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· 4.5 from 20 reviews

If you’re looking for a simple yet insanely flavorful side dish, this Garlic Butter Quinoa Recipe is about to become your go-to. I mean, the combination of fluffy quinoa infused with rich garlic butter is just irresistible. It’s quick, uses just a handful of ingredients, and makes your weeknight dinners feel like a treat. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll keep coming back to this recipe again and again.

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Why This Recipe Works

Simplicity at Its Best: Only five ingredients that work together beautifully without any fuss.
Flavor-Packed: The garlic butter infusion elevates quinoa from plain to crave-worthy every time.
Versatile Side Dish: Pairs effortlessly with veggies, proteins, or enjoyed on its own as a wholesome snack.
Quick and Easy: Perfect for busy nights, with minimal prep and cook time.

Garlic Butter Quinoa, quick healthy side dish, easy quinoa recipes, flavorful side meals, garlic butter recipe - 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

Each ingredient in this Garlic Butter Quinoa Recipe plays its part in turning simple quinoa into a savory masterpiece. When you choose good-quality broth and real butter (or your favorite vegan alternative), it really transforms this dish.

Garlic Butter Quinoa, quick healthy side dish, easy quinoa recipes, flavorful side meals, garlic butter recipe - 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 tiny seed cooks quickly and soaks up flavor beautifully; rinse it well to avoid any bitterness.
Butter or Vegan Butter: Adds richness and helps the garlic infuse into every bite.
Garlic Powder: Using garlic powder rather than fresh garlic gives consistent, mellow flavor without overpowering.
Sea Salt: Enhances all the other flavors naturally; adjust to your taste.
Vegetable Broth: Using broth instead of water adds a subtle, savory base that’s key to this recipe’s success.

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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 how flexible this Garlic Butter Quinoa Recipe is. Sometimes I add a little fresh chopped parsley or sprinkle some parmesan, but you can definitely make it your own based on what you love or have on hand.

Extra Garlic Kick: If you’re a garlic fan like me, bump the garlic powder up to 3 teaspoons for that perfectly bold flavor.
Herb Boost: Try stirring in fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or basil at the end for an herby fresh touch.
Vegan Friendly: Swap butter for your favorite plant-based butter or ghee to keep it dairy-free without losing richness.
Spice it Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or smoked paprika for a subtle spicy twist.

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

Step 1: Combine all ingredients in a saucepan

Start by adding the quinoa, butter, garlic powder, sea salt, and vegetable broth right into a small saucepan. I like to use a medium flame and bring everything to a boil while stirring to melt the butter. Trust me, stirring here avoids the butter clumping or sticking.

Step 2: Simmer and absorb

Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and pop a lid on the pan. Let it simmer gently for about 15 minutes. The quinoa will absorb all that yummy broth and the garlic butter flavor will meld in perfectly. Try not to peek too much, as you want that steam trapped inside for fluffy quinoa.

Step 3: Rest and fluff

After the simmering time, remove from heat but keep the lid on for another 5 minutes. This standing time lets the quinoa fully plump up and settle. When ready, take off the lid and fluff the quinoa gently with a fork to keep it light and airy. Then it’s ready to serve!

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Pro Tips for Making Garlic Butter Quinoa Recipe

Rinse Your Quinoa: Always rinse quinoa under cold water before cooking to get rid of bitterness and improve texture.
Use Quality Broth: A good vegetable broth deepens the flavor way more than plain water ever could.
Don’t Skip the Rest Time: Letting the quinoa sit after cooking makes it fluffier and easier to separate.
Adjust Garlic Gradually: If you’re new to garlic powder, start with less—you can always add more later!

How to Serve Garlic Butter Quinoa Recipe

Garlic Butter Quinoa, quick healthy side dish, easy quinoa recipes, flavorful side meals, garlic butter recipe - 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 a little lemon zest on top. The brightness balances the richness beautifully. Sometimes a dash of shredded parmesan or toasted pine nuts gives it a lovely crunchy texture and nutty flavor.

Side Dishes

This garlic butter quinoa is so versatile it pairs wonderfully with roasted veggies, grilled chicken, or a saucy stir-fry. I often serve it alongside sautéed greens like spinach or kale to add color and nutrients to the plate.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to serve this dish molded using a small bowl or ring mold so it looks neat and elegant on the plate. Sometimes layering the quinoa between grilled veggies or spreading it under a protein turns it into a beautiful composed meal.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover garlic butter quinoa in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. It reheats really well, which makes it perfect to prep ahead for busy weekdays.

Freezing

If I want to freeze it, I portion it out into freezer bags or containers. When thawed, it still holds its texture nicely, making it a convenient ready-to-go side anytime.

Reheating

To reheat, I usually warm it gently in a saucepan over low heat with a splash of water or broth to keep it moist. A quick zap in the microwave works too—just cover it to trap steam and fluff again afterward.

FAQs

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

Absolutely! If you prefer fresh garlic, finely mince 2 cloves and sauté them in the butter before adding the quinoa and broth. This gives a more robust garlic flavor, but keep an eye to avoid burning the fresh garlic as it can become bitter.
Is this Garlic Butter Quinoa Recipe vegan?

It can be! Just substitute the butter with a good quality vegan butter or olive oil and use vegetable broth. It still tastes deliciously rich and garlic-forward without any dairy.
How can I make this recipe less garlicky if I’m sensitive to garlic?

Start with just 1 teaspoon of garlic powder instead of 2-3, then taste before serving. You can always sprinkle more on top if you want. This gives you control over the flavor intensity.
Can I cook quinoa without a lid?

Cooking quinoa without a lid may cause the liquid to evaporate too quickly. Covering the pan traps steam, allowing quinoa to cook evenly and stay fluffy, so it’s best to keep that lid on during simmer.

Final Thoughts

This Garlic Butter Quinoa Recipe is one of those easy gems that unexpectedly becomes a staple in your meal rotation. It’s comforting, flavorful, and super flexible—you can whip it up fast or dress it up fancily. Whenever I’m in a hurry but want something tasty, this dish steps in like a trusty friend. I really hope you enjoy making and eating it as much as I do. Go ahead, make it this week and see how garlic butter brings quinoa to a whole new level!