Shortcut Quinoa Fried Rice To Share With The Kids

Using cooked quinoa to make a version of fried rice is an easy dinner option that’s packed with nutrients—and honestly, it’s just a nice, quick meal to have in the mix since it tastes like takeout. I like to make this with quinoa when I have it since the flavors in this dish tone down the grassiness of the grain. You can also sub in actual rice if you prefer though. I make this recipe with shortcut veggies including frozen edamame beans and shredded carrots. This way, the only thing you need to chop is the garlic (though you can use purchased minced garlic to shortcut that too.). It’s less daunting to make this sort of a skillet meal at the end of the day. TIP: You can make the quinoa ahead of time and stash it in the fridge until you’re ready to make this meal.

Ingredients You Need

To make this quinoa fried rice recipe you need to have the following ingredients on hand so you know what to pick up at the store. Sign up for our email updates to get tips and ideas sent to your inbox.

Toasted sesame oil: I like this to add a little flavor from the start of cooking. Garlic: Mince it or use store-bought minced garlic. Frozen shelled edamame: These are soybeans that are sold in the pod or out of the pod—get them out of the pod or “shelled.” Shredded carrots: This saves on some prep, but you can grate them from whole carrots instead of buying them shredded if you prefer. Fully cooked quinoa: See this post for the full information on how to cook quinoa or use the instructions on the back of your package. Eggs: This is optional, but if you can do eggs, it tastes more like real fried rice. Teriyaki sauce: I use the reduced-sodium Very Very brand. Roasted cashews or peanuts: Finely minced; optional for texture and flavor. (We want to avoid whole nuts for little kids as they can be a choking hazard, but chopped nuts can be a great option.) Minced green onion, minced cilantro, fresh lime juice: Optional for topping.

Ingredient Substitutions

You can use a neutral oil like avocado, coconut, or canola instead of the sesame oil. Use store-bought shredded carrots or grate whole carrots on a box grater. Trade in homemade teriyaki sauce if desired.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s how to make this quinoa fried recipe so you know what to expect. Scroll down to the bottom of the post for the full information. TIP: Use optional toppings to customize this recipe for yourself and your family.

How to Store

Store leftover quinoa fried rice in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Heat briefly before serving. It stores really nicely and heats up in 30-90 seconds, depending on the volume you’re warming at once.

Best Tips for Success

Use store-bought minced garlic to skip the chopping step. Use kitchen scissors to cut the edamame in half for younger toddlers if desired. Chop the peanuts finely for kids under age 4. You can cook the quinoa up to 5 days ahead of time and store it in the fridge until ready to make this recipe.

I’d love to hear your feedback on this recipe if you try it, so please comment and rate below!