Name: Quinoa Fried "Rice"
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 1 cup quinoa, (rinsed); 3 teaspoons safflower, peanut or other neutral-flavored oil, ( divided); 2 eggs; Salt and pepper; 3 cloves garlic, (minced); 1 tablespoon minced ginger; 3 scallions, (sliced (whites and greens separated) plus extra for garnish); 1 ½ cups chopped carrots, broccoli and peas ((fresh or frozen)); 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce ((or tamari if gluten-free)); 2 teaspoons sesame oil; ½ teaspoon Sriracha or other hot sauce ((optional))

Published: Jan 18, 2015 · Last Updated: May 23, 2022 by Dr. Sonali Ruder · This post may contain affiliate links · 43 Comments

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My Quinoa Fried "Rice' features protein-packed quinoa instead of white rice in this healthier version of the classic Chinese restaurant dish. Quinoa is a gluten-free whole grain that provides a variety of vitamins, minerals and fiber to boost the nutrition of this recipe.

Quinoa Fried “Rice”- protein-packed quinoa replaces white rice in this healthier version of the classic Chinese dish. | @foodiephysician

Fried rice holds a special place in my heart. The year after I graduated from college and was living on my own for the first time, it was the first dish I learned to make. I pretty much ate nothing but fried rice for a year. It was fast, easy, convenient and most importantly, cheap!

The problem is that when you order fried rice in restaurants, it’s usually not so healthy. It’s made with white rice and can be loaded with fat and sodium with just a meager amount of vegetables. I wanted to perform a recipe resuscitation and make a healthier version of this Chinese restaurant staple.

For my Quinoa Fried "Rice," I use nutrient-packed quinoa instead of white rice. White rice is refined, meaning it’s had most of its nutrients, including fiber, stripped away in the milling process.

Quinoa, on the other hand, is a whole grain and a nutritional powerhouse. It’s packed with protein and provides a wide variety of vitamins, minerals and fiber. Read my post all about the health benefits of quinoa.

To up the nutrition even more, I like to make my Quinoa Fried "Rice" with eggs and lots of veggies, depending on what I have in my fridge or freezer. Use a variety of different colored vegetables to maximize the nutrients.

This time I used a combination of broccoli, peas and carrots but you can experiment with your favorite vegetables. Mushrooms, zucchini, bell peppers and edamame are some other great options.

You can use fresh or frozen vegetables. Frozen vegetables are picked and frozen at their peak so they remain nutrient-rich.

Eggs provide protein as well as several important vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. You can also add some diced tofu, chicken or shrimp and this side dish easily becomes a main course.

Restaurant fried rice can sometime be drenched in oil but when you make it at home you can control the amount of oil used. You don’t need to use much if you use ingredients that have lots of flavor. Also, to keep the sodium in check, I use reduced sodium soy sauce (or tamari, which is gluten-free) and adjust the seasoning to taste.

Day-old quinoa works best in this dish because the grains will be slightly dried out. If you use freshly cooked quinoa, your fried “rice” will end up being gummy. So plan ahead and make a batch of quinoa the night before. Or if you make it fresh, spread it out on a tray and let in cool in the refrigerator or freezer for a few hours before making the rest of the dish.