18 quinoa recipes for instantly healthy meals (2024)

18 quinoa recipes for instantly healthy meals (1)

Quinoa has been on the health food scene for so long now, it's become a bit of a watch word for 'clean eating', even starting to lose some of its health appeal.

With all the big names, such as Deliciously Ella, Madeleine Shaw and the Hemsley sisters, advocating the abundant health benefits, talk of quinoa has become unavoidable.

But don't write it off just yet.

Easy to digest and gluten-free, quinoa is a fantastic 'free-from' food. Containing nine essential amino acids, it is a source of complete protein, so is especially good for vegetarians or vegans. Throw in some calcium, vitamin E and fibre, and you've got yourself a nutritional powerhouse on your dinner plate.

Whether you're looking for some healthy dinner inspiration or whether you're just a bit skeptical about the Peruvian superfood, these delicious recipes will bring quinoa to the top of your shopping list.

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1

Salmon quinoa cakes

18 quinoa recipes for instantly healthy meals (3)

You'll love this healthy alternative to the fish 'n' chip shop fish cake. It shows just how versatile quinoa can be!

Try these salmon quinoa cakes recipe

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2

Beetroot and quinoa burger

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A quick, easy introductory recipe to quinoa. These burgers are a great meat-free option and have a rich, earthy taste.

Try this quinoa burger recipe

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3

Quinoa, grapefruit and golden beet salad

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Want to incorporate more superfoods into your meals? Alongside the quinoa, this flavourful, healthy salad features kale, coconut oil, and honey for a nutritious, nourishing dish.

Try this quinoa salad recipe

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4

Quinoa and vegetable chorizo salad

18 quinoa recipes for instantly healthy meals (9)

Vegetarian chorizo is an unusual concept but works really well with this mix of quinoa and vegetables. The mustard dressing in the salad compliments the chorizos perfectly but you can of course vary the salad or chorizo to your own tastes.

Try this quinoa and vegetable chorizo salad recipe

The best rice recipes

Vegetarian recipes have never tasted so good

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5

Quinoa and tahini falafel

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This is a delicious vegetarian recipe perfect for a family dinner. These are a healthier version of the usual deep-fried falafel. Serve with some warm pitta bread, green leaves and juicy tomatoes.

Try this quinoa and tahini falafels recipe

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6

Butter beans with avocado and quinoa

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A classic Peruvian recipes from the brilliant team at Ceviche, this is the prettiest quinoa dish on the block, and guaranteed to instantly turn any skeptic into a true fan.

Try this Ceviche recipe

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7

Quinoa, black lentil, mango and smoked chicken salad

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This dish is such a fantastic array of strong colours. Use regular chicken if you don’t like smoked, or flaked cooked salmon, or even sliced raw salmon that you’ve marinated in the juice of two limes for five minutes. Avocado, black lentils and a few spring onions make the perfect vegetarian choice.

Try Diana Henry’s quinoa, lentil and smoked chicken salad recipe

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8

Deliciously Ella's Mexican quinoa bowl

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Just one of Ella Woodward, aka Deliciously Ella's delicious yet super healthy recipes, this Mexican bowl is full of goodness. Packed with protein, vitamins and masses of flavour, this will fast become your favourite, go-to quinoa dish.

Try this Deliciously Ella recipe

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9

Ratatouille with quinoa

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Fresh, vibrant and ever so good for you, this easy ratatouille is a real taste of the summer. Packed full of colourful peppers, aubergine and courgettes, the quinoa provides the perfect bed to soak up all of the delicious tomato juices.

Try this ratatouille with quinoa recipe

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10

Watercress, quinoa, feta and broccoli salad

18 quinoa recipes for instantly healthy meals (21)

This beautifully vibrant quinoa and watercress salad is packed full of fresh flavours. The addition of hazelnuts gives it that much needed crunch, while the combination of sweet tomatoes and salty feta cheese makes this a deliciously balanced dish. Perfect for a vegetarian lunch.

Try this quinoa and watercress salad recipe

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11

Mushroom and stilton quinoa risotto

18 quinoa recipes for instantly healthy meals (23)

If it's from the gurus of delicious, healthy eating Hemsley + Hemsley, you know it's going to be good. This creamy, rich recipe is guaranteed to spark an instant love affair with this super seed.

Try this Hemsley + Hemsley recipe

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12

Parmesan quinoa chicken

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This tasty Parmesan cheese chicken served with courgettes, quinoa and a fresh tomato sauce is ideal for dinner parties or even as an easy mid-week dinner.

Try this Parmesan chicken with courgettes and quinoa recipe

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13

Quinoa maki rolls

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Gluten-free and suitable for vegans, these quinoa sushi rolls can please any dinner guest.

Try this quinoa rolls recipe

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14

Goat's cheese quinoa and beetroot risotto with parsley lemon oil

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Another delicious dish from the Hemsley sisters and another quinoa + beetroot pairing, you can't go wrong with this tangy, melt-in-the-mouth 'risotto'. A great beginner's dish and still tasty for a packed lunch the following day.

Try this Hemsley + Hemsley recipe

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15

Fruitcake with quinoa and almonds

18 quinoa recipes for instantly healthy meals (31)

This gluten-free cake is moist and delicious and benefits from the nutty taste of almonds and quinoa. Great for a classic afternoon tea, this is a lovely twist on a traditional recipe.

Try this fruit cake recipe

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16

Vegetarian Korean bibimbap quinoa

18 quinoa recipes for instantly healthy meals (33)

With lots of different flavours from the veg and the soft egg bringing it all together, we challenge you not to come back to this quinoa recipe again and again.

