Herb and Garlic Quinoa Recipe
A flavorful and easy-to-make Herb and Garlic Quinoa recipe that is perfect as a nutritious side dish or a light main course. This recipe combines tender quinoa with aromatic garlic, onion powder, and Italian herbs for a delicious and healthy meal option.
- Author: lina
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Quinoa Base
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 cups water
Seasonings
- 2 teaspoons oil (olive or any preferred cooking oil)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian herb blend
- Rinse Quinoa: Rinse the quinoa thoroughly under cold running water to remove its natural coating called saponin, which can make it taste bitter. Drain well.
- Combine Ingredients and Boil: In a medium-sized pot, add rinsed quinoa, water, oil, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian herb blend. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat.
- Simmer: Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and simmer gently until the quinoa is tender and the water is absorbed, about 10 minutes.
- Rest: Remove the pot from heat but keep it covered. Let it stand for 5 minutes so the quinoa can finish steaming and become fluffy.
- Fluff and Serve: Using a fork, fluff the quinoa gently to separate the grains. Serve warm as a delicious side dish or base for your favorite main course.
Notes
- For extra flavor, toast the quinoa in the oil for 2-3 minutes before adding water and seasonings.
- You can substitute water with vegetable or chicken broth for richer taste.
- Adjust the amount of Italian herb blend based on your taste preference.
- This dish pairs well with grilled vegetables, chicken, or fish.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe (about 1 cup cooked)
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: quinoa recipe, herb quinoa, garlic quinoa, healthy side dish, easy quinoa, vegetarian quinoa