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    Home » Recipes » Side Dishes

    Slow Cooker Quinoa

    Published: Feb 23, 2023 Modified: Feb 24, 2023 by Kristin King / This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe | Pin Recipe
    Side shot of quinoa garnished with green onions on a square white plate on a wood table.
    Close up shot of quinoa garnished with green onions on a white plate.
    Close up side shot of quinoa garnished with green onions on a square white plate on a wood table.

    Make this Slow Cooker Quinoa as an easy-prep dish that turns out perfect every time! Like all good slow cooker recipes, you can simply set it and forget it.

    There’s no need to keep watch for boil-overs or burning; the slow cooker has you covered! Make large batches and store leftovers in the fridge to have an easy side dish or base for a main course to use throughout the week.

    Close up side shot of quinoa garnished with green onions on a square white plate on a wood table.
    The perfect base for any main or side, this protein packed crockpot quinoa is super versatile and delicious!
    Jump to:
    • 💚 Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • 🧂 Ingredients Needed
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • ❔ FAQs
    • 💭 Expert Tips and Tricks
    • 💡 Substitutions and Variations
    • 🔊 What readers are saying...
    • 🥫 Storage and Reheating
    • 🍴 What To Serve With This Dish
    • ✔️ More Slow Cooker Recipes You'll Love
    • How to Cook Quinoa in the Slow Cooker
    • 📋 Recipe Card
    • 💬 Reviews and Comments

    💚 Why You'll Love This Recipe

    At the end of a long day, when I am tired and feeling hungry, it's just a little too much for me to cook up some quinoa to serve with dinner. This crockpot quinoa recipe completely changes that!

    Prep is done earlier in the day before I get to that late afternoon crash, and it really could not be easier. Add the quinoa and the chicken broth to the slow cooker and turn it on low. The hardest part is remembering to plug it in (not that I have personal experience with that issue...ahem).

    Now my quinoa turns out perfect every time! Hooray!

    But if you want an even faster way to cook quinoa, you've got to try this Instant Pot Quinoa! And for a unique way to incorporate quinoa into your diet, make this Cinnamon Quinoa Breakfast Bake.

    🧂 Ingredients Needed

    Overhead shot of ingredients - quinoa and chicken/veggie broth.
    This recipe only requires two pantry ingredients to make a delicious crockpot quinoa!
    • quinoa - this fluffy and edible seed acts as an excellent side dish or a yummy base for other dishes.
    • chicken broth - you can also use vegetable broth for a vegetarian version.
    • salt - this optional ingredient adds some extra flavor if you find your quinoa needs it

    🔪 Instructions

    Overhead shot of process shot - quinoa and broth cooking in crock pot.
    Only five minutes is needed to prepare this crockpot quinoa recipe!
    1. Combine quinoa and broth in the slow cooker. Add salt if using. Cook on low for 2-3 hours and serve!

    ❔ FAQs

    How much liquid do I use for 1 cup of quinoa?

    As a basic rule, whether you're using chicken broth, veggie broth, or water, you'll want to use about 2 cups of liquid for every 1 cup of dry quinoa.

    How do you cook quinoa without it getting mushy?

    The number one reason quinoa gets mushy is overcooking. Though the instructions say 2-3 hours, start checking your quinoa around the hour and a half mark. Every slow cooker is a little bit different.

    Do you have to rinse quinoa?

    This step is somewhat optional, especially since many boxed quinoas come pre-rinsed. It can't hurt to give them a good rinse just in case, since quinoa naturally has an outer coating called saponin which can make it taste soapy or bitter.

    Overhead shot of quinoa garnished with green onions on a square white plate on a wood table.
    This recipe gives you simple steps for how to cook quinoa in the slow cooker!

    💭 Expert Tips and Tricks

    • To rinse, use an extremely fine sieve (mesh works well) or else soak your quinoa in a bowl of water then drain through a cheesecloth or a thin towel.
    • Fluff with a work before you serve your quinoa to give it a nice light and fluffy texture.
    • You can tell the quinoa is done when it's absorbed all of the liquid and the seeds look like they've popped open.
    • Start checking your quinoa an hour and a half or two hours in to ensure it doesn't get overdone.

