This tutorial on How to Freeze Quinoa will change your cooking life! Stock up your freezer with this versatile grain so you can have it on hand for quick salad, soups & side dishes.
Quinoa. It’s everywhere – in salads, in stews, even in meatballs. But did you know that you can freeze quinoa? The next time you whip up a pot of the healthy grain, use this tutorial on how to freeze quinoa, go a little overboard and make a triple, or even a quadruple, batch. Defrost it in the microwave and use it however you please. Easy as pie…well, or quinoa.
How to freeze quinoa:
Cook the quinoa:
And since you’re freezing, be sure to cook extra! In a medium to large saucepan (depending on how much quinoa you’re cooking), combine one part quinoa with two parts water.
Bring the water to a boil, reduce the heat to low and cover. Cook until all of the water is absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes. Fluff the quinoa with a fork.
Let it cool:
Transfer the cooked quinoa to a large baking sheet (or two) and spread the cooked grain out evenly. Let it cool to room temperature.
Measure and bag it:
Measure the quinoa into the desired amounts and scoop into resealable plastic bags. I typically use the sandwich-sized Ziploc bags, which hold 2 cups of cooked quinoa.
Let out the air:
Squeeze all of the air out of the bags and seal them. Place the small Ziploc bags into larger freezer-proof Ziploc bags.
To defrost:
Take one or more bags out of the freezer and allow the quinoa to defrost at room temperature. Alternatively, dump the quinoa into a bowl (you may have to cut the Ziploc bag open with scissors to get the quinoa out) and cook it in the microwave for one minute. You’re ready to go!
My favorite quinoa recipes:
Baked Turkey, Quinoa & Zucchini Meatballs in Lettuce Wraps
Quinoa Salad with Chickpeas, Kalamata Olives & Mint
Vegetarian Stew with Quinoa, Butternut Squash & Coconut Milk
Hearty Chicken Stew with Butternut Squash & Quinoa
Salad Cups with Quinoa, Shrimp, Avocado & Lemon Dressing
Black Quinoa Salad with Orange & Cumin Dressing
How to: Freeze (& Cook) Quinoa
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa or more
- 2 cups water or more
- *The ratio of water to quinoa is 2 to 1.
Special Equipment
- Baking sheets
- Small Ziploc bags
- Large freezer Ziploc bags
Instructions
- In a medium to large saucepan (depending on how much quinoa you’re cooking), combine one part quinoa with two parts water.
- Bring the water to a boil, reduce the heat to low and cover. Cook until all of the water is absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes. Fluff the quinoa with a fork.
- Transfer the cooked quinoa to a large baking sheet (or two) and spread the cooked grain out evenly. Let it cool to room temperature.
- Measure the quinoa into the desired amounts and scoop into resealable plastic bags. I typically use the sandwich-sized Ziploc bags, which hold 2 cups of cooked quinoa.
- Squeeze all of the air out of the bags and seal them. Place the small Ziploc bags into larger freezer-proof Ziploc bags.
- To defrost, take one or more bags out of the freezer and allow the quinoa to defrost at room temperature. Alternatively, dump the quinoa into a bowl (you may have to cut the Ziploc bag open with scissors to get the quinoa out) and cook it in the microwave for one minute.
Notes
Nutrition
Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
movita beaucoup says
Why haven’t I ever thought to freeze quinoa? Brilliant!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck) says
It was a revelation for me, too. It makes quick dinners that much easier.
Liz @ The Lemon Bowl says
You’re going to laugh when you see my post Wednesday. It’s not freezing quinoa but it’s similar. 🙂 This is a great tip!! I honestly don’t freeze quinoa and I should!!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck) says
I always look forward to seeing your posts, Liz!
Cassie | Bake Your Day says
Love this, Dara! I just ordered a big bag of quinoa last week…I’m almost out. I love the idea of freezing it!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck) says
Cassie, I wish I had known about this years ago. Now there will be no stopping me!
