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Main Dishes Recipes

Herbed Veggie Quinoa Bowl

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

This Herbed Veggie Quinoa Bowl is perfect for lunchtime, dinnertime, and in-between times. Flavored with fresh garlic, onions, and cilantro, it’s hard to believe such a simple recipe could pack so much flavor! Not to mention, it’s ready in minutes (and it’s delicious warm or cold)! {Gluten-free + Vegan}

Herbed Veggie Quinoa Bowl in white dishes, next to fresh cilantro and green onions.

You know how sometimes a recipe is so simple you can’t believe you love it as much as you do? Well, that’s how I feel about this Herbed Veggie Quinoa Bowl. I mean, okay, so there IS some slicing and dicing involved, but other than that, it’s a simple recipe. And one I come back to on the regular.

I think it’s because the individual flavors complement each other well. I love cilantro, but I don’t eat it by itself. And I love garlic and onions, but, alas, I don’t eat them individually either. I even had a love-meh relationship with quinoa when I first tried it! Originally, I concocted this recipe out of sheer necessity (thank you, family food allergies). But, alas, put all of them together and then throw in some tomatoes, and now you’re talking! Or I’m talking! Or eating! However you put it, this dish is delish.

Herbed Veggie Quinoa Bowl in white dishes, next to fresh cilantro and green onions.

Speaking of dishes, you may be wondering whether this Herbed Veggie Quinoa Bowl is a main dish or a side dish or what. YES. All of the above. It is definitely main dish-worthy. But I also think it would complement a larger meal and stand in as the resident side dish recipe. However you want to enjoy it is just how it’s meant to be!

So let’s get our quinoa ON!

Herbed Veggie Quinoa Bowl in white dishes, next to fresh cilantro and diced red onions.

This Herbed Veggie Quinoa Bowl is

  • Gluten-free
  • Dairy-free
  • Quick and easy to make
  • Big on flavor
  • Delicious warm or cold
Cooked quinoa in a stainless steel serving bowl
Fresh cilantro, tomatoes, and red and green onion in a stainless steel serving bowl.

Herbed Veggie Quinoa Bowl ingredients

  • Quinoa. Cooked according to package instructions.
  • Olive oil. It flavors the quinoa and keeps it from being too sticky, especially once you add the other ingredients.
  • Sea salt. Seems obvious, but it complements the earthy quinoa flavor well.
  • Fresh garlic. Pressed or minced. One large clove or two smallies will do the trick. But you add as much or as little as you’d like.
  • Grape tomatoes. Sliced. You can use other tomatoes if you’d like. Grape and cherry tomatoes work well because they aren’t too watery once they are sliced.
  • Red onion. Diced and amounts according to your preference.
  • Green onion. Thinly sliced. I add it towards the end so it deepens in colors, softens slightly in flavor, and all without becoming mushy.
  • Cilantro. Minced. Like the green onion, I add it right at the end. Deep color, wonderful flavor, and no mush.
Herbed Veggie Quinoa Bowl in white dishes, next to fresh cilantro and diced red onions and sliced green onions.

Best practices for a delicious, savory flavor

Once the quinoa has absorbed most of the water and starts to look fluffy, then add the garlic, onion, and tomatoes. This way you have all the flavor without feeling like you’re eating straight garlic and onion (unless that’s your jam, in which case, worry not about what I write here). 

Also, I streamline the prep process by getting the quinoa started, and then while it cooks, I go to work on the slicing and dicing. By the time I’m done with all that culinary work, the quinoa is fluffy and ready for the flavors!

As for the tomatoes, eating them fresh on the regular bothers my gums. But I’ve found adding them to warm foods seems to neutralize their acidity. If you have the same problem, then add your tomatoes while the quinoa is still warm and see if that works for you!

Close-up of Herbed Veggie Quinoa Bowl in white dishes, next to fresh cilantro and diced red onions.

Quinoa, quinoa, and MORE quinoa!

If you love quinoa, or maybe you’re still trying to give it a chance, then introduce your tastebuds to these delicious recipes! Some sweet, some savory, and all YUMMO!

  • Spicy Quinoa-Stuffed Peppers
  • Avocado Quinoa Salad
  • Cinnamon Quinoa Breakfast Bowls
  • Cinnamon Apple Quinoa

If you haven’t jumped on the quinoa bandwagon just yet, then may I suggest Herbed Veggie Quinoa Bowl as your first attempt? Tailor it to whatever flavors you prefer because it’s super forgiving and easy to make.

Cooked quinoa in a white dish, next to green and red onions.

Spiriteds, be well and stay wild. I’m glad you’re here! ❤️

Print

Herbed Veggie Quinoa Bowl

Print Recipe

This Herbed Veggie Quinoa Bowl is perfect for lunchtime, dinnertime, and in-between times. Flavored with fresh garlic, onions, and cilantro, it’s hard to believe such a simple recipe could pack so much flavor! Not to mention, it’s ready in minutes (and it’s delicious warm or cold)! {Gluten-free + Vegan}

  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 20 mins
  • Total Time: 30 mins
  • Yield: 3 1/2 cups 1x
  • Category: Main Dishes
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup uncooked quinoa
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/8 – 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 clove garlic, pressed
  • 1 cup grape tomatoes, sliced
  • 1/2 cup red onion, diced
  • 1/2 cup green onion, sliced
  • 1/4 cup cilantro, minced

Instructions

  1. Cook quinoa according to package directions. To end up with two cooked cups, most recipes call for one cup of uncooked quinoa prepared in two cups of water. Stir in olive oil and the sea salt.
  2. While the quinoa is cooking, press the garlic, slice the tomatoes, dice the red onions, slice the green onions, and mince the cilantro. Set aside. 
  3. Once the quinoa has gotten fluffy and is close to fully cooked, stir in the garlic, tomatoes, and onions. When the quinoa is cooked through, then remove the saucepan from the heat, place the saucepan on a trivet, stir in the cilantro, and let the quinoa cool enough to eat. If the quinoa is a little sticky, then fluff it with a fork prior to serving.
  4. Enjoy warm or cold. Refrigerate leftovers and consume within about 2-3 days.

Notes

  • One cup quinoa prepared in two cups of water usually equals two cups quinoa. Check your quinoa package’s instructions for ratios. You’ll want to end up with two cups cooked quinoa.
  • Adjust garlic and onion quantities as desired.

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About Spirited and then Some

I'm Morgan. A spirited, social chatterbox, small biz owner, and teacher. Lover of all things food. Think dip. Lover of all things family. Think K-Hubs, Toodlebug, and Twinkleberry. I'm so glad you found our spirited community.... Click Here to Read More

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I'm Morgan. A spirited, social chatterbox, small biz owner, and teacher. Lover of all things food. Think dip. Lover of all things family. Think K-Hubs, Toodlebug, and Twinkleberry. I'm so glad you found our spirited community. Learn more…

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