Superfood quinoa is a great option for making in large quantities because of its extreme versatility. It’s crucial to realize how quickly this cooked food can spoil before preparing your quinoa for the week.
How long can cooked quinoa last in the fridge? It will keep in the fridge for up to 7 days if properly prepared and stored in an airtight container.
In this article, I go over the definition of quinoa, how to store it to maximize its shelf life, and how to keep it in the freezer and refrigerator. Additionally, you’ll be able to recognize all the warning signs of a bad batch!
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Table of Contents
What Is Quinoa?
It’s helpful to have a basic understanding of what quinoa is before learning how to prepare and store it.
In the culinary community, quinoa is regarded as a grain. Technically speaking, however, it is a seed, similar to the distantly related amaranth. It’s harvested from the flowering plant Chenopodium quinoa which is native to South America.
This superfood seed is a nutrient powerhouse. It is a complete protein because it is both high in protein and contains all nine essential amino acids. Additionally, it contains a ton of minerals, B vitamins, and fiber.
Each of the three commonly grown varieties of quinoa—red, black, and white—has a similar nutritional profile but varies in the number of different antioxidants. Shops that sell healthy foods and grocers with a good selection of items typically carry the less common varieties.
Various Types Of Quinoa
Red, white, and black quinoa are the three primary varieties.
Red quinoa seeds are flat, and oval in shape.
It turns brown in color after cooking. Compared to the other two types, it has a richer, nuttier flavor and a chewier texture. It retains its shape well when cooked, making it a great salad ingredient.
White quinoa is the most common type used in cooking. Both the taste and texture are delicate.
Black quinoa has an earthy and slightly sweeter flavor than white and red.
You can also purchase multicolor quinoa in which there is a blend of different colors. This mixture has a nice variety of flavors and textures.
Can Cooked Quinoa Be Freezed?
After it has been cooked, you can certainly freeze it!
Step 1: Prepare as directed on the package.
Step 2: Give it 10 to 20 minutes to cool.
Step 3: Transfer to a container that can be frozen. You might want to divide it into smaller portions for each person. Put the date and contents on the label.
Step 4: Place in freezer.
How Long Does Cooked Quinoa Last In The Freezer?
While some say it will last 8-12 months in the freezer, I recommend 2-3 months. It will lose its texture and quality over time.
How Long Does Dry Quinoa Last?
When dry and stored properly it will last 2-3 years from the date it was produced. There should be a “best by” date on the packaging. Follow the “best by” date because you don’t know how long it was sitting on the shelf before you purchased it.
How Long Does Uncooked Quinoa Stay Good?
Quinoa that has been cooked has a propensity to go bad quickly, but quinoa that has not been cooked can last for a long time.
Raw quinoa typically keeps in the pantry for two to three years, similar to other dried grains. This is accurate as long as the seeds are stored in an airtight bag or container and aren’t exposed to moisture. If you’ve already opened the quinoa’s original package, it’s best to keep it sealed in an airtight jar, container, or resealable plastic bag.
Quinoa grains’ nutrients will be preserved if you store them away from light, like in a cellar or dark pantry.
How To Store Quinoa?
You’ve returned home from Costco carrying a huge bag of quinoa, then! Congratulations! How should you store it to prevent food from spoiling before you’ve finished it all?
How To Store Dry Quinoa?
Tip 1: Keep dry, you don’t want your quinoa to come in contact with water.
Tip 2: Transfer to an air-tight container or store in its packaging. To keep the seeds dry and sealed, I advise moving them to an airtight container.
Tip 3: Store in a cool dark place like your pantry or find a place that has a cool and consistent temperature.
How To Store Cooked Quinoa?
Tip 1: Allow cooked quinoa to cool for 10-20 minutes before transferring leftovers to the fridge.
Tip 2: Transfer to an air-tight container to keep it from becoming contaminated.
Tip 3: No more than two hours should be cooked quinoa be left out, bacteria may grow as a result of this.
How Can You Tell If Quinoa Has Been Spoiled?
If kept dry and in a sealed container in a cool, dark location, it will last for a long time (between two and three years). If there is any mold growth, it has gone bad and needs to be thrown out.
If not, it can be challenging to determine if food has gone bad because it won’t smell or feel much different. Before cooking, always perform the smell test. It might have gone bad if you notice a change in the way it smells.
However, cooking is the only surefire way to determine whether it has gone bad. Once something has been cooked, it is no longer safe to eat if it has an odd smell or a rough, hard texture.
When you remove food from the fridge to reheat it, check it for mold growth and give it a sniff. Throw it away if it has been more than 7 days.
Extra: How To Cook Quinoa?
Quinoa is prepared similarly to white rice. It is simple to prepare on the stovetop or in a rice cooker. This easy recipe makes 3 cups of cooked quinoa.
Ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked quinoa (any variety —white or golden, red, or black quinoa)
- 1 3/4 cups water or low-sodium broth (I like to use bone broth.)
Instructions
- Quinoa should be thoroughly rinsed in a fine-mesh strainer with cool running water. With your hand, swish and rub the quinoa as you rinse it. Drain well.
- Place the rinsed quinoa in a small saucepan. Bring to a rolling boil after stirring in the water or bone broth.
- Lower the heat to a low setting. Cook for 15 minutes with a cover on.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and leave it covered for an additional five minutes.
- Remove the cover and use a fork to gently fluff the quinoa. Return the pan to low heat and cook, covered, for a further 5 minutes, or until all the liquid has been absorbed, if any liquid is still visible in the bottom of the pan or the quinoa is still a bit crunchy to your preference.
How To Use Cooked Quinoa?
As previously mentioned, cooked quinoa is a very useful ingredient to have on hand. Here are some inventive ways to prepare cooked quinoa that the whole family will love!
- Turn it into croquettes – Quinoa croquettes are a delicious substitute for toast or hash browns.
- Turn it into cereal – Place quinoa in your bowl in place of sugary cereal. For flavor, add milk, cinnamon, and berries on top.
- Add it to soups or chili – Chili made vegan by substituting quinoa for ground beef or turkey. 15 minutes before removing the pan from the stove, combine the desired quantity of cooked quinoa.
- Mix it with oats – Mix a small amount of quinoa with your oats before adding some nuts, fruit, honey, or other nutritious toppings.
- Use it as a salad topper – Your salad should be topped with 1/4 cup of chilled quinoa.
