What does quinoa taste like?

Babarrosa1
Babarrosa1 Posts: 98 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I'm curious.. I may purchase some.

Replies

  • WoodChuckNorris
    WoodChuckNorris Posts: 216
    To me, pretty bland. But you can add seasoning
  • RhineDHP
    RhineDHP Posts: 1,025 Member
    It tastes like nothing to me, so I usually add a bit of chicken stock powder, or some other seasoning.
  • mccindy72
    mccindy72 Posts: 7,001 Member
    I'm curious.. I may purchase some.

    I think it tastes like quinoa.

    :laugh:

    It tastes good to me. Kind of a nutty flavor, a springy consistency. Needs to be rinsed before cooking, or it can be bitter. It's better with seasonings, butter, etc.
  • justinproulx1
    justinproulx1 Posts: 335
    I'm curious.. I may purchase some.

    I think it tastes like quinoa.

    :laugh:

    It tastes good to me. Kind of a nutty flavor, a springy consistency. Needs to be rinsed before cooking, or it can be bitter. It's better with seasonings, butter, etc.

    HAHAHA OMG so funny
  • dlionsmane
    dlionsmane Posts: 674 Member
    I'm curious.. I may purchase some.

    I think it tastes like quinoa.

    :laugh:

    It tastes good to me. Kind of a nutty flavor, a springy consistency. Needs to be rinsed before cooking, or it can be bitter. It's better with seasonings, butter, etc.

    +1
  • catnipburrito
    catnipburrito Posts: 21
    Bitterness and regret
  • JTick
    JTick Posts: 2,131 Member
    A bit like heaven. Also, a bit like fish eggs.
  • 135OHK
    135OHK Posts: 33 Member
    CRAP! Plus it gave me tons of gas! :blushing:
  • molonlabe762
    molonlabe762 Posts: 411 Member
    Bitterness and regret

    I agree
  • Mangopickle
    Mangopickle Posts: 1,509 Member
    I only like the prewashed from Costco. Cook up with low sodium chick broth. tastes like a nutty rice pilaf to me
  • flatlndr
    flatlndr Posts: 713 Member
    Rather bland. You'll need to spice it up (e.g., some chicken broth instead of water).
    Think of it as a blank canvas for you to create a new dish.
    Good mix of nutrients, so worth a try.
  • LifeJacketWaterJogger
    LifeJacketWaterJogger Posts: 231 Member
    yeah it's taste kind of nutty, I love it..look up receipes on line
  • Yes2HealthyAriel
    Yes2HealthyAriel Posts: 453 Member
    it doesn't have much flavor, the red quinoa is a bit nuttier. I make it like it says on the bag but only about a serving size at a time. Then I saute some zucchini and onions and add to it, then add some Italian seasoning and about a 1/4 cup of tomato sauce, then sprinkle with a tiny bit of itlalian cheese
  • jennalink807
    jennalink807 Posts: 226 Member
    I love quinoa- I use it in stirfry instead of rice. It's got about the same amount of calories as brown rice, but a little less carbs and a little more protein. I've found you can use it in place of rice in a quite a few things. I actually like the texture of it better than rice, but that's a personal preference. It has a bit more bite to it (if you cook it properly and don't let it steam to mush).

    Just put 1 part quinoa and 2 parts water in a pot, bring to a boil, turn burner to lowest setting, cover with a lid, and cook for 12-15 minutes (depending on how firm you want it). Then flavor/season it how you like, toss it in to some sautéed veggies and chicken for stirfry, roll it up with beans and steak in a burrito.... whatever fits your fancy. :)

    It's worth a try for sure!
  • micheleld73
    micheleld73 Posts: 914 Member
    It's kinda of like tofu...It absorbs the flavor of whatever you cook it with - otherwise, not much taste to it.
  • mccindy72
    mccindy72 Posts: 7,001 Member
    Bitterness and regret

    I agree

    Because you have to rinse it well first, of course.
  • middleton110
    middleton110 Posts: 22 Member
    Everything everyone else has said. Haha. Nutty, similar to rice, can be crunchy. The only problem I have with it is that I always get some stuck in my molars. :|
  • evitaevita12
    evitaevita12 Posts: 69 Member
    Like bird seed, according to my husband, lol... Tastes like rice to me just a little lighter in texture. I love it. Mix it up with any veggies, mushroom, meat and voila!!!!
  • wanzik
    wanzik Posts: 326 Member
    I think it tastes like quinoa.