Elizabeth says
Thank you so much for this! I just bought quinoa for the first time and I wasn’t entirely sure what to do with it. Great ideas, and now I know I can just cook the entire bag and freeze it.
Dara (Cookin' Canuck) says
It sounds like both you and I are going to have a freezer-full of quinoa! 🙂
Laurie {Simply Scratch} says
Such a genius idea Dara! I’m new to the quinoa scene but now that I know I can freeze it… I’ll be turning out quinoa left and right!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck) says
You’re going to love quinoa, Laurie. It’s such a versatile little grain.
Deborah says
I don’t cook with quinoa nearly enough. But I did just post a recipe last Friday – perfect timing!! And I can imagine I’d eat a lot more if it was already prepared – love this!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck) says
I loved that recipe of yours, Deb. Thanks for linking it up!
Maria says
I love quinoa and I’m so glad my guys do too:)
Dara (Cookin' Canuck) says
It’s popular in our house, too, and that makes me very, very happy.
Rachel Cooks says
I always,make a whole box/bag of quinoa when I cook it and freeze the rest. Love this trick. Will link up some recipes later when I’m on my computer 🙂
Dara (Cookin' Canuck) says
Perfect! I can’t wait to see what you share, Rachel.
RK says
I like to add it to scrambled eggs with spinach & other veggies….so have been freezing quinoa to decrease prep time. It is so handy to have it pre-prepared in the freezer!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck) says
What a great idea to add it to scrambled eggs. I’ll have to try that next time.
[email protected] Food Ramblings says
love quinoa and am so excited for this round-up!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck) says
Me too, Elizabeth. It’s always fun to see what people share.
gina @ skinnytaste says
That photo is SOOOOO creative!! LOVE THIS POST!! How the heck did you get the quinoa to stay in place? LOL
Carla @ Carlas Confections says
I had no idea you could freeze it! I cant wait to do this! I love the “QUINOA” you made. So cute (and again, time well spent!!), thanks for the link-up! Very fun!! 😀
Jen @ Savory Simple says
What a brilliant idea!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
How long did it take you to spell out quinoa? 😉 Great tip on freezing!
Gerry @ Foodness Gracious says
Genius idea Dara! I’m sad I don’t have a link up to offer, boo hoo! Gotta get me some quinoa!
[email protected] says
Great idea, Dara!
I’ve shared this link with my friend Jenny who is the Queen of Quinoa. I still think they look like unfurled prophylactics when cooked and I’ll choose a different grain to try out the recipes.
Thanks!
Rachel Cooks says
You’re probably going to change the “no limit” rule because of me. 😉
Donna says
Wow. SUCH a great idea – it is a bit of a pain to make – so this will encourage me to eat more quinoa. Brilliant photos/graphics, too!
carrian says
I love this!!!
Cindy @ Kicking it In says
Dara, I just got some new quinoa and will do this tomorrow with my brown rice! I am SO excited try these amazing recipes – what a resource! I admit to being a little under-creative with what to do with quinoa but no more. Thanks!
Joanne says
Great idea Dara. Thought I would pass a tip on to you.
To Freeze items in ziplock bags. Put items in ziploc bag, press all the air out
And squeeze all the contents in the bag to make
The bag flat, dry each bag . Label with sharpie whats in the bag aling with the date. Lay each bag on a cookie sheet, you can stack them
If you need to. And then freeze. When the bags are frozen
You are able to stack them in your freezer. This is also good
For quick thawing.
MyFrogs says
This is how I freeze everything, soups, rice, etc! Then I have a basket in my freezer that they fit in perfectly standing up!
