Name: Garlic Butter Quinoa Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup quinoa; 1 tablespoon vegan butter or butter/ghee; 2 – 3 teaspoons Simply Organic Garlic Powder; 1/2 teaspoon sea salt; 2 cups vegetable broth

Jump to Recipe· 4.4 from 16 reviews

If you’re on the hunt for a simple yet incredibly flavorful side dish, you’ve got to try this Garlic Butter Quinoa Recipe. It’s one of those recipes that feels fancy but is actually super easy to pull off on any weeknight. I love how the garlic butter infuses every little grain of quinoa with rich, comforting flavor, making it a perfect partner for all kinds of mains. Trust me, once you make it, you’ll keep coming back for more!

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Why This Recipe Works

Simple Ingredients: Just five pantry staples come together for a tasty, comforting dish with no fuss.
Balanced Flavors: The richness of butter and the punch of garlic perfectly complement quinoa’s nuttiness.
Quick Cooking: This recipe takes about 20 minutes total, ideal for busy cooks who want homemade meals fast.
Versatile Base: It works as a side, a salad base, or even a meal on its own when you add veggies or protein.

Garlic Butter Quinoa, flavorful quinoa side dish, easy garlic butter quinoa, quick quinoa recipes, best side dishes with quinoa - A close-up of a white bowl full of cooked quinoa, which is light beige and fluffy. The quinoa grains are mixed with small green herb pieces scattered evenly throughout and seasoning specks of black and red on top. A gold spoon scoops up some quinoa from the bowl, showing the grain’s soft, slightly textured surface. The bowl sits on a white marbled texture surface with some green leaves blurred in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Garlic Butter Quinoa Recipe plays a key role, and shopping isn’t complicated. I always pick good-quality quinoa and stock up on flavorful broth for that extra boost. Here’s why these ingredients are my go-tos.

Garlic Butter Quinoa, flavorful quinoa side dish, easy garlic butter quinoa, quick quinoa recipes, best side dishes with quinoa - Flat lay of a small mound of uncooked white quinoa grains, a few curls of creamy vegan butter, a small white bowl filled with pale off-white garlic powder, a small white bowl of coarse sea salt crystals, and a small white bowl containing golden vegetable broth, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white ceramic surface, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Quinoa: This protein-packed grain is naturally fluffy and takes on flavors beautifully, making the base of our dish.
Butter or Vegan Butter: Adds a luscious, creamy texture and richness; butter browns slightly to bring out nuttiness.
Garlic Powder: Provides a concentrated garlic punch without the texture of fresh garlic, ensuring even flavor distribution.
Sea Salt: Balances flavors and enhances the natural nuttiness of quinoa.
Vegetable Broth: Cooking quinoa in broth instead of water adds savory depth and layers of flavor.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

I love making this Garlic Butter Quinoa Recipe my own by switching things up here and there. Sometimes I add fresh herbs for brightness, or sneak in a pinch of chili flakes when I want a little heat. You can totally customize this dish to match what’s in your pantry and your mood.

Fresh Herbs: Adding chopped parsley or cilantro right before serving really lifts the whole dish in a fresh, vibrant way.
Garlic Levels: I suggest starting with less garlic powder if you’re sensitive — you can always add more once it cooks.
Butter Swap: If you want a dairy-free option, I use vegan butter or even a touch of olive oil for a lighter version.
Extra Veggies: Toss in some sautéed mushrooms or spinach after cooking for an easy veggie boost.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Garlic Butter Quinoa Recipe

Step 1: Combine Ingredients with Love

Start by adding quinoa, butter, garlic powder, sea salt, and vegetable broth to a small saucepan. I like to use a medium saucepan to give the quinoa plenty of room to expand and fluff up beautifully. Once everything is in, turn the heat to medium-high and bring it just to a boil while stirring occasionally. Keep an eye on it so the butter melts completely and the broth doesn’t evaporate too fast.

Step 2: Simmer Gently, Let It Work

Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover the saucepan with a tight-fitting lid. Let it simmer for about 15 minutes—this is where the magic happens as the quinoa absorbs all that delicious garlic butter broth. Resist the urge to lift the lid early; this keeps the steam inside and ensures perfectly cooked quinoa.