    :laugh:

    It tastes good to me. Kind of a nutty flavor, a springy consistency. Needs to be rinsed before cooking, or it can be bitter. It's better with seasonings, butter, etc.

    This. I just add butter. And yes, rinse a couple times first before cooking. I'll bet many miss that part. Goes good with a grilled chicken breast. Good stuff! I prefer it to rice.
  • lilRicki
    lilRicki Posts: 4,555 Member
    I love it, you can make it savory or sweet. Today I had quinoa, 1 egg, blackberries, cinnamon and brown sugar all mixed together and microwaved. The other night I had quinoa with black beans, taco spice and mushrooms. It's very versatile.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    kind of earthy/nutty I guess. really, it's more of a texture thing than taste thing. i thoroughly enjoy it and was down with quinoa before quinoa was cool. my wife and i were introduced to it when we were in Peru.

    Personally I like to brown it just slightly in some coconut oil and toss in a little onion and then cook it in chicken broth. Make sure you either rinse it first or buy it pre-rinsed.
  • WoodChuckNorris
    WoodChuckNorris Posts: 216
    Bitterness and regret

    Sounds like marriage
  • YorriaRaine
    YorriaRaine Posts: 370 Member
    I had never even heard of quinoa before I joined mfp last month lol. :laugh:
  • bethkeysear
    bethkeysear Posts: 28 Member
    Can I cook it in my rice cooker? Just curious. I love making rice with a rice cooker. It is always perfect.
    What say you? :-):noway:
  • Kimdbro
    Kimdbro Posts: 922 Member
    Read topic.... in my head I heard it read to the tune of 'What does the fox say?!' lmao. That said, quinoa has no taste, it takes on the flavour of whatever you put in it. So pick a flavour you want and add away.
  • lilRicki
    lilRicki Posts: 4,555 Member
    Read topic.... in my head I heard it read to the tune of 'What does the fox say?!' lmao. That said, quinoa has no taste, it takes on the flavour of whatever you put in it. So pick a flavour you want and add away.

    Are you stalking me :tongue:
  • ashleysarvi
    ashleysarvi Posts: 66
    it doesn't really taste like anything. It basically takes the flavor of whatever you cook it with. its a great rice substitute. i also bake with it.
  • traerjudy
    traerjudy Posts: 36 Member
    I'm sure the rice cooker will work fine.
    When I make homemade granola for my husband I add it to the mixture(a handful or two, just whatever) and bake it in.
    It goes great. I eat low carb so I don't eat it much at all but he loves it.
  • Chelz2013
    Chelz2013 Posts: 176 Member
    Can I cook it in my rice cooker? Just curious. I love making rice with a rice cooker. It is always perfect.
    What say you? :-):noway:

    YES! It's so easy that way. I cook quinoa in our rice cooker with some chicken bouillon. (or chicken stock) Agree with sweet or savory. There are a ton of quinoa recipes on Pinterest that I've saved and plan to try in the next month!

    Good protein and dietary fiber.

    I buy quinoa at Costco since it can be expensive. I guess the old brand was pre-washed. I've never rinsed mine. The new bag at Costco (its Organic now) says to rinse it before cooking. The granules are so tiny, and I haven't quite figured it out yet. Still seems to cook fine, but I suppose its best to follow directions.
  • iamafoodaholic
    iamafoodaholic Posts: 46 Member
    I really like it. Here is a recipe for you to try:

    Mango Quinoa Salad
    Recipe adapted from Ali Vincent

    2 cups cooked quinoa* at room temperature, or chilled
    1 14 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
    1 medium mango, peeled and diced
    1 red bell pepper, diced
    6 green onions, thinly sliced
    1 handful chopped cilantro (about 1/2 cup)
    4 tablespoon red wine vinegar
    3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
    1-2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
    kosher salt
    freshly cracked black pepper

    *Quinoa can be cooked in water or broth.  I suggest using vegetable or
    chicken broth for enhanced flavor, but plain water works great too.

    Place cooked quinoa in a large bowl.  Add mango, red pepper, green
    onion, black beans, and cilantro.  In a small bowl combine vinegar,
    olive oil, and lime juice.  Whisk until smooth and pour on top of
    salad.  Toss to combine and add salt and pepper to taste.  Chill for
    at least one hour before serving.

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