This post is a sequel to the collection of how-to quinoa basics. I have already written extensively about How To Season Quinoa, How To Rinse Quinoa, and How To Cook Quinoa Perfectly. If you need a refresher, be sure to check those out as well.
How To Freeze Cooked Quinoa?
I usually cook a few batches of tricolor and white quinoa on my meal prep day, portion it out, and freeze in the fridge. Here are the steps I follow:
Prepare Quinoa:
Bring it to room temperature
It is crucial to make sure that the cooked quinoa comes to full room temperature before freezing. If you miss this step you will end up with chunks of frozen quinoa that has a mushy texture when it is defrosted.
Stove Top QuinoaRice Cooker QuinoaMicrowave QuinoaInstant Pot Quinoa
You can do this in two ways:
Portion It Out & Label
You can follow the same freezing process for leftover quinoa as well.
Equipment You Will Need:
Below are the equipment I own, use, and recommend for freezing quinoa. They are affiliate links.
How To Defrost Frozen Quinoa?
The best thing about frozen quinoa is that there is no need to remember to take it out of the freezer and let it thaw in the fridge overnight. Instead, you can take it out of the freezer and let it thaw on the counter for 45 – 60 minutes before using it in your recipe. You can enjoy cooked quinoa cold or quickly warm it up in the microwave or on the stove top. If you are warming it up on the stove top, I recommend adding a teaspoon of oil in the pan and stirring occasionally to warm it so that it won’t stick to the bottom of the pan. If it feels dry, feel free to add in a few tablespoons of water as it cooks. You can also add frozen quinoa directly to soups and skillet meals. This might extend the cooking time for a few extra minutes but it will be much faster than cooking it from scratch. In our household, we are not following a strict gluten-free diet but I include quinoa in my daily cooking because of all of its benefits, ease of cooking, and earthy flavor. Below are a few freezer friendly recipes I make often:
My Go-To Quinoa Side DishVegan Quinoa ChiliMexican Quinoa BowlButternut Squash Quinoa – Add salad ingredients after defrosting
Measuring CupsStasher Reusable Bags Baking sheet
