Medically reviewed by Shahzadi Devje, Registered Dietitian (RD) & Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE)
Looking for ways to make quinoa taste good? Try my gluten free Cilantro Lime Quinoa; it’s an easy, healthy and gloriously tasty quinoa recipe. Quinoa seeds boiled in vegetable stock and infused with cilantro, zesty lime and garlic to create the perfect side to accompany any dish. Devour as is or use to take your salads and Buddha bowls to the next level. Snag the recipe below!
I’ll admit it, I’m a quinoa fanatic, y’all. I find any excuse to chuck it into cold or warm salads. Plus, it’s the perfect quinoa recipe to go with fish and serve alongside my vegan tikka masala.
These last few years, I’ve found myself experimenting with quinoa – quite a fair bit. Honestly, it took a bit of practice to master how to cook quinoa quickly on the stovetop (with flavour!). Of course, I wish I knew earlier these tips and tricks.
It’s felt extra busy these past few weeks. Honestly, I’ve been telling myself to get this recipe up for months. I was scrolling through my camera roll, today, and saw the quinoa recipe prep shots. I chose to take it as a sign and promised myself that I’d at least start the write-up. Well, it’s almost 10 pm, and I am cracking on – as pledged.
So, we make this cilantro lime quinoa recipe weekly and it guarantees fluffy quinoa — every time.
How To Make Quinoa Taste Good?
Here are my top Desi~licious tips on how to cook quinoa taste better — and with heaps of flavour:
- Toast it before you cook. Use a dry skillet and toast until the quinoa seeds are golden. They will release more flavour and enhance the nuttiness of quinoa.
- Use flavour boosters. Add spices, herbs and vegetables to bring heaps of flavour.
- Cook quinoa in broth instead of water. You could even do half and half. I typically use vegetable broth for this and find that it’s an effortless way to add flavour.
- Add coconut, nuts and dried fruits to bring flavour, some sweetness – and also some crunch.
And it doesn’t end there; accompanying quinoa with other flavour-packed dishes makes all the difference too!
Besides being versatile, quinoa is also mild-tasting. There are endless ways to dress it up and enjoy at any meal (or even dessert!). If you’re looking for some inspiration to make quinoa taste good, here are a bunch of ideas:
- Accompany with eggs or tofu scramble to create a nourishing breakfast – to power you through till lunchtime.
- Create a parfait, layered with your favourite yogurt and berries – super simple and oh so Desi~licious!
- Use in Buddha bowl creations alongside your favourite raw or cooked vegetables and cooked chickpeas. Finish with a drizzle of my avocado chutney. This is the perfect quinoa recipe with veggies!
- Throw into soups, stews and curries to boost the nutritional density of recipes. Adding quinoa creates thick and hearty dishes the entire family will love.
How To Make This Easy Cilantro Lime Quinoa – Step By Step
There’s so much talk about the quinoa to water ratio. Agreed, it’s a key component to pull off the perfect quinoa recipe. But, my experiments at home with a 1:2 ratio (1 cup quinoa with 2 cups water) – have only resulted in mushy quinoa. One and a half cups of quinoa to two cups of water, though, works like a charm! However, I must say, it does depend on a whole host of things: your cooking pot, the heat, the type of quinoa, and whether you’ve soaked the quinoa seeds or not.
Here’s how to make cilantro lime quinoa:
- In a medium pot, on medium heat, begin by frying the garlic in oil (Image 1).
- Once the garlic turns golden and releases its aroma, add the stock (Image 2) and bring to boil
- Add the washed and drained quinoa to the pot (Image 3) and bring it to boil.
- Cover and cook on high heat for 8 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and continue to cook for 2 additional minutes.
- Switch off the heat and let the quinoa sit (covered!) for 5 minutes.
- Pour in the lime juice (Image 4) and add the cilantro (Image 5)
- Using a fork, separate the quinoa seeds and mix gently (Image 6). Serve warm.
Desi~licious Top Tips
- Measure the ingredients and don’t wing it!
- Use a good quality vegetable stock to bring oodles of flavour to the quinoa recipe.
- Stick to fresh herbs and fresh lime, which help to enhance the flavour.
- Once the heat is switched off, allow the quinoa to stand – before diving in with your fork (I know it’s tempting!)
- Enjoy warm as is or serve alongside your favourite main dishes.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 days.
Do I have to rinse quinoa?
It’s really a personal choice, I think. Some argue that you should rinse the quinoa thoroughly to remove the natural bitter coating – known as saponin. I have made it both ways and noticed that the seeds are firmer and have a tad more flavour for unwashed quinoa. But if you don’t like bitter tastes, it may be a good idea to rinse your quinoa before boiling.
Quinoa Nutrition Facts
I get asked A LOT about quinoa’s nutrition facts. Find the info below along with the nutrition-specifics of my cilantro lime quinoa recipe!
One cup of cooked quinoa provides approximately:
- 8.6 g protein (complete protein – consisting of all the essential amino acids your body needs)
- 3.8 g fat
- 41.6 g carbohydrate
- 235 calories
- 5.5 g fibre
- 1.7 g sugar
- 33 mg of calcium
- 2.9 mg of iron
- 2.1 mg of zinc
- 125 mg of magnesium
- 45 mg of choline
- 82 micrograms folate
One serving of my quinoa recipe provides 9 g of protein and is:
- Low in saturated fat
- Reduced in total fat
- A high source of fibre
*Nutrient claims based on a 2000-calorie diet.
Looking for more quinoa dishes?
What’s your favourite way to enjoy quinoa? What tips do you have to make quinoa taste good? Have you tried my cilantro lime quinoa recipe before? Share in the comment section below!
If you try this recipe, would love to hear from you! Leave a comment, rate it, or share a photo and hashtag with #desiliciousrd on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Can’t wait to see your photos.
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How To Make Quinoa Taste Good + Easy Cilantro Lime Quinoa Recipe
Ingredients
- 1½ cups quinoa washed and drained
- 1 tbsp olive oil extra virgin
- 2 tsp garlic crushed
- 2 cups vegetable stock unsalted
- 1 cup cilantro washed, finely chopped
- 1 lime juice
Instructions
- In a medium pot, on medium heat, begin by frying the garlic in oil
- Once the garlic turns golden and releases its aroma, add the stock and bring to boil
- Add the washed and drained quinoa to the pot and bring it to boil. Cover and cook on high heat for 8 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and continue to cook for 2 additional minutes.
- Switch off heat and let the quinoa sit (covered!) for 5 minutes.
- Pour in lime juice and add the cilantro
- Using a fork, separate the quinoa seeds and mix gently. Serve warm.
Notes
- Take the time to measure the ingredients and don't wing it.
- Use a good quality vegetable stock to bring oodles of flavour to the quinoa recipe.
- Stick to fresh herbs and fresh lime, which help to enhance the flavour.
- Once the heat is switched off, allow the quinoa to stand - before diving in with your fork (I know it's tempting!)
- Enjoy warm as is or serve alongside your favourite main dishes.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 days.
Please note the nutritional analysis values are estimates and suggestions. This nutrition facts table does not know your life - your body, including your hunger and satiety cues, change daily. It's okay to eat more or less. Say no to food guilt and instead embrace mindful eating.
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Shahzadi is an award-winning registered dietitian (RD) regulated by the College of Dietitians of Ontario and certified diabetes educator (CDE), approved by the Canadian Diabetes Educator Certification Board. A YouTuber and notorious foodie, she’s dedicated to helping you end your cooking wars, transform your health, and be the best version of yourself! Shahzadi is an on-air nutrition expert for CTV Your Morning and a regular contributor for Global News and other national media outlets.
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