The Best Quinoa Recipes to Make ASAP

The ultimate round up of the very best quinoa recipes is here! As you may have guessed from my How to Cook the Perfect Quinoa post, this little seed has a special place here at Ambitious Kitchen.

What is quinoa?

While quinoa looks and behaves like a grain, it’s actually a seed that comes from a flowering plant! It has been used in South American cooking for thousands of years and more recently became a “superfood” here in the U.S.

It’s gluten free, packed with protein & fiber, and a delicious, neutral-flavored “grain” that’s perfect for adding to salads, bowls, side dishes and even pancakes.

How do you cook quinoa?

Reminder: learn more about the health benefits of quinoa and the perfect way to cook it here! You can use this method in all of the amazing, healthy quinoa recipes listed below.

I broke these quinoa recipes up into breakfast recipes, snacks & treats, chilis & soups, unique quinoa dinners (yum), plant-based quinoa salads, and other quinoa bowls, salads & more that you’ll love. At the bottom of the post, you’ll find more recipes to pair with quinoa that make the perfect lunches and dinners. Take a scroll, pick out your favs and enjoy!

Breakfast Recipes

Lemon Blueberry Quinoa Pancakes

Loaded Veggie Avocado Quinoa Frittatas

Whole Wheat Banana Quinoa Pancakes

Snacks & Treats

Crispy Toasted Quinoa Chocolate Peanut Butter Truffles

Salted Dark Chocolate Pistachio Quinoa Crunch Bars

Toasted Quinoa, Dried Fig & Dark Chocolate Nut Free Granola Bars

Incredible Peanut Butter Quinoa Granola Bars

Chia, Quinoa & Banana Granola Bars

Chilis & Soups

Slow Cooker Black Bean Quinoa Pumpkin Chicken Chili

Black Bean, Sweet Potato, and Quinoa Chili with Smoked Chipotle

Slow Cooker Black Bean, Quinoa & Chicken Tortilla Soup

Clean Eating Chipotle Turkey Quinoa Chili

Lentil & Quinoa Chili {vegan & gluten free}

Slow Cooker Salsa Verde Chicken Chickpea Chili

Unique Quinoa Dinners

Cheesy Chicken Quinoa Enchilada Meatloaf Muffins

Healthy Enchilada Chicken & Quinoa Stuffed Bell Peppers

Cranberry Pecan Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash

Broccoli & White Cheddar Quinoa Mac and Cheese

Black Bean, Corn and Quinoa Enchilada Bake (or dip!)

Cheesy Quinoa and Turkey Sloppy Joe Stuffed Bell Peppers

Black Bean, Sweet Potato, & Quinoa Stuffed Bell Peppers

Plant-Based Quinoa Salads

Kale, Edamame & Quinoa Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

Roasted Carrot Cauliflower Quinoa Salad with Sunshine Dressing

Vibrant Curry Cashew Chickpea Quinoa Salad

Avocado Blueberry Quinoa Salad

Fiesta Mango Black Bean Quinoa Salad

Famous Crunchy Cashew Thai Quinoa Salad {vegan & gluten-free}

One Pot Moroccan Chickpea Quinoa Salad

Roasted Veggie, Chickpea & Pesto Quinoa Salad

Sweet Potato Quinoa Salad with Cherries, Goat Cheese + Candied Walnuts

Cranberry Pecan Quinoa Salad with Honey-Orange Dressing

Fresh Strawberry Basil Quinoa Salad with Goat Cheese, Sunflower Seeds & Lemon Vinaigrette

Quinoa Bowls, Salads, & More

BBQ Ranch Chicken Quinoa Bowls

Thai Chicken Quinoa Salad with Peanut Dressing

Green Goddess Tuna Quinoa Salad

Balsamic Chicken Berry Quinoa Salad

Thai Peanut Chicken, Edamame & Quinoa Stir-Fry

Brown Sugar Honey Marinated Salmon with Caramelized Pineapple Quinoa

Sesame Ginger Sweet Teriyaki Salmon with Garlic Quinoa Stir-fry

Delicious recipes to pair with quinoa

Looking to add a boost of protein & whole grains to your meals? Try adding quinoa to one of these amazing recipes:

• Sheet Pan Moroccan Chicken with Sweet Potatoes & Cauliflower
• Healthy Orange Chicken Stir Fry
• Honey Lemon Garlic Salmon
• Vegetarian Tofu Cashew Coconut Curry
• 30-Minute Sesame Chicken Green Bean Stir Fry
• Slow Cooker Yellow Chicken Curry
• Mango Chicken Stir-Fry
• Healthy Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala
• Kung Pao Chickpea & Brussels Sprouts Stir-Fry
• One Pan Cilantro Chicken Meatballs in Mango Coconut Sauce
• Healthy Sesame-Orange Ginger Chickpea Stir-Fry
• Sheet Pan Zucchini Chicken Meatballs with Coconut Curry Sauce
• Vegan Sweet Potato Buddha Bowl with Orange Sesame Almond Butter Dressing