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Here are all the best vegan quinoa recipes that feature this protein packed whole grain! Pick from tacos, salads, chili, and more.
Love quinoa and eating plant-based? Quinoa is a healthy whole grain that is great for adding plant-based protein to vegan recipes. But it can be hard to find vegan recipes using this pantry staple. So here’s a list of our top vegan quinoa recipes! These are all the best ways to use quinoa in plant-based recipes. There are obvious ideas like side dishes and salads, but there are so many more unique ways to use it. Make it into taco “meat” as a filling for tacos, use it as the basis for colorful bowl meals, or add it to chili for a thick and meaty texture. We’re getting hungry, so…
And now…the top vegan quinoa recipes to try!
This vegan quinoa bowl is one of our fan favorite recipes Why? In 30 minutes, you have a fresh bowl of delicious vegetables and easy chickpeas that’s smothered in a tangy lemon tahini sauce. If you’re just starting to eat plant based recipes or have been eating them for years, this one is a truly tasty way to eat your veggies.
Next up in our vegan quinoa recipes: quinoa tacos! This delicious plant based and vegetarian taco recipe takes only 30 minutes to make and is full of big flavor. The quinoa taco “meat” is topped with a quick bell pepper slaw, spicy sour cream, and pickled onions. One word: magic.
Looking for healthy lunch ideas? Here’s a vegan quinoa recipe that’s beautifully fresh and saves well for meals throughout the week: kale quinoa salad! It’s full of healthy ingredients: quinoa, kale, peppers, carrots: and then covered in a delicious, ultra tangy dressing! It’s so flavorful and keeps that flavor 3 to 4 days in the fridge. It also works as a side salad for healthy dinners.
Another fabulous vegan quinoa recipe that makes a filling dinner: vegan chili! We love finding ways to make vegetables delicious that go over well no matter what your personality or diet choices. And this chili is that: it’s hard to find someone who will turn it down! It’s full of savory flavor starring beans, quinoa, and a hint of adobo sauce for complexity. Top it with our vegan sour cream and some pickled jalapenos and well: it’s out of this world good.
Also try: 3-Bean Healthy Chili or Quinoa Chili
Are you a tabbouleh fan? This Middle Eastern vegan salad is one of the tastiest salads there is. There’s something about the combination of herbaceous parsley, bright lemon and crunchy tomatoes and cucumber that makes magic. Traditional tabbouleh is made with bulgur wheat, a quick cooking whole grain. But seeing as quinoa is the grain of the moment…why not try it with quinoa? Turns out Quinoa Tabbouleh works perfectly, making a delicious gluten free spin on this classic salad.
Here's a tasty and healthy side to go with tacos that doubles as a healthy lunch: Mexican quinoa! It's a mix of colorful vegetables and quinoa, and pretty simple to put together. Featuring black beans, tomatoes, corn, and zucchini, it's spiced up with fajita seasoning. Bonus: leftovers save well and make a great lunch!
One of the best vegan quinoa recipes to use it as a side dish? Pesto quinoa! Pesto brings garlicky, herby flavor to this whole grain. It's a quick way to elevate it into a dinner-party status meal, or a way to spice up a grain bowl. Use Vegan Pesto or Vegan Cashew Pesto to make this a plant-based meal.
This Moroccan stew recipe is one of our top vegan recipes we refer to people who want to eat more plants. Why? It’s ultra flavorful, with a blend of Moroccan spices that’s truly irresistible! And it’s full of nutrient rich vegetables: sweet potatoes, chickpeas, tomatoes and spinach. Serve it with quinoa for a delicious plant based dinner that’s also gluten free.
Here's a stunning vegan quinoa recipe that's a 30 minute dinner: a mango quinoa bowl! This tropical bowl meal stars fluffy quinoa, mango, red pepper, red cabbage, avocado, fresh greens, cilantro and cashews. Top it off with our citrus drizzle, a vegan cashew sauce made of soaked cashews, orange and lime juice, and fresh ginger.
