24 Best Side Dishes for Quinoa – Healthy And Easy

Spare the debate about whether quinoa is cereal or a rice variation. Let us start cooking it up for some of the yummiest side dishes you can ever make.

Nutritionally speaking, quinoa has all the nutrient values of high-quality grain, e.g., its protein content is high and reasonable quantities of B complex vitamins. However, its texture is more toward crunchy rice. This is why quinoa is a versatile food incorporated into sides, salads, and main meals.

So let’s see which quinoa sides are best and which goes best with quinoa as per needs!

Deviled Egg Potato Salad

To think of an exciting, unique dish for a potluck party is pretty tough, so I got a new recipe for you to try.

Grab some eggs, potatoes, and mayo and pull off this creamy, easy-to-make salad. It sets off well with so many main courses.

So, the next time you look for potluck meal ideas, a poolside gathering or you need a simple meal on a hot afternoon, you know what to do.

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Tangy Grilled Chicken

If you are preparing quinoa salad or garlic butter quinoa, the tangy Grilled chicken will be the best pair.

This recipe involves a lot of juicy and citrusy flavors, so balance them out with rather plain quinoa. It is best for young children because of the overall nutrient content and a less spicy flavor.

The cooking procedure is simple and requires no fancy equipment.

Overall, the recipe is quick and easy to follow and can also be cooked in an outdoor barbecue setting. So let’s show your guests some of your culinary skills by grilling this tangy chicken.

Related: What to Serve With Cabbage? 20 Cabbage Sides For Dinner

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Roasted Cauliflower Florets

Having older adults in your house requires you to modify your daily menu according to their needs.

So if you plan to prepare a hearty quinoa meal, pair it up with a side of vegetables. This roasted cauliflower dish is an excellent choice because it requires no fats.

You can spice it up with your regular spices and garlic or use curry seasoning. If preparing for children, use cottage cheese cubes to improve the protein content of the dish. Roast or bake it in the oven for 30 minutes or until you achieve a nice color and texture.

Related: 25 Best Slow Cooker Beef Recipes

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Sesame Seed Tofu

Since tofu has less lactose content, it benefits people with digestive issues.

This Tofu recipe is simple and minimal but delivers a great flavor. You only need to marinate the tofu pieces in sriracha, garlic, and a few spices.

Coat them with sesame seeds and deep fry them in hot oil. You can serve them as it is, but a pesto sauce or yogurt dip will enhance the flavors.

Related: 20 Best Side Dishes for Tilapia

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Easy Cucumber Gazpacho

Craving for something saucy, soupy yet cool, and flavorful?

If you have a lot of time, opt for the Cool Cucumber Gazpacho because it will lend a specific tang to the Quinoa’s plainness.

Somehow, it is a less spicy variation of the classic salsa salad. Flavor it with cherry tomatoes, garlic, oregano, basil, peppers, onion, and olive oil.

It is a healthy recipe that especially suits diet-conscious people. This recipe requires you to cool the soup in the refrigerator for a few hours, but the wait is worth it. 

Related: 20 Side Dishes for Salmon Patties – Easy And Healthy

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Grilled and Herbed Zucchini

Zucchini is an ideal summer vegetable with antioxidant properties and reduces blood sugar levels.

So if you have someone diabetic in your house, prepare some delicious, grilled, and herbed zucchini for them.

Not only will it tingle their taste buds, but it will also improve their overall health. Slice up the zucchini and marinate with garlic powder, kosher salt, pepper, thyme, oregano, and basil.

Keep it for some time, grilling in a grill pan, and drizzling a bit of olive oil. Serve hot and fresh.

Related: 20 Best Side Dishes for Chicken Wings

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Crispy Corn Patties

Feeding young children sometimes becomes a challenging situation. Mothers have to come up with new recipes every day.

This is why we have included crispy corn patties in our list. They require simple, everyday ingredients.

