By Dana Leigh Smith, Cassandra Talmadge, and Linnea Zielinski
The Eat This, Not That! The crew has curated a bunch of the very best quinoa recipes that anyone can do—and everyone will love.
Quinoa may be a “health food,” but that doesn’t mean all recipes that use the ancient grain will help you lose weight. Yes, the grain is packed with protein and loaded with essential amino acids and fiber, but once you add less healthy, calorie and fat-laden ingredients to the mix, that quinoa recipe you found online may not be the best dish for trim-down success.
To help all you health-minded quinoa lovers out there, we’ve scoured the net and found the most delicious, slimming quinoa recipes on the web. Whether you’re looking for a new go-to healthy lunch or a good take on your favorite “bad” food, you’re sure to find something you’ll love in this collection. Check out these recipes and also add these 30 Best-Ever Fat-Burning Foods to your grocery list!
1.HEALTHY QUINOA CHICKEN CURRY BOWLS
Serves: 6
Nutrition: 315 calories, 8.9 g fat (1.7 g sat fat), 289.3 mg sodium, 7.9 g fiber, 8.4 g sugar, 23.7 g protein
Just what you need to get through the last of the winter weather: rich chicken thighs, warming Eastern spices and a hefty dose of protein. This comforting dish can be made in your slow cooker. Don’t have one? Don’t fret: It comes together easily in one pot and the stove does almost all of the work.
Get the recipe from Pinch of Yum.
2.QUINOA VEGGIE BURGERS WITH PICKLED RED ONIONS
Serves: 6
Nutrition: 470.8 calories, 20.8 g fat (6.5 g sat fat), 1006 mg sodium, 4.2 g fiber, 6.5 g sugar, 17.9 g protein
Tangy goat cheese and pickled red onions team up to take this unqiue veggie burger to the next level. Looking to go lighter on sodium? Give yourself a thinner layer of goat cheese, which can still add maximum flavor in minimal amounts.
Get the recipe from Love and Olive Oil.
3.QUINOA LENTIL TACOS
Serves: 6
Nutrition: 301.2 calories, 8.6 g fat (2.6 g sat fat), 624 mg sodium, 9 g fiber, 3.2 g sugar, 11.2 g protein
Though we calculated for avocado and lettuce toppings and one whole-wheat tortilla per person, there are simple ways to make them more indulgent without sending the calorie count sky high. Add a dollop of Greek yogurt instead of sour cream or cheese and don’t worry about that second torilla: This recipe has so much satiating protein and fiber that you won’t even want it.
Get the recipe from Begin Within Nutrition.
4. MASON JAR QUINOA SALAD WITH GREEN THAI-STYLE DRESSING
Serves: 1
Nutrition: 505 calories, 22 g fat (10.4 g sat fat), 358.2 mg sodium, 10.6 g fiber, 14.37 g sugar, 12.6 g protein
Who says it has to be hard to pack yourself a gourmet lunch for the office? Meet the mason jar salad, a genius way to get complex flavor on the go. This one’s sure to keep you full until dinnertime. Pack as much spinach as you can at the top and use a scant teaspoon of coconut oil to prepare the sweet potato.
Get the recipe from Top with Cinnamon.
5.QUINOA CHICKEN NUGGETS
Serves: 4
Nutrition: 494.5 calories, 10.9 g fat (2.6 g sat fat), 733.3 mg sodium, 3.2 g fiber, 1 g sugar, 72.1 g protein
Chicken nuggets get a double-dose of protein with a quinoa-based crust. You’ll love the satiating effect, kids will just love that they’re getting chicken nuggets. There will be no fighting at the dinner table tonight!
Get the recipe from Creme de la Crumb.
6. QUINOA TACO BOWL
Serves: 4
Nutrition: 528.3 calories, 11.3 g fat (1.6 g sat fat), 197 mg sodium, 18.7 g fiber, 6.7 g sugar, 21.1 g protein
Ditch the unnecessary carbs. A couple crispy tortillas on top of this flavor-packed bowl is all you’ll need to get your fix. Everything else in this taco-inspired dish is fresh, healthy and—most importantly—filling.
Get the recipe from One Ingredient Chef.
7. AVOCADO & QUINOA STUFFED ACORN SQUASH
Serves: 8
Nutrition: 574 calories, 20.4 g fat (4.3 g sat fat), 125 mg sodium, 17.2 g fiber, 2.7 g sugar, 21.1 g protein
Plenty of protein and fiber in a presentation worthy of your fanciest dinner party. Enjoy an entire half of a squash and say goodbye to late night snacking.
Get the recipe from Love & Lemons.
8. GARLIC BUTTER SHRIMP QUINOA
Serves: 8
Nutrition: 298 calories, 13.5 g fat (6.2 g sat fat), 621 mg sodium, 3.0 g fiber, 0.7 g sugar, 15.9 g protein
Need something indulgent that won’t break the calorie bank? Look no further. Plenty of lean protein and fiber with the indulgent touch of garlic butter. Your friends will never know it’s so low-cal.
Get the recipe from Pinch of Yum.
9. ROASTED RED PEPPER, QUINOA AND WHITE BEAN BURGERS
Serves: 4
Nutrition: 736 calories, 18.2 g fat (3.2 g sat fat), 642 mg sodium, 30.6 g fiber, 6.9 g sugar, 37.3 g protein
We calculated for an open-faced burger with classic toppings: bacon, lettuce and tomato. Just because it’s a veggie burger doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a healthy dose of bacon, too.
Get the recipe from How Sweet Eats.
10. VEGAN CREAM OF MUSHROOM SOUP WITH QUINOA
Serves: 5
Nutrition: 409 calories, 12.5 g fat (2.1 g sat fat), 626 mg sodium, 6.6 g fiber, 4 g sugar, 15.7 g protein
Creamy, comforting soup—without the cream. You’d never know if we didn’t tell you. This indulgent but healthy soup is just as delicious and won’t have any negative effect on your waistline. Just make sure to look for low-sodium stock.
Get the recipe from One Ingredient Chef.