    📌 This kale Caesar salad is easy to customize. Add or omit any ingredients as you please to make a version of the recipe that your family will love!

    💡 Substitutions and Variations

    • For vegetarian/vegan quinoa, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. I don't recommend using just water, as your quinoa will come out without much flavor.
    • To make this more of a main course, you can add other seasonings or ingredients like chopped veggies for more nutrition. Or add this delicious Instant Pot Shredded Italian Chicken for a flavorful and filling weekday meal!

    🔊 What readers are saying...

    "I made this is my small crockpot and it’s delicious and fluffy. I cooked it in high and it was fine in 3 hours. Thanks so much!"

    - Euleza

    🥫 Storage and Reheating

    Slow cooker quinoa can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 3-5 days. It can also be kept in the freezer for around 2 months.

    To reheat, simply microwave in 30-second increments until heated through. From frozen, allow the quinoa to sit in the fridge until thawed, then microwave.

    🍴 What To Serve With This Dish

    You can pair so many tasty main courses with slow cooker quinoa for a filling and healthy meal!

    Top your quinoa with Air Fryer Steak Bites, these tasty Slow Cooker Hawaiian Meatballs, a super nutritious Air Fryer Orange Glazed Salmon, or Mediterranean Chicken Casserole.

    ✔️ More Slow Cooker Recipes You'll Love

    • Slow Cooker Breakfast Burritos - Streamline your morning meals by making these breakfast burritos in your slow cooker!
    • Slow Cooker Whole Chicken - Does the idea of cooking a whole chicken intimidate you? Make it easy with this slow cooker recipe.
    • Slow Cooker Cauliflower Mac and Cheese - Tasty and healthy, this veggie twist on classic mac and cheese will be a huge hit.
    • Mediterranean Fish Stew - This recipe from Fit Slow Cooker Queen yields a hearty and flavorful fish stew with tasty veggies!
    Close up shot of quinoa garnished with green onions on a white plate.
    Protein packed and delicious, this crockpot quinoa recipe is perfect to make any day of the week!

    How to Cook Quinoa in the Slow Cooker

    Love this recipe? Awesome! Snap a photo and tag me on Instagram. You can find me at DizzyBusyandHungry or #dizzybusyandhungry!

    ⭐ Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating below! ⭐

    📋 Recipe Card

    Side shot of quinoa garnished with green onions on a square white plate on a wood table.

    Slow Cooker Quinoa

    Recipe Author: Kristin
    This delicious and simple slow cooker quinoa recipe is the easiest way to get perfectly cooked quinoa, every time!
    4.97 from 63 votes
    Print Recipe Share by Email Bookmark Saved!
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 3 hours hrs
    Total Time 3 hours hrs 5 minutes mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6
    Calories 162 kcal

    Ingredients
     

    • 1.5 cups quinoa (it is easiest if you buy the already rinsed kind)
    • 3 cups chicken broth
    • ½ teaspoon salt (optional)
    US Customary - Metric
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Add all ingredients to the slow cooker and stir.
      1.5 cups quinoa, 3 cups chicken broth, ½ teaspoon salt
    • Cook on low 2-3 hours. **Note that due to possible differences in slow cookers, you will want to be vigilant the first time you use this method. Make a note of how long to cook the quinoa until it is done so that you can repeat it in the future! 3 hours works for me every time, but others have had a different experience.

    Notes

    • If you need to rinse your quinoa, use a very fine mesh sieve, or place the quinoa in a bowl of water, swish it around to get all the grains rinsed, and then strain it through a piece of cheesecloth or a thin kitchen towel.
    • Use vegetable broth for vegan quinoa.
    • The quinoa is done when the liquid is completely absorbed and the quinoa looks like it has popped open, with the spiral germ visible and wrapped around the seed. 
    • The first time you make this, start to check the quinoa at 2 hours to see if it's done, as some slow cookers will cook this faster than others. Make a note of how much time it took for your quinoa and then use that cook time going forward.
    • Fluff with a fork before serving.

