19 High-Protein Quinoa Recipes to Help You Build Muscle, Fast (2024)

Here 19 high-protein quinoa recipes you’d surely want to add to your diet.

1. Greek Quinoa Salad with Feta Cheese

19 High-Protein Quinoa Recipes to Help You Build Muscle, Fast (1)

Via Food for Fitness

Topping off our list is our very own Greek Quinoa Salad with Feta Cheese. This is a beautiful, fresh, tasty and easy recipe. It works well as a main course if you follow a plant-based diet but also as a delicious accompaniment to other meals too.

2. One-Pot Chicken, Quinoa, Mushrooms & Spinach

19 High-Protein Quinoa Recipes to Help You Build Muscle, Fast (2)

Via Cookin’ Canuck

With a protein content of 29 grams and calorie count of only 277, you won’t go wrong with this chicken, quinao, mushroom and spinach dish. It takes but a short time to cook too, making it an ideal “instant” comfort food for your family or friends.

3. Crockpot Italian Chicken & Quinoa Soup

19 High-Protein Quinoa Recipes to Help You Build Muscle, Fast (3)

Via Chelsea’s Messy Apron

Vegetable lovers and meat eaters alike will surely want to get a taste of your delicious crockpot soup. This soup is loaded with chicken, and everyone’s favorite vegetables together with, of course, protein-heavy quinoa seeds.

4. High-Protein Quinoa and Lentils

19 High-Protein Quinoa Recipes to Help You Build Muscle, Fast (4)

Via Cooking for Peanuts

This one-pot and easy-to-make recipe will be your next favorite vegan dinner. With just very simple ingredients needed, your meal is ready in less than 30 minutes. A budget-friendly and insanely delicious recipe, who would dare miss trying this one out? PS. It's also gluten-free!

5. Cheesy Quinoa Waffles

19 High-Protein Quinoa Recipes to Help You Build Muscle, Fast (5)

Via Smart Nutrition

One thing about this quinoa is that it’s simply an improvement over your normal waffle. It adds in quinoa, eggs and lentils into the waffle batter and finishes off the taste with cheddar, cottage and feta cheese.

6. Savory Pesto Quinoa Breakfast Bowls

19 High-Protein Quinoa Recipes to Help You Build Muscle, Fast (6)

Via Simply Quinoa

This breakfast bowl is a powerhouse. It is full of protein thanks to the eggs and quinoa seeds, loaded with complex carbohydrates for energy and healthy fats from the avocado.

7. Greek Quinoa Zucchini Fritters

19 High-Protein Quinoa Recipes to Help You Build Muscle, Fast (7)

Via Delish Knowledge

Fried is dried, so they say, and thus fried food generally loses nutritional value. These fritters, however, are full of nutrition, thanks to the combo of zucchini, quinoa and flour. Just make sure to fry at high temperature so the oil doesn’t eat away all the nutrients!

8. Spinach Salad with Quinoa

19 High-Protein Quinoa Recipes to Help You Build Muscle, Fast (8)

Via Happy Healthy Mama

If you’re looking for a quick salad fix, then you can build this Spinach salad. This recipe puts in a creamy avocado dressing to complement the salad, which contains dry quinoa, chickpeas, avocado oil and tomatoes.

9. Red Quinoa Burgers

19 High-Protein Quinoa Recipes to Help You Build Muscle, Fast (9)

Via Coffee & Quinoa

You said burgers are unhealthy? You only need to add quinoa seeds, egg, cannellini beans and one large egg to your hamburger patties, and you have a burger that packs a lot of nutrition.

10. Quinoa Granola with Coconut & Chia Seeds

19 High-Protein Quinoa Recipes to Help You Build Muscle, Fast (10)

Via Vegangela

You don’t have to avoid sweets even if you’re keeping to a diet. This healthy but delicious granola is made up of quinoa flakes, chia seeds, coconut shreds, and raw almonds, among others. Agave or maple syrup contribute to making it taste like the granola you love!

11. Quinoa Chowder with Spinach, Feta, and Scallions

19 High-Protein Quinoa Recipes to Help You Build Muscle, Fast (11)

Via Chowhound

This is the vegetarian way of making chowder. It replaces seafood toppings with a mix of vegetables, feta and quinoa. It also does away with cream as well.

