Coconut Lime Quinoa w/ Cilantro

This simple side dish is ready in under 20 minutes and loaded with flavour. Coconut lime quinoa is rich with a little tang, and incredibly delicious. Plus, it’s packed with protein and fiber for a nutrient dense dish the whole family will love!

This recipe was originally published in March 2019. It has been updated for content and photos.

This easy peasy coconut lime quinoa with fresh herbs tastes like comfort food, but it’s completely wholesome.

It compliments dishes like my vegan chicken burgers or veggie nuggets perfectly. Cooking the quinoa in coconut milk adds a depth of flavour that is truly unparalleled.

Is Quinoa Healthy?

Absolutely!

Quinoa is often considered a super food, and not without good reason! Not only is quinoa loaded with protein, fiber and other nutrients.

But when compared to rice, it's lower in carbs and calories. This makes it a great option for weight management too.

Quinoa is naturally gluten free, making it a great choice for anyone with a gluten intolerance. There are so many great reasons to add quinoa to your meals!

How to make it

(This is a summary with step-by-step photos, full recipe measurements and instructions are in the recipe card below.)

Gather your ingredients. You’ll only need a handful.

Add the water, salt, coconut milk and quinoa to a small pot and bring to boil over high heat. (photo 1)

Then reduce heat and simmer until the quinoa absorbs all the liquid, about 15 minutes. Stir often towards the end of cooking. (photo 2)

Remove from the heat and stir in the lime juice and chopped cilantro and mix well. (photo 3)

Serve warm and enjoy!

I like drizzling the finished product in Sriracha to add a little bit of kick, but this is completely optional!

Of course, extra cilantro and lime wedges are great garnishes too.

What to serve with it

Coconut lime quinoa pairs nicely with “naked” burgers, like this sweet potato version.

It also works well as a filler in creamy soups, like my mushroom or broccoli options.

How long does it keep?

Refrigerate leftovers in a sealed container for up to 3 days.

To reheat, you’ll need to add a splash of water or broth to loosen.

What substitutions can I make?

• For low fat, I’m using lite coconut milk, but for a richer version, feel free to use full fat coconut milk, if preferred.
• Cilantro haters 🙂 – feel free to swap for fresh parsley, dill or mint, if preferred.
• For a quinoa free version, check out my coconut rice, instead.

More delicious quinoa recipes

• Mini Quinoa Sweet Potato Muffins
• Quinoa Pasta Salad [Healthy + Low Cal]
• Cabbage Quinoa Salad
• Mexican Stuffed Peppers
• Instant Pot Vegetable Soup with Quinoa

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Buon appetito,
Rosa

📖 Recipe