11 Quinoa Bowl Recipes That Make It Easy (And Delicious!) To Eat Clean (2024)

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Expert reviewer:

March 19, 2020

By Leah Vanderveldt

mbg Contributor

Leah Vanderveldt is an author living in Brooklyn, New York. She received her bachelor’s in communications and media from Fordham University, and is certified in culinary nutrition from the Natural Gourmet Institute. She is the author of two cookbooks: The New Nourishing and The New Porridge.

Expert review by

Molly Knudsen, M.S., RDN

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

Molly Knudsen, M.S., RDN is a Registered Dietician Nutritionist with a bachelor’s degree in nutrition from Texas Christian University and a master’s in nutrition interventions, communication, and behavior change from Tufts University. She lives in Newport Beach, California, and enjoys connecting people to the food they eat and how it influences health and wellbeing.

March 19, 2020

Whether you're an avid meal prepper or just don't feel like cooking up a complicated meal, consider adding more quinoa bowl recipes to your life. The concept is simple: Just chuck some ingredients (whether cooked or raw) into a bowl, and you've got a balanced, nutritious meal. Needless to say, bowls are easy to make, unfussy, and can create a satisfying meal if you keep three main components in mind:

  1. Base (grains and greens)
  2. Vegetables and/or fruits
  3. Toppings (herbs, nuts/seeds, dressings)

Quinoa is a great base because it's gluten-free and protein-packed, and it's one of the quickest cooking grains (it's actually a seed, but you can read more about that here). Cook up a big batch of quinoa in advance and turn it into some of these tasty quinoa bowls.

1.

Coconut Milk Breakfast Quinoa

11 Quinoa Bowl Recipes That Make It Easy (And Delicious!) To Eat Clean (4)

Photo by Photo courtesy of How Sweet Eats

Yes, you can have quinoa for breakfast. This Coconut Milk Breakfast Quinoa recipe is rich, filling, and full of sweet flavor. It's a perfect bowl to make if you're looking to switch up your everyday oatmeal.

2.

Superfood Quinoa Breakfast Bowls

11 Quinoa Bowl Recipes That Make It Easy (And Delicious!) To Eat Clean (5)

Photo by Photo courtesy of The Wheatless Kitchen

Another breakfast option, these Superfood Quinoa Breakfast Bowls take on more of a granola quality than a creamy porridge. And if you meal prep, it'll only take minutes to prepare—just mix in the cooked quinoa with some cinnamon and maple syrup, then add whatever toppings, like blueberries and almonds, you desire. Simple, yet delicious.

3.

Quinoa, Kale + Pesto Breakfast Bowls

11 Quinoa Bowl Recipes That Make It Easy (And Delicious!) To Eat Clean (6)

Photo by Photo courtesy of The Iron You

If you've hopped on the savory breakfast train, these Quinoa, Kale + Pesto Breakfast Bowls are basically made for you. Feel free to ditch the poached egg for a vegan option like scrambled tofu—either way, the meal will have plenty of protein.

4.

Quinoa Taco Salad + Chipotle Lime Dressing

11 Quinoa Bowl Recipes That Make It Easy (And Delicious!) To Eat Clean (7)

Photo by Photo courtesy of Love + Lemons

Adding quinoa to salads can make them an even more filling and nutrient-rich meal, and this Quinoa Taco Salad With Chipotle Lime Dressing recipe does not disappoint. Fresh, light, filling, and full of flavor—what else could you want?

5.

Balsamic Chicken Salad Bowls

11 Quinoa Bowl Recipes That Make It Easy (And Delicious!) To Eat Clean (8)

Photo by Photo courtesy of Cafe Delites

These Balsamic Chicken Salad Bowls contain lemon quinoa, where the quinoa is cooked in a mixture of vegetable broth and lemon juice. It gives the quinoa a boost of flavor, while maintaining its fluffy texture. Perfect to throw in a salad like this!

6.

Southwest Quinoa Salad with Cilantro Chili Lime Dressing

11 Quinoa Bowl Recipes That Make It Easy (And Delicious!) To Eat Clean (9)

Image by Ina Peters / Stocksy

Be prepared--this salad will surely become your next go-to healthy staple. With only six ingredients, this Southwest Quinoa Salad is incredibly easy to make and store in the fridge for any occasion. Feel free to add your desired protein, or sprinkle some cheese on top for even more flavor.

7.

Curried Coconut Quinoa With Greens + Roasted Cauliflower

11 Quinoa Bowl Recipes That Make It Easy (And Delicious!) To Eat Clean (10)

Photo by Photo courtesy of Cookie + Katie

For a warm and comforting meal, you'll want to try these Curried Coconut Quinoa with Greens + Roasted Cauliflower. The quinoa is cooked in coconut milk along with fragrant Indian spices, giving this vegan and gluten-free bowla beautiful color and flavor.

8.

Salmon, Quinoa + Kale Bowl With Tahini Yogurt Sauce

11 Quinoa Bowl Recipes That Make It Easy (And Delicious!) To Eat Clean (11)

Photo by Photo courtesy of Feed Me Phoebe

There's something about quinoa and kale that just seem to fit. Throw a salmon filet on top, and you've got yourself a nutritiously elevated salad. This Salmon, Quinoa and Kale Bowl With Tahini Yogurt Sauce recipe is easy to make, yet has a restaurant-level quality.

9.