12. Spicy Thai Coconut Quinoa

19 High-Protein Quinoa Recipes to Help You Build Muscle, Fast (12)

Via Chowhound

This quinoa dish brings together all the great stuff about coconut milk, peanut sauce and vegetables. Anyone can cook this in their own kitchen, so go ahead and give it a try!

13. Cranberry Quinoa Scones

19 High-Protein Quinoa Recipes to Help You Build Muscle, Fast (13)

Via Cannelle et Vanille

These quones are made out of mixture of quinoa flour and cranberries. They’re very easy to make, and takes just a short time to prepare. You only need to make the dough, set it in the oven and you just wait for the final product.

14. Quinoa-Crusted Cauliflower Steak

19 High-Protein Quinoa Recipes to Help You Build Muscle, Fast (14)

Via The Vintage Mixer

This looks like tasty meat steak, but is actually cauliflower covered in thick quinoa crust. This goes well with vegetable salad too.

15. High-Protein Chocolate Quinoa Muffins

19 High-Protein Quinoa Recipes to Help You Build Muscle, Fast (15)

Via Foodaciously

This is the perfect sweet treat for vegans that are looking for high-protein snack ideas. This delicious Chocolate Quinoa Muffin recipe is just simply amazing!

16. Quinoa, Black Bean & Edamame Summer Salad

19 High-Protein Quinoa Recipes to Help You Build Muscle, Fast (16)

Via Food For Fitness

This is a super-tasty summer salad that is a great vegetarian edition to any BBQ.

17. Cheesy Quinoa Cakes

19 High-Protein Quinoa Recipes to Help You Build Muscle, Fast (17)

Via Spoon Fork Bacon

This quinoa dish is not only delicious, but it’s also very easy to prepare. If you have lots of quinoa seeds lying around and some ingredients, you can quickly make some as a snack for surprise visitors!

18. Black Bean & Quinoa Stuffed Spaghetti Squash

19 High-Protein Quinoa Recipes to Help You Build Muscle, Fast (18)

Via Lauren Kelly Nutrition

That’s not spaghetti, but healthy squash that has been roasted for 60 minutes in the oven. It also has quinoa seeds in vegetable broth and topped with creamy cheddar cheese.

19.Berry Quinoa Salad

19 High-Protein Quinoa Recipes to Help You Build Muscle, Fast (19)

Via Two Peas and a Pod

Looking for a healthy dessert that also tastes great? Give this recipe for Berry Quinoa Salad a try. Enjoy the sweetness of strawberry, blueberry, raspberry and blackberry mixed together with 2 cups of dry red quinoa for that protein content you are looking for.

Our collection of 'High Protein Quinoa Recipes' offers a variety of nutritious and delicious options for incorporating this versatile grain into your diet. Among these, our 'Quinoa Edamame Summer Salad' stands out as a perfect example of how quinoa can be used to create a refreshing, protein-rich meal. Ideal for summer days or as a healthy side dish, this salad embodies the nutritional benefits of quinoa. Explore the Quinoa Edamame Summer Salad recipe and discover a delightful way to enjoy quinoa’s health benefits.

19 High-Protein Quinoa Recipes to Help You Build Muscle, Fast (2024)

FAQs

Is quinoa good for a high protein diet? ›

Quinoa is a seed that's high in plant protein and fiber. It has all the nine essential amino acids that your body needs but that you get only from your diet. That makes quinoa one of the best non-animal food sources of complete protein.

What protein goes well with quinoa? ›

Up the protein content even more by folding in some beans or lentils. A few mouthwatering combos to try: Mix a half cup each of cooked quinoa and chickpeas with a handful of halved grape tomatoes, some chopped cucumber, a few sliced olives, a sprinkle of feta cheese, a splash of lemon juice and a drizzle of olive oil.

How much quinoa per day? ›

Quinoa can be consumed anytime – at breakfast, lunch or dinner. But it is best to eat healthy food like quinoa before going to bed. It induces sleep, because it relaxes the muscles, due to its high magnesium and protein content. “One can eat one-two cups of cooked quinoa in a day.

Why is quinoa a superfood? ›

Quinoa is high in fiber, plus several vitamins and minerals that are low in many people's diets. Regularly eating quinoa can help you meet your needs for magnesium, potassium, iron, fiber, and folate, a vitamin that's especially important during pregnancy due to its role in fetal growth and development ( 14 ).

