15 Quinoa Recipes to Make the Most of This High-Protein Seed
Grain-like quinoa is incredibly nutritious.
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Whether you're trying to eat healthier, looking for a new versatile ingredient to play with in the kitchen, or simply want to switch up your go-to grain, quinoa is worth checking out. Though technically it's a seed, quinoa is cooked and used like grains—rice, oats, bulgur, buckwheat. But because it's a seed, it's actually quite good for you, being higher in things like fiber and protein than typical grains.
That's not why we like it. We like it because it's dang delicious! We also like it because you can do so much with it. You can make it soft and chewy, and put chicken or fish on top. You can fry it up so it's crunchy and put it on salads. You can even cook it into a breakfast porridge!
Here are 15 ways we love to use quinoa in our dinner rotation plans.
Roasted Wax Bean, Avocado & Crispy Quinoa Salad
A good grain salad makes a filling and flavorful option as a side dish or even a filling meal. Avocado, mint, and wax beans really round this one out.
Get the recipe for Roasted Wax Bean, Avocado & Crispy Quinoa Salad.
Farro and Quinoa Salad with Spinach and Peas
What's better than one grain? Two! This cold grain salad is easy to pack for office lunches, picnics, or anywhere else you care to travel.
Get the recipe for Farro and Quinoa Salad with Spinach and Peas.
Slow-Cooker Whole-Grain Porridge
Cooked grains—a.k.a. porridge—make a super hearty, filling breakfast. Here, we've got six different ideas for how to top 'em.
Salt-and-Pepper Chicken with Spring Quinoa Pilaf
If you're trying to eat a little healthier, quinoa can make an excellent sub for rice in a dinner dish.
Get the recipe for Salt-and-Pepper Chicken with Spring Quinoa Pilaf.
Chicken-and-Quinoa Minestrone
We love adding quinoa to soups, such as this minestrone. It's an easy way to ensure a filling meal!
Kale Salad with Pickled Cranberries and Crispy Quinoa
When fried, quinoa makes a great crunchy salad topper, as in this holiday-season kale salad.
Get the recipe for Kale Salad with Pickled Cranberries and Crispy Quinoa.
Chickpea and Red Pepper Soup with Quinoa
Have you ever seen a vegan dish the family actually clamors for? Make this, and you will!
Get the recipe for Chickpea and Red Pepper Soup with Quinoa.
Baked Pepper Jack Quinoa Skillet
This skillet is everything you'd want in a family-friendly dish: It's got oodles of cheesy flavor covering a super-healthy bed of quinoa and broccoli.
Farro and Quinoa Salad with Spinach and Peas
Make this your new go-to all-purpose salad and side dish.
Get the recipe for Farro and Quinoa Salad with Spinach and Peas.
Tomato-Quinoa Soup
Tomato soup is delicious, but it can be a little lacking in body. This recipe keeps full tummies happy with some quinoa.
Pork and Pears with Quinoa
Pear and butternut squash add a sweet depth to the flavor of hearty pork in this heart-healthy dish.
Summer Squash Salad with Herbs and Quinoa
This summer salad is a good reminder that you don't need lettuce to make a fresh, healthy side—or to soak up a well-made dressing!
Get the recipe for Summer Squash Salad with Herbs and Quinoa.
Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
A typical tabouli salad uses bulgur wheat for the grain, but quinoa makes a fantastic substitute.
Get the recipe for Mediterranean Quinoa Salad at Half Baked Harvest.
Quinoa Crusted Schnitzel
Try this just once and you may never go back to breadcrumbs again.
Get the recipe for Quinoa Crusted Schnitzel at Half Baked Harvest.
Buffalo Chicken Quinoa Salad
When you're craving the flavor of Buffalo Chicken, but you're also trying not to overindulge, this super flavorful but healthy salad has you covered!
Get the recipe for Buffalo Chicken Quinoa Salad at Half Baked Harvest.
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