How to Soak and Cook Quinoa
It is important to soak quinoa prior to cooking. Soaking removes the bitter-tasting saponins. It also helps to activate enzymes makes it more nutritious and easily digested. See the section above for details.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2 cups 1x
- Category: Sides
- Method: Soaked
- Cuisine: Gluten Free
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For Soaking
- 1 cup quinoa
- 1 1/2 cups filtered water
- 2 Tbsp of acidic culture (optional, see notes)
For Cooking
- 2 cups of water
Instructions
- Place quinoa in a large glass bowl or measuring cup. Stir in the filtered water and culture.
- Cover the container with a tea towel and leave it out on the counter to soak for at least 8 hours or up to 2 days. Longer is better if your quinoa is very bitter.
- When you are ready to cook, pour the quinoa into a fine-mesh sieve. Pour away the soaking liquid and rinse the quinoa until the water runs clear. This will remove the bitter saponins.
- Put the quinoa into a pot with 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil and simmer for 12-15 minutes (until cooked).
- Drain any excess liquid. Rinse with cool water to prevent the quinoa from overcooking. Fluff with a fork and serve immediately.
Notes
- Using a culture isn’t required for soaking quinoa, but it can help to speed things up. I recommend using something acidic like cider vinegar or sour kombucha.
- I usually cook quinoa in a rice cooker. It’s easier than keeping track of a simmering pot on the stove.
- If you want to try fermenting quinoa, then I recommend fermenting cooked quinoa. It’s a great way to get more probiotics into your diet! Try making a probiotic quinoa pudding.
Find it online: https://www.fermentingforfoodies.com/soaking-quinoa/