Quick Answers
There are many easy ways to make basic quinoa tastier and more flavorful:
- Cook it in broth, juice, or water with bouillon instead of plain water
- Toast the quinoa before cooking to bring out the nutty flavor
- Add herbs and spices like cumin, curry powder, garlic, etc.
- Stir in chopped veggies, nuts, dried fruit, cheese, etc. after cooking
- Cook quinoa in coconut milk for sweetness
- Top with flavorful sauces like chimichurri, pesto, or teriyaki
Enhancing Quinoa’s Natural Flavor
Quinoa has a lovely nutty, earthy flavor on its own. However, cooking it in plain water can dilute that natural taste. There are a few easy ways to keep the flavor intact and bring it out even more:
Toast It First
Dry toasting quinoa before boiling can truly intensify its nutty taste. Simply heat a saucepan over medium heat. Add the raw quinoa and cook for 2-5 minutes, stirring constantly, until it becomes fragrant and starts making popping noises. Then proceed to boil as usual. This technique creates a rich, roasted flavor.
Cook in Flavored Liquid
Cooking quinoa in plain water draws out some of its natural taste. For more flavor, replace all or part of the water with vegetable or chicken broth, juice, almond milk, etc. Herbal teas also infuse beautiful flavor. Bouillon cubes or powder are an easy way to add seasoning without using plain water.
Finish with a Splash
If you cook quinoa in water, drizzle in a bit of extra virgin olive oil, lemon or lime juice right before serving. The acidity brightens up the nutty flavor. A splash of tamari, balsamic vinegar, wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar also enhances the taste.
Rinse Thoroughly
Be sure to rinse quinoa very well in a fine mesh strainer before cooking. Rinsing removes the bitterness from saponins, a compound on the outer coating. Well-rinsed quinoa has a sweeter, milder flavor.
Flavorful Mix-Ins
While quinoa is delicious on its own, mixing in various ingredients creates an even tastier dish. Get creative with add-ins like:
Vegetables
After cooking quinoa, gently fold in any chopped fresh veggies you enjoy. Some options include bell peppers, tomatoes, spinach, kale, broccoli, asparagus, peas, carrots, zucchini, etc. Roasting veggies beforehand adds even more flavor.
Fresh Herbs
Chopped fresh herbs are a quick way to take quinoa to the next level. Try basil, cilantro, parsley, chives, dill, mint, scallions, oregano, marjoram, thyme and more. Their bright flavors pair perfectly with nutty quinoa.
Nuts and Seeds
Toasted nuts and seeds make a crunchy, protein-packed addition. Consider almonds, walnuts, pecans, pistachios, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, hemp seeds and chia seeds.
Dried Fruit
Dried fruits like raisins, cranberries, apricots, cherries, blueberries, mango and apple make quinoa sweet and delicious. They add chewy texture as well.
Cheese
Stir in shredded cheese like cheddar, feta, goat cheese, Parmesan, Gruyère, etc. right before serving so it doesn’t get overheated. Cheese pairs wonderfully with quinoa’s nuttiness.
Beans and Legumes
Protein-rich beans, lentils and peas complement quinoa’s amino acid profile. Try black beans, chickpeas, kidney beans, white beans, pinto beans, black-eyed peas or lentils.
Cooked Meat or Fish
For a heartier meal, mix in shredded chicken, turkey, beef, pork, salmon, tuna, shrimp or any cooked meat. This adds a good boost of protein too.
Seasonings and Spices
Seasonings are a quick and easy way to add lots of flavor. Get creative with your favorite dried herbs and ground spices!
Savory Quinoa Seasonings
- Chili powder
- Cumin
- Curry powder
- Paprika
- Cayenne pepper
- Italian seasoning
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
Herbs for Quinoa
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Rosemary
- Parsley
- Basil
- Cilantro
Add them before cooking, stir into the finished quinoa, or sprinkle on top to really boost the flavor profile.
Cooking with Flavored Liquids
Cooking quinoa in broth, juice or other flavorful liquids infuses it with taste. Get creative with the cooking liquid for incredible flavor in each bite!
Broth
For the cooking liquid, use vegetable broth, chicken broth or bone broth instead of water. Opt for low-sodium versions to control saltiness. The broth adds a savory backdrop to the quinoa.
Fruit Juice
For a touch of sweetness, cook quinoa in fruit juices like orange, apple, grapefruit, mango, pineapple, pomegranate or cherry juice. The light sweetness complements the earthy grains.
Coconut Milk
Coconut milk adds rich creamy flavor with a hint of natural sweetness. Use full-fat canned coconut milk.
Wine
Dry white or red wine infuses quinoa with a subtly complex flavor. Go for wine you’d drink – it will taste even better.
Tea
Brew a few herbal tea bags in the liquid for aromatic quinoa. Chai tea, Earl Grey, rooibos and mint teas work well. Steep the tea bags as you heat the liquid.
Coffee
Brewed coffee adds rich flavor to quinoa. Use regular coffee or espresso. For a mocha quinoa twist, stir in a little cocoa powder too.
Flavored Oils
Drizzle on flavored oils before serving for an easy flavor boost. Some delicious options include:
- Basil oil
- Chili oil
- Sesame oil
- Truffle oil
- Infused garlic oil
- Orange oil
- Walnut oil
A little drizzle of your chosen oil brings a gourmet flair. Store-bought flavored oils are convenient, or you can easily infuse oils at home.