    Video

    Nutrition

    Calories: 162kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 2g | Sodium: 625mg | Potassium: 333mg | Fiber: 2g | Vitamin C: 8.3mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 2.2mg

    Nutritional information is an estimate. The nutritional values for your final dish may vary based on measuring differences and products used.

    Want to make cooking even easier?Sign up here to receive FREE DBH exclusive content, including my favorite kitchen shortcuts and hacks, and unlock access to the DBH resource library with many other free downloads!

    Update Notes: This post was originally published in April 2016, and was republished with tips, step by step photos, and a recipe change in February 2023.

    Thanks so much for reading! I also invite you to follow me on FACEBOOK, PINTEREST, or INSTAGRAM to keep up with what's going on in my kitchen.

    And you might want to check out my Dizzy Busy and Hungry store on Amazon for a whole bunch of great kitchen products I love!

    Happy cooking!

    Close up of a signature of Kristin.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Sara Welch

      February 23, 2023 at 4:39 pm

      5 stars
      I've never made quinoa this way, but it couldn't have been easier! Turned out light, fluffy and delicious; easily, the best way to make quinoa!

      Reply
    2. Charles

      February 23, 2023 at 4:30 pm

      5 stars
      Hi,
      I love quinoa but this makes it so much easier. I never thought about using the crock so thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    3. Renee

      February 23, 2023 at 4:24 pm

      5 stars
      Great workday recipe! The quinoa gets a real flavor boost from the chicken broth.

      Reply
    4. sarah

      February 23, 2023 at 4:00 pm

      Worked grreat! Surprised me that it worked as well as it did.

      Reply
    5. Amy

      February 23, 2023 at 3:15 pm

      5 stars
      This quinoa was so tasty and easy! Perfect for days when I have to work.

      Reply
    6. dana

      February 23, 2023 at 2:14 pm

      5 stars
      Cooking quinoa in broth is the way to go! It's so flavorful. This recipe turned our wonderfully.

      Reply
    7. Karoline Wilson

      October 12, 2022 at 7:48 pm

      5 stars
      Omg I’m so trying this tomorrow!!! I’ll be sure to let you know how it turns out!

      Reply
    8. Euleza Hymas

      April 22, 2022 at 1:11 pm

      5 stars
      I made this is my small crockpot and it’s delicious and fluffy. I cooked it in high and it was fine in 3 hours. Thanks so much!

      Reply
      • Kristin King

        April 22, 2022 at 2:31 pm

        Glad to hear it! 🙂

        Reply
    9. Lorri

      February 20, 2020 at 9:45 am

      Can't wait to try. Just did brown rice in slow cooker for 1st time yesterday and I is perfect for mel prep! Looking forward to this one too.

      Have you frozen it after cooking?

      Reply
      • Kristin

        February 21, 2020 at 10:54 am

        Oh I hope it turns out well for you! Yes, I have frozen it. Let the cooked quinoa cool down completely, then transfer it to a resealable plastic bag. The best way to thaw it is to place the plastic bag in the refrigerator overnight. Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy! 🙂

        Reply
    10. Jojo

      August 13, 2018 at 11:13 am

      You put water on quinoa?
      How much?

      Reply
      • Kristin

        August 13, 2018 at 4:05 pm

        I don't use water, I use chicken broth. The amount is on the recipe card, but it is 3 cups for 1.5 cups of quinoa. I hope that helps! 🙂

        Reply
    « Older Comments

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    👋 Hey there, I'm Kristin! As a full-time working wife and mom, my life is such a whirlwind, it makes me dizzy sometimes! So I have been working to develop quick, easy, family-friendly recipes for 20+ years, and this site is where I share them with you! Happy cooking!

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