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Seasoned Quinoa

How to season quinoa
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5 from 11 reviews

My go-to seasoning blend turns quinoa into a flavorful, crave-worthy side dish. With a few pantry staples, you’ll have perfectly seasoned and fluffy quinoa in no time!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups cooked quinoa (1 cup dry)*
  • 1 tablespoon butter (olive oil or coconut oil for vegan)
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • Optional: 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh herbs, like chives, basil, dill, oregano, thyme, cilantro, or Italian parsley, 1/4 cup feta cheese crumbles

Instructions

  1. Rinse the quinoa using a fine mesh strainer to reduce some of the bitterness, then drain completely. 
  2. Place the quinoa in a saucepan with 1 ¾ cups water. Bring the water to a boil on the stovetop, then reduce the heat to low.* 
  3. Cover the pot and simmer where the water is just bubbling for about 15 to 17 minutes, until the water has been completely absorbed. (Check by pulling back the quinoa with a fork to see if water remains.)
  4. Turn off the heat and let sit with the lid on to steam for 5 minutes, then fluff the quinoa with a fork.
  5. Stir in the butter, dried oregano, garlic powder, and kosher salt. If using fresh herbs, stir in the herbs (and feta cheese, if using). Taste and add additional salt if necessary.**
  6. Store leftovers refrigerated for up to 5 days.

Notes

*You can also use chicken or vegetable broth instead of the 2 cups of water the recipe calls for. This allows the quinoa to absorb extra flavor — just be aware that you might not need to add as much salt if you substitute the water for veggie or chicken broth. 

**Other seasoning options: 

  • Mix the quinoa with ¼ cup of basil pesto or vegan pesto instead of the herbs 
  • Stir in 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, herbes de Provence, Greek seasoning, Cajun seasoning, blackened seasoning, taco seasoning, or fajita seasoning 
  • Stir in a bit of soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, and thinly sliced green onions

Find it online: https://www.acouplecooks.com/how-to-season-quinoa/