10 Best Ways To Use Leftover Quinoa
Wondering what to do with leftover quinoa? Learn the 10 Best Ways To Use Leftover Quinoa so it doesn’t go to waste! Repurpose it in easy breakfast, lunch, and dinner recipes.
Quinoa is a grain crop that is grown primarily for its edible seeds and is often mistaken for grain due to its similar usage in cooking, but it’s technically a pseudocereal or seed! It has a rich nutrient profile and is packed with protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It’s also a complete protein source, which means it provides all the essential amino acids our bodies need.
One of the reasons why quinoa is such a versatile ingredient is due to its relatively neutral flavor, allowing it to adapt to a wide array of dishes. Its fluffy texture and slight nuttiness work well in both savory and sweet preparations, from salads and stir-fries to breakfast bowls and desserts. It’s also gluten-free, making it a fantastic choice for people with dietary restrictions. Its quick cooking time, combined with its health benefits and versatility, make quinoa a go-to ingredient for nutritious and diverse meals.
Quinoa can be made on the stovetop with liquid or broth, or you can sous vide quinoa or make crock pot quinoa. This allows you to make a large batch, which you can use for your recipes along with any leftovers!
📖10 Best Ways To Use Leftover Quinoa
1️⃣Quinoa Salad: Mix 2 cups of cooked quinoa with 1 cup of chopped vegetables (like cucumber, bell peppers, tomatoes), a handful of herbs (like parsley or mint), and a vinaigrette made from 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of vinegar. Top with 1/2 cup of crumbled feta cheese.
2️⃣Quinoa Breakfast Bowl: Warm up 1 cup of quinoa, mix in 1/2 cup of almond milk or yogurt, add 1/2 cup of fresh or dried fruits, a handful of nuts, and a tablespoon of honey or maple syrup.
3️⃣Quinoa Stir-Fry: Sauté 2 cups of vegetables in a pan, add 2 cups of cooked quinoa and 1 cup of your choice of protein (chicken, tofu, shrimp, etc.), stir-fry them together with 2 tablespoons of soy sauce or teriyaki sauce.
4️⃣Quinoa Soup: Add 1 cup of cooked quinoa to your favorite soup towards the end of cooking. Use it in vegetable soup, Italian wedding soup, chicken soup, beef stew, or tomato soup.
5️⃣Quinoa Stuffed Peppers: Mix 2 cups of quinoa with 1 cup of cooked ground meat or beans, 1/2 cup of chopped vegetables, and 1 cup of shredded cheese. Stuff into 4 halved bell peppers and bake at 350 degrees until the peppers are soft and the cheese is melted.
6️⃣Quinoa Frittata: Mix 2 cups of quinoa with 6 beaten eggs, 1 cup of shredded cheese, and 1 cup of cooked vegetables. Pour into a skillet and bake at 350 in the oven until set.
7️⃣Quinoa Pancakes: Combine 1 cup of quinoa with 1 cup of flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, 2 eggs, and 1 cup of milk to make a pancake batter. Cook on a hot griddle or non-stick pan.
8️⃣Quinoa Burger: Blend 2 cups of quinoa with 1 can of beans or 1 cup of cooked vegetables, 1 egg, and 1 cup of breadcrumbs to create 4 patties. Fry or bake until crispy.
9️⃣Quinoa Tacos: Sauté 2 cups of quinoa with 1 can of beans, 1 cup of corn, 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning, and 1/2 cup of salsa. Use as a filling for 8 taco shells, and add your favorite taco toppings.
🔟Quinoa Chocolate Chip Cookies: Combine 1 cup of cooked quinoa with 1 cup of oats, 1 cup of flour, 1/2 cup of softened butter, 3/4 cup of sugar, 2 eggs, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 1 cup of chocolate chips to make a cookie dough. Bake at 350 on a sheet pan until golden brown.
Adjust quantities based on your taste preferences or dietary needs. Cooking times and temperatures can also vary.
❔FAQ
How long is quinoa good for after cooked?
Cooked quinoa can last in the refrigerator for about 5 to 7 days if stored properly in an airtight container. If it develops a sour smell, mold, or slimy texture, it should be discarded.
Can you eat leftover quinoa?
Absolutely, leftover quinoa can be safely consumed and is perfect for adding to various dishes like salads, stir-fries, or soups. Just ensure that it’s been stored properly and hasn’t been left out at room temperature for more than two hours after cooking.
Can cooked quinoa be frozen for later use?
Yes, cooked quinoa can be frozen for up to one year. To freeze quinoa, let it cool completely, then store it in a freezer-safe bag or container, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Store for up to three months.
How To Use Leftover Quinoa (10 Ways!)
Ingredients
- 1 cup Quinoa leftovers
Instructions
Quinoa Salad
- Mix 2 cups of cooked quinoa with 1 cup of chopped vegetables (like cucumber, bell peppers, tomatoes), a handful of herbs (like parsley or mint), and a vinaigrette made from 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of vinegar. Top with 1/2 cup of crumbled feta cheese.
Quinoa Breakfast Bowl
- Warm up 1 cup of quinoa, mix in 1/2 cup of almond milk or yogurt, add 1/2 cup of fresh or dried fruits, a handful of nuts, and a tablespoon of honey or maple syrup.
Quinoa Stir-Fry
- Sauté 2 cups of vegetables in a pan, add 2 cups of cooked quinoa and 1 cup of your choice of protein (chicken, tofu, shrimp, etc.), stir-fry them together with 2 tablespoons of soy sauce or teriyaki sauce.
Quinoa Soup
- Add 1 cup of cooked quinoa to your favorite soup towards the end of cooking. Use it in vegetable soup, Italian wedding soup, chicken soup, beef stew, or tomato soup.
Quinoa Stuffed Peppers
- Mix 2 cups of quinoa with 1 cup of cooked ground meat or beans, 1/2 cup of chopped vegetables, and 1 cup of shredded cheese. Stuff into 4 halved bell peppers and bake at 350 degrees until the peppers are soft, and the cheese is melted.
Quinoa Frittata
- Mix 2 cups of quinoa with 6 beaten eggs, 1 cup of shredded cheese, and 1 cup of cooked vegetables. Pour into a skillet and bake at 350 in the oven until set.
Quinoa Pancakes
- Combine 1 cup of quinoa with 1 cup of flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, 2 eggs, and 1 cup of milk to make a pancake batter. Cook on a hot griddle or non-stick pan.
Quinoa Burger
- Blend 2 cups of quinoa with 1 can of beans or 1 cup of cooked vegetables, 1 egg, and 1 cup of breadcrumbs to create 4 patties. Fry or bake until crispy.
Quinoa Tacos:
- Sauté 2 cups of quinoa with 1 can of beans, 1 cup of corn, 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning, and 1/2 cup of salsa. Use as a filling for 8 taco shells, and add your favorite taco toppings.
Quinoa Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Combine 1 cup of cooked quinoa with 1 cup of oats, 1 cup of flour, 1/2 cup of softened butter, 3/4 cup of sugar, 2 eggs, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 1 cup of chocolate chips to make a cookie dough. Bake at 350 on a sheet pan until golden brown.
