Meet the best quinoa pilaf you’ll ever try! You can serve it as a side dish, or as a vegetarian main entree, since quinoa is a complete source of plant-based protein. It comes together in just one pan!
What makes a pilaf? A pilaf is typically a rice dish that is cooked in broth or stock, along with some veggies, so it’s loaded with flavor. This version is lightly bulked-up with mushrooms and seasoned with thyme, so it goes well as a side dish for practically any main course.
It’s even perfect for a holiday meal!
Ingredients You’ll Need
What’s in quinoa pilaf?
- Quinoa
- Veggie broth
- Mushrooms
- Onions & garlic
- Thyme
- Salt & pepper
Quinoa is naturally gluten-free and high in protein, so it makes the perfect grain (technically, it’s a seed, but it sure feels like a grain) for this dish. And it cooks in just 15 minutes!
I use crimini mushrooms in this recipe because they pair well with thyme, and I can’t tell them apart from the quinoa once you cook them together. If you’re not a mushroom fan, try dicing them into small pieces!
The texture blends right into the quinoa, and you’ll get extra B-vitamins in each bite.
Why You’ll Love It
- All you need is one pan! The veggies and quinoa cook together in a single plan, so you won’t have extra dishes to do later.
- It’s gluten-free. Perfect for those with special dietary needs.
- It’s a complete source of protein. Quinoa contains all the essential amino acids your body needs, making it one of the few complete sources of plant-based protein.
- It’s loaded with veggies. I can’t think of a more delicious way to eat veggies! They get extra-tender since they simmer away with the quinoa, so it also tends to appeal to more picky eaters who might not want a lot of “crunch” from their veggies.
- It’s flavorful. The onion, garlic, and thyme will make your home smell like Thanksgiving.
Pilaf is typically a side dish, but you can make it a main course by serving it with a soup or salad on the side. It pairs well with Pumpkin Soup or Apple Walnut Salad.
The leftovers are even delicious chilled the next day, for an easy packed lunch!
How to Make It
1. Saute the aromatics. Add a drizzle of olive oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat, and sauté the onion, celery and mushrooms. Cook until they are tender, about 8 minutes.
Add in the garlic and thyme, and stir for one more minute, just until fragrant.
2. Add the quinoa. Along with the broth, salt, and pepper. Bring the liquid to a boil, then lower the heat and cover to cook until the quinoa is fluffy, about 15 minutes.
If the quinoa isn’t totally cooked after 15 minutes, keep it covered but turn off the heat and let it rest for 10 more minutes. This is usually enough time for the rest of the liquid to be absorbed, without anything sticking to the bottom of the pan.
3. Enjoy! Fluff the quinoa with a fork, and adjust any seasoning, as needed. I like to stir in some chopped pecans at this point, for added crunch and texture, then you can serve this warm right away.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Expert Tips & Common Questions
Do you serve it hot or cold? You can go either way with this dish! I usually like to serve it warm the day I make it, but I’ll eat the leftovers cold for lunch the next day.
Do you have to rinse quinoa? I do recommend rinsing quinoa in this recipe, because it can help remove some bitterness. However, some brands may say “pre-rinsed” on the box, and in that case, you can skip it.
Which veggies pair well with quinoa? The mushrooms, garlic, and thyme in this recipe are my favorite, but I’ve also made a version with red bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, and ground cumin instead of the thyme. For the southwest flavor, you can add black beans and avocado on top.
More Quinoa Recipes to Try
Have more quinoa to use up? Try these fan favorites below!
- Instant Pot Quinoa (cooks in a 1-minute cooking cycle!)
