13 Vegetarian Recipes with Quinoa
If you’re looking for vegetarian recipes with quinoa, you’ve come to the right place! I have tons of ideas from salad to soup, one-pan meals to slow cooker recipes. There’s a quinoa recipe for every occasion!
What is quinoa?
Although quinoa is often thought of as a grain, it is technically a seed. This means it’s naturally gluten-free! It comes in different varieties although they all taste pretty much the same. You’ll see beige quinoa, red quinoa, and tri-color quinoa which is really just a blend of different varieties. There isn’t much of a difference between varieties and each type can be used in any of the recipes below.
How to Use Quinoa
Quinoa can be used in everything from soups to salads and casseroles to dessert. Yes, dessert! I used quinoa flour to make these quinoa flour cookies! Quinoa has a mild, slightly nutty flavor that lends itself to a variety of dishes. It’s often used in place of brown rice, like in this Spanish quinoa, but it can be used in all kinds of recipes!
Where to Buy Quinoa
You can usually find quinoa sold in bags in the natural section of the grocery store. Sometimes quinoa will be sold near the rice or gluten-free products. Depending on the grocery store, you may even find quinoa in the bulk bins which tends to be much cheaper! You can also find quinoa on Amazon and have it delivered right to your door!
Do you need to rinse quinoa?
Most quinoa needs to be rinsed before cooking. Some varieties will come pre-rinsed but if you’re not sure, give it a rinse just to be safe. Place the quinoa in a fine-mesh strainer and then run it under cool water. It needs to be a very fine mesh strainer so the quinoa doesn’t fall through. This strainer on Amazon is a great one for quinoa!
Vegetarian Recipes with Quinoa
This Quinoa Taco Skillet combines all of your favorite taco flavors in one pan! The fluffy quinoa, hearty beans, and melty cheesy make this dish an irresistible weeknight meal.
This easy quinoa pilaf is made with sweet dried apricots and salty pistachios for a side dish that is full of flavor. Serve this with pilaf your favorite protein or add it to a bed of mixed greens for a delicious and healthy salad.
This edamame and quinoa salad is made with crunchy romaine, red cabbage, shredded carrots, fresh cilantro, and roasted cashews. It’s an irresistible blend of flavors and textures that will keep you coming back for more!
This Quinoa and Butternut Squash salad is a delicious way to use some of autumn’s best produce! You can prep this salad ahead of time and take it out of the fridge when you’re ready to serve it!
This delicious vegetable soup is filled with quinoa, hearty chickpeas, and plenty of spices for a flavorful soup that will make you feel good from the inside out!
This Instant Pot Mexican Quinoa is an easy “dump and go” recipe. Simply add the ingredients to your pressure cooker, turn it on, and dinner is ready in minutes!
These quinoa stuffed sweet potatoes are a delicious and filling meal and this recipe comes together quickly thanks to a few simple shortcuts!
These quinoa and avocado bowls are filled with a rainbow of veggies and plenty of flavor! This is an easy, prep-friendly recipe that is perfect for a quick lunch or dinner!
This Mexican Quinoa Bake is a delicious vegetarian casserole made with quinoa, black beans, and plenty of vegetables! This one pan meal is filled with flavor and it’s a hearty main dish!
This warm quinoa salad is served on a bed of spinach for a uniquely delicious side dish that is simple to make! Salty feta and juicy tomatoes create a salad that pairs perfectly with your favorite protein!
This slow cooker quinoa chili is loaded with beans, corn, and spices for an easy one-pot meal that only takes a few minutes to prepare! Simply add everything to your slow cooker and press start!
This Chickpea and Quinoa Stew is loaded with spices and delicious flavors of paprika and chipotle peppers. It can be prepared in an Instant Pot or Crockpot for an easy weeknight meal!
These quinoa flour cookies are just as delicious as your favorite chocolate chip cookie, but they’re made with healthy ingredients! The quinoa adds a nutty flavor that makes these soft cookies completely irresistible!
I love quinoa and prepare it often for my daughter who doesn’t tolerate gluten. You have given me so many ideas, great!
I love cooking with quinoa and now I have a whole bunch of new recipes to add to our meal plans. My favourite way to incorporate it is adding it to salads and making little quinoa bites with cheese and broccoli!
There are so many great recipes using quinoa! The quinoa flour cookies look amazing, I think I’ll start with that recipe!
Saving this list for all the delicious recipes. We cook with quinoa pretty regularly and I’m always on the lookout for new recipes. Thanks for these tasty recipes.
I have always enjoyed quinoa and now I have 13 amazing ways to cook it! The quinoa and avocado bowl is definitely calling my name for lunch tomorrow. Thanks for the great roundup!
I have SO much quinoa in my cupboard, and since I’m moving in 2 months I need to use a lot of it up. This post couldn’t have come at a better time!!
I am a big fan of quinoa recipes. I do make it every week quinoa recipes. I loved your quinoa avocado salad recipe. Lovely collections!
I love cooking with quinoa and am always looking for some new ideas. These recipes all look so good – can’t wait to try some of them!
This article is a must-have! Saved!! I love quinoa and make dishes with it all the time for myself and for when I have friends over, I need to make every single one of them! All of them look so good but I’m looking forward to making the Mexican bake, looks divine!
I love quinoa. It is such a great ingredient to work with. The perfect alternative to meat as a protein. Lots of great ways to enjoy it in this recipe roundup.