The best thing is that they have good protein content and become a fulfilling meal. Add a zesty flavor to them by preparing a sauce out of lime juice, some cilantro, and mint.

Related: 20 Best Side Dishes for 4th of July

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Buffalo Quinoa Patties With Ranch Sauce

If you have recently become a vegetarian and miss your all-time favorite, classic buffalo chicken wings sides, this is just the recipe.

Search your pantry for some white beans, quinoa, and buffalo sauce. And The best part! Just throw everything into a food processor and blend into a fine paste.

Make patties of your preferred size. It is such a protein-packed and fulfilling snack that you might skip the main course altogether.

Pair it with the smooth, creamy Buffalo Ranch Sauce to spice up the dish. It is best to feed children their protein portion; they might end up eating these patties as if they were chicken nuggets. View the full recipe.

Related: 20 Best Potluck Side Dishes For A Perfect Party

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Tangy Herbed Quinoa

A classic grilled tilapia side is incomplete without some spicy rice or quinoa dish. So if you are in the mood for a warm, comfortable food menu, add this Tangy Herbed Quinoa to your side dish recipes.

You only need a few herbs like fresh thyme and parsley, nuts like pine nuts or roasted almonds, and a few shallots to pull off this side.

Lemon and lime zest and juices offer those bold flavors without many ingredients. Simple, comfortable, and warm! What is more, required for those cold evening family dinners?

Related: 20 Best Side Dishes for Baked Chicken

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Sweet and Fruity Quinoa Salad

Quinoa is not meant to be incorporated only into savory dishes. You can go creative and make colorful and delicious salads out of it too.

You can also use leftover boiled quinoa to make this salad. Cut up some seasonal fruits like apples or pears.

Boiled sweet potatoes add heartiness and flavor to this salad. Pour over a salad dressing of vinegar, olive oil, black pepper, and kosher salt. This salad will indeed become a favorite of children and adults alike.

Pair it up with baked chicken to give a kick to your overall menu. Or you can try these sides for baked chicken for the next meal.

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Quinoa Vegetable Salad

Your child will never fuss again about eating kale, broccoli, zucchini, and carrots. Just prepare this yummy Quinoa and Vegetable bowl.

It combines so many flavors, but a significant flavor boost is delivered by tahini paste. Rice and quinoa have good carbs, and bean sprouts and avocados add to the protein content.

You can skip the rice and add egg noodles to give it an exotic touch. This recipe is also ideal for expectant mothers because it delivers diverse nutrients in one dish.

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Bean and Quinoa Salad

Red kidney beans are a rich, plant-based source of non-heme iron. It is best for underweight and anemic children.

Flavor up your regular red bean salad by adding some boiled quinoa to it. This dish pops up with flavor with some red onions, red, yellow, and green bell peppers, and cilantro.

Use vinegar and olive oil-based salad dressing to hold all things together. Salad dressing also acts as an aroma and taste enhancer.

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Green Quinoa and Semolina Nuggets

Skip those bland old chicken nuggets and prepare these yummy, lip-smacking Green Nuggets.

Semolina is added to make them fluff up a bit. It is a healthy vegetarian alternative and can be baked to reduce the calorie count.

Quinoa makes them tastier and softer from the inside. Serve them with a boiled quail egg on top to make an excellent and appealing presentation. These nuggets are the most suitable and an all-time favorite of young children.

View the full recipe

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Quinoa with Cauliflower And Nuts

When Those snowy and cold nights ask for some warm, comfort food, quinoa is there to the rescue.

Combined with nuts like walnuts and roasted almonds, it becomes a rich, satisfying meal with high protein content. Add to its crunch by roasting some cauliflower florets and spice up with kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper.

Simple and nutritious. This meal makes a great side with coconut curry or white chicken curry. View the full recipe.

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Quinoa Pancakes with Ricotta Cheese

Since quinoa is a versatile food, it is never wasted, even if left over.

