Clean Eating Vegetable Quinoa Recipe (2024)

ByTiffany McCauley

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This vegetable quinoa recipe makes a wonderful side dish or even a main course.

Quinoa is incredible stuff. It’s so amazingly versatile, you can do just about anything with it.

Clean Eating Vegetable Quinoa Recipe (1)

As many of you know, I’m moving towards grain-free living. But the wonderful thing about quinoa is that it’s not actually a grain. It’s a seed! So I have no issues with including it in my eating plan at the moment.

I’m basically doing the same thing I did when I made the switch to clean eating. Letting things run out and replacing what I can with grain free options. It’s been an interesting change. My kitchen won’t become completely grain free because I won’t change Mini Chef’s diet while I’m trying something new out (again). But all I’ll be left with are a few whole grain products. Items like whole grain pasta and brown rice. At that point, we’ll be able to comfortably coexist in the food department. I’m actually looking forward to making the change completely. I think when you make a big change like that, it changes the way you live a little bit. I think that’s the hardest part. All those “routines” you get into that have to change. It’s not the food, it’s the way of doing things that I’m used to. That’s truly the hardest part of all of this. But I know it’s best for me at this point, so I’ll keep at it!

I know that quinoa is certainly not low in carbs. But my issue seems to be with grains themselves. At least as far as I can tell for now. So I’ll chalk it up to being a grand experiment and see how it goes. And because of that, you get a nice, healthy, vegetable quinoa recipe! Awesome, right!?

QUINOA RECIPES

  • Garlic Parmesan Quinoa
  • Apricot Ginger Quinoa With Cashews

VEGETABLE QUINOA RECIPE

Clean Eating Vegetable Quinoa Recipe (3)

Vegetable Quinoa

A delicious quinoa salad that can be enjoyed as a main dish or side dish to other main courses.

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Course: Grains

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes minutes

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 300.31kcal

Equipment

  • Pot

  • Skillet

  • Mixing Bowl

Ingredients

  • 2 cups dry quinoa
  • 4 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth - no sugar added)
  • ½ lb. baby carrots (sliced - regular carrots are fine too)
  • 1 ½ cups yellow bell pepper (chopped)
  • 1 ½ cups red onion (chopped)
  • 2 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1 tsp. dried marjoram
  • 1 tsp. dried parsley
  • 2 tbsp. olive oil

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Put the quinoa and chicken broth in a medium-sized pot and bring to a boil.

  • Reduce heat and simmer for approximately 15 minutes, or until the broth is completely soaked up by the quinoa.

  • While the quinoa cooks, sauté the remaining ingredients over medium heat in olive oil until the carrots are cooked to your liking and the onions are translucent.

  • Allow both the vegetable mix and the quinoa to cool a bit before combining.

  • Stir everything together, add salt and pepper to taste and serve.

Notes

Please note that the nutrition data given here is a ballpark figure. Exact data is not possible.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 300.31kcal | Carbohydrates: 46.98g | Protein: 9.9g | Fat: 8.61g | Saturated Fat: 1.13g | Sodium: 608.84mg | Potassium: 683.25mg | Fiber: 6.17g | Sugar: 3.52g | Vitamin A: 5287.03IU | Vitamin C: 83.26mg | Calcium: 61.43mg | Iron: 3.55mg

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  1. Why are giving up eating grains? I thought they were good for everyone.

    Reply

    1. Phyllis – To help manage my blood sugar.

      Reply

  2. What do you eat instead of grains then?

    Reply

    1. Daniela – Meats, fruits and veggies.

      Reply

  3. Thank you!
    But how do you get rid of starch cravings?
    Pluss I am starving if I don’t eat any

    Reply

    1. Daniela – Everyone is different, but for me personally, when I ate more fat and protein, the cravings went away. I guess it all depends on what you mean by starch cravings and starving. Do you mean starving as in your stomach is actually growling, or starving in that your cravings are going crazy?

      Reply

  4. I was hoping for a recipe with squash when I seen the picture. Could we change this up with butternut squash? What spices might work? Add some apples in place of peppers and onions?

    Reply

    1. Fran – It’s pretty versatile. You can add anything you like to it. 🙂

      Reply

  5. Trying this today for the first time 🙂 I’m hoping Quinoa is a keeper for me. Thanks <3

    Reply

    1. Kim – Be sure to rinse the quinoa really well until you get used to the flavor. It’s great stuff, but if you didn’t rinse it the first time you tried it, it can be a little off putting. Even if the bag says it’s pre-rinsed.