Loaded Greek Quinoa Salad

11 Quinoa Bowl Recipes That Make It Easy (And Delicious!) To Eat Clean (12)

Image by Melanie DeFazio / Stocksy

Mediterranean diet-dreams do come true with this Loaded Greek Quinoa Salad. It's a simple salad that's bursting with flavor and healthy ingredients (we love our olive oil, after all). This recipe is also perfect for meal prepping—feel free to make a huge batch and serve it up whenever you're craving Mediterranean flavors throughout the week.

10.

Thai Veggie Quinoa Bowls

11 Quinoa Bowl Recipes That Make It Easy (And Delicious!) To Eat Clean (13)

Photo by Photo courtesy of Avocado Pesto

These Thai Veggie Quinoa Bowls pack in so much flavor and protein, with a tangy Thai dressing. Whether you serve it as a side or eat the whole bowl clean as your main meal, these bowls are sure to become an easy weekly staple.

11.

Roasted Veggie Quinoa Bowl

11 Quinoa Bowl Recipes That Make It Easy (And Delicious!) To Eat Clean (14)

Photo by Photo courtesy of I Love Vegan

Have leftover roasted veggies? Toss them into a bowl with some quinoa, and you've got yourself an easy, healthy meal. This Roasted Veggie Quinoa Bowl recipe is so easy to make, the hardest part becomes choosing which veggie you want to toss in!

11 Quinoa Bowl Recipes That Make It Easy (And Delicious!) To Eat Clean (2024)

FAQs

What to put in quinoa to make it taste good? ›

I find that some of the best seasonings for quinoa are cumin, dried bay leaf, turmeric, and salt, and black pepper. I also love to flavor it with fresh garlic and herbs such as parsley, dill, and cilantro. You can add the seasonings of your choice into the pot at the same time with the liquid and cook it as directed.

What is the healthiest way to eat quinoa? ›

Toss it in salads.

Quinoa is a complete source of protein and makes a great addition to a healthy salad. The combination of fiber, protein and healthy fats can turn a light side salad into a robust entrée.

What to eat with plain quinoa? ›

Quinoa's got the carbs covered, so you'll likely want to add some additional protein (eggs, lentils, beans, tofu, chicken), a fat (olive oil, nuts, butter, cheese), and, ideally, some kind of fruit or vegetable (broccoli, berries, squash, spinach).

How to cook quinoa so it's not bitter? ›

And one final note before you cook: Quinoa is coated in naturally occurring insecticides called saponins. They can give the grain a bitter taste and make it difficult to digest, so make sure to rinse quinoa in a fine mesh strainer before putting it on the stove. Once you've rinsed it, you're ready to cook!

What happens if you don't soak quinoa? ›

Do you need to soak quinoa before cooking it? In short, no, you don't need to soak quinoa. However, doing so is said to remove phytic acid, which may make it easier for people to digest quinoa. If you just want to remove the bitter flavor from quinoa, rinse it under cold water for about a minute.

Can I eat quinoa every day? ›

You can eat one-two cups of cooked quinoa in a day. You should avoid eating it if you experience stomachache, itchiness or vomiting after consuming it. A study by Harvard Public School of Health has reported that eating a bowl of quinoa daily is healthy and without any side effects.

Is quinoa a carb or protein? ›

Quinoa is considered a carbohydrate because it contains many carbs per serving. Although it contains some protein, the macronutrient distribution is closer to what you find in other grains and starches.

Is quinoa better for you than Oatmeal? ›

It is high in proteins and fiber and enriched with antioxidants that help in making the immune system stronger. You are advised to consume quinoa more in comparison to oats as quinoa will provide more health benefits in low calories.

What is the best time to eat quinoa? ›

Quinoa can be consumed anytime – at breakfast, lunch or dinner. But it is best to eat healthy food like quinoa before going to bed. It induces sleep, because it relaxes the muscles, due to its high magnesium and protein content. “One can eat one-two cups of cooked quinoa in a day.

Can I eat 1 cup of quinoa a day? ›

A study by the Harvard Public School of Health stated that eating a bowl of quinoa daily may reduce the chances of early death risk from cancer, heart disease, respiratory ailments, diabetes, and other chronic diseases by 17%.

Is quinoa meant to be eaten hot or cold? ›

Quinoa can be used for everything from a complete hot dish to a quick cold recipe! As a pioneer of the sacred seed, Priméal reveals all the grain's secrets for a healthier diet.

Why is quinoa so expensive? ›

Quinoa is more expensive than rice and other grains due to several factors, including: Production costs: Quinoa is typically produced on a smaller scale compared to other grains, and it requires specialized equipment and labor-intensive harvesting and processing techniques, which can drive up production costs.

Is quinoa better for breakfast or dinner? ›

Quinoa is the ultimate breakfast food. Not only is it packed with protein and fiber, but it's also a complex carbohydrate meaning it digests more slowly in your body. So if you're like me and you hate feeling famished mid-morning, quinoa is a great thing to add to your daily breakfast routine.

Is quinoa healthier than rice? ›

Quinoa is rich in both fiber and protein, contains a much higher amount of other nutrients, and has a similar fluffy texture to the rice. A cup of quinoa contains twice more protein and about 5 g more fiber than white rice. Quinoa contains fewer calories and carbohydrates than white rice.

What liquid to cook quinoa in? ›

The basic ratio is 1 cup quinoa to 2 cups liquid. You can use water (season it with a bit of kosher salt), or you can use any kind of broth (we like to use low-sodium broths and add any extra salt to the finished dish as needed). You can also add a bit of dry white wine to the liquid for another layer of flavor.

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