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.
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
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Elizabeth@ Food Ramblings
love quinoa and am so excited for this round-up!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Me too, Elizabeth. It's always fun to see what people share.
RK
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)
What a great idea to add it to scrambled eggs. I'll have to try that next time.
Rachel Cooks
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)
Perfect! I can't wait to see what you share, Rachel.
Maria
I love quinoa and I'm so glad my guys do too:)
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
It's popular in our house, too, and that makes me very, very happy.
Deborah
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)
I loved that recipe of yours, Deb. Thanks for linking it up!
Laurie {Simply Scratch}
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)
You're going to love quinoa, Laurie. It's such a versatile little grain.
Elizabeth
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)
It sounds like both you and I are going to have a freezer-full of quinoa! 🙂
Cassie | Bake Your Day
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)
Cassie, I wish I had known about this years ago. Now there will be no stopping me!
Liz @ The Lemon Bowl
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)
I always look forward to seeing your posts, Liz!
movita beaucoup
Why haven't I ever thought to freeze quinoa? Brilliant!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
It was a revelation for me, too. It makes quick dinners that much easier.