Herbed Quinoa with Lemon Recipe
Learn how to make light and fluffy quinoa using this tried and true method. Use it in salads, grain bowls or make this herby lemony quinoa side dish.
How to Make the Best Herbed Quinoa with Lemon
Quinoa has become a pantry staple for good reason—it’s a complete protein, cooks quickly, and works beautifully in everything from hearty salads to simple side dishes. This herbed quinoa with lemon recipe gives you the foundational technique for perfectly fluffy quinoa every time, plus a bright, fresh variation that pairs wonderfully with grilled meats, roasted vegetables, or as the base for a nourishing grain bowl.
The secret to light, fluffy quinoa lies in a few simple steps: rinsing the grains thoroughly to remove their natural bitter coating, using the right water-to-quinoa ratio, and allowing it to rest after cooking. Those extra five to ten minutes of resting time make all the difference, letting the quinoa absorb any remaining moisture and separate into distinct, tender grains.
Once you’ve mastered this basic method, the herbed lemon variation is as simple as tossing the warm quinoa with a generous squeeze of fresh lemon juice, a drizzle of good olive oil, and whatever fresh herbs you have on hand. Parsley, dill, mint, and chives all work beautifully—mix and match to complement your main dish.
Herbed Quinoa with Lemon
Learn how to make light and fluffy quinoa using this tried and true method. Use it in salads, grain bowls or make this herby lemony quinoa side dish.
Ingredients
Quinoa
Instructions
Cooking Quinoa
- Rinse quinoa well—this removes the bitterness. Drain using a fine mesh strainer.
- Place quinoa, water, olive oil and salt in a medium pot and bring to a rolling boil.
- Cover, lower heat to medium low or gentle simmer, and cook for 15 minutes.
- Turn off heat and let sit for 5-10 minutes.
- Fluff with a fork and serve.
Notes
- For the herbed lemon version, toss the cooked quinoa with fresh lemon juice, olive oil, and chopped fresh herbs like parsley, dill, or mint.
- Rinsing the quinoa is essential to remove the natural coating that can taste bitter.
- Use vegetable or chicken broth instead of water for extra flavor.