Here's a vegan quinoa recipe that's cozy and filling: quinoa with roasted vegetables! You've got butternut squash and fingerling potatoes, roasted with red onion, garlic and fresh herbs. Then you've got protein-packed quinoa, mixed with olive oil and tangy balsamic vinegar. These good-for-you ingredients are a fantastic filling side dish for vegetarian and vegan eaters.
Last up in our vegan quinoa recipes: avocado quinoa salad! Here's another bowl meal that's packed with good-for-you vegetables and this tasty whole grain. There's cauliflower, bell pepper, avocado, and carrot, served over spinach with a zingy orange cocoa dressing. Bonus: all the ingredients are stress relieving foods (head over to learn more).
Quinoa nutrition
Is quinoa healthy? Most sources agree: yes! This superfood is loaded with nutritional benefits and a great part of a healthy diet. Here’s a breakdown of its major benefits (data source: Quinoa Nutrition):
- Quinoa is a plant-based protein powerhouse. 1 cup quinoa has 8 grams protein or about 16% of your daily value.
- It’s loaded with fiber. 1 cup quinoa has 5 grams fiber, or about 20% your daily need.
- Quinoa is a good source of antioxidants and minerals. It provides more magnesium, iron, and zinc than many common grains.
How does quinoa stack up against rice? See Quinoa vs Rice: Which is Better?
Vegan Quinoa Bowl
Here’s how to make a grain bowl! Pair a whole grain, protein and veggies with this amazing tahini sauce to make a healthy, fast and easy dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
For the grain
- Seasoned Quinoa (shown here)
- White or Brown Rice (season like the quinoa)
- Farro
- Bulgur Wheat
- Millet
For the grain bowl
- 2 15-ounce can chickpeas*
- 2 small garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika or regular paprika
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 recipe Tahini Sauce
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes
- 1 English cucumber
- ½ cup Kalamata olives (optional)
- 1/4 red onion
Instructions
- Make the grain: Go to Seasoned Quinoa to make the quinoa, or follow the other whole grain recipes listed above. The quinoa takes about 25 minutes total, so use the cook time to prepare the remaining ingredients.
- Make the chickpeas: Drain and rinse the chickpeas. Mince the garlic. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but before it browns. Add the chickpeas, smoked paprika, salt, and several grinds of black pepper. Cook 2 minutes until warmed through.
- Make the sauce: Make the Tahini Sauce. (Or, try Lemon Dill Sauce or Creamy Cilantro Sauce.)
- Prep the veggies: Slice the tomatoes in half. Slice the cucumber. Slice the red onion.
- Assemble the bowls: Place the quinoa and chickpeas in the bowl. Add the fresh veggies and drizzle with the sauce.
Notes
*This makes a solid 4 to 6 servings of protein. If you’re cooking for 1 or 2, make half this recipe (or go to Easy Canned Chickpeas.)
More plant based recipes!
There are so many tasty ways to eat plant-based outside of these vegan quinoa recipes! Here are some of our favorites:
- 25 Best Vegan Recipes These easy recipes for beginners make eating a whole food plant-based diet fun, healthy, and most importantly: delicious!
- 15 Vegan Salads All the best salads to power your day!
- 10 Vegan Appetizers Great for entertaining and parties…or even a late night snack.
- 10 Vegan Smoothies These plant based purees are ideal for breakfast and snacks.
- 12 Vegan Pasta Recipes You’ll be amazed at the amount of flavor you can achieve using only plant based ingredients.
- 15 Vegan Comfort Foods The best comfort food recipes, from pizza to fries to nachos.
- 10 Vegan Potato Recipes Who doesn’t love potatoes? Wedges, fries, salad, soup—and more!
- 13 Vegan Italian Recipes Pizza, pasta, pesto: they can all be plant based!
Last updated: September 2020
