How to Freeze Quinoa {And Fantastic Quinoa Recipes} (2024)

FAQs

Can you cook quinoa and then freeze it? ›

Editor: Yes, you can definitely freeze cooked quinoa; it's one of our favorite healthy meal shortcuts. Let the cooked quinoa cool down completely, then transfer it to a resealable plastic bag. Press all the air out before sealing, then pat the quinoa into an even layer before freezing.

One of the most common questions regarding grains is “Can you freeze rice?”, you'll be happy to hear that yes, you can freeze rice and other grains like quinoa, both cooked and uncooked! Recommended freezer storage times vary from cooked to uncooked grains.

For a healthier twist on pasta or potato salad, toss cooked quinoa with chopped vegetables, fresh herbs, vinegar and olive oil. Add cooked quinoa to soups, stews and casseroles. Store cooked and cooled quinoa in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Quinoa can be eaten hot or cold and in savoury or sweet dishes. To get the best out of it, I would suggest that it should be cooked using a liquid that imparts flavour… For savoury Quinoa, I always cook in a well-seasoned stock or home-made vegetable broth.

Quinoa is high in oils, which means it can spoil much faster than wheat or corn. To help the grains last long term and maintain the nutritional quality, use containers that are compatible with a vacuum sealer or use oxygen absorbers in your airtight containers.

Quinoa is rich in both fiber and protein, contains a much higher amount of other nutrients, and has a similar fluffy texture to the rice. A cup of quinoa contains twice more protein and about 5 g more fiber than white rice. Quinoa contains fewer calories and carbohydrates than white rice.

Frozen brown rice and quinoa are just as nutritious as their dried counterparts, with the bonus of taking mere minutes to cook instead of a half-hour or more.

If you won't be getting through your quinoa within those five days, the seed can be kept in the freezer for up to six months.

Store in the freezer for up to 6 months. To defrost, thaw in the fridge overnight or on the counter for a couple of hours. Alternatively, you can reheat quinoa directly from frozen in the microwave. Place it in a microwave-safe bowl and cook for 30- to 60-second intervals until warmed through.

Assessing the Shelf Life of Cooked Quinoa

Properly stored in an airtight container within the refrigerator, cooked quinoa can last for 5-7 days. For longer storage, cooked quinoa can be frozen, extending its shelf life up to 8-12 months.

How to tell if quinoa has gone bad? ›

It may have gone bad if you notice a change in its smell. However, the only true way to know if it has gone bad is to cook it. After it has been cooked, if it has a strange aroma, or a coarse, hard texture, it is no longer safe to eat.

Quinoa and Carbs

It's not a low-carb food. A cup of cooked quinoa has more than 39 grams of carbohydrates. That's 50% more than in the same amount of brown rice and almost as many carbs as in white rice. If you have type 2 diabetes or other conditions, you may be watching how many carbs you eat.

Toss it in salads.

Quinoa is a complete source of protein and makes a great addition to a healthy salad. The combination of fiber, protein and healthy fats can turn a light side salad into a robust entrée.

Lemon Herb Quinoa: This is one of my go-to side dishes to serve with meat. It is made by cooking quinoa with onion and garlic and then mixing it with lemon juice, lemon zest, and fresh parsley. Quinoa Lentil recipe: Cooking quinoa and green lentils together is a great way to flavor otherwise tasteless quinoa.

A study by the Harvard Public School of Health stated that eating a bowl of quinoa daily may reduce the chances of early death risk from cancer, heart disease, respiratory ailments, diabetes, and other chronic diseases by 17%.

Freezer: For long-term storage, distribute the cooked quinoa in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag, and it can last up to 6-8 months.

As quinoa can become bland when cooled, consider adding a small amount of broth or lemon juice to introduce moisture and tanginess. Here's how to do it: Broth: Add a tablespoon of vegetable or chicken broth before reheating to revitalize the quinoa's inherent nuttiness.