Name: Easy Curried Quinoa (Vegan)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 17 min
Total time: 22 min
Ingredients: 1⅛ cups quinoa (rinsed); 1½ cups water; 1 teaspoon turmeric, cumin powders and onion seeds (each); ⅔ teaspoon garam masala and coriander powders (each); ½ teaspoon fine sea salt and chilli flakes (each); 1 bay leaf; 1 tablespoon fresh ginger (finely chopped); 2 garlic cloves (finely chopped); 1 cup frozen peas (I used petits pois); 3 tablespoons coconut milk; 2 tablespoons coconut oil; Cilantro/fresh coriander for garnish (finely chopped)

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This aromatic curried quinoa is a quick and flavourful dish that's vegan, gluten free and ready in just over 20 minutes. Perfect for everyday and as a party dish.

Curry quinoa with peas in blue bowl with spoon, 2 white plates with forks and fresh herbs in background.

This simple curried quinoa comes together very quickly yet is bursting with flavour. There is hardly any chopping involved so preparation time is minimal. Most of the work is done in the pot and while you are waiting for your dish to cook you can quickly grill some vegetables and enjoy them alongside the quinoa.

So how do you make curried quinoa?

The simple answer is - by adding curry spices into it. I selected a handful of popular curry spices and added them to the quinoa as it cooked. So after only 15 minutes of cooking the quinoa was infused with delicious curry flavour.

Curried quinoa ingredients and substitutions

Quinoa: use any.
Ginger and garlic.
Spices.
Water: you can use vegetable stock instead if you prefer (and omit the salt).
Coconut milk.
Coconut oil: use vegetable oil instead if desired.
Seasoning: add according to taste.
Vegetables: of your choice.
Cilantro/fresh coriander: for garnish.

Do I have to pre-soak the quinoa

No, you don't. Although cooked quinoa can taste a little bitter this might be an issue in a dessert recipe. This curried quinoa recipe is infused with flavour plus it contains some naturally sweet ingredients (i.e. coconut milk and peas) so there is no need to pre-soak the quinoa. Simply rinse it and make the recipe.

Top down view of curry quinoa with peas in blue bowl with spoon and stripy blue-and-white cloth to the right.

Step-by-step recipe instructions

1.In a pot heat up the coconut oil, add the spices, ginger and garlic and gently cook for about 2 minutes stirring often.

2. Add the quinoa and stir thoroughly. Add the water and salt, stir, cover and bring to the boil.

3. Lower the heat and simmer for about 15 minutes or until all the water has been absorbed, stirring occasionally.

4. As you are waiting for the quinoa to cook prepare the other ingredients. Place the frozen peas in a small bowl, cover with hot water to warm through and set aside (strain after a few minutes).

5. Remove the quinoa from the heat, add the peas (strained) and coconut milk and stir thoroughly. Adjust the seasoning if needed, garnish your curry spiced quinoa with chopped cilantro and serve.

Peas, coconut milk and curry quinoa in pot with spoon.

Serving suggestions

This spiced quinoa is delicious served alongside tofu, grilled vegetables as well as meat and fish dishes. It goes pretty much with anything!

Quinoa is rich in protein, which makes it also a satisfying main dish.

Can I use different vegetables

Absolutely! This curried quinoa is extremely adaptable and you can serve it with whatever vegetables you have on hand. I used peas because they are quick and easy to prepare, but steamed or boiled vegetables (such as broccoli or root vegetables) would also work.

Top tip

Heat up your vegetables before adding into the quinoa and serving.

Can I use ready-cooked quinoa

I do not recommend it. Although you can add curry spices to make your cooked quinoa taste better you won't be able to truly infuse it with flavour. Cooking the quinoa from scratch along with spices produces best results.

Top tips

Heat up the spices gently and briefly to make sure they don't burn.
There is no need to pre-soak the quinoa.
Best served hot.
Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days. You may need to add a splash of water to loosen the mixture when reheating.
Freeze this quinoa pilaf for up to 3 months.

Close-up view of curried quinoa with peas in blue bowl with spoon, 2 white plates with forks and fresh herbs in background.

Check out also this collection of healthy vegetarian pasta meals.

Keep in touch!

If you make this easy spiced quinoa recipe I'd love to know how it turned out for you. What did you serve it with? Let me know in the comments below, thanks:)

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Easy Curried Quinoa (Vegan)