Fitness / January 7, 2024

Cilantro Lime Quinoa

Take your quinoa and make it quinoa-mazing—Cilantro Lime Quinoa adds cilantro and lime for a hack that invigorates a side-dish fave.

Cilantro Lime Quinoa featured image top shot

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Bored of quinoa? I don’t blame you. But I also don’t blame the quinoa. It’s done so much for us and has asked for so little in return. So I want to give it a step-up by combining it with cilantro and lime.

I’ve called upon their help before. You might remember my Cilantro Lime Instant-Pot Rice or Cilantro Lime Grilled Shrimp—I even based an entire vinaigrette upon this delightful combo. This time it’s going to take my quinoa up a notch with its freshness and flavor.

Once you’ve made it you’ll appreciate its versatility. Mexican, Indian, and Middle Eastern cuisine will all benefit from your mastery of this recipe, so, as you wait for the quinoa to cook, start dreaming of all the dishes you will soon have available!

Is Cilantro Lime Quinoa Healthy?

Yes, it’s healthy. Quinoa is a whole grain that contains protein, fiber, antioxidants, and nutrients. Lime juice and cilantro both contain a myriad of vitamins. This dish is suitable for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free diets, though quinoa generally doesn’t feature in paleo or keto diets.

INGREDIENTS

1 cup quinoa, uncooked
2 cups vegetable stock
¼ tsp salt
2 bay leaves
½ cup cilantro, chopped
½ lime, juiced

INSTRUCTIONS

Add

Add the quinoa, vegetable stock, salt, and bay leaves into a pot. Stir and cover.

Boil

Bring to a boil, then turn down to simmer for 15 minutes.

Drain

Drain then stir in the cilantro and lime.

DEVOUR!

Tips & Tricks to Making Perfect Cilantro Lime Quinoa

Rinse the quinoa to remove the saponin, which can give your quinoa an unwanted sour taste. A fine mesh strainer will work.
Don’t forget to fluff your quinoa after it’s cooked. Doing so separates the grains and prevents clumping.
Fight the urge to buy the bottled lime juice. It’s full of unwanted ingredients and not as healthy and lively as the fresh stuff.
Provided you’ve added the appropriate amount of water, the quinoa should be done once the water has completely evaporated.

Cilantro Lime Quinoa featured image shot above

FAQs

can i make this in an instant pot?

Yes. Set it to one minute on high pressure then 10 minutes on natural pressure release, though you should consult your appliance’s manual for exact settings.

which spices do you recommend I add?

Have a packet of Old El Paso spice mix? Add that to the cooked quinoa to give it some Mexican flair.

do i have to use lime juice?

The lime and cilantro work well together, so if you wanted to ditch the lime, I would recommend doing away with both and using lemon juice and fresh basil.

which ingredients can i add?

Keeping with the Mexican theme, add some canned black beans, corn, and/or chopped jalapenos.

can i use chicken stock instead?

Yes. The dish will cease to be vegetarian but you’re probably already aware that chickens aren’t vegetables.

Other Quinoa-Based Dishes To Try

One-Pan Mexican Quinoa Casserole in the Slow Cooker: Not as complicated as the length of the name would lead you to believe.

Easy and Creamy Quinoa Casserole: Luxuriate in this creamy dish that tastes like spinach and artichoke dip, which is totally a good thing.

Coconut Slow Cooker Curry With Pumpkin, Quinoa And Eggs: A meal made for the chillier autumn weather. No meat but lovely coconut and curry flavors.

How To Store Your Cilantro Lime Quinoa

Let the quinoa cool then store it in an airtight container. It should keep in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can also freeze it, if you like. Put it in that airtight container or a freezer-safe bag then flatten it out. It should keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, let it thaw overnight in the fridge. Reheat it in the microwave or on the stove on LOW heat.