Knowing how to store cooked quinoa will save you the trouble of having to throw away the leftovers when you cook it in excess. This is because you will be able to reheat the leftovers on a separate day and enjoy them as a quick meal. Below are a few methods on how you can store cooked quinoa. Carefully follow them if you want the best results.
Contents
NB: store cooked quinoa within 2 hours after preparation. This will help to reduce the chances of food poisoning.
Store cooked quinoa in the fridge
NB: this method only stores cooked quinoa for a few days. Therefore, only use this method when you are certain that you will consume you cooked quinoa in a short space of time.
Step 1
In order to store leftover cooked quinoa in the fridge you need to start by letting it cool off for a few minutes. This can take you about 10 to 20 minutes.
Step 2
Once the cooked quinoa has cooled down divide it into meal sized portions. Place the cooked quinoa into freezer bags or air tight containers.
Step 3
The last step is to store cooked quinoa in the fridge. It will last for approximately 5 days. Therefore, you need to use it before it turns bad.
Store cooked quinoa in the freezer
NB: this is the best method for storing leftover cooked quinoa. This is because it really extends its shelf life to about 8 to 12 months.
Step 1
When storing cooked quinoa in the freezer you need to let it cool down. This is because if you store leftover cooked quinoa that is hot in the freezer, it will cause the temperature of the freezer to change. This will then compromise the shelf life of other foods.
Step 2
Once the cooked quinoa has cooled down you need to divide it into meal sized portions. This is very helpful since when thawing the cooked quinoa you just take out 1 portion rather than taking out the whole batch of cooked quinoa. Place the cooked quinoa into freezer bags and take out as much air as possible before sealing them.
Step 3
Label the freezer bags with the date in which you are storing cooked quinoa in the freezer. Also indicate the number of people each portion serves. This will help you to remember just in case you forget.
Step 4
The last step is to store cooked quinoa in the freezer. Make sure you lay the bags flat into the freezer so that they can freeze properly. Cooked quinoa that is stored in the freezer will last for 8 to 12 months.
How to thaw cooked quinoa
You can thaw cooked quinoa by placing it in the fridge. It usually takes the whole night to thaw frozen cooked quinoa. Therefore, make sure you take it out on time. However, if you are in a hurry then you can always thaw cooked quinoa in the microwave. It takes only a few minutes to thaw cooked quinoa when using the microwave.
How to reheat cooked quinoa
Reheat cooked quinoa using the microwave
NB: this is the fastest and easiest method for reheating quinoa. However, the microwave can dry out your cooked quinoa. Therefore you need to carefully follow all these steps to avoid that.
When reheating cooked quinoa in the microwave you need to breaking up the quinoa as much as possible. This is because if you place it in the microwave as 1 big clump it will reheat unevenly. Place the cooked quinoa in a microwave safe dish. Create a small opening on the centre of the dish and add a tablespoon of water. This will help to ensure that the cooked quinoa remains moist. Cover the dish with a wet paper cloth or paper towels before placing it in the microwave. Reheat the cooked quinoa for 30 seconds then take it out and give it a little stir. Place it back into the microwave for another 30 seconds. Check to see if the quinoa is heated all the way through. If not, you need to place it back for an extra 30 seconds.
Reheat cooked quinoa on the stove
NB: this method requires you to keep a close eye on the cooked quinoa. This is because it can end up burnt when left unattended.
To reheat cooked quinoa on the stove you need to place the quinoa in a pot and add a few tablespoons of water. Place the pot on a stove that is turned on to medium heat. Reheat the cooked quinoa for about 5 minutes or until you are satisfied with its temperature. Serve the cooked quinoa immediately after reheating it.
Reheat cooked quinoa using an oven
NB: this method takes more time compared to the above stated methods. However, it is very ideal for reheating a large amount of cooked quinoa.
When reheating cooked quinoa in the oven you need to start by preheating the oven to 350F. The next thing is to place the cooked quinoa in a casserole dish or oven safe bowl. Add water to the cooked quinoa. For each cup of cooked quinoa add about 4 teaspoons of water. This will help to ensure that the cooked quinoa does not dry out during the reheating process. Cover the casserole dish with a lid and place it into the oven. Let the cooked quinoa reheat for 10 to 15 minutes. You can check the cooked quinoa from time to time and stir it if necessary. This will help to ensure that it reheats evenly.
How to tell when cooked quinoa has turned bad
It’s very easy to tell when you cooked quinoa has turned bad. It usually starts to show signs of discolouration. You might also start to notice a few moulds. If you do notice moulds, then immediately throw cooked quinoa away. When cooked quinoa has turned bad it also starts having an unpleasant smell. Eating cooked quinoa that has turned bad can lead to sickness. Therefore it is advisable not to consume it.
Conclusion
Cooked quinoa can be stored in either the fridge or the freezer. The freezer provides long term storage while the fridge only stores cooked quinoa for a short period of time.
