How Long Does Quinoa Last in the Fridge & How to Store It

Uncertain of the shelf life of the quinoa in the box or its shelf life after cooking it? Learn the solutions to these queries as well as creative ways to prepare delicious meals with leftover quinoa that the whole family will enjoy.

Cooked quinoa will last for about 5 to 7 days if stored properly in an airtight container. However, a number of factors could have an impact on this timeline.

To learn more about properly storing cooked quinoa, how different methods can affect shelf life, and how to tell if your quinoa is spoiled, keep reading. Additionally, we’ll provide you with our straightforward quinoa recipe so you can eat this superfood whenever the mood strikes.

What is Quinoa?

Quinoa is one of the oldest grains on the planet with its origins in Up to 8,000 years ago, the Inca people of South America were growing it there.

In Peru, it is grown high up in the Andes mountains where little else can grow and has served as a source of protein for the inhabitants of the Andes for centuries. For the rest of the world, it is a rather new ingredient in the culinary scene.

While it is often included with whole grains, it is technically not a grain but rather a grass seed. It comes in a variety of colors, but most commonly white, red, and black are found in stores or a blend of the three.

The red quinoa and black quinoa have a much crunchier texture when cooked than white quinoa and work perfectly in salads and pilafs.

Although these aren’t frequently offered for sale commercially, it is also found in green, pink, orange, and purple varieties.

You can buy it as:

• Flour: Although it does have a unique flavor that takes getting used to, it is a substitute for wheat flour.
• Seeds: These can be cooked or sprouted and used in a variety of dishes, such as soups, salads, porridges, and puddings.
• Popped: Additionally, it is offered as popped corn, which you can mix with homemade cereals or granola.
• Flakes: By breaking up quinoa seeds, flakes are created, which are then sold in stores. They can be used to prepare a dish resembling porridge or a breakfast cereal.

Dry quinoa has a hard texture when dry that cooks up into a delicate fluffy consistency with a neutral flavor when cooked making it adaptable to a wide variety of preparations. It cooks quickly—in just 10 to 15 minutes—making it one of the easier grains to prepare.

Is Quinoa Good for You?

Because it has a much higher protein content than other grains, quinoa is a superfood. 8 grams of protein are present in one cup.

Even though the majority of plant-based proteins don’t contain all the essential amino acids the body needs to function, some do, which makes them a fantastic meat substitute.

It has higher concentrations of other nutrients like calcium, iron, B vitamins, vitamin E, and phosphorus.

In comparison to other grains, this healthy grain tends to contain fewer carbohydrates and is high in good fat and oils. It is a naturally gluten-free plant food that boasts a high fiber content.

Quinoa contains high amounts of saponins, a type of plant compound that can cause a stomach ache.

Today, the majority of the saponins are removed during processing, but it is still always advised to rinse the quinoa with cold water prior to cooking. When you add water, you might notice a few bubbles that resemble soap because there are still some saponins on the surface.

How to Store Uncooked Quinoa

The best way to store quinoa is in a cool dry place such as a cabinet or pantry until you are ready to cook it.

Once the bag or box is opened, be sure to transfer it to a container or plastic bag. It will remain fresher for a longer period of time if you store it in an airtight container, which will also keep pests out.

How Long Does Uncooked Quinoa Last?

In general, raw quinoa has a long shelf life. There are a few other ways to determine how long uncooked quinoa will last since most dry goods don’t have an expiration date.

Verify the best by date on the package. Use the manufacturer date in the absence of a best by date. The general guideline is it should last at least 2-3 years after its production date.

If you change it to another container, it’s a good idea to mark it with a date so you know how long it’s been in your cabinet just in case you forget about it.

Make sure to inspect the food for pests before you start to cook, and throw it away if it has.

Otherwise, uncooked quinoa when stored properly kept dry, and away from pests will last quite a while, even years.

How Long Does It Last in the Freezer?

Cooked quinoa can be kept for a longer period of time by being frozen.

Simply place your cooked quinoa in a freezer-safe airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag to accomplish this. When stored this way in a freezer, quinoa will last around 10 months. After this time, frozen quinoa will still be edible but is more likely to develop freezer burn and change in texture.

Put the container of quinoa in the refrigerator for the night to thaw frozen quinoa. Or, if you’re in a hurry, transfer it to a microwaveable container and cook it for 45 seconds.

How to Store Cooked Quinoa

Cooked quinoa seeds take on a similar fluffy texture as rice and can be used in similar ways.

It should be handled slightly differently than when it’s raw after being cooked. Before storing it you should allow it to cool all the way down as covering hot or warm food with a lid traps the heat inside and allows opportunistic organisms to grow.

Store it in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag in the refrigerator or freezer until you are ready to use it.

How Long Does Cooked Quinoa Last in the Fridge?

Quinoa keeps well in the refrigerator for five days with proper storage. Always inspect it after taking it out of the fridge, and throw it away if there are any strange smells, visible mold symptoms, or milk liquid.

Can You Freeze Cooked Quinoa?

It’s perfect to freeze unless you add other ingredients that don’t work well to freeze. In the freezer, leftovers can last up to three months if they are stored in tightly sealed containers or freezer bags to prevent freezer burn.

How to Reheat Quinoa

When you’re ready to use it, thaw frozen quinoa out in the fridge overnight before reheating it in the microwave or on the stovetop, much like you would rice. If it seems a tad dry you can add some oil or water to help it fluff up a bit more.

You can also add it to other dishes such as soups or stews after freezing. Add just a few minutes prior to serving and cook it for a brief period of time to merely re-heat it because it has already been cooked.

Signs That Quinoa Has Spoiled

You need to do a little detective work to determine whether cooked quinoa has gone bad.

Using your nose is the simplest method. The aroma of freshly cooked quinoa is mild and nutty. You can typically smell a sour odor once it has started to spoil.

Additionally, the flavor will exhibit this sourness.

Quinoa that has been spoiled typically has more liquid in it compared to when it was first put in the container. It will develop mold if kept in the refrigerator for an excessively long time; mold can be recognized by spots of darker pigment.

A little more difficult to spot are indications that uncooked, raw quinoa has gone bad. The only surefire way to determine whether uncooked seeds have been exposed to moisture and are developing mold is to cook them.

It is best to discard these freshly cooked seeds and start over with a fresh batch if they are crunchier than usual or smell sour. The shelf life rule of three years should be followed, and any dry quinoa that has been around for longer than that should be thrown out if you don’t want to risk cooking contaminated quinoa.

Expert Tips for Using Leftovers

You have some leftover quinoa in the fridge, but you’re not sure what to do with it. Some of my favorites are listed here.

• Flavors: Quinoa pairs well with a wide range of ingredients, but beans, cheese, citrus, corn, nuts, olive oil, spinach, and tomato are particularly tasty with it. With mushrooms, avocado, dried fruit, and greens, it also tastes fantastic.
• Side Dish: This Buffalo Tofu, Buffalo Chickpea Meatballs, and BBQ Tofu are all delicious dishes to serve with leftover quinoa.
• Eat it cold: Serve it cold on a bed of greens topped with golden beets, leftover roasted broccoli, roasted sunflower seeds, and vegan honey mustard dressing.
• Add it to soups: Use it in soups the same way you would barley, brown or white rice, or any other grain.
• Stir fry: In your preferred stir fry recipe, swap the leftover quinoa for the rice.
• Pasta replacement: As a healthy substitute for regular or whole wheat pasta, serve up a bowl of quinoa topped with your preferred pasta sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions