Quinoa Fried Rice Recipe: How to Make Fried Quinoa

Quinoa fried “rice” is a side dish made with cooked quinoa that’s crisped in a pan along with aromatics like scallions and garlic, with the optional addition of vegetables, eggs, meat, or a combination of all three to make it a main course. Customize the dish with veggies you have on hand, and top it with garnishes like crunchy seeds and nuts or pickled vegetables for a pop of texture.

Quinoa is a gluten-free ancient grain that originated in South America, and has been used in Andean cuisine for centuries. It is one of the only plant-based sources of complete protein, meaning it contains all of the amino acids the human body needs to repair muscle and carry out basic bodily functions. You can bump up the plant-based protein by substituting soft tofu for the egg or swapping out one of the veggies with edamame.

Fried rice is a staple in many countries. Here are some ideas for jazzing up your quinoa fried rice with different flavor combinations from around the world:

1. 1. Chinese-American: This take-out classic adds frozen peas and diced carrots to traditional Chinese fried rice.
2. 2. Filipino: Toasted garlic-infused oil, crab paste, and calamansi lime form a bold-yet-balanced flavor base for sinangag, a Filipino dish typically served alongside stewed meats.
3. 3. Indonesian: Nasi goreng is one of Indonesia’s signature dishes. A boldly flavored paste of chiles, garlic, and shallots acts as the base, and the dish gets finished with a uniquely sweet soy sauce called kecap manis, which you can find in most Asian grocery stores.
4. 4. Korean kimchi: Crunchy, sour, and spicy kimchi adds dimension to fried quinoa. Instead of scrambling eggs with the rice, Koreans serve a runny fried egg over kimchi-fried rice.
5. 5. Peruvian: Arroz chaufa is a signature Peruvian fried rice style most commonly made with red bell peppers, fresh ginger, soy sauce, and sliced hot dogs.
6. 6. Pineapple: Toasted cashews and diced pineapple are a crunchy, sweet, tart combination that adds dimension to fried rice.
7. 7. Thai: Thai fried rice includes chopped tomatoes, fish sauce, and lots of garlic, with sliced cucumbers and lime wedges on the side for garnish.

Here’s how to make golden, fragrant quinoa fried rice.

1. 1. Use day-old quinoa. Leftover grains are popular for pan-frying because they’ve had a chance to dry out, allowing them to absorb each ingredient’s flavors while crisping up in the pan. For best results, make the quinoa ahead of time. If you’re using freshly cooked quinoa, fluff it with a fork and spread it out on a baking sheet to dry as it cools for at least an hour before frying. Refrigerating the quinoa will help it dry out faster. Here’s how long to cook quinoa.
2. 2. Cook on high heat. In Chinese restaurants, chefs prepare fried rice dishes in a wok over a high-output burner that cooks food in mere minutes and adds a smoky flavor called “wok hei,” which translates to “breath of the wok” in Cantonese. Cook your fried quinoa over a high flame in a wok or cast-iron skillet to recreate this effect at home.
3. 3. Fry in neutral oil. Canola, peanut, or vegetable oils are best for high-heat cooking, as they have a high smoke point and won’t burn or impart any flavor to the dish. Save the more aromatic varieties like extra-virgin olive oil for raw preparations like dressings and garnishes.
4. 4. Keep the ingredients moving as you cook. Fried rice gets constantly tossed during the cooking process, which keeps the components from clumping together or charring. You’re looking for a crispy, chewy texture and a light golden color. Use a spatula and tossing motion, as you would with a stir-fry, to keep the ingredients in motion in the pan as you cook. Learn how to stir-fry.