I have a love/love relationship with quinoa but I’ve crossed paths with my fair share of quinoa haters. In fact, one of the most FAQ’s I receive is how in the world can you make quinoa taste better? Spoiler alert: You’re more than likely cooking it wrong. Keep reading to find out why you shouldn’t give up on quinoa and how you can step your grain game up with just a few tweaks.
Why Quinoa?
We all know quinoa is all the rage in the plant-based world but it didn’t originate in the states. All thanks and credit should be directed towards the Incan ancestors. They often referred to it as the “mother grain” and it was a staple in their diet.
Quinoa is naturally gluten-free and high in fiber. Fiber is essential for optimal gut & overall health. Quinoa also contains essential vitamins & minerals such as magnesium, B vitamins, iron, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin E. Antioxidants are another plentiful & great benefit of quinoa. Remember, antioxidants prevent damage to our cells & oxidative stress. Oxidative stress creates a breeding ground for illness and disease in our bodies.
Quinoa is also considered a complete protein. This means that quinoa has all of the essential amino acids required to build and repair tissues in the body. Foods such as chia seeds, hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds, peanut butter, tofu, tempeh, edamame, buckwheat and Ezekial bread are all considered complete protein sources.
The Key To Making Quinoa Taste Better
There are endless ways to make quinoa taste better but there is one must have ingredient for my quinoa dishes. Good ol’ sweet Vidalia onions! I use Vidalia onions because they have the perfect balance of sweet and tangy to enhance just about any dish you can imagine. 
They hold up well under heat whether you’re grilling, stewing, caramelizing or baking. The possibilities are really endless. Check out my Instant Pot Lentil Bolognese & Easy Sweet Caramelized Onion & Mushroom recipes to see for yourself!
When it comes to cooking quinoa you can add a few more tweaks to the process. For example, you can use broth instead of water. Just be mindful of the sodium content as most broths use a ton of added salt for taste. Adding synergistic herbs and spices is a great way to enhance the flavor of your quinoa dish. I usually use vegan bouillon cubes and garlic to bring out an even more zesty & flavorful quinoa taste. Adding chopped or minced veggies like zucchini, carrots and peas will make your dish even more nutrient dense!
As far as texture is concerned, just cool your quinoa like pasta. That’s it! There are no crazy methods or gimmicks to getting a nice fluffy quinoa. Cooking it like pasta has been my fool proof way to guaranteeing the perfect texture every single time.
You can check out my quick tutorial on IGTV here:
So now that you have the tricks of the trade, will you give quinoa one more try? Let me know and tag me in your post!
-Healthy Hair To Toe
This post has been sponsored by The Vidalia Onion Committee. All opinions expressed are my own.