Does quinoa increase muscle mass? ›

Quinoa can be a beneficial addition to a diet aimed at supporting muscle mass for several reasons: High Protein Content: Quinoa is considered a high-quality plant-based protein source. It contains all nine essential amino acids required by the body for muscle growth and repair.

Can quinoa replace meat protein? ›

Quinoa is the only grain that contains all the essential amino acids that make it a complete protein. It is equivalent to eating a chicken breast, steak or salmon. “I love quinoa because it is so versatile,” says Waldeck. “It is like a sponge.

What does quinoa protein do for hair? ›

Quinoa may help to impart shine and smoothness to the hair, promoting a more lustrous appearance by locking in moisture. Repairing and Restoring Hair: Quinoa's amino acids can repair and strengthen chemically treated or heat-damaged hair, restoring its vitality and resilience.

What is the healthiest way to eat quinoa? ›

Quinoa salads are popular for a reason. They're as delicious as they are nutritious. This salad also has chickpeas, as well as a few fresh veggies, and a lemon salad dressing. It's fresh, filling, healthy, and also a lot of fun.

Is quinoa healthier than rice? ›

Quinoa is rich in both fiber and protein, contains a much higher amount of other nutrients, and has a similar fluffy texture to the rice. A cup of quinoa contains twice more protein and about 5 g more fiber than white rice. Quinoa contains fewer calories and carbohydrates than white rice.

Does quinoa burn belly fat? ›

It is very healthy due to its plant chemical contents that cause the secretion of appetite-suppressing hormones that curb your appetite. 25. Quinoa: High in protein, quinoa keeps you full with its high levels of plant-based proteins. It decreases your appetite and promotes belly fat decrease.

Is 1 cup of quinoa too much? ›

You can eat one-two cups of cooked quinoa in a day. You should avoid eating it if you experience stomachache, itchiness or vomiting after consuming it. A study by Harvard Public School of Health has reported that eating a bowl of quinoa daily is healthy and without any side effects.

Is quinoa a protein or carb? ›

Quinoa is considered a carbohydrate because it contains many carbs per serving. Although it contains some protein, the macronutrient distribution is closer to what you find in other grains and starches.

What happens to your body when you eat quinoa everyday? ›

The fiber in quinoa can also help with cholesterol and blood sugar levels, lowering your risk of diabetes and heart disease. Quinoa is rich in antioxidants, which can prevent damage to your heart and other organs. A diet high in antioxidants has been linked with a decreased risk of heart disease.

Which is healthier, quinoa or oatmeal? ›

It is high in proteins and fiber and enriched with antioxidants that help in making the immune system stronger. You are advised to consume quinoa more in comparison to oats as quinoa will provide more health benefits in low calories.

Is quinoa good for your hair? ›

Quinoa contains vitamin E, which nourishes the scalp, combats dandruff, and is a good hair tonic. (5) Vitamin E also helps in reducing hair breakage due to tangling. The availability of a few essential minerals in quinoa (calcium, iron, phosphorous) helps in retaining moisture on the scalp and preventing dandruff.

Is quinoa better than brown rice for protein? ›

For many years brown rice was the darling of healthy eating, but quinoa outpaces it in the health stakes. Both are gluten-free, but quinoa has about 1.5 times more protein and fibre; twice as much zinc, potassium and calcium and three times more folate and iron.

Is it okay to eat quinoa every day? ›

You can eat one-two cups of cooked quinoa in a day. You should avoid eating it if you experience stomachache, itchiness or vomiting after consuming it. A study by Harvard Public School of Health has reported that eating a bowl of quinoa daily is healthy and without any side effects.

Is quinoa more protein than rice? ›

One notable thing about quinoa is its protein content. With 8g of protein per cup, quinoa contains more protein than most grains. For comparison, brown and white rice both contain about 4.5 grams of protein per cup.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Mr. See Jast

Last Updated:

Views: 6675

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (75 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Mr. See Jast

Birthday: 1999-07-30

Address: 8409 Megan Mountain, New Mathew, MT 44997-8193

Phone: +5023589614038

Job: Chief Executive

Hobby: Leather crafting, Flag Football, Candle making, Flying, Poi, Gunsmithing, Swimming

Introduction: My name is Mr. See Jast, I am a open, jolly, gorgeous, courageous, inexpensive, friendly, homely person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.