Miranda says
Such a good idea! How long does quinoa last in the freezer?
claudia ellis says
ok so I don’t have a blog, but I love your recipes 🙂 One of my most loved quinoa recipes is “quinoa and black beans”. It is quick, versatile, delicious and most importantly family approved. Can be used as a side dish or all on its own. The recipe comes from here http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Quinoa-and-Black-Beans/
Kristy @ Sweet Treats & More says
Such a great idea! Love this link up–seeing lots of great quinoa recipes. I linked up as well:)
Lisa Petr says
Quinoa Pesto and Goat Cheese Patties
This is kind of a clean out your fridge type recipe – measures are very approximate. Add more or less to your taste and omit or add as you see fit.
Ingredients:
1 cup quinoa cooked – or whatever is left over
1 egg or The Vegg egg yolk substitute or 1 tbsp flax and 3 tbsp water
1 – 2 tbsp pesto any kind, I love basil and also sundried tomato
1 – 2 tbsp goat cheese or feta cheese crumbled
Any mixed cooked veg you have on hand chopped, roasted red peppers from a jar are good too.
Cherry tomatoes quarted
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Mix it all together in a bowl until it holds together.
Make golf ball sized patties and flatten. Fry in a pan with a bit of oil until cripy and brown on both sides. Serve warm with a salad or cool and freeze for another lunch. Thaw on counter for a couple of hours or microwave to use.
Options: add curry spice, rasins, chopped olives, green chilies, garlic, herbs etc to make it to your own taste. I also sometimes use italian salad dressing in blace of the pesto.
GBark says
Yum! Got to try this right away. Extra quinoa just waiting in the fridge.
Kelsey says
I just read that quinoa is freezable in one of my food mags this month. Thanks for the reminder. This will make healthy weekday meals so much easier!
Barbara @ Barbara Bakes says
This is such a great idea. A perfect way to encourage me to use more quinoa.
Paula - bell'alimento says
Such a great idea Dara!
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
I need to do this — it makes consuming quinoa so much more easier and faster 🙂
Shar|Tickled Red says
Great tips darlin’!
Priya Yallapantula says
wow, this is so very useful. I am so going to use it, It will be handy for time crunches. Thanks and I am going to go over your quinoa recipes too 🙂
Aggie says
What an awesome useful post Dara. I did not know I could freeze quinoa. I would use it so much more if all I had to do was pull it out if the freezer. Love the collection of recipes too! YUM
kelley says
What a fantastic idea! I’ve never thought of freezing quinoa but it should would be a time savor on those busy nights. Love the poster board with quinoa on it- how did you get it to stay so nice?:)
Audrey says
BETTER WAY TO FREEZE almost anything is to add one step: Instead of “squeezing all the air out” on your counter, which is physically and scientifically impossible, squeeze MORE air out by closing the ziploc almost all the way, leaving a small opening vent. Immerse the bag slowly into a large bowl filled with water until most of the air has escaped the ziploc. Ensure the ziploc is squeezed from one end to the other while the bag is under the water (I get all the way to the zipper). When you lift the bag out of the water you will see what I mean: You will have much less freezer burn, things will last a little longer in the freezer.
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Stacy says
other cooked-quinoa ideas we love:
-To hot, cooked quinoa, add a LITTLE parmesan cheese (and maybe mozzarella or WQ”{+)
) , and home-roasted or steamed vegetables (from the freezer), microwave more if needed for heat.
-Add (left-over?) chopped & cooked pork, chicken, etc to quinoa
Stacy says
This site keeps altering what I’ve typed and will NOT let me correct or retract the entries.
I’m sorry I can’t CORRECTLY share our favorites with you. 🙁
Dara says
Hi Stacy,
I’m sorry that you’re having difficulties with commenting. I did receive your previous comment, with quinoa ideas. Thank you for sharing those!
Susan says
I found your web site when I cooked quinoa for the first time and underestimated how much it makes. (Picture Ricky and Fred cooking quinoa instead of rice.) I am relieved that cooked quinoa can be frozen and look forward to trying your recipes!
Liz Cullinane says
You are brilliant and I really look forward to seeing and making your recipes.
Thanks again. Dara, have you tried to freeze cooked spaghetti squash?
cheers