Mexican Quinoa-A Healthy Substitute for Mexican Rice

This Mexican Quinoa is almost shamefully easy to make.

The flavorful, colorful ingredients makes it an incredibly tasty dish.

Eat it as a healthy meal or add a side of steak, chicken, or shrimp; and you have a scrumptious dinner!

Tired of having rice as a side dish?

This Easy Mexican Quinoa is packed with healthy, wholesome goodness.

However, it tastes so good, everyone will forget they are eating something nutritious.

It is a great alternate to traditional Mexican Rice!

How to make Mexican Quinoa video

Steps

The greatest thing about this delicious dish is you basically throw it together in one pan to cook.

There is very little fuss. Follow these easy steps to make it:

1. Add in quinoa, broth, beans, canned tomatoes, corn, chili, and cumin. Stir.
2. Bring to boil, reduce heat to simmer and cover.
3. Cook for 20 minutes, checking on it occasionally and stirring.
4. Salt and pepper to taste. Add in lime juice. Top with chopped tomato and garnish with cilantro.

Note: *I use chicken broth for my recipe to cook this. However for a vegan and vegetarian option,  you can use vegetable broth and it will just as good.

What should you serve Mexican Quinoa with?

Mexican quinoa makes a great starter for a food power-bowl.

Just add your favorite protein like steak, chicken, or shrimp. Next add your fresh tomato and cilantro garnishes.

You could add cheese, guacamole, lettuce, and sour cream.

The sky is the limit.

In addition, I  like to use the quinoa as a side dish for the following:

• Tacos 
• 15 Minute Instant Pot Salsa Verde Chicken
• Mexican Turkey Meatloaf
• Fajitas
• Grilled Stuffed Flank Steak 

Is Quinoa better for you than rice?

This Mexican quinoa provides so much flavor with the fire roasted tomatoes, spicy jalapeños, fresh cilantro, corn, and black beans.

Because it is similar in texture and the way you prepare it, quinoa makes an excellent wheat-free alternative to rice!

The quinoa and beans provide are a great source of protein, so there isn't a big need to incorporate meat unless you wanted to.

In fact, quinoa has twice the amount of protein of rice or barley.

Rice has 40 more calories per serving than quinoa and it has 15 times more carbohydrates!

Quinoa also has a lower glycemic index so it doesn't raise your sugar level as high as rice would.

Therefore, if you are watching your waistline, quinoa is a better choice over rice.

It is also referred to as a "Super Food"  for its high density in nutrients. It is made of high in anti-inflammatory phytonutrients, manganese, magnesium, zinc, iron, phosphorus, copper, vitamins E and B, omega-3 fatty acids, and is gluten-free.

Great, it is healthy.... but does it taste good? Absolutely!

Similar to rice, it absorbs the ingredients you use to make your dish.

This Mexican Quinoa is packed with several flavorful ingredients making it INCREDIBLE!

Does it matter which color of quinoa to cook with?

• White quinoa mildest in flavors of all the quinoa colors. It also cook light and fluffy.
• Red quinoa looks brown color once it is cooked. It has a nuttier flavor and a chewier texture than the white quinoa.
• Black quinoa is the richest in flavor. It  has a sweet and nutty flavor.

While you really can use any quinoa color in your cooking and it will turn out great... the white quinoa is a better substitute for rice, and the colored quinoa is better for salads because of the bolder flavors.

If you are looking for additional great quinoa recipes, check out these recipes from my site and some of my blogger friends:

• Corn & Black Bean Quinoa Salad
• Quinoa Tabouli
• Kale and Quinoa Salad with Pomegranates and a Champagne Vinaigrette
•  Baked Veggie Quinoa Tots
• Mediterranean Quinoa Salad 

Recipe