recipes
  • By Diet ⌄
    • Dairy Free
    • Low Calorie
    • Low Carb
    • Vegan
    • Vegetarian
    • Whole 30
  • By Cuisine ⌄
    • American
    • Indian
    • Italian
    • Japanese
    • Mediterranean
    • Mexican
    • Middle Eastern
  • By Ingredient ⌄
    • Quinoa
    • Chicken
  • By Category ⌄
    • Quick & Easy
    • Blog Favorites
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Ingredient Guide

    What is Quinoa? + Easy Recipes to Make With It

    Whitney Bond Posted May 5, 2021 This post may contain affiliate links.

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Yummly

    Quinoa is a nutritious food that makes an excellent side dish or base for bowls. This fluffy, slightly nutty seed is packed with protein and fiber, making it a great, healthy addition to your meals!

    uncooked white quinoa in bowl with spoon

    Quinoa originated in South America thousands of years ago, and has become wildly popular worldwide within the last decade. Frequently used as a substitute for rice, it's great in a variety of recipes.

    Jump to:
    • What is quinoa?
    • What does it taste like?
    • How to cook quinoa
    • Quinoa vs rice
    • Is it good for you?
    • Is it gluten free?
    • Is quinoa keto?
    • Is it good for diabetics?
    • Easy recipes to make with quinoa
    • Learn about more of our favorite ingredients

    What is quinoa?

    Contrary to popular belief, quinoa is not a grain! It's the seed of a flowering plant in the same family as spinach, chard, and amaranth. However, since it is prepared like a grain it is often categorized as such.

    It is used in many recipes like soups, salads, pasta, and casseroles. Also, it's available as a flour, which is great to use for gluten free baking.

    What does it taste like?

    Cooked quinoa is soft, fluffy and slightly crunchy at the same time. It has a pretty mild, almost nutty flavor. Some people say it reminds them of a mix of rice and oatmeal.

    quinoa in three bowls with gold forks

    How to cook quinoa

    You can prepare it in a variety of ways, it's very similar to cooking rice. For a detailed outline on how to prepare it on the stove, in a pressure cooker, or in a rice cooker, make sure to check out my guide How To Cook Quinoa Three Ways.

    Once you've cooked it, here are several ways to enjoy it:

    • Eat as a side dish like rice, or make Curry Fried Quinoa.
    • Mix it into soups to add texture and nutrition.
    • Make a salad with it, like this Greek Quinoa Salad, or simply add it to you favorite salads.
    • Use it instead of breadcrumbs, like in this Gluten Free Quinoa Crusted Mexican Chicken.
    • Add it to veggie burgers for a healthy filler, like in these Zucchini Burgers.
    • Substitute it for rice in your favorite casseroles for a boost of fiber and protein.

    Quinoa vs rice

    Rice and quinoa are very similar in many ways, but there are a few differences that set them apart.

    Both are gluten free and easily digestible. Brown rice and quinoa are both high in fiber and are a good source of minerals.

    While rice is lower in calories, quinoa packs in more nutrition. First and foremost, it is a complete protein, giving us all 9 essential amino acids. It's also high in fiber and minerals including iron, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese, and zinc.

    Is it good for you?

    Yes! It is high in protein, fiber, and is packed full of healthy nutrients. In one cup of cooked quinoa, there are 222 calories, 8 grams of protein, and 5 grams of fiber.

    Additionally it boasts many minerals such as manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, folate, copper, iron, zinc, and potassium. It also contains vitamins B1, B2, B6.

    Because it has all 9 amino acids, it is a complete protein, which is excellent for vegans and vegetarians!

    tri color quinoa in bowl with spoon

    Is it gluten free?

    Yes, quinoa is naturally gluten free! However, some packaged products may contain gluten, so if you're sensitive to gluten make sure to read the label to make sure.

    Because it is gluten free, it's often used as a substitute for grains with gluten like wheat, rye, or barley. Look for gluten free quinoa alternatives like pasta, breads, and even flours to use in baking.

    Is quinoa keto?

    While it is a nutritional powerhouse, one cup of cooked quinoa contains 36 grams of carbs, therefore it is not considered a low-carbohydrate food. If you are following a low carb diet, it is not recommended except in small amounts.

    Is it good for diabetics?

    Because it is high in protein and fiber, it is good for diabetics. People with diabetes need to keep blood sugar levels under control. Foods with high fiber, protein and a low glycemic index are best for this, as they do not cause as much of a spike in blood sugar.

    Quinoa checks all of these boxes. However, it is relatively high in carbohydrates, which can cause a spike in blood sugar levels, so make sure you eat it in moderation.

    grilled shrimp in bowl with toppings

    Easy recipes to make with quinoa

    • Shrimp Taco Bowl (pictured above)
    • Chicken Shawarma Bowl
    • Chicken Enchilada Casserole
    • Quinoa Bowl with Grilled Vegetables
    • Za'atar Roasted Vegetable Bowl
    • 10 Minute Breakfast Bowl

    Learn about more of our favorite ingredients

    Check out this ingredient guide, packed full of information about all of our favorite lesser-known ingredients, like tamari, harissa and turmeric!

    More Ingredient Guide

    • cooked lentils in white bowl with spoon
      How To Cook Black Lentils
    • cooked wild rice in bowl with copper fork
      What is Wild Rice + How to Cook It
    • cooked teff in bowl with spoon
      What Is Teff + How To Use It In Recipes
    • shirataki spaghetti noodles in fine mesh strainer
      What are Shirataki Noodles? + How to Cook Them

    Filed Under: Ingredient Guide, Quinoa

    Reader Interactions

    Comment Here! Cancel reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Scoop up delicious bowl ideas on social!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    Headshot of Whitney Bond

    Hey Fellow Bowl Lovers!

    Bowls Are The New Plates is your go-to site for healthy, gluten free bowl recipes, created by food blogger & published cookbook author Whitney Bond. Head to our about page, to find out more!

    Most Popular Posts

    quinoa in three bowls with gold forks
    Corn, sliced radishes and avocado in a white bowl with a gold fork
    Indian cauliflower and roasted chickpeas in white bowl
    Bowl filled with arugula and charred cauliflower
    Overhead image of roasted broccoli and sliced avocado in bowl with fork
    Overhead image of bowl with sesame crusted ahi tuna, edamame and sliced avocado

    Footer

    Let's talk bowls on social!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    Bowls are the new plates was created to share healthy, gluten free bowl recipes with everyone, regardless of dietary restrictions. Let's dig in →

    My Favorite Recipes

    diced grilled steak in bowl with vegetables and fork
    cooked mushrooms in bowl with cooked quinoa, coleslaw and peanut sauce
    cooked falafel in bowl with veggies and sauce
    • ^ Back to Top
    • Home
    • About
    • Browse Recipes
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy

    Copyright © 2023 Bowls Are The New Plates on the Foodie Pro Theme