19 High-Protein Quinoa Recipes to Help You Build Muscle, Fast (2024)

Here 19 high-protein quinoa recipes you’d surely want to add to your diet.

1. Greek Quinoa Salad with Feta Cheese

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Via Food for Fitness

Topping off our list is our very own Greek Quinoa Salad with Feta Cheese. This is a beautiful, fresh, tasty and easy recipe. It works well as a main course if you follow a plant-based diet but also as a delicious accompaniment to other meals too.

2. One-Pot Chicken, Quinoa, Mushrooms & Spinach

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Via Cookin’ Canuck

With a protein content of 29 grams and calorie count of only 277, you won’t go wrong with this chicken, quinao, mushroom and spinach dish. It takes but a short time to cook too, making it an ideal “instant” comfort food for your family or friends.

3. Crockpot Italian Chicken & Quinoa Soup

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Via Chelsea’s Messy Apron

Vegetable lovers and meat eaters alike will surely want to get a taste of your delicious crockpot soup. This soup is loaded with chicken, and everyone’s favorite vegetables together with, of course, protein-heavy quinoa seeds.

4. High-Protein Quinoa and Lentils

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Via Cooking for Peanuts

This one-pot and easy-to-make recipe will be your next favorite vegan dinner. With just very simple ingredients needed, your meal is ready in less than 30 minutes. A budget-friendly and insanely delicious recipe, who would dare miss trying this one out? PS. It's also gluten-free!

5. Cheesy Quinoa Waffles

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Via Smart Nutrition

One thing about this quinoa is that it’s simply an improvement over your normal waffle. It adds in quinoa, eggs and lentils into the waffle batter and finishes off the taste with cheddar, cottage and feta cheese.

6. Savory Pesto Quinoa Breakfast Bowls

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Via Simply Quinoa

This breakfast bowl is a powerhouse. It is full of protein thanks to the eggs and quinoa seeds, loaded with complex carbohydrates for energy and healthy fats from the avocado.

7. Greek Quinoa Zucchini Fritters

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Via Delish Knowledge

Fried is dried, so they say, and thus fried food generally loses nutritional value. These fritters, however, are full of nutrition, thanks to the combo of zucchini, quinoa and flour. Just make sure to fry at high temperature so the oil doesn’t eat away all the nutrients!

8. Spinach Salad with Quinoa

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Via Happy Healthy Mama

If you’re looking for a quick salad fix, then you can build this Spinach salad. This recipe puts in a creamy avocado dressing to complement the salad, which contains dry quinoa, chickpeas, avocado oil and tomatoes.

9. Red Quinoa Burgers

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Via Coffee & Quinoa

You said burgers are unhealthy? You only need to add quinoa seeds, egg, cannellini beans and one large egg to your hamburger patties, and you have a burger that packs a lot of nutrition.

10. Quinoa Granola with Coconut & Chia Seeds

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Via Vegangela

You don’t have to avoid sweets even if you’re keeping to a diet. This healthy but delicious granola is made up of quinoa flakes, chia seeds, coconut shreds, and raw almonds, among others. Agave or maple syrup contribute to making it taste like the granola you love!

11. Quinoa Chowder with Spinach, Feta, and Scallions

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Via Chowhound

This is the vegetarian way of making chowder. It replaces seafood toppings with a mix of vegetables, feta and quinoa. It also does away with cream as well.

12. Spicy Thai Coconut Quinoa

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Via Chowhound

This quinoa dish brings together all the great stuff about coconut milk, peanut sauce and vegetables. Anyone can cook this in their own kitchen, so go ahead and give it a try!

13. Cranberry Quinoa Scones

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Via Cannelle et Vanille

These quones are made out of mixture of quinoa flour and cranberries. They’re very easy to make, and takes just a short time to prepare. You only need to make the dough, set it in the oven and you just wait for the final product.

14. Quinoa-Crusted Cauliflower Steak

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Via The Vintage Mixer

This looks like tasty meat steak, but is actually cauliflower covered in thick quinoa crust. This goes well with vegetable salad too.

15. High-Protein Chocolate Quinoa Muffins

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Via Foodaciously

This is the perfect sweet treat for vegans that are looking for high-protein snack ideas. This delicious Chocolate Quinoa Muffin recipe is just simply amazing!

16. Quinoa, Black Bean & Edamame Summer Salad

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Via Food For Fitness

This is a super-tasty summer salad that is a great vegetarian edition to any BBQ.

17. Cheesy Quinoa Cakes

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Via Spoon Fork Bacon

This quinoa dish is not only delicious, but it’s also very easy to prepare. If you have lots of quinoa seeds lying around and some ingredients, you can quickly make some as a snack for surprise visitors!

18. Black Bean & Quinoa Stuffed Spaghetti Squash

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Via Lauren Kelly Nutrition

That’s not spaghetti, but healthy squash that has been roasted for 60 minutes in the oven. It also has quinoa seeds in vegetable broth and topped with creamy cheddar cheese.

19.Berry Quinoa Salad

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Via Two Peas and a Pod

Looking for a healthy dessert that also tastes great? Give this recipe for Berry Quinoa Salad a try. Enjoy the sweetness of strawberry, blueberry, raspberry and blackberry mixed together with 2 cups of dry red quinoa for that protein content you are looking for.

Our collection of 'High Protein Quinoa Recipes' offers a variety of nutritious and delicious options for incorporating this versatile grain into your diet. Among these, our 'Quinoa Edamame Summer Salad' stands out as a perfect example of how quinoa can be used to create a refreshing, protein-rich meal. Ideal for summer days or as a healthy side dish, this salad embodies the nutritional benefits of quinoa. Explore the Quinoa Edamame Summer Salad recipe and discover a delightful way to enjoy quinoa’s health benefits.

