As the name suggests, it's a lemon-flavored quinoa dish with spices that add taste to the nutty flavors of Quinoa.
With simple ingredients, Lemon Quinoa would be one of the easiest quinoa recipes you'll ever try.
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This is not the first (or last time) that you will hear me rave about the benefits of Quinoa, and I have just the perfect and simple recipe for Quinoa that you can try today….Lemon Quinoa!
Recently I have started replacing rice in my diet with better options such as millets and quinoa, and this recipe is one example of a rice substitute recipe.
About this recipe
If you are familiar with Lemon rice in Indian cuisine, this recipe for Lemon Quinoa would be similar, except that this is a lot more nutritious than the rice dish.
I have always been a fan of lemon rice, and this recipe offers the same taste with a lighter, nutritious option.
Quinoa has fewer carbs, fewer calories, and more protein than rice. So it's a win in every count.
The only question is how to cook these grains perfectly to bring out complementing flavors from the spices. This lemon quinoa is bursting with ginger, turmeric, and peanuts flavors.
If you like quinoa, you’ve got to try this quinoa recipe.
Just like the Indian version comes in several variations, lemon quinoa can have similar variations you can try once you get an idea of the recipe the first time. I used peanuts along with other spices to add flavor.
To make it super easy for you to follow, I have included step-by-step photos and videos for this recipe.
Now you will notice how easy it is. I have shared several quinoa recipes in the past, such as chana quinoa, Vegetable quinoa, and Quinoa Upama.
But this recipe for lemon quinoa would top them all in terms of easiness. I am sharing the procedure to prepare this dish over the stovetop and my favorite cooking gadget, Instant Pot.
Reasons you should try this
Not just because of how easy or nutritious it is, but other reasons are just too appealing to overlook in this recipe…
- Vegan and gluten-free
- It can be prepared over the stovetop or the Instant Pot
- Easy to clean after cooking (One pot recipe)
- Open for variations with curry leaves and cashews for garnishing.
Serving ideas
You can serve Lemon Quinoa with a side of soup, raita, or even Indian pickles. Your choice of side dish depends on how spicy or mild your dish turns out. Spicy lemon quinoa would pair with raita or yogurt and vice versa for pickle.
Instant Pot method
Add a few teaspoons of oil to the inner pot in the' saute' setting.
As the oil heats up, add peanuts and saute until they start to turn crispy.
Add cumin seeds and sauté them until they start to sizzle.
Add grated ginger, and chopped green chilies, and cook for about 30 seconds.
Now, add the rinsed quinoa, salt to taste, and turmeric powder.
Add water in the right proportion as noted in the ingredients list. Stir well.
Close the lid of the instant pot and turn the steam release handle to the “sealing” position. Press the manual/pressure cooking setting and set the time for 2 minutes.
As the timer expires, use the natural release to let the pressure settle and then open the lid.
Add lemon juice and cilantro. And mix well and it is ready to serve.
Lemon Quinoa is ready to serve!
Stovetop method
Cook the quinoa in a separate bowl with 2 cups of water and place it aside.
Place a pan over medium heat and add a few teaspoons of oil. As the oil heats up, add peanuts. Fry them to a crispy consistency.
Now, add cumin seeds and sauté them until they start to sizzle. Add the grated ginger and chopped green chilies, and cook for about a minute.
Add salt to taste and mix in the cooked quinoa. Give it a good mix until the flavors are evenly distributed.
Switch off the heat and squeeze in some fresh lemon juice. Garnish with chopped cilantro and mix well.
Lemon quinoa is ready! Serve hot with a savory soup…
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📖 Recipe
Lemon Quinoa Indian Style (Instant Pot)
Equipment
Process Shot
Check above for step-by-step pictures (most of my recipes include pictures)
Ingredients
- 1 cup Quinoa
- 1 ½ cup water
- 3 tablespoon peanuts
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 2 teaspoon ginger grated
- 2 green chilies
- 2 teaspoon coconut oil
- Cilantro for garnish
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
- salt to taste
Instructions
- In the ‘saute’ setting, add a few teaspoons of oil to the inner pot.2 teaspoon coconut oil
- As the oil heats up, add peanuts and saute until they start to turn crispy.3 tablespoon peanuts
- Add cumin seeds and sauté them until they start to sizzle.1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- Add grated ginger, chopped green chilies, and cook for about 30 seconds.2 teaspoon ginger grated, 2 green chilies
- Now, add the rinsed quinoa, salt to taste and turmeric powder.1 cup Quinoa
- Add water in the right proportion as noted in the ingredients list. Stir well.
- Close the lid of the instant pot and turn the steam release handle to the “sealing” position. Press the manual/pressure cooking setting and set the time for 2 minutes.
- As the timer expires, use the natural release to let the pressure settle and then open the lid.
- Add lemon juice and cilantro. And mix well and it is ready to serve.
- Lemon Quinoa is ready to serve!
Video
Notes
YOUR OWN NOTES
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimation only.
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Shivani
Hi my friend send me this recipe to try. Today I made it,this taste so good with peanuts. Thank you Uma.
Uma Raghupathi
Thank you Shivani. I am glad that you liked it.
Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer
I absolutely love quinoa and lemons but hadn’t thought of combining the two! This is perfect for a hot summer day! Thank you so much for sharing!!!
Uma Raghupathi
Thank you, Lori. Hope you will try this recipe soon!
jenny
Feel so lucky right now to have come upon your lemon quinoa recipe. I am starting a cleanse in 2 days with one meal + two shakes and all ingredients have to be vegan and clean. Your quinoa recipe is SO perfect for my one meal a day. Can't wait! Thanks so much for sharing it!
Uma Raghupathi
Thank you, Jenny. Happy to know that my recipe suits your plan!
Laura Arteaga
I love quinoa and always have to make nice recipes to convince my husband of how good it is! This recipe will definitely be a hit at home, we add lemon to all our dishes. Thank you for sharing!
GUNJAN C Dudani
I like this healthier version of lemon rice by converting it into lemon quinoa. I am totally making this for lunch tomorrow.
Aditi Bahl
Quinoa is an absolute favorite. Your recipe and its flavors are just amazing. The indian touch of spices sounds so good. Will try this soon.
Uma Raghupathi
Thank you Aditi. Hope you will try this soon!
Erin
This sounds awesome and I'm super excited to try that lemon rice you linked to! I love that you can make this quinoa in the Instant Pot. It definitely makes thing easier!
Jill Clarke
The recipe sounds delicious but your instructions say to add turmeric, yet it is not in your list of ingredients. How much turmeric is to be added?
Uma Raghupathi
Hi Jill. Sorry for the inconvenience. Add 1/4 tsp turmeric. Hope you will enjoy!
Jacqueline Debono
I don't have an Instant Pot so I was happy you added stove-top instructions. This lemon quinoa sounds great and since I have all the ingredients in my pantry am going to try it out this weekend!
Uma Raghupathi
Thank you Jacqueline:)
Andrea Howe
I love lemon in my rice, so I know I will love this too. Thank you for giving stovetop directions as well 🙂
veenaazmanov
Love that it is an Instant Pot option and a healthier dish for a comforting meal too.
Bernice Hill
I read the title of this recipe and immediately started drooling! I just love lemon flavoured side dishes, especially one as flavourful as this one.
Uma Raghupathi
Thank you Bernice! This can be main dish too 🙂