How to Cook Quinoa in the Microwave

Co-authored by Jessica Gibson

Last Updated: November 1, 2021

Quinoa has enjoyed popularity as a super food because it's so nutritious and easy to prepare. You can quickly combine quinoa with water in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave the quinoa until the water is absorbed and you can fluff the quinoa with a fork. Serve the quinoa with your favorite meal or use it as a replacement for rice or grains.

Ingredients

1 cup (170 g) quinoa (any color)
2 cups (470 ml) water

Makes 3 cups (555 g)

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Microwaving Quinoa

1
Rinse the quinoa. Measure 1 cup (170 g) of quinoa and place it in a fine mesh strainer. Hold the strainer in the sink and run cold water over the quinoa. Rinse the quinoa for a few seconds to remove any bitterness.^{[1]
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- You can use any color of quinoa in this recipe. For example, try red, white, black, or tricolored.
2
Combine the quinoa with water. Transfer the rinsed quinoa to a medium-sized microwave-safe bowl. Pour in 2 cups (470 ml) of water and stir the mixture.^{[2]
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3
Cover the bowl. Put a microwave-safe lid on the bowl and put the container in the microwave. If you don't have a lid that fits the bowl, you can use a plate as long as it's microwave safe.^{[3]
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4
Microwave the quinoa for six minutes. Turn the microwave on to cook the quinoa for six minutes. Your microwave should be at full power.^{[4]
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5
Stir the quinoa. Open the microwave and carefully lift off the lid from the bowl. Stir the quinoa so it will finish cooking evenly. You might need to wear an oven mitt to hold the hot bowl.^{[5]
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- A lot of the water should be absorbed by the quinoa.
6
Microwave the quinoa for another two minutes. Return the bowl to the microwave and put the lid back on the bowl. Heat the quinoa for two more minutes.^{[6]
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7
Rest the quinoa for 5 to 10 minutes. Leave the cooked quinoa to sit in the microwave with the lid on for 5 to 10 minutes. This will give the quinoa a chance to absorb the rest of the water.^{[7]
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8
Fluff the quinoa and serve it. Carefully remove the hot bowl from the microwave and use a fork to fluff the cooked quinoa. Serve the quinoa while it's still warm or let it cool before you store it. To store the quinoa, put it in an airtight container and refrigerate it for six to seven days.^{[8]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Trying Variations

1
Create breakfast quinoa. Combine the dry quinoa with the water, but add a few dashes of cinnamon and a pat of butter. Microwave the quinoa until it's completely cooked and then fluff it. Drizzle the spiced quinoa with maple syrup, cream, and fresh fruit (such as bananas or berries).^{[9]
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- For a quick breakfast you can just top microwaved quinoa with flavored yogurt, granola, or nuts.
2
Make a microwaved chicken, broccoli, and quinoa meal. Slice one raw chicken breast into thin strips and toss it with a handful of broccoli florets. Stir in a clove of minced garlic and a little fresh ginger. Pour about a tablespoon (15 ml) of water, a splash of soy sauce, and a splash of sesame oil into the bowl. Cover the bowl and microwave it for four minutes. The chicken should be completely cooked. Serve the dish over your prepared quinoa.^{[10]
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- Ensure that the chicken reaches 165 °F (74 °C) on an instant-read thermometer.
3
Microwave a bean, cheese, and quinoa meal. Place a scoop of already microwaved quinoa into a microwave-safe bowl. Stir in some black beans and chopped bell pepper. Sprinkle a little shredded cheddar cheese on top and microwave the meal for a minute or two. Garnish the dish with sliced avocado, sour cream, or salsas.^{[11]
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