- Vegan Quinoa Salad
- Quinoa Breakfast Bowls
- Black Bean Quinoa Salad
- Kale Quinoa Salad
- Lentil, Kale & Quinoa Stew
Best Quinoa Pilaf
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 yellow onion , chopped
- 2 celery stalks , chopped
- 8 ounces crimini mushrooms , chopped
- 2 garlic cloves , minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 T freshly minced)
- 1 cup dry quinoa
- 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup pecans , chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet (that has a lid) over medium-high heat, and add in the onions, celery, and mushrooms. Saute until tender, about 8 minutes. Add in the garlic and thyme, and stir just until fragrant, about 1 more minute.
- Pour the quinoa into a fine mesh seive and rinse well, to help remove any bitterness. Pour the drained quinoa into the skillet, along with the broth, salt, and pepper. Bring the liquid to a boil.
- When the liquid is boiling, lower the heat and cover the pan with a lid. Let it cook until the quinoa is tender and the liquid is absorbed, about 15 minutes. If the quinoa isn't totally tender in that amount of time, remove the pan from the heat and keep it covered for 10 more minutes. The quinoa should be tender by then, without anything burning to the bottom.
- Remove the lid and fluff the quinoa with a fork. Adjust any seasoning to taste, and stir in the pecans for added crunch. Serve warm right away. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. (It's delicious cold for lunch the next day, too!)
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Notes
Nutrition
If you try this Quinoa Pilaf recipe, please leave a comment and star rating below letting me know how you like it!
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Reader Feedback: What else do you like to make with quinoa?
We love quinoa!! It is yummy for all types of meals…breakfast, lunch, and dinner : )
I’m looking for the savory quinoa recipe that had cumin and a bay leaf. The ingredient list is not visible on this page with iPad or iPhone.
Sorry, it got deleted during a web update! I’m working to retest that recipe now, to make sure it works, and then it will be back soon. 🙂
This looks delicious. I cant see how much broth to use on the ingredients list, how much should be used? Your recipes are great. Thanks!
Just fixed that! You’ll need 1 1/2 cups of broth per 1 cup of quinoa. Hope you enjoy it!
This looks like a great dish for Thanksgiving! I love quinoa and crimini are my favorite mushroom. Will have to make this very soon.
So delicious and easy! Perfect as all your recipes! We enjoyed it so much
Why am I getting mostly vegan recipes? Is that what you are doing now or did I put a filter on or something? Haha thanks
Hi Cheryl! I’m not vegan, but I guess there have been quite a few plant-based options lately. The Paleo pancakes and apple spice muffins I posted recently aren’t vegan, though. Let me know if you have any recipe requests (like a certain protein you prefer?) and I’ll add it to my to-do list! 🙂
More recipes with ground beef please! And chicken.
Simple and tasty. I added a couple of handfuls of chopped kale during the last few minutes and would probably add more next time, for colour, otherwise it is quite monotone..
Megan, I made this quinoa pilaf last week and it was delicious! I didn’t change a thing…it was easy and quick. I ate it cold for lunch the next day and loved it cold also.
Thank you for sharing!
Can I make this in the instant pot? Just cook the quinoa with everything for one minute?
Ooh, possibly! I’d saute the veggies first, then add the quinoa and liquid (use only 1 cup liquid in that case, since there’s no evaporation in the Instant Pot). I’d love to hear if you try it!
My husband was amazed this was quinoa! Lol because he loved it!
This is very good! The seasoning is perfect! I thought it would be too much quinoa but it was just the right amount. I added 1/2 grated carrot for color when I stirred in the quinoa. Mine took 25 minutes to cook, plus the steaming period. Plus I pulsed the pecans with fresh thyme to sprinkle on top when serving. This is delicious, and I don’t even like quinoa!
This recipe sounds delicious and I’m hoping to convert a couple of quinoa haters with it. 😉 I prefer to use a No-Chicken Chicken Broth instead of a traditional vegetable broth for cooking quinoa. Will this alter the flavor balance in this recipe? Thanks much!
I think that should work just fine, Laurie. Hope it’s a hit!
Really yummy and easy to make!
This was delicious and really easy to make. Will definitely add to the regular rotation.