Quinoa Fried Rice is the perfect healthier version of classic fried rice. Loaded with vegetables and protein packed quinoa and eggs, it's the perfect healthy meal or side dish.
Since quinoa hit the scene years ago, I've made tons of recipes with it. It's the perfect lower carb option and it's easy to replace white rice or pasta with quinoa. Fried rice is one of my vices, and you can make it much healthier by subbing quinoa for the rice, and making it at home so you know exactly what goes into it. This Quinoa fried rice is made in one pot and loaded with broccoli, eggs, mushrooms, carrots, peas, corn, which makes it the perfect easy healthy meal or side dish.
I've been making quinoa fried rice for over 10 years, and we never get sick of it! Everyone in my family loves it, and trust me, you don't even miss the rice when you use quinoa!
Serve this quinoa as a side dish alongside these delicious Spicy Thai Chicken Tenders, Air Fryer Salmon Bites, Copycat Panda Express Orange Chicken or this vegetarian General Tso's Tofu for the perfect balanced meal!
Why Quinoa is healthier than regular rice:
**Scroll all the way to the end of this post to see full nutritional information.
- One cup of cooked quinoa has about 40 fewer calories than the same amount of white rice, but the real benefit is in the carbohydrates. White rice has almost 15 times more grams of carbohydrates than quinoa.
- Quinoa provides 5 more grams of fiber and double the protein (8 grams per cup)!
- Quinoa is a complete protein meaning it contains all nine of the essential amino acids your body needs. There are very few non-meat sources that provide this!
- Quinoa is gluten free. It's full of minerals; iron, phosphorus, manganese, zinc, and magnesium. It also contains calcium, potassium, and selenium.
This recipe is great because it can all be made in ONE POT! I love one pot recipes!
How to Make Quinoa Fried Rice:
**scroll down for full ingredients list and printable directions**
- Start by heating half the oil in your big pot (I recommend one like this); crack your eggs into the bottom and scramble them up until just cooked. Remove and set aside.
- Heat the rest of the oil in the pot, add the onions, garlic, and ginger and cook for a few minutes. Add carrots, broccoli, mushrooms, and zucchini and cook.
- Add 1 ½ cups of rinsed quinoa to the pot, then add 2 ½ cups water to the pot; stirring to combine. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce the heat to simmer. Cook for about 20 minutes, or until the quinoa is tender.
- Add the corn and peas, then stir to combine and allow those to heat up.
- Lastly, add the soy sauce, green onions, and scrambled eggs into the pot. Stir to combine then serve topped with additional green onions if you want!
How to freeze Quinoa Fried Rice:
- If you would like to double this recipe, it works to freeze the extra batch. I allow it to completely cool, then add 2 cups into freezer safe quart size zip lock bags. Lay them flat and press out all the air before sealing, and press the quinoa out flat inside the bag as well. Place into freezer.
- Keeps for up to 3 months.
- Place in fridge or on the counter a few hours before you plan to serve the quinoa fried rice.
What to serve with Quinoa Fried Rice:
- Serve quinoa fried rice alongside Genera Tso's Tofu for the perfect Chinese take-out at home!
- Serve Bang Bang Tofu along with Quinoa Fried Rice.
- Air Fryer Sesame Chicken is crispy and coated in a delicious sweet sticky sesame sauce! There is no guilt with this healthier air fryer meal!
- Want to double up on your protein? Try these delicious Spicy Thai Chicken Tenders with the Quinoa Fried Rice.
- Not a big spicy sauce lover? Try these easy Crispy Coconut Chicken Strips as your main dish and serve the quinoa on the side!
- Sweet and Spicy Chicken Stir Fry is a great main dish to accompany the quinoa fried rice!
Quinoa Fried Rice is the perfect healthier version of classic fried rice. Loaded with vegetables and protein packed quinoa and eggs, it's the perfect healthy meal or side dish.
- 1 TBS olive oil divided
- 2 eggs
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 small onion diced
- 1 TBS ginger grated
- 8 ounces baby bella mushrooms chopped
- 2 cups chopped broccoli (frozen or fresh) chopped
- ½ cup grated carrots
- 1 zucchini chopped
- 1 ½ cups quinoa, rinsed and patted dry
- 2 ½ cups water
- ½ cup frozen corn
- ½ cup frozen peas
- 3 TBS lower sodium soy sauce
- 4 stalks green onions chopped
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Heat half the oil in a large pot over medium heat; crack the eggs into the bottom and scramble until just cooked. Remove and set aside.
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Add the remaining oil to the pot. Add onions, garlic, and ginger and cook for a 2 minutes. Add carrots, broccoli, mushrooms, and zucchini; sauté 2 minutes.
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Add 1½ cups of rinsed quinoa to the pot, then add 2½ cups water to the pot; stirring to combine. Increase heat to high; bring to a boil then cover and reduce the heat to simmer. Simmer, covered, for 15-20 minutes, or until the quinoa is tender. Turn off heat. Fluff quinoa with a fork when done.
