How To Season Quinoa

Are you a quinoa fan? Quinoa quickly went from a niche food to one of the most popular whole grains out there! Whether you’re a lover or a hater, one thing is true. Quinoa right out of the pot is pretty bland. You’ve got to have a few tricks up your sleeve to make it taste amazing. Here’s our number 1 way of how to season quinoa: just a few simple ingredients transform it from bland to bursting with flavor! Even quinoa haters will want to take another bite…promise.

How to season quinoa: our top tips!

Here’s the thing: quinoa can taste a little bitter. Rinsing the quinoa before cooking it can help, the flavor can still have a twinge of bitterness right out of the pot. We’ve got a few tricks for how to season quinoa to perfection. What can you add to quinoa to make it taste better?

Butter: The lightly sweet flavor and richness of butter perfectly offsets the bitterness and dryness of quinoa. You can use coconut oil or olive oil for vegan. Olive oil can have a bitter aftertaste, so we prefer coconut oil.Garlic powder: Garlic powder adds a nice savory note to quinoa. You can also use a bit of minced fresh garlic. Dried oregano: Oregano adds a nuance of flavor and a Mediterranean flair. Kosher salt: One of the biggest mistakes people make with quinoa: they don’t add enough salt! Add just enough so it tastes flavorful but not salty. Feta cheese crumbles (optional): Take quinoa over the top with a sprinkle of savory feta cheese! It’s optional but makes it completely irresistible.

Best fresh herbs to serve with quinoa

The ingredients above work for the base method for how to season quinoa. Want to take it over the top? Add fresh herbs! Finely chopped fresh herbs add the very best fresh, herbaceous flavor to quinoa that take it to superstar status. Here are the best herbs to pair with quinoa:

ChivesBasilDillOreganoThymeCilantroParsley

Variations: more ways to season quinoa!

So, that’s how to season quinoa! The butter and dried herbs are probably something you already have on hand. If you have fresh herbs, even better! This way to season quinoa is the one we use the most: it’s perfect for making quinoa into a side for easy weeknight dinners. But looking for something different? Here are a few variations on how to season quinoa:

Pesto quinoa: Stir in ¼ cup basil pesto or vegan pesto instead of the herbs.Italian quinoa: Stir in 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning.Greek quinoa: Stir in 2 teaspoons Greek seasoning.French quinoa: Stir in 2 teaspoons herbes de Provence.Cajun quinoa: Stir in 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning (spicy) or blackened seasoning (medium).Mexican quinoa: Stir in 2 teaspoons taco seasoning or fajita seasoning.

Let us know if you try this method for how to season quinoa in the comments below. What else do you like to use?

More recipes with quinoa

Love quinoa and want to use it in more recipes? Here are some of our favorite quinoa recipes:

Quinoa Salad Our go-to! A mix of crunchy Mediterranean-style veggies and fluffy quinoa. Kale Quinoa Salad Full of healthy ingredients and tastes incredible! Meal prep this easy plant-based lunch idea for meals all week.Quinoa Tabbouleh This bright, Mediterranean-style salad is a deliciously healthy side dish.Loaded Quinoa Tacos A delicious vegetarian taco recipe, featuring quinoa taco filling, bell pepper slaw, spicy sour cream, and feta.Quinoa Fried Rice Uses protein-packed quinoa as a delicious alternative to rice! It’s full of veggies and an easy way to a healthy meal.Vegetarian Enchiladas with Quinoa A major crowd-pleaser! Stuffed with satisfying quinoa and artichoke filling.