Step 3: Fluff and Finish

After simmering, remove the pan from the heat but don’t take the lid off just yet. Let it stand covered for about 5 minutes—this finishing step lets the quinoa settle and fluff up to the perfect texture. Then, fluff gently with a fork to separate the grains, and your Garlic Butter Quinoa is ready to serve.

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Pro Tips for Making Garlic Butter Quinoa Recipe

Toast the Quinoa First: For an extra nutty flavor, I sometimes toast the quinoa in the melted butter for 2-3 minutes before adding broth.
Use Quality Broth: Cooking quinoa in a rich vegetable broth lifts the flavor beyond just garlic and butter.
Don’t Skip the Resting: That 5-minute stand-off lets steam finish the cooking and keeps quinoa fluffy instead of mushy.
Adjust Garlic to Your Preference: If you’re new to garlic powder in grains, start low—you can always sprinkle more on top later.

How to Serve Garlic Butter Quinoa Recipe

Garlic Butter Quinoa, flavorful quinoa side dish, easy garlic butter quinoa, quick quinoa recipes, best side dishes with quinoa - A close-up view of a white bowl filled with cooked quinoa, showing light yellow grains mixed with small green herb pieces sprinkled on top, along with a few red spice flakes and some black pepper. A golden spoon is placed inside the bowl on the right side. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface with some green herb leaves blurred in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I usually finish this dish with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or chives—they add a pop of color and fresh herbal brightness that balances the richness of the butter. Sometimes I also add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or a few red pepper flakes just before serving for an extra zing.

Side Dishes

This Garlic Butter Quinoa pairs wonderfully with roasted vegetables like asparagus or Brussels sprouts. I often serve it alongside grilled chicken or baked salmon. It’s also fantastic to spoon over a bed of sautéed greens or as a base for a big veggie stir-fry bowl.

Creative Ways to Present

For special dinners, I’ve used this quinoa as a colorful base inside hollowed-out bell peppers or small ramekins, then garnished with toasted nuts and microgreens. It’s an easy way to make a simple dish feel elevated and festive without extra work.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover Garlic Butter Quinoa in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. When I do, I let it cool completely before sealing it to prevent sogginess. It reheats really well and makes lunchtime easy.

Freezing

Freezing is totally doable! I portion out cooled quinoa into freezer-safe bags or containers. To reheat, I thaw overnight in the fridge and warm on the stove with a splash of broth or water to keep it from drying out.

Reheating

My favorite way to reheat is gently on the stovetop over low heat with a little broth or water stirred in. Microwaving works fine, just cover it loosely and add moisture if needed to keep it fluffy.

FAQs

Can I use fresh garlic instead of garlic powder in this Garlic Butter Quinoa Recipe?

Great question! You absolutely can swap garlic powder for fresh minced garlic. I recommend sautéing 2-3 cloves of minced garlic in the butter on medium heat before adding the quinoa and broth to infuse that fresh garlicky flavor, but be careful not to burn the garlic as it can turn bitter.
Is this recipe suitable for a vegan diet?

Yes, it definitely can be vegan! Just use vegan butter or olive oil instead of dairy butter. The rest of the ingredients like quinoa, garlic powder, sea salt, and vegetable broth are naturally vegan-friendly.
How do I prevent quinoa from becoming mushy?

The key is to not overcook the quinoa. Keep the simmer low and time it carefully—usually about 15 minutes is perfect. Also, letting it sit covered off heat for 5 minutes at the end helps steam finish the cooking evenly without turning it mushy.
Can I make this Garlic Butter Quinoa Recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! Quinoa is naturally gluten-free, and the other ingredients are too. Just double-check your vegetable broth label to ensure it doesn’t contain any gluten additives, and you’re good to go.

Final Thoughts

This Garlic Butter Quinoa Recipe has become a staple in my kitchen because it’s quick, forgiving, and full of warmth in every bite. It’s a dish that makes weeknight dinners feel special without a lot of effort. I encourage you to give it a try—you may just find yourself reaching for it again and again as I do. Happy cooking, friend!