25 Favorite Recipes Using Quinoa

Here are 25 Favorite Recipes Using Quinoa, including quinoa soups, quinoa salads, quinoa side dishes and quinoa casseroles and skillet meals.

January 16th is National Quinoa Day! Quinoa is a whole grain packed with nutrients, fiber, protein, and plant compounds. Celebrate today by making one of these 25 favorite recipes using quinoa. Share your delicious quinoa creation on social media today using the hashtags #NationalQuinoaDay, #QuinoaDay and #RecipesForHolidays.

Be sure to follow my January Food Holidays page so you never miss a food holiday in the month of January.

“I love quinoa. It’s great, it cooks like rice and is better than caviar.”

-Clotilde Hesme

The History of Quinoa:

From Brittanica:

An ancient crop, quinoa is thought to have been independently domesticated multiple times throughout its range some 3,000–5,000 years ago. Together with corn (maize) and potatoes, quinoa was a staple to pre-Columbian Inca, Aymara, and Quechua peoples, among others. 

Legend has it that the Incan emperor would ceremoniously break ground each year with a golden spade and plant the first quinoa seeds. The Incas used it as a vegetable, consuming the leaves fresh or cooked.

Until the late 20th century quinoa was largely viewed as a marginal crop and was grown primarily by poor subsistence farmers in Bolivia and Peru.

Quinoa has been cultivated in the United States, primarily in the high elevation San Luis Valley of Colorado where it was introduced in 1983.

In 2020, world production of quinoa was 175,188 metric tons, led by Peru and Bolivia with 97% of the total when combined.

How to Cook Quinoa by FoodieCrush: As a gluten-free option to grains, and as a part of healthy meal prep, this is how to cook quinoa like pasta so it’s light, fluffy and cooked perfectly tender every time.

How to Flavor Quinoa by Simply Quinoa: Not a fan of the flavor of quinoa? We’ve got tips and tricks, plus some tried and true recipes showing you how to flavor quinoa 6 easy ways.

Thai Quinoa Salad by Eat With Clarity: This is a salad loaded with fresh, crisp veggies, fluffy quinoa and a peanut sauce that you’re going to want to put on everything!

Quinoa Fritters by Becoming Ness: This recipe is a great way to use up any leftover quinoa. They are easy to make and go really well with garlic aioli.

Creamy Italian Quinoa Soup by Platings and Pairings: This soup is not only amazingly delicious, but it’s also packed with protein, fiber and essential vitamins and antioxidants.

Cowboy Caviar Quinoa Salad by Contentedness Cooking: This salad is naturally vegan, gluten free, and so delicious. It has all the flavors you’ll love and is super easy to make for dinner, lunch, or meal prep. 

Quinoa Flatbread Pizza Crust by Moon and Spoon and Yum: This is an easy, healthy and delicious 5-ingredient, high-protein, high-fiber, dairy-free, gluten-free vegan pizza crust recipe!

Teriyaki Shrimp Quinoa Bowls by Skinnytaste: These delicious bowls are seasoned with honey, ginger, and soy sauce and are topped with avocado and a Mango-Cucumber Salsa.

Strawberry Orange Spinach Salad with Quinoa by TidyMom: This salad is full of protein and is perfect for lunch or dinner on warm spring days.

Quinoa Enchilada Casserole by Build Your Bite: This is a flavor packed gluten-free dish that makes the perfect healthy dinner!

Roasted Chickpea Quinoa Buddha Bowl by RecipeGirl: These are packed Greek-style with roasted chickpeas, quinoa, hummus, cucumber, lettuce, tomato, kalamata olives and more!

Chicken Broccoli Quinoa by Everyday Easy Eats: It makes a healthy dinner that everyone in the family will love. It is well-balanced and very satiating, which makes it a great meal for weight loss.

Meal Prep Chicken Quinoa “Fried Rice” Bowls by Project Meal Plan: Fried quinoa is used in place of rice with veggies and chunky chicken breast – you won’t even know what’s missing in these “fried rice” bowls!

Spinach Mushroom Quinoa by Eatwell 101: Quinoa pairs perfectly with sauteed mushrooms, spinach, and savory parmesan! 

Spinach Artichoke Quinoa Casserole by iFoodReal: This is packed with protein, tasty veggies, and a cheesy topping.

Lightened-Up Lemon Parmesan Chicken Quinoa Skillet by A Kitchen Addiction: This is full of fresh flavors and comes together in under an hour!

Cheesy Stuffed Chicken Sausage Quinoa Peppers by Reluctant Entertainer: Eat the rainbow with stuffed bell peppers!

Buffalo Chicken Quinoa Casserole by The Iron You: It’s like chicken wings and blue cheese dip in casserole form with quinoa. This dish covers it all.

Spinach and Quinoa Salad with Apple by RecipeGirl: This salad is packed with sweet-tart apple slices and cranberries, creamy goat cheese, and toasted pecans. Its tossed in a homemade honey-lemon vinaigrette. The quinoa absorbs a bit of the dressing, soaking up delicious flavor along the way. 

Roasted Vegetable Quinoa by RecipeGirl: This is a delicious and healthy side dish that can be served either warm or cold.

Broccoli Quinoa Casserole by Sweet Peas and Saffron: This is easy to prepare ahead for weeknight dinners! Packed with chicken, broccoli, and quinoa, it’s meal prep and freezer friendly.

Harvest Vegetable and Chicken Soup with Quinoa and Bacon by RecipeGirl: This soup is loaded with veggies, a little added protein and a sprinkle of quinoa too. It’s healthy and its filling.

Quinoa Taco Salad by Fannetastic Food: This salad has a great balance of veggies, fiber, protein, and healthy fat to keep you full and satisfied. 

Quinoa Tabbouleh by The Simple Veganista: This salad has fresh parsley and mint, hemp hearts, tomato, and cucumber is full of color and flavor. It can be served as a side or a light meal!

Garlicky Mushroom Quinoa by Lord Byron’s Kitchen: This dish has meaty cremini mushrooms which have been pan-fried in lots of garlic and butter. It’s then combined with cooked quinoa for a very healthy side or main!