If you have a bowl of cooked quinoa in your refrigerator, fold it into a regular pancake mixture. Add some ricotta cheese and cook the fluffiest pancakes for breakfast or an upcoming brunch party.

Use maple syrup, honey, and fresh blueberries to enhance the flavors. Quinoa pancakes are going to be your picky eater’s next favorite recipe. View the full recipe.

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Cheesy Quinoa Quiche Bites

If you and your family love baked quiches, then you should try this recipe at the upcoming celebration.

Again, leftover quinoa can be put to good use by folding it into a regular quiche mixture. Fold in some sauteed onion and mushroom as well.

Top with cheese and Bake as required. These nicely golden top mushroom quiches will be the following most requested recipe. This side dish is best served with chicken wings, any gravy dish, fried fish, or rice dishes.

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Asian Quinoa Pilaf

Southeast Asian cuisines are popular for their spice content and wholesome, hearty meals.

This Asian-style Quinoa Pilaf is similar to the Asian Rice Pilaf with beef, and will surely tantalize your taste buds. Cooked with spinach and goat cheese, it becomes a rich, fulfilling meal with good nutrient content.

This pilaf goes well with tilapia, salmon, or trout fishes. Try variations by adding roasted pine nuts or peanuts to give the meal a nutty flavor. You can also plan to prepare this recipe for the next vegan potluck meal.

View the full recipe.

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Quinoa with Corn

Like quinoa, corn is also a versatile food and goes well with many cereals and rice varieties.

So why not put the two of them together?

The charred corn gives a unique aroma and a lip-smacking flavor to otherwise plain quinoa. This dish goes well with your menu’s gravies, steaks, or baked chicken.

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Grilled Tilapia with Quinoa

Growing children require a high protein diet, and this recipe has two best sources.

Quinoa with tilapia combines all the essential amino acids to furnish the body. And it’s not just boring.

Flavor it up using sliced cucumbers and feta cheese. Herbs like dried oregano and crushed black pepper enhance the fish’s flavor.

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Shrimps and Quinoa

Shrimp with salsa sauce might be an appealing meal once, but it has gone slightly out of the line now.

Quinoa is trendy, has a crunchy flavor, and pairs well with seafood. So next time you get some fresh shrimp, cook up this lovely side and flavor it with garlic butter.

A bit of cilantro and fresh basil will pop it up and enhance the aroma and overall taste.

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Roasted Brussel Sprouts

Roasted Brussels sprouts with Parmesan and garlic is a recipe you love to cook repeatedly.

They are popular because of their crispiness and golden color on the outside. People love this dish because it is very nutty and sweet because of its tender and caramelized texture inside.

Roasted Brussels sprouts do not require any seasoning; even without them, they taste delicious and yummy. You can mix its leftovers with salad and omelet and instantly eat it from the refrigerator. You can cook them the whole year around.

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Egg and Vegetable Salad

When you have plain quinoa as a main meal, pair it up with this delicious, colorful, and crunchy salad to spice things up.

It comprises Boiled Eggs, the best source of essential amino acids. When paired up with vegetables, the entire meal becomes rich in energy-release nutrients, hence promoting healthy growth.

Therefore this meal is ideal for growing children and expectant mothers. You can select the vegetables such as kale, spinach, asparagus, or bell peppers. Add corn to enhance the flavor.

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Fried Tofu with Sriracha

A combination of bland with spicy flavor is always a balancing kick.

So let us try the tofu with Sriracha and some sesame seeds. It’s a perfect snack for tea parties too. And vegan!

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Roasted Brussel sprouts

Roasting Brussels sprouts bring out their natural sweetness and enhance the flavor.

Although simplicity is the key, you can season them with herbs or black pepper before serving.

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Conclusion

After working on so many tasty and the best quinoa side dishes, I am in the mood to hop in my kitchen and cook something interesting with this trendy new ingredient. Which quinoa side dish turned out best for you? Drop your favorite one in the comment box. Stay tuned for more exciting recipes.