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Add corn and peas, then stir to combine and let sit for 2-3 minutes.
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Add soy sauce, green onions, and scrambled eggs into the pot. Stir to combine then serve topped with additional green onions if desired.
Originally posted in 2013, updated February 2018 and January 2023.
Recipe adapted from Damn Delicious.
pamasaurus says
Yum! This looks amazing!
now at home mom says
your pictures are beautiful & this fried rice looks delicious! 🙂
Allyson says
Thank you so much, Ingrid!
Robin says
Quinoa is a new staple in our house, so I've been on the look out for different ways to use it. Thanks for coming by and partying with us at Fluster Buster's Creative Muster.
Robin @ Fluster Buster
organized31 says
I've never cooked with quinoa, but this recipe sounds delicious!
Ainsley says
this was delicious!! great for meat-free days (the eggs don't count!). really yummy and easy dinner.
Allyson says
I am so happy you liked it! It has become a staple at our house!
Hope says
Hi what is Quiona?
Oni says
This recipe isn't gluten Farr because of the soy sauce.
Allyson says
Oh, I don't think I said it was gluten free, but a great soy sauce substitute would be liquid aminos, which is GF. Hope you give it a try!
Aylene says
Sounds wonderful!
Lisa says
This looks so good! Can you add edamame to this?
Allyson says
Lisa, that would be a GREAT addition! Total yum!
Lisa says
Great! Any suggestions as to how much and when to add it to the cooking process?
Allyson says
If it is defrosted I would add it towards the end, because it doesn't take long to be heated through. If it's frozen, I would add it with this step: Add mushrooms, broccoli and zucchini. Cook, stirring constantly, until vegetables are tender, about 3-4 minutes. Hope you like it!
Lisa says
Thanks!
Lori says
Remember to buy gf soy sauce though...regular soy sauce is not gluten-free.
Yosef - This American Bite says
Congrats! This recipe has been nominated to win my Inspired Recipe of the Year Award. The shortlist will be announced on 12/30/2013.
April says
this sounds great! One tip for anyone who doesn't cook fried rice often, the secret to a great tasting dish is...sesame oil! It will change the way you cook Asian cuisine. Just substitute your olive oil for the sesame oil and voila, delish dish!
Heather @ Sugar Dish Me says
Love it!! We use quinoa in our stir fry too. I've never made the recipe from Damn Delicious, but I know I have it saved. Totally trying it! Yours looks great!
Ella Preuss says
This is so good! I just cooked some for me and my brother and it's delicious! Thanks for sharing!
Sarah says
This was delicious! My husband and I do 5:2 fasting and we can eat a portion of this on our fast days because a portion is low enough in calories and it really fills you up.
Allyson says
Isn't it delicious?! I am so happy it fits into your dietary needs!
Hailey says
made this for dinner tonight and it was delicious!!! I have so much left over I can't wait to keep eating it the next few days!
Allyson says
This is one of our families all time favorite recipes! I am so happy you loved it! The leftovers always reheat really well, too!
Nutmeg Nanny says
Oh my goodness...this looks absolutely delicious!
Abeer says
This rice would be my perfect lunch!
Jen says
I love fried rice but always feel guilty about how unhealthy it is! I need to try this healthier version!
Sabrina says
I need to eat more quinoa and this looks like a delicious way to do it! Yummy!
Krista says
This is calling my name! I love everything you have packed in here!
Lauren @ Hall Nesting says
My parents are always looking for low carb meals this would be great for them
Patricia @ Grab a Plate says
Such a great way to incorporate quinoa into a lovely dish! I'm loving all those yummy green veggies, too!
Winniebear says
For those folks that have tried making quinoa at home but the taste was too bitter (like I did LOL) one of the keys to unlocking its wonderful nutty flavor and ridding the bitterness is rinsing it first. Not a quick rinse like, say, a can of black beans. I usually rinse mine for at least 60 seconds under cold water.
Allyson says
YES! As stated in the directions, it needs to be rinsed. I was even getting stomachaches years back and I realized it was because I wasn't rinsing it enough!
Jenny Bender says
Would the recipe be different if using a "Pressure Cooker"
Jenny Bender says
Would the recipe be different if using a "Pressure Cooker"
This is the first time I comment on this recipe
April says
Delicious! Such a great alternative to rice, I loved it!
Olivia says
Made this for lunch today and loved it! Great healthy option and it tasted so delicious! Thanks for sharing
Kristyn says
I'll take this over regular rice any day!! It's healthier, easy to make, & so yummy!! It goes so well with all my Asian favorites!!
Beth says
I've made quinoa in several different ways, but I've never tried it like this before. This looks like such a delicious recipe!
Amanda says
This is going to be perfect for through the week! I love one pot dishes!
Erin | Dinners, Dishes and Dessert says
Looks absolutely fantastic! You had me on this!
Sandra McCollum says
Sounds amazing!
Melissa says
I love this recipe - so delicious and fresh!
Erin says
This recipe is great for someone looking to sneak extra protein throughout their day (like me!) An addition of chicken would be GREAT!!