Super easy and tasty recipe! We do not add cilantro, but do enjoy topping with avocado slices. -Britt
Why I love this Mexican quinoa recipe
Quinoa is something that I’m not too familiar with. I had cooked it a few times before making this quinoa recipe, and I was pretty disappointed in it. I don’t think I even rinsed it properly. Then I found a box of pre-rinsed quinoa at the grocery store, and I was so excited.
I knew it would be a game changer, and it was. It was so simple – as easy to prepare as rice – but much more nutritional. (Of course, you can still make this with quinoa that you rinse yourself.)
Pair that with some Mexican mix-ins and you have a healthy, meatless meal. Or you can serve this as a side dish with your favorite fajitas recipe.
This recipe goes great with: easy refried black beans / Mexican street corn & cucumber salad / roasted chili corn salsa / vegan queso
The following is a detailed overview of the recipe steps with added tips and tricks for recipe success. For a simplified and printable version, including ingredient amounts and more formal instructions, see the recipe card below.
How to make Mexican quinoa
Sauté the garlic. This quinoa recipe is super easy. After sautéing some minced garlic in a tablespoon olive oil, add the remaining ingredients to the pot and bring to a boil.
Simmer. Reduce the heat, cover the pot and let it simmer until the quinoa is cooked. Continue to cook for 20-25 minutes or until the liquids have fully absorbed.
Garnish and serve. When the quinoa is finished cooking, stir in the fresh cilantro – if you want – and you’re ready to serve. Top with guacamole or some homemade garlic aioli – or your favorite dairy free sour cream.
More recipes you’ll love: roasted acorn squash salad / summer farro salad / roasted vegetable pasta salad
Mexican Quinoa
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 1/4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth*
- 1 cup uncooked, pre-rinsed quinoa
- 1 14.5- ounce can diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 15.5- ounce can black or pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 1/2 cups frozen corn kernels
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish.
Instructions
- In large skillet or saucepan, heat the olive oil to medium-high heat.
- Add garlic and sauté until fragrant – about 30 seconds.
- Add remaining ingredients (minus the cilantro) and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 20 – 25 minutes.
- Stir in cilantro just before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like this? Leave a comment below!
This was so delicious! Thanks so much for sharing! I will definitely be making on a regular basis. I did add extra cumin and a diced jalapeño pepper. So good!
I made this a couple weeks ago and loved it! Thinking of trying in the crockpot…anyone tried that?
This recipe sounds great but I would be interested in seeing the nutritional information especially the sodium levels. Just reviewing the ingredients it looks like it would be very high.
I made this last night and it was absolutely amazaing. I used fresh tomatoes and japapeño peppers instead of Rotel and I added some oregano and a Tbs of lime juice at the end. I topped it with cubes avocado. It was divine (and I’m not even a quinoa person). Thanks for sharing the recipe.
This looks delicious, but I wish people would stop calling dishes with black beans “Mexican.” My wife is Mexican and she corrects anyone who calls a dish with black beans Mexican food. Black beans are a staple in Latin American cuisine such as South American, Puerto Rican, and Cuban food. Pinto beans, not black beans, are the staple of Mexican cooking.
I’m so sorry. I really wasn’t intending to upset anyone. I had no idea. I really considered it Mexican because of the cumin, cilantro, etc. Not just the beans, but pinto beans would be really great in this too. Maybe I could update the ingredients to include pinto beans as an alternative to the black beans 🙂
Hi, I have already cooked quinoa in the fridge want to make this tonight do you recommend adding the quinoa last since it’s already cooked I will be just heating it up so I won’t need all that liquid. What do you recommend?
That’s funny I own a house in Mexico and every restaurant there serves us black beans. Just because your wife is Mexican and probably grew up on refried beans doesn’t mean that’s the only thing they serve in Mexico. When I asked for refried beans at one restaurant they said that’s not beans these are.
I am Mexican, living in Mexico, and black beans are common. I would say black beans are more a staple in Southern Mexico and the Yucatan but they are used in dishes all over. A Google search confirms this.