19 High-Protein Quinoa Recipes to Help You Build Muscle, Fast (2024)

FAQs

19 High-Protein Quinoa Recipes to Help You Build Muscle, Fast? ›

You can use quinoa in both sweet and savory recipes. For example, you can try making a savory quinoa and vegetable salad topped with feta and grilled chicken. Or make a sweet breakfast porridge with cooked quinoa, coconut milk, fresh fruit, walnuts, cinnamon, and a drizzle of honey.

How do you eat quinoa for protein? ›

You can use quinoa in both sweet and savory recipes. For example, you can try making a savory quinoa and vegetable salad topped with feta and grilled chicken. Or make a sweet breakfast porridge with cooked quinoa, coconut milk, fresh fruit, walnuts, cinnamon, and a drizzle of honey.

What protein goes well with quinoa? ›

Up the protein content even more by folding in some beans or lentils. A few mouthwatering combos to try: Mix a half cup each of cooked quinoa and chickpeas with a handful of halved grape tomatoes, some chopped cucumber, a few sliced olives, a sprinkle of feta cheese, a splash of lemon juice and a drizzle of olive oil.

How much quinoa per day? ›

Quinoa can be consumed anytime – at breakfast, lunch or dinner. But it is best to eat healthy food like quinoa before going to bed. It induces sleep, because it relaxes the muscles, due to its high magnesium and protein content. “One can eat one-two cups of cooked quinoa in a day.

Is quinoa high in protein? ›

Quinoa is a seed that's high in plant protein and fiber. It has all the nine essential amino acids that your body needs but that you get only from your diet. That makes quinoa one of the best non-animal food sources of complete protein.

When should I eat quinoa for bodybuilding? ›

This grain-like seed doesn't contain gluten. It is a complete protein that also contains fiber and complex carbohydrates. Quinoa is also rich in antioxidants and minerals. Eat quinoa after a workout to repair, rebuild, and protect muscle.

Is it okay to eat quinoa every day? ›

You can eat one-two cups of cooked quinoa in a day. You should avoid eating it if you experience stomachache, itchiness or vomiting after consuming it. A study by Harvard Public School of Health has reported that eating a bowl of quinoa daily is healthy and without any side effects.

Why is quinoa good for bulking? ›

Quinoa can be a beneficial addition to a diet aimed at supporting muscle mass for several reasons: High Protein Content: Quinoa is considered a high-quality plant-based protein source. It contains all nine essential amino acids required by the body for muscle growth and repair.

What is best to eat with quinoa? ›

Quinoa's got the carbs covered, so you'll likely want to add some additional protein (eggs, lentils, beans, tofu, chicken), a fat (olive oil, nuts, butter, cheese), and, ideally, some kind of fruit or vegetable (broccoli, berries, squash, spinach).

Can quinoa replace meat protein? ›

Quinoa is the only grain that contains all the essential amino acids that make it a complete protein. It is equivalent to eating a chicken breast, steak or salmon. “I love quinoa because it is so versatile,” says Waldeck.

Does quinoa burn belly fat? ›

Quinoa: High in protein, quinoa keeps you full with its high levels of plant-based proteins. It decreases your appetite and promotes belly fat decrease.

Is it better to eat quinoa at night or in the morning? ›

Quinoa is easy to make, and can be eaten for breakfast, lunch or dinner! Quinoa can be found everywhere now, and takes about half the time to cook that does rice. Its grains are slightly nutty in taste and become fluffy with a small tail when cooked.

Why is quinoa so expensive? ›

Quinoa is more expensive than rice and other grains due to several factors, including: Production costs: Quinoa is typically produced on a smaller scale compared to other grains, and it requires specialized equipment and labor-intensive harvesting and processing techniques, which can drive up production costs.

Can you replace meat with quinoa? ›

it's a full-fledged Meat substitute!

And last but not least, quinoa has a high protein biological value (73%), similar to that of beef! So it will probably not surprise you that more and more vegans, vegetarians and flexitarians around the globe are embracing Quinoa as a full-fledged meat substitute!

Is quinoa good for hair? ›

Quinoa uses a host of nutrients that make it a perfect natural remedy for strengthening the hair follicles. It contains 9 essential amino acids that play a pivotal role in hair growth and repair. So, if you are dealing with dull and damaged hair, using quinoa for hair can be the ideal solution for you.

Is quinoa better than meat? ›

While meat protein offers a complete amino acid profile, quinoa protein brings its own set of benefits, including sustainability and lower fat content. By considering our individual needs and values, we can strike a balance that promotes both personal health and environmental well-being.

What's the best way to eat quinoa? ›

Once you've made a batch of quinoa, you have endless options for using it. Make it the base of your next grain bowl, toss it into a salad, or stuff it into squash or sweet potatoes. It's also at home in soups & wraps, and it pairs nicely with sweet flavors as well as savory.

How to cook quinoa for best digestion? ›

*Soaking grains helps to remove some of the naturally occurring phytic acid in the grain, which helps improve digestibility and speed cook time. To soak: Rinse quinoa thoroughly then add to a large mixing bowl or pot and cover with twice the amount of lukewarm water (2 cups water, 1 cup quinoa).

Is quinoa better for breakfast or dinner? ›

Many call quinoa the optimal "super grain" because it's loaded with protein, fiber, antioxidants and numerous other nutrients. Of course, its easy preparation and fluffy texture make it ideal for just about any mealtime. If you're wondering what health benefits you can reap from eating quinoa, keep reading.

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