How to Cook Black Quinoa

If you're trying to replace carbs with more nutritious foods, make a batch of black quinoa. This type of quinoa has a sweeter, earthier flavor than white quinoa, which makes it great to eat with your favorite vegetables or dressings. For the best texture, cook black quinoa on the stove until it's tender or microwave it if you're in a hurry.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup (170 g) of black quinoa
  • 1 3 ⁄ 4 cups (410 ml) of water or broth
  • 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 g) of salt

Makes 3 cups of quinoa

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Simmering on the Stovetop

PDF download Download Article
  1. Rinse 1 cup (170 g) of black quinoa. Put the dry quinoa into a fine mesh strainer and hold it under cold running water. Rinse the quinoa for 10 to 20 seconds and let the water drain out. [1]
    • While you may be tempted to skip this step, rinsing the quinoa will remove its naturally bitter coating.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Black Quinoa
    Dump the rinsed quinoa into a medium-sized saucepan and pour in 1 3 ⁄ 4 cups (410 ml) of cold water. Then add 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 g) of salt.
    • For extra flavor, substitute vegetable or chicken broth for the water.

    Variation: For a hands-off way to make quinoa, put all of the ingredients into a rice cooker . Then, put the lid on it and switch the cooker on.

    Advertisement
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Black Quinoa
    Turn the burner on to high and leave the saucepan uncovered as the water heats. Keep heating the quinoa in the water until the water begins to boil vigorously. [2]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Black Quinoa
    Turn the burner down to low and put the lid on the saucepan. Then, leave the quinoa to simmer until it's absorbed the water and become tender.
    • Resist the urge to lift off the lid and check the quinoa as it simmers since this will release steam and increase the cooking time.
    • Keep in mind that black quinoa takes about 5 to 6 minutes longer to cook than white quinoa.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Black Quinoa
    Turn off the burner and set a fine mesh strainer in the sink. Carefully spoon the quinoa into the strainer so excess water drains into the sink. [3]
    • Draining the quinoa will give it a fluffy texture that's not gummy or sticky.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Black Quinoa
    Spoon the drained quinoa back into the saucepan and put the lid on it. Leave the quinoa for 15 minutes so it finishes cooking and dries out. [4]
    • You can prepare dressing or other ingredients to serve with the quinoa while it rests.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Black Quinoa
    Remove the lid and use a fork to toss the quinoa gently. Then, mix in any dressing you like and serve it with your choice of sides, such as roasted vegetables, chickpeas, or herbs. For a heartier meal, eat the black quinoa with seafood, a roast, or kebabs. [5]
    • Refrigerate leftover black quinoa in an airtight container for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze the quinoa for up to 2 months and thaw it overnight in the refrigerator.
    8. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Microwaving Black Quinoa

PDF download Download Article
  1. Place the uncooked black quinoa into a fine mesh strainer and hold it under cold running water to rinse the quinoa for 10 to 20 seconds. Then, let the water drain out. [6]
    • It's important to rinse the quinoa because this will remove the natural bitter coating.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Black Quinoa
    Transfer the black quinoa to a medium-sized microwave-safe bowl and pour in 1 3 ⁄ 4 cups (410 ml) of water along with 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 g) of salt. [7]
    • To add flavor, use vegetable or chicken broth instead of water.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Black Quinoa
    Put a microwave-safe lid on the bowl and put it in the microwave. Then, heat the quinoa on high power for 6 minutes. [8]
    • Since the quinoa needs time to steam as it cooks, avoid lifting up the lid to check it as it heats.

    Tip: If you don't have a lid for the bowl, place a plate over the bowl.

  4. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Black Quinoa
    Carefully remove the lid and stir the quinoa. About 1/2 of the water should be absorbed by this point. Then, put the lid back on and heat the quinoa for 4 more minutes or until it's tender. [9]
  5. Wear oven mitts to take the bowl out of the microwave and remove the lid. Use a fork to fluff the quinoa and then put the lid back on. Leave the quinoa to sit for 5 to 10 minutes so all of the water is absorbed. [10]
    • If there's still liquid visible at the bottom of the bowl, microwave the quinoa in 30-second increments until it's absorbed.
  6. You can stir seasonings or dressings of your choice into the fluffy quinoa and serve it with your meal. Keep in mind that quinoa makes a great replacement for starchy foods, such as rice or noodles.
    • To store leftover quinoa, refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
    7. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • If you're unsure if you'll like the flavor of black quinoa, try making a mix of quinoa. You can often buy a tri-color blend of quinoa that includes white, black, and red quinoa.
        Thanks
        Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
      • Mix black bean quinoa with black beans and avocado for a quick salad.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 2
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Things You'll Need

      Simmering on the Stovetop

      • Measuring cups and spoons
      • Fine mesh strainer
      • Medium-sized saucepan with lid
      • Spoon
      • Fork

      Microwaving Black Quinoa

      • Measuring cups and spoons
      • Fine mesh strainer
      • Microwave-safe bowl
      • Lid or plate
      • Fork
      • Spoon
      • Microwave

      You Might Also Like

      The 8 Best Ways to Fix Soggy Rice at Home
      How to
      Cook Rice in a Rice Cooker
      How to
      Make Sticky Rice Using Regular Rice
      How to
      Blanch Green Beans
      2 Easy Ways to Make DIY Puffed Rice with or without Oil
      How to
      Cook Rice in a Slow Cooker
      How to
      Keep Rice Warm
      How to
      Cook Rice
      How to
      Cook Jasmine Rice with a Rice Cooker
      How to
      Prevent Rice from Sticking to the Bottom of a Pot
      How to
      Make Pressure Cooker Rice (with Recipes)
      How to
      Cook Parboiled Rice Using the Stove, Microwave, or Rice Cooker
      Making Quinoa in a Rice Cooker (Plus Flavoring Ideas)
      How to
      Cook Rice in an Indian Style Pressure Cooker
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/common-mistakes/article/quinoa-common-mistakes
      2. ↑ https://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/common-mistakes/article/quinoa-common-mistakes
      3. ↑ https://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/common-mistakes/article/quinoa-common-mistakes
      4. ↑ https://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/common-mistakes/article/quinoa-common-mistakes
      5. ↑ https://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/common-mistakes/article/quinoa-common-mistakes
      6. ↑ https://www.foodnetwork.com/how-to/packages/food-network-essentials/how-to-cook-quinoa
      7. ↑ https://www.foodnetwork.com/how-to/packages/food-network-essentials/how-to-cook-quinoa
      8. ↑ https://fitfoodiefinds.com/kitchen-hack-how-to-cook-quinoa-in-the-microwave/
      9. ↑ https://fitfoodiefinds.com/kitchen-hack-how-to-cook-quinoa-in-the-microwave/
      1. ↑ https://fitfoodiefinds.com/kitchen-hack-how-to-cook-quinoa-in-the-microwave/

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 74,210 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement