Mexican Quinoa (Sluggish Cooker, Instantaneous Pot, or Stovetop)

I am all the time in search of new methods so as to add totally different grains to my meals. Do not get me incorrect, I really like rice simply as a lot as the following particular person, however I really feel prefer it’s a good suggestion to combine it up each time doable.

This straightforward Mexican impressed recipe combines quinoa, beans, corn, and tomatoes are all mixed and cooked with taco seasoning. What you get is a scrumptious and simple taco filling or vegetarian meal.

It’s also nice as a filling used for tacos, burritos, bowls, salads, stuffed peppers, quesadillas, and extra. You’ll be able to even eat it as a plant-based fundamental dish should you like. It is wholesome, filled with plant-based proteins, and nice for meal prep!

Earlier than You Get Began

Here is the rundown of an important issues you have to know for this recipe:

• Rinse Your Quinoa: Even when your quinoa is labeled as pre-rinsed, giving it a fast rinse underneath chilly water removes any residual saponin, which may give it a barely bitter style. This step ensures your dish is as flavorful as doable.
• Use What You Have: No bell peppers? Swap for zucchini or diced candy potatoes. No black beans? Attempt pinto or kidney beans. The recipe is forgiving, so get artistic with what’s in your pantry!
• Customise the Warmth: Should you like a spicier dish, use diced tomatoes with further chilies or add a pinch of cayenne pepper or crimson pepper flakes. Should you’re feeding youngsters or desire a milder taste, follow common diced tomatoes.

Substances and Substitutions

This recipe is wholesome for therefore many causes, notably, after all, as a result of each ingredient in and of itself is wholesome.

• Quinoa: Quinoa is filled with fiber, is nice on your blood sugar and coronary heart, has tons of important nutritional vitamins and minerals, is gluten-free, and can also be an awesome plant supply of protein. Do not swap in rice or one other grain since they prepare dinner otherwise and require a special quantity of liquid. Any shade of quinoa will work.
• Vegetable broth: Use any sort of broth or water.
• Black beans: Beans are excessive in fiber and assist make this dish hearty and filling. Swap in any bean you want, together with selfmade black beans or pinto beans.
• Diced tomatoes with inexperienced chilies: Use any canned diced tomatoes you want. If you don’t need the additional spice, use fire-roasted tomatoes.
• Corn: Use canned corn, frozen corn, or recent corn. If utilizing recent corn, saute it with the onion and bell peppers.
• Taco seasoning: Taco seasoning is a fast and simple manner so as to add tons of taste with only one ingredient. Swap in fajita seasoning, blackening seasoning, or use your personal homemade taco seasoning.

Learn how to Make Mexican Quinoa

There are three straightforward methods to make this dish on the stovetop, within the Instantaneous Pot, or within the crockpot.

30 Minute One Pan Dinner

Begin by sauteing the onions and peppers till they’re simply softened. Add every other greens you want presently. Be happy so as to add some minced garlic, tomato paste, or jalapeno so as to add much more taste.

Now add within the rinsed quinoa, beans, corn, and diced tomatoes with their juice, broth, and spices. Give every thing a superb stir and produce it to a boil over medium-high warmth. Instantly flip the warmth right down to medium-low so the quinoa is simmering. Cowl and prepare dinner for 15-20 minutes till the quinoa is cooked by.

Fluff the quinoa with a fork. Stir within the cilantro. Add any toppings you want. We suggest cheese, recent lime juice, and avocado.

Instantaneous Pot

Warmth the olive oil over medium-high warmth utilizing the Saute perform. Add the onion, bell peppers, and every other veggies you want. Prepare dinner for 3-5 minutes till starting to melt.

Stir within the quinoa, vegetable broth, black beans, tomatoes, corn, and taco seasoning. Stir nicely.

Shut the lid and prepare dinner on excessive strain for two minutes. Let it naturally launch for 10 minutes. Fluff the quinoa with a fork and stir within the cilantro.

Serve with recent lime juice, avocado, shredded cheese, and every other toppings you want.

Sluggish Cooker

That is by far the simplest choice! Add every thing to the crock pot, including an additional 1/2 cup of vegetable broth or water. Stir nicely. Prepare dinner on low for two.5-3.5 hours or till the quinoa is cooked by. Fluff and add any toppings you want.

Mexican Quinoa Toppings

If you will serve this as a one-dish casserole-style meal, I like to recommend melting some cheese on high underneath the broiler after which including all of your favourite taco toppings.

• Shredded lettuce
• Recent cilantro
• Salsa or pico de gallo
• Guacamole or avocado
• Bitter cream or Greek yogurt
• Sliced black olives
• Recent tomatoes
• Recent limes
• Sliced jalapenos

Methods to Serve Mexican Quinoa

Among the best elements of this recipe is how versatile it’s! Listed below are a few of my favourite methods to serve this Mexican-style quinoa.

• Taco or burrito filling: All you want is tortillas, cheese, and salsa. Add some sliced avocado or guacamole should you like. Shredded lettuce can also be nice if you wish to add some crunch.
• Make burrito bowls: This will function the bottom for a burrito bowl after which simply add all of your favourite toppings.
• Add it to quesadillas: A hearty vegetarian quesadilla filling with cheese.
• Make stuffed peppers: Make stuffed poblano peppers or bell peppers with leftovers.
• Make a breakfast bowl: This tastes so good with eggs for a Mexican-style breakfast bowl.
• Use it as a facet dish: Serve this as a facet dish with Chicken Tinga, Machaca, or Cilantro Lime Chicken. This makes an awesome facet dish for any Tex-Mex or Mexican meal.

Variations and Recipe Concepts

• Fajita type: Add further bell peppers and crimson onions, and use fajita seasoning as an alternative of taco seasoning.
• Enchilada type: For a saucier choice, add 1 cup of crimson enchilada sauce to the recipe as nicely. This provides a smoky taste to the quinoa and provides further moisture.
• Add extra veggies: Add some chopped zucchini, summer time squash, recent tomatoes, spinach, or kale to the skillet whereas sauteing the peppers and onions.
• Add protein: It is simple so as to add protein to this dish. The best choice is to fold some cooked rooster (or rotisserie rooster) into the completed dish. You may also saute some floor turkey or beef within the skillet earlier than including the quinoa and different elements. Sliced spicy rooster sausage can also be actually good.