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+ servings
Cook quinoa in the microwave using a white bowl and spoon.
3.73 from 22 votes

How to Cook Quinoa in the Microwave

Love quinoa, but the longer cook time is holding you back? Perfectly cook quinoa in the microwave in just 8 minutes instead! All you need is quinoa, water, a microwave-safe bowl and a lid.
Prep 5 minutes
Cook 10 minutes
Fat 3
Carbs 27
Protein 6
Yield 4

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Begin by rinsing your quinoa under warm water to remove residue.
  • Then, transfer the quinoa into a large microwave-safe bowl or container that has deep sides. We recommend a glass pyrex mixing bowl. Add in 2 cups of water.
  • Cover your bowl with a microwave safe plate. This is going to "steam" the quinoa.
  • Cook on high for 6 minutes.
  • Remove the bowl from the microwave and stir. At this point, more than half the water should be absorbed. Place the bowl back into the microwave, covered, for about 2 more minutes on high.
  • At this point most of the water should be absorbed. If it's not, cook for an addiitoal 1 minute. Finally, let the bowl sit covered for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until all of the water is absorbed.

Tips & Notes

  • Quantity: you can make as much or as little quinoa as you want. It really depends on the size of the bowl you have. The bigger the bowl, the more quinoa you can make. Just make sure you use a 1:2 ratio of quinoa to water.
  • This recipe was slightly updated on July 9, 2023. We recommend white quinoa over red/tri as it cooks more evenly. We also added a note about a large, deep bowl to make sure your quinoa does not overflow.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 156kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 3g | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 0g