38 Healthy Quinoa Recipes You Will Absolutely Love

Read Time: 18 mins

38 Healthy Quinoa Recipes You Will Absolutely Love2/38 Orange-Pistachio Quinoa Salad 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Add this fresh and healthy quinoa salad to your dinner spread. Its citrusy, nutty taste is simply delicious. —Jean Greenfield, San Anselmo, California Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 257 calories, 12g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 287mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 6g fiber), 8g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 fat. 3/38 Quinoa-Pear Breakfast Bake 9 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total

Time 1 hour 10 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:

Time 1 hour 10 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My husband and I enjoy quinoa, so I created this healthy pear breakfast bake for our Sunday brunch. The quinoa is a nice change of pace from oatmeal. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 267 calories, 13g fat (4g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 49mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (18g sugars, 4g fiber), 6g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2-1/2 fat, 2 starch. 4/38 Cumin Quinoa Patties 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From

They’re a delicious (and healthy!)

the Recipe Creator: These easy burgers taste amazing, and the quinoa gives them a hearty texture. They’re a delicious (and healthy!) vegetarian option that you really have to try. Pan frying them adds a perfect crunch that takes them to the next level. You can make the mixture ahead of time. It freezes very well. Enjoy! —Beth Klein, Arlington, Virginia Nutrition Facts: 2 patties: 235 calories, 10g fat (1g saturated fat), 47mg cholesterol, 273mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 5g fiber), 8g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1-1/2 fat, 1 lean meat. 5/38 Kale Quinoa Salad 4 Reviews Test Kitchen

Best of all, the flavor of this kale quinoa salad can’t be beat!

Approved Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Here’s a healthy side dish you can feel good about serving. Kale packs a mighty punch of vitamins, while quinoa delivers a hearty serving of protein. Best of all, the flavor of this kale quinoa salad can’t be beat! —Lisa Warren, Washington, DC Nutrition Facts: 2/3 cup: 190 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 164mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 6g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1 fat. If this is your first time cooking quinoa, don’t worry;

here’s a quick guide on how to cook quinoa

here’s a quick guide on how to cook quinoa. 6/38 Quinoa, Fresh Fig and Honey-Balsamic Parfait Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This healthy quinoa yogurt parfait is special to me because of its wholesome ingredients. Quinoa is gluten-free, which is good for those who have food allergies, like my daughter. And I love fresh ripe figs when they are in season. Enjoy this for breakfast or dessert. —Dawn Hutchins, St. Johns, Florida Nutrition Facts: 1 parfait: 272 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 3mg cholesterol,

117mg sodium, 59g carbohydrate (43g sugars, 4g fiber), 7g protein

117mg sodium, 59g carbohydrate (43g sugars, 4g fiber), 7g protein. 7/38 Vegan Quinoa Salad 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 cups Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Toasting the grain before it simmers isn’t essential, but it does add a pleasant nuttiness to the flavor of this healthy vegan quinoa salad. Mix and match whatever fresh herbs and veggies you have on hand. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 227 calories, 12g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 449mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber),

5g protein

5g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 fat, 1-1/2 starch. Discover more of our favorite vegan recipes. 8/38 Skinny Quinoa Veggie Dip 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Skinny Quinoa Veggie Dip Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 32 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Don’t let the name fool you. This good-for-you recipe may appeal to an athlete in training, but it has plenty of flavor to satisfy everyone. We use crunchy cucumber slices for dippers. —Jennifer Gizzi, Green Bay, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1/4 cup (calculated without cucumber slices): 65 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated

Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 starch, 1/2 fat

fat), 4mg cholesterol, 54mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 starch, 1/2 fat. 9/38 BLT Quinoa Bowls 3 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved BLT Quinoa Bowls Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I absolutely love a BLT with sliced avocado and an egg. Recently, I’ve been trying out healthy quinoa bowls, and I thought the flavors of my favorite sandwich would work really well. My family agreed! —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 446 calories, 28g

My daughter and daughter-in-law got me hooked on quinoa

fat (5g saturated fat), 194mg cholesterol, 228mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 6g fiber), 17g protein. 10/38 Apple-Cinnamon Quinoa Pancakes 1 Review Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Apple-Cinnamon Quinoa Pancakes Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 10 pancakes Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My daughter and daughter-in-law got me hooked on quinoa. I dressed up a regular pancake recipe to create these delicious apple-cinnamon breakfast treats. The shredded apple remains slightly crunchy with the short cooking time, and it nicely complements the chewy texture of the quinoa. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin Nutrition

Diabetic exchanges: 2 starch, 1 fat

Facts: 2 pancakes: 222 calories, 8g fat (2g saturated fat), 43mg cholesterol, 538mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 3g fiber), 6g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 2 starch, 1 fat. 11/38 Chickpea Tortilla Soup 9 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 8 servings (3 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This vegan tortilla soup recipe is healthy, filling and family-friendly! We love how hearty and flavorful it is. We like to play around with the different toppings we add each time it’s served. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland (Aside from quinoa, here are other healthy

pantry staples to stock up on.)

pantry staples to stock up on.) Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 289 calories, 5g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 702mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 9g fiber), 13g protein. 12/38 Quinoa with Peas and Onion 21 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Quinoa with Peas and Onion Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Even picky eaters will love this protein-packed dish. If you have freshly shelled peas on hand, substitute them for the frozen. —Lori Panarella, Phoenixville, Pennsylvania Nutrition Facts: 2/3 cup: 174 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated

Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1 fat

fat), 0 cholesterol, 244mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 4g fiber), 6g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1 fat. 13/38 Quinoa-Stuffed Squash Boats 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Quinoa-Stuffed Squash Boats Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My colorful “boats” with quinoa, garbanzo beans and pumpkin seeds use delicata squash, a winter squash with edible skin that’s cream-colored with green stripes. In a pinch, acorn squash will do—but don’t eat the skin! —Lauren Knoelke, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 stuffed squash half: 275 calories, 8g fat

Diabetic Exchanges: 3 starch, 1 lean meat, 1/2 fat

(2g saturated fat), 9mg cholesterol, 591mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 10g fiber), 9g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 starch, 1 lean meat, 1/2 fat. 14/38 Curried Quinoa Salad 3 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Curried Quinoa Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Quinoa is such a fantastic salad base—it’s full of protein, it adds a nutty flavor, and it’s the perfect vehicle to soak up any kind of dressing. If you like a little more heat, add more cayenne or curry to the dressing.

Diabetic exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1 fat

—Shannon Dobos, Calgary, Alberta Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 176 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 320mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 5g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1 fat. 15/38 Spoon Bread 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Kentucky Spoon Bread Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This is a traditional Kentucky recipe. It’s a popular side dish served all year long. If you’ve never tried spoon bread before, I think you’ll find it’s tasty and comforting. —Caroline Brown, Lexington, Kentucky Nutrition Facts:

Our local gyro guy has a cool but spicy sauce that transforms his sandwiches

1 serving: 192 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat), 87mg cholesterol, 433mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 1g fiber), 8g protein. 16/38 Chicken Quinoa Salad 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved JIM WIELAND For Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: We pile our favorite gyro fixin’s into nutritious quinoa bowls. Our local gyro guy has a cool but spicy sauce that transforms his sandwiches. It’s a must here, too. —Leah Lyon, Ada, Oklahoma Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 341 calories, 19g fat (3g saturated fat), 30mg cholesterol, 590mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate

💡 Frequently Asked Questions

⭐ Expert Tips

• Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.

• Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.

• Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.

✅ Key Takeaways

• These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.

• Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.

• Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.

📣 Join Our Community