Description
This Quinoa Fried “Rice” is a nutritious and flavorful twist on traditional fried rice, using protein-packed quinoa instead of rice. It features sautéed vegetables, scrambled eggs, and a savory blend of soy, oyster sauce, and sesame oil, all cooked to perfection in a skillet, delivering a wholesome, gluten-free meal that’s quick and easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
Fats and Oils
- 3 tablespoons butter, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
Vegetables
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
- 1 small white onion, diced
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 green onions, thinly sliced
Protein
- 2 eggs, whisked
Grains
- 4 cups cooked and chilled quinoa
Seasonings and Sauces
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 3-4 tablespoons soy sauce, or more to taste
- 2 teaspoons oyster sauce (optional)
Instructions
- Scramble the eggs: Heat 1/2 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until melted. Add the whisked eggs and cook, stirring occasionally, until fully scrambled. Remove the cooked eggs from the skillet and set them aside on a separate plate.
- Sauté vegetables: Add 1 tablespoon of butter to the same skillet and heat until melted. Add the diced carrots, onion, frozen peas, and minced garlic. Season with a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Sauté the vegetables for about 5 minutes, or until the onions and carrots are soft and slightly translucent.
- Fry the quinoa: Increase the heat to high and add the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet. Stir until melted. Quickly add the cooked quinoa, sliced green onions, soy sauce, and optional oyster sauce to the skillet. Stir well to combine and cook for an additional 3 minutes, stirring frequently to fry the quinoa evenly.
- Combine eggs and finish: Return the scrambled eggs to the skillet. Stir everything together to combine thoroughly. Drizzle the toasted sesame oil over the mixture, give a final stir, and remove the skillet from heat.
- Serve: Serve the quinoa fried “rice” warm as a hearty main or side dish, perfect for a quick and nutritious meal.
Notes
- All the goodness of traditional fried rice with nutrient-rich quinoa as a wholesome alternative to rice.
- Use chilled cooked quinoa to prevent clumping and achieve a proper fried rice texture.
- Oyster sauce is optional; feel free to omit or substitute with a vegetarian sauce if desired.
- Adjust soy sauce quantity to taste, especially if using low-sodium versions.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 11g
- Cholesterol: 160mg
