Herbed quinoa is a light and flavorful variation of our fluffy quinoa base recipe. Tossed with a mix of fresh herbs and a squeeze of lemon, this simple dish brings a refreshing pop of color and taste to your plate. Serve it with grilled chicken, roasted veggies, or as the base of a hearty grain bowl. It’s an easy, versatile recipe you’ll want to make again and again!
Must-Know Cooking Skills to Level Up Your Kitchen Game
Want to whip up this recipe like a pro? Brush up on the basics with these quick how-to videos:
Take it a step further with our Knife Skills 101 course, and you’ll be slicing and dicing like a seasoned chef in no time!
Culinary Tips for the Most Delicious Herbed Quinoa
Rinse quinoa under cold water using a fine mesh strainer before cooking to remove its natural bitter coating (saponin).
Use a 1:1.5 ratio of quinoa to water or broth for the best fluffy texture. Many recipes suggest 1:2, but we find our ratio produces better results.
Simmer until all the liquid is absorbed and a white “ring” appears around the grain.
Let the quinoa rest, covered, for 5–10 minutes off the heat, then fluff with a fork to separate the grains.
Chop herbs just before stirring in to preserve their fresh flavor and vibrant color.
Ingredient Swaps & Substitutions
- Quinoa:Use any color – white, red, black, or tri-color.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil:Substitute avocado oil or another neutral oil if desired. We love olive oil from Enzo’s table!
- Garlic: Sub ¼ teaspoon granulated garlic, but add with the broth.
- Low-sodium Vegetable or Chicken Broth: Sub water, but it won’t have as much flavor.
- Fresh Herbs:Try basil, chives, cilantro, dill, mint, oregano, parsley! A mix of at least two is best! Avoid dried herbs here; their texture and flavor won’t match.
- Lemon Juice:Use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor. In a pinch, bottled juice can be used, but the flavor won’t be as bright.
Recipe Variations: Make it YOUR Own!
This herbed quinoa recipe is your canvas to build upon! Try these tasty variations:
Spicy Quinoa with Herbs: Add crushed red pepper flakes or a chopped jalapeño.
Crunchy Herb Quinoa: Stir in toasted nuts or seeds like almonds, walnuts, or pepitas.
Want more quinoa recipe inspiration?
Use our fluffy quinoa base recipe as a guide, check out our variations, and then have fun exploring different flavors, ingredients, and textures to YOUR taste!
Equipment Recommendations
You just need a few basic tools for this recipe. Here’s your shopping list:
- Cutting board& Chef’s knife – to cook like a chef, of course!
- 2-3 Quart Saucepan with Lid– perfect for simmering to perfection.
- Liquid Measuring Cup– necessary for pourable ingredients!
- Dry Measuring Cups & Spoons– precision makes a difference.
- Citrus Juicer– for the fresh stuff; leave the bottle on the shelf!
Want to upgrade your kitchen tools? Don’t miss our Essential Equipment Guide for all the must-haves!
Health Benefits of Herbed Quinoa
Quinoa
Quinoa is technically a seed, but because it is nutritionally comparable to whole grains, we group it alongside brown rice, farro, millet, etc. Quinoa is a unique plant protein source because it contains all 9 of the essential amino acids we need to get from food, making it a complete protein. (Most plant foods don’t have all 9.) Quinoa also has a higher protein-to-carbohydrate ratio compared to other grains.
Fresh Herbs
Green herbs, like parsley and basil, not only add a pop of freshness and great flavor to a dish, but they add nutrition too! Herbs are rich in essential vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients that promote health and help fight diseases.
Lemon Juice
Lemons are high in vitamin C and antioxidants which support a healthy immune system. In addition, using an acidic ingredient in a recipe reduces the need for salt, which can help reduce hypertension risk.
Explore our Ingredient Guide for more tips on choosing the freshest, most flavorful picks for your recipes. Because great ingredients = great food! 🌟🍴
Serving Suggestions for Herbed Quinoa
Serve herbed quinoa with roasted vegetables, spiced salmon, or in a grain bowl with greens, chickpeas, and a creamy tahini dressing. It also makes a great make-ahead lunch – just store it in the fridge and enjoy cold or at room temperature.
Learn how to build a healthy balanced meal with our Whole Life Plate, meal plan, and book!
Storage & Reheat Tips
Leftovers? No problem! Store leftover herbed quinoa in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, warm in the microwave or on the stove with a splash of water or broth to prevent drying out.
Craving more herbalicious recipes?
Here are a few fan favorites to try!
Share the Love – Leave Us a Review!
Unlike many other recipe blogs, we encourage you to tweak our recipes to suit your taste. Try it out, leave us a review, and tell us what changes you made! We love hearing how you make it your own.
FAQS
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Herbed Quinoa
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup quinoa, rinsed and drained
- 1 ½ cups low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
- ½ cup chopped fresh herbs, loosely packed (such as basil, chives, cilantro, dill, mint, oregano, or parsley)
- 1 medium lemon, juiced (~2 Tablespoons)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan (2-3 quart), heat the extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the rinsed quinoa to the saucepan and toast for about 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently until fragrant. Add broth and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil over high heat.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for 15 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed and the quinoa is tender. Look for a ring to pop out!
- Remove the saucepan from heat and let it sit, covered, for 10 minutes. Then, fluff the quinoa with a fork. Allow to cool slightly.
- Stir in chopped herbs and lemon juice. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled. Enjoy!
This Post Has 2 Comments
“Dry” measuring cups and spoons, “liquid” measuring cups and spoons, it makes no difference! I’m speaking from experience, and, precision doesn’t matter as much in cooking as it does in baking. Besides, there ARE no “dry” or “liquid” measuring spoons.
You are correct – precision does not matter as much in cooking as it does in baking! But for people learning to cook, and who are not experts, they appreciate measurements. When measuring liquids, you truly are more accurate using a liquid measure and vice versa, but feel free to use whatever you want. We give suggestions based on our culinary knowledge and expertise; you don’t have to agree 😅