      Reply

Clean Eating Vegetable Quinoa Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is quinoa good for clean eating? ›

Quinoa is a nutritious choice for people looking for plant-based protein sources—it's a complete protein, containing all nine of the essential amino acids. Plus, its dietary fiber may help improve your digestion. Likewise, its fiber and protein content can help make you feel more satiated than other grains.

What is the healthiest way to eat quinoa? ›

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.

Can you eat quinoa on a detox? ›

A natural detox is when your body naturally eliminates excess fat and a build-up of toxins, restoring your body to the weight and vitality that it deserves. Quinoa and a healthy lifestyle are necessary to achieve this objective.

How to get rid of saponins in quinoa? ›

TO REMOVE THE SAPONIN:

Fill it with clean water. Let is soak for a little while. Then, using a wire whisk swish the quinoa around until you see a soapy residue come out of the quinoa. You might have to do this for a few minutes to get all the saponin off.

What are the best grains for clean eating? ›

Healthy Grains and How to Enjoy Them
  • Brown Rice. 1/17. In the world of whole grains, you can argue this is the original star. ...
  • Sorghum. 2/17. Many cultures enjoy this ancient cereal grain. ...
  • Buckwheat. 3/17. It isn't a grain or a wheat. ...
  • Barley. 4/17. ...
  • Oats. 5/17. ...
  • Millet. 6/17. ...
  • Quinoa. 7/17. ...
  • Bulgur. 8/17.
Sep 29, 2023

What color quinoa is the healthiest? ›

The bottom line

Red quinoa is rich in protein, fiber, and many important vitamins and minerals. Plus, it's higher in antioxidants than other varieties of quinoa, which may benefit heart health.

Does quinoa burn belly fat? ›

Quinoa: High in protein, quinoa keeps you full with its high levels of plant-based proteins. It decreases your appetite and promotes belly fat decrease.

Can I eat quinoa every day? ›

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%.

Is quinoa a protein or carb? ›

Quinoa is considered a carbohydrate because it contains many carbs per serving. Although it contains some protein, the macronutrient distribution is closer to what you find in other grains and starches.

Does quinoa clean your colon? ›

Whole grains are rich in fiber and will help to cleanse the colon. Oats, oatmeal, brown rice, and quinoa are all great sources. Try to incorporate 3 – 5 servings per day into your meals. Broccoli, cauliflower, kale, and most leafy greens are fiber-dense and are always healthy choices.

Does quinoa heal the gut? ›

Studies suggest quinoa may improve gut health by enhancing the diversity of beneficial gut bacteria and reducing the inflammatory symptoms of conditions like colitis. Acting as a prebiotic, quinoa supplies the fuel for beneficial gut bacteria, allowing them to thrive.

Why does my stomach hurt after quinoa? ›

But for some people, eating quinoa may cause stomachaches, itchy skin, hives, and other common symptoms of food allergies. The seed and its coating contain the compound saponin, which could cause these symptoms. If you're allergic to quinoa or sensitive to saponin, it doesn't mean you have to miss out on tasty recipes.

How long to soak quinoa to remove saponins? ›

In a small bowl, combine quinoa, lemon juice or vinegar, and water. Cover bowl and let sit for 12-24 hours. Drain and rinse quinoa in fresh water. Transfer quinoa to a pot and add fresh water until just barely covered.

What happens if I don't rinse my quinoa? ›

It wasn't a huge difference in texture, but definitely noticeable. Rinsing quinoa definitely starts to hydrate the seeds. Flavor – In terms of flavor, the unrinsed quinoa definitely had a nuttier, earthier flavor, but I didn't find it bitter at all. The rinsed quinoa was definitely milder and the flavors more muted.

Is quinoa OK for gut health? ›

Studies suggest quinoa may improve gut health by enhancing the diversity of beneficial gut bacteria and reducing the inflammatory symptoms of conditions like colitis. Acting as a prebiotic, quinoa supplies the fuel for beneficial gut bacteria, allowing them to thrive.

Is quinoa a clean carb? ›

Quinoa is a higher carbohydrate food. In a typical ¾ cup serving of cooked quinoa, you will consume 29 g of carbohydrates, which makes it difficult to fit this food into a low carbohydrate diet. However, quinoa is a nutritious carbohydrate option, so try incorporating this nutrient-dense food if room allows.

Is quinoa actually a Superfood? ›

Nicknamed a “superfood,” quinoa is a complete source of protein, which means it contains all nine amino acids, and it's also a great source of fiber (it contains more than any other grain) and heart-healthy fats.

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