Cooking quinoa in a saucepan was time-consuming because I felt I had to keep lifting the lid to ensure it didn’t over boil.
However, my sister-in-law has taught me a no-fuss, easy way to cook Quinoa. Using the microwave technology has been a more enjoyable, hassle and stress-free experience.
Microwave Wattage Tips
When I used the 1000w microwave, the quinoa didn’t over-boil. However, the 1200w microwave needed some experimenting. I’ve taken the guess work out of it for you because 1200w cooks at a ‘higher temperature’ and faster than the 1000w. If using 1200w, set it to 60% power when cooking quinoa. Here are some photos, recipe and video footage for microwaving Quinoa. Quinoa is not only nutritional, but a multi-useful ingredient which can be used in salads, soups, veggies, cakes and anything else you want to experiment with.
Stage 1 – Approx 1- 5 minutes starting to bubble
Stage 2 – Next 5 minutes, starting to bubble and boil.
Stage 3 – During 7-12 minute – Full on boiling – but not overflowing.
Stage 4 – During last 3-4 minutes, drying out, small bubbles in lower part of bowl
Ingredients
- 1 cup (or 250mL) white or multi-coloured quinoa
- 2 cups (or 500mL) boiling water
- *Use same size cup for quinoa and boiling water
Equipment
- microwave
- 250mL cup
- min 1L (large) microwave dish
- fork (fluffing)
Method
- Place one cup quinoa in large microwave dish
- Place two cups boiling water in with quinoa
- Cook uncovered for 15min (60% power using 1200w microwave or 1000w on high)
Video Stages of Cooking Process
- Stage 2 – Second 3-5 minutes, starting to bubble.
- Stage 3 – During 7-12 minute – Full on boiling, but not overflowing
- Stage 4 – During last 3-4 minutes, drying out, small bubbles in lower part of bowl
Stage 5 – The quinoa ‘fluffing’ stage as it has dried out sufficiently ready to serve in your hot or cold dish.
Big Sister Blogs - Maria Parenti 
Perfect! So quick and easy. Thanks for sharing.
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I almost decided Quinoa was too fussy to work with, until my sister-in-law showed me a more efficient, easier way to cook it. By her sharing, I thought there must others who need this shared. And quinoa is high protein carb, so win win!
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I was told to use a rice cooker to cook quinoa and it works a treat. This was after I blew up my last microwave trying to cook quinoa (yes, it’s possible!)
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Another excellent sharing idea with a rice cooker. The key for the microwave was using the boiled water because I tried and tried with tap water, but it still stayed the same. Thank you for sharing back.
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A wonderful post to help share your awesome cooking tips! Thank you for linking up for #Lifethisweek 23/52. Next week: Public Holidays
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It was frustrating, until I was talking to my sister-in-law. Then she said try cooking it this way. I couldn’t believe it. She demonstrated right there and then. It was awesome.
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Wow, thanks for sharing your tips. I have never thought to cook quinoa in a microwave… I’ve always done it on the stove. I may need to try it now that you have taken the guess work out of it for me.
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Haha… So glad. It took a bit of experimenting and overflowing until I got what worked for my microwave.
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