Creative Quinoa Dishes
You can take quinoa from boring side to delicious main dish by getting creative with flavors. Try out these tasty quinoa recipes:
Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
This fresh salad packs a flavor punch with olives, feta, tomatoes, cucumber, parsley and a red wine vinaigrette.
Quinoa Pilaf with Almonds and Cranberries
Toasted almonds and sweet dried cranberries complement the quinoa in this simple pilaf.
Curried Quinoa with Raisins and Cashews
Indian-spiced quinoa gets texture from chewy raisins and crunchy cashews.
Quinoa Picadillo
This flavorful Latin American dish combines quinoa with ground beef, tomatoes, olives, raisins and spices.
Quinoa Enchiladas
Fluffy quinoa fills corn tortillas wrapped in flavorful enchilada sauce and cheese in this baked dish.
Quinoa Fried “Rice”
Quinoa makes a delicious gluten-free swap for fried rice with carrots, peas, scallions and savory sauce.
Breakfast Quinoa with Berries
Make your morning meal with quinoa, fresh berries, nuts, cinnamon and maple syrup.
Quinoa Bake with Sausage and Peppers
This easy bake tops quinoa with Italian sausage, bell peppers, marinara and cheese.
Global Flavor Inspirations
Quinoa adapts wonderfully to flavors from around the world. Look to these cuisines for inspiration on spices, sauces and ingredients to enhance your quinoa.
Mexican Quinoa
Make Mexican-style quinoa with ingredients like corn, black beans, jalapeños, cilantro, lime, avocado, cotija cheese and salsa.
Indian Quinoa
Flavor quinoa with Indian spices like curry powder, cumin, turmeric, ginger, garlic, garam masala or chai masala seasoning blends.
Thai Quinoa
Give quinoa Thai flair with peanut sauce, Sriracha, ginger, basil, mint, carrots, edamame and chopped peanuts or cashews.
Italian Quinoa
Make Mediterranean-inspired quinoa with sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, basil, olives, artichokes, Parmesan and balsamic vinegar.
Moroccan Quinoa
Season quinoa with Moroccan flavors like cumin, cinnamon, raisins, apricots, chickpeas, almonds, harissa and parsley.
Sauces and Condiments for Quinoa
Flavorful sauces and condiments take boiled quinoa from bland to brilliant in minutes. They add lots of taste and texture for next-level enjoyment.
Pesto
Stir basil or other pesto into hot quinoa just before serving, or dollop it on top. The herby flavor is fantastic.
Salsa
Fresh tomato salsa, peach salsa or salsa verde add zesty flavor and texture when mixed into quinoa. Great for tacos too.
Hummus
Swirl in hummus for a creamy, protein-packed flavor boost. Garlic, red pepper and lemon hummus are especially delicious.
Chutney
Fruit chutneys like mango, cherry, pineapple, cranberry or coconut lend sweetness and spice.
Harissa
Mix in harissa sauce for an instant North African kick. A little goes a long way with this spread of chilies and spices.
Tzatziki
Greek tzatziki sauce – made of yogurt, cucumber, garlic and dill – makes a refreshing, tangy quinoa topper.
Chimichurri
Argentinian chimichurri sauce of parsley, oregano, garlic, olive oil, vinegar and red pepper flakes is wonderful on quinoa.
Enhancing Leftover Quinoa
Leftover quinoa tends to get dry and boring, especially after refrigeration. Luckily, it’s easy to revive leftovers with extra flavor.
With Fresh Herbs
Chopped herbs like parsley, cilantro and green onion bring brightness. Toss in just before eating.
With Oil/Acid
A drizzle of oil and acid like lemon juice or vinegar perks up leftovers.
With Spices
Sprinkle on your favorite dried spices for instant flavor. Chili powder and cumin work well.
With Cheese
Mix in shredded cheese like cheddar or Parmesan to make it more exciting.
With Vegetables
Fresh raw veggies add juicy crunch. Toss in chopped tomatoes, bell pepper, cucumber, etc.
With Nuts/Seeds
Toasted nuts or seeds add crunch. Try slivered almonds, pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds.
With Salsa
Spoon on fresh salsa. It adds moisture and big flavor.
With Egg
Top leftovers with a fried, poached or soft boiled egg. The runny yolk acts as a sauce.
Best Practices for Flavorful Quinoa
Follow these tips for maximizing quinoa’s flavor every time:
- Rinse very well before cooking to remove bitterness
- Toast quinoa in a dry pan before boiling for nuttier flavor
- Cook quinoa in broth, coconut milk or fruit juice instead of plain water
- Finish cooked quinoa with a drizzle of olive oil and splash of vinegar
- Fold in fresh herbs, spices, vegetables and other mix-ins after cooking
- Top cooked quinoa with flavorful sauces like salsa or chimichurri
- Store quinoa with a little dressing or broth to prevent drying out
- Freshen up leftovers with herbs, spices, cheese, nuts or other additions
Conclusion
Quinoa is an incredibly versatile base that takes on any flavors beautifully. With minimal effort, you can transform dull quinoa into an exciting dish by using flavorful cooking liquids, mix-ins, seasonings and toppings. Get creative with herbs, spices, vegetables, nuts, seeds, cheese, meat and global sauce inspirations. Brighter, tastier quinoa that will never get boring awaits!
