Quinoa fried rice is a healthy, quick recipe that takes less than 30 minutes to cook. This is loaded with green veggies, vegan, gluten-free, and a healthier alternative to regular fried rice.
This is a lifesaver if you are on a low-carb diet and craving fried rice. You can make this quick and easy recipe in just 30 minutes or even in less time. Add whatever veggies you like to your quinoa fried rice. Read my other quinoa recipe here: roasted vegetable quinoa salad.
What is quinoa fried rice?
Quinoa fried rice is a variation of traditional fried rice that substitutes quinoa, a nutrient-rich grain, for the more commonly used rice. It offers a healthier alternative for those looking to reduce their carbohydrate intake or incorporate more whole grains into their diet. The dish is prepared by stir-frying cooked quinoa with various vegetables, proteins, and seasonings.
Quinoa Fried Rice - Highlights
I loved this healthy quinoa fried rice made with just quinoa and veggies. Here are a few points which you'll also love about it.
- Quinoa is one of the healthiest foods, plus the added benefits of tons of veggies.
- This versatile dish suits any menu, like breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
- Can enjoy something similar to rice while shedding extra pounds
- This is gluten-free, nut-free, soy-free, vegan, or make it vegetarian.
- It takes 30 minutes or less. Hence, a quick dinner for busy weeknights.
Quinoa Vs Rice - Which one is healthier?
Quinoa is a nutrient-dense grain (or pseudo-grain) with numerous health benefits. This is a rich source of plant proteins and fiber. When we compare this with rice, no doubt quinoa wins the race for me and all.
One cup of cooked quinoa provides double the amount of protein we get from similar quantities of rice. Rice is a high-carbohydrate and high-calorie grain. It has more calories (approximately 40 cal) and 15x - 20X more carbohydrates than quinoa. Because of its low carb and low carbohydrate content, quinoa is beneficial for shedding those extra pounds while still having a similar taste (though not equal).
How To Make Quinoa Fried Rice?
Ingredients for Quinoa fried rice:
Quinoa, Vegetables, Onion, Garlic, Oil, Spices
You can make your quinoa and store it in a refrigerator or freezer. Remove it and add it to the sauteed vegetables and some of your choice of spices.
VegetablesโYou are free to add as many vegetables as you like. Include a variety of them. You can use freshly chopped seasonal veggies or frozen vegetables (which saves prepping time). Here, I have used broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, green beans, onions, and garlic for flavor.
Spices - Soy sauce, chili pepper flakes, a little bit of sriracha sauce for a kick of heat, tomato ketchup or maple syrup to balance the heat. You can substitute all of these mentioned above with this stir-fry sauce, too.
Instructions:
Like simple ingredients, the method is also simple. I will say this is a two-step process.
- Make Quinoa
- Saute vegetables
- Add cooked quinoa to veggies
- pour in the sauce and mix everything
A quick-cooking tip:ย Cook the quinoa in advance and store it in the refrigerator or freezer. When you are in a hurry and in no mood to cook, sautรฉ some veggies, add your pre-cooked quinoa, and give them a nice and quick stir. Your healthy weeknight dinner will be ready in just 10 minutes. Check out my lazy vegan recipes.
How to Cook Quinoa Fluffy?
One cup of dry quinoa makes three cups of cooked quinoa. Making quinoa is as easy as making rice. Just rinse the quinoa vigorously to get rid of the slight natural bitterness.
For every cup of quinoa, you need 1 โ cups of water for fluffy quinoa. To make fluffy quinoa, heat water in a saucepan and add rinsed quinoa. If necessary, add a pinch of salt. Bring it to a boil. Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat to low. Cover with a lid and simmer for 15 minutes. Turn off the heat and keep the saucepan aside untouched for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, open the lid and fluff it with a fork.
Recipe Card for Quinoa Fried Rice
Quinoa Fried Rice
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup Quinoa
- 2 cups Water
- 4 tbsp Olive oil
- 2 cups Vegetables diced, frozen/fresh
- 1 Onion
- 4 Garlic pods
- 1 tsp Ground coriander
- ยฝ tsp Ground cumin
- ยฝ tsp Curry powder
- ยผ cup Fresh coriander leaves finely chopped
- ยฝ tsp Salt (or as per taste)
- ยผ tsp Black pepper powder
- 1 Lemon (Juice of lemon)
- 1 Green Chilli (optional)
Instructions
Making Perfect Quinoa
- Rinse the quinoa well.
- Now add quinoa to a sauce pan or any pot along with double the amount water.
- Place the pan on high flame.
- Once the water starts to boil, reduce the flame to low.
- Cover the pot with a lid and cook on low heat for 7 - 10 minutes.
- After 7 minutes, check with a fork if still any liquid is there in pot.
- If still there is water and quinoa is not cooked properly, then cover it again with lid and cook for another 5 minutes or till quinoa is cooked perfect.
- Fluff it with a fork and set aside.
Cooking Veggies
- In a large skillet, heat oil.
- Add onion, garlic and saute for a minute.
- Add in the vegetables, saute on low flame for 5 - 7 minutes.
- Saute till the veggies are soft and not overcooked.
- Add salt, pepper, and spices.
- Give it a nice stir.
Saute Quinoa with veggies
- Now add the cooked quinoa into the vegetable pan.
- Cook on low heat for 2 minutes.
- Garnish with fresh coriander leaves.
Notes
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