Try this bibimbap recipe

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17

Quinoa tabbouleh

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Tabouleh is traditionally made with bulgur wheat, but quinoa gives it a lovely texture and flavour, as well as being a great gluten-free alternative and high in protein and iron. This salad is delicious served with fish, chicken or lamb too.

Try this quinoa tabouleh recipe

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18

Roast duck breasts with South African plums and quinoa

18 quinoa recipes for instantly healthy meals (37)

The tartness of the fresh fruit goes wonderfully with the succulent, rich duck and nutty quinoa salad. The perfect dinner party dish or romantic meal

Try this duck breasts with plum recipe

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19

Tuna, green bean and peanut salad

18 quinoa recipes for instantly healthy meals (39)

Quick and easy, this tuna and green bean salad is the perfect healthy dinner option. Packed full of green vegetables, quinoa and fresh mint, and drizzled with a peanut and chilli dressing, it will also make a great dinner party side dish.

Try this tuna and green bean salad recipe

18 quinoa recipes for instantly healthy meals (2024)

FAQs

What pairs well with quinoa? ›

Quinoa's got the carbs covered, so you'll likely want to add some additional protein (eggs, lentils, beans, tofu, chicken), a fat (olive oil, nuts, butter, cheese), and, ideally, some kind of fruit or vegetable (broccoli, berries, squash, spinach).

Is instant quinoa good for you? ›

Quinoa has a very impressive nutritional profile, but is also suitable for those who live a gluten-free, dairy-free or vegan lifestyle!. Not only is quinoa super tasty, it is also a complex protein source, making it an excellent addition to the diets of vegetarians and vegans. 4.

How much quinoa per day is healthy? ›

You can eat one-two cups of cooked quinoa in a day. You should avoid eating it if you experience stomachache, itchiness or vomiting after consuming it. A study by Harvard Public School of Health has reported that eating a bowl of quinoa daily is healthy and without any side effects.

What to add to quinoa to make it better? ›

Stir water, quinoa, lemon juice, lemon zest, parsley, basil, garlic, and seasoning blend together in a saucepan. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until quinoa is tender and water is absorbed, about 20 minutes. Let rest, covered, for 5 minutes; fluff with a fork.

What is the healthiest way to eat quinoa? ›

Toss it in salads.

Quinoa is a complete source of protein and makes a great addition to a healthy salad. The combination of fiber, protein and healthy fats can turn a light side salad into a robust entrée.

Is quinoa healthier than rice? ›

Quinoa is rich in both fiber and protein, contains a much higher amount of other nutrients, and has a similar fluffy texture to the rice. A cup of quinoa contains twice more protein and about 5 g more fiber than white rice. Quinoa contains fewer calories and carbohydrates than white rice.

Is there any downside to quinoa? ›

Allergy to other foods used as grains: Quinoa may cause an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to foods used as grains, such as buckwheat, wheat, and rice. If you have allergies to grains, be sure to check with your healthcare provider before using quinoa.

Does quinoa burn belly fat? ›

Quinoa: High in protein, quinoa keeps you full with its high levels of plant-based proteins. It decreases your appetite and promotes belly fat decrease.

Is quinoa a protein or carb? ›

Quinoa is considered a carbohydrate because it contains many carbs per serving. Although it contains some protein, the macronutrient distribution is closer to what you find in other grains and starches.

What is the best time to eat quinoa? ›

Quinoa can be consumed anytime – at breakfast, lunch or dinner. But it is best to eat healthy food like quinoa before going to bed. It induces sleep, because it relaxes the muscles, due to its high magnesium and protein content. “One can eat one-two cups of cooked quinoa in a day.

Is quinoa anti-inflammatory? ›

Quinoa (kiːnwɑː)

With its mild nutty flavor, this edible seed packs a powerful nutrition punch, containing anywhere from 17-27 grams of fiber and 8 grams of protein per cup cooked. Quinoa is also considered to be a whole grain, gluten free and contains anti-inflammatory properties.

What does quinoa go well with? ›

Nutty and protein-packed, quinoa doesn't need much dressing up: A simple vinaigrette and some chopped herbs are enough to turn this grain into a hearty side for fish, chicken or meat.

Why should you soak quinoa before cooking? ›

*Soaking grains helps to remove some of the naturally occurring phytic acid in the grain, which helps improve digestibility and speed cook time. To soak: Rinse quinoa thoroughly then add to a large mixing bowl or pot and cover with twice the amount of lukewarm water (2 cups water, 1 cup quinoa).

What makes quinoa a super food? ›

Quinoa is high in fiber, plus several vitamins and minerals that are low in many people's diets. Regularly eating quinoa can help you meet your needs for magnesium, potassium, iron, fiber, and folate, a vitamin that's especially important during pregnancy due to its role in fetal growth and development ( 14 ).

What does quinoa grow well with? ›

Rotation: Practice an annual rotation with a crop outside of the Chenopodaceae family for best pest and disease management. Companions: Grows well with catnip, garlic, and mint. Avoid pole beans.

Is quinoa better for breakfast or dinner? ›

Quinoa is the ultimate breakfast food. Not only is it packed with protein and fiber, but it's also a complex carbohydrate meaning it digests more slowly in your body. So if you're like me and you hate feeling famished mid-morning, quinoa is a great thing to add to your daily breakfast routine.

Is quinoa high in carbs? ›

It's not a low-carb food. A cup of cooked quinoa has more than 39 grams of carbohydrates. That's 50% more than in the same amount of brown rice and almost as many carbs as in white rice. If you have type 2 diabetes or other conditions, you may be watching how many carbs you eat.

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