Name: Garlic Butter Quinoa Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: International
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· 4.7 from 8 reviews

If you’re looking for a simple yet incredibly flavorful side dish, you’re going to love this Garlic Butter Quinoa Recipe. It’s super quick to make, packed with cozy garlic goodness, and buttery richness that turns humble quinoa into something truly special. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll find yourself reaching for this recipe again and again when you want a fuss-free but delicious addition to any meal.

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Why This Recipe Works

Simple Ingredients: Only five pantry staples come together for maximum flavor with minimal effort.
Rich Garlic Butter Flavor: The garlic powder and butter infuse every grain with comforting savory goodness without overpowering.
Easy One-Pot Method: Everything cooks in a single saucepan, making it perfect for busy weeknights or quick meal prep.
Versatile Side Dish: It pairs wonderfully with veggies, proteins, or even as a base for bowls or salads.

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

This Garlic Butter Quinoa Recipe uses just a handful of simple ingredients, but each one is crucial for building those warm, buttery, garlicky flavors. When you find quality ingredients, the whole dish just shines—so I always recommend choosing fresh quinoa and good vegan butter or ghee for the best results.

Garlic Butter Quinoa, flavorful quinoa side dish, easy garlic butter quinoa recipe, quick quinoa recipes, savory quinoa side dish - 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 grain packs in protein plus a nutty texture—rinse it well before cooking to keep it fluffy and avoid bitterness.
Vegan Butter or Butter/Ghee: Butter adds richness and melts into the quinoa to carry the garlic flavor beautifully; ghee brings a lovely nutty depth too.
Simply Organic Garlic Powder: The star flavor here—powder works perfectly for even garlic seasoning throughout without chunks.
Sea Salt: Enhances all the flavors harmoniously and balances the garlic’s punch.
Vegetable Broth: Cooking quinoa in veggie broth instead of water adds an extra layer of savory goodness.

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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.

Make It Your Way

I like to keep this Garlic Butter Quinoa Recipe pretty classic, but it’s such a flexible base that you can easily tweak it to fit what you have or your taste buds’ mood. Sometimes I jazz it up with fresh herbs, other times I add a pinch of smoked paprika for a cozy smoky twist—you’ll find your perfect version soon enough!

Variation: I once added freshly chopped parsley and a squeeze of lemon right before serving, and it brightened the whole dish amazingly—it’s my go-to when I want a fresher vibe.
Diet Adaptation: Using vegan butter makes this dish completely plant-based and suitable for dairy-free diets without sacrificing taste.
Seasonal Add-ins: Stir in cooked roasted veggies or sautéed mushrooms for an easy one-pot meal upgrade.

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

Step 1: Combine All Ingredients

Start by adding your rinsed quinoa, butter (or vegan butter/ghee), garlic powder, sea salt, and vegetable broth right into a small saucepan. I love doing this all in one pot because it’s so fuss-free and makes clean-up a breeze. Once everything’s in, give it a quick stir to help the butter start melting evenly as it heats.

Step 2: Bring to a Boil, Then Simmer

Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. The butter should melt fully, infusing that garlicky richness. After it boils, reduce the heat to low and cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid—this lets the quinoa absorb the broth perfectly. Let it simmer quietly for about 15 minutes without lifting the lid, so steam evenly cooks the quinoa.

Step 3: Fluff and Rest

After the simmer time, remove the pan from heat but keep the lid on and let it rest for 5 minutes. This standing time lets the grains steam a bit more to fluff up nicely. Then, take off the lid and use a fork to gently fluff the quinoa, separating those fluffy bits so each grain is light and coated in garlic butter yumminess.

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Tips from My Kitchen

Rinse Quinoa Thoroughly: I always rinse my quinoa in a fine-mesh sieve under cold water to wash away its natural coating, which can taste bitter if not cleaned.
Don’t Peek While Cooking: Avoid lifting the lid during simmering or steaming, or you’ll lose precious steam and risk undercooked quinoa.
Adjust Garlic to Taste: If you’re sensitive to garlic, start with less and add more after cooking to get the perfect punch for you.
Fluff Gently: Use a fork rather than a spoon to fluff quinoa so you keep it light and don’t mash the grains.

How to Serve Garlic Butter Quinoa Recipe

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

My favorite go-to garnishes here are a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or chives—they add a pop of green and fresh brightness that beautifully complements the garlic butter flavor. A small handful of toasted pine nuts or slivered almonds also adds a lovely crunch if you want a bit of texture contrast.

Side Dishes

This quinoa recipe pairs wonderfully with roasted vegetables, sautéed greens like spinach or kale, or any protein like grilled chicken, tofu, or baked salmon. I often serve it alongside a simple lemon herb chicken or spiced chickpeas for a quick, balanced meal that feels cozy yet light.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special occasion, I like to form the quinoa into little cakes using a small ring mold, then lightly pan-fry them to crisp the edges for an elegant touch. Another fun idea is to stuff it inside roasted peppers or zucchini boats, turning this humble side dish into the star attraction of the plate.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep any leftover garlic butter quinoa in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where it stays fresh and tasty for about 3 to 4 days. It’s perfect for quick lunches or as a base to add to salads or bowls during the week.

Freezing

While I don’t freeze this recipe often, it does freeze well if you want to batch-cook. Portion it out in freezer-safe bags or containers, and it should keep for up to 3 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

To reheat, I sprinkle a little water over the quinoa and microwave it covered to help steam it back to fluffy perfection without drying out. Alternatively, warming it gently on the stovetop with a splash of broth and a quick stir does the trick just as well.

FAQs

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

Fresh garlic can absolutely be used, but it requires a slight adjustment—sauté minced garlic in the butter first before adding quinoa and broth to prevent burning and to mellow the flavor. Garlic powder gives a more even, gentle garlic taste throughout without extra steps.
Is this Garlic Butter Quinoa Recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Quinoa is naturally gluten-free, and as long as you use gluten-free vegetable broth, the entire dish is safe for those avoiding gluten.
Can I cook this recipe without vegetable broth?

You can substitute the broth with water, but the flavor won’t be as rich or savory. I recommend using broth whenever possible to deepen the taste and make the garlic butter stand out even more.
How do I prevent my quinoa from being mushy?

Make sure to use the right quinoa-to-liquid ratio (1 cup quinoa to 2 cups liquid) and avoid stirring while it simmers. Also, let it rest off the heat for 5 minutes with the lid on before fluffing to allow moisture to redistribute evenly.

Final Thoughts

This Garlic Butter Quinoa Recipe has become one of my kitchen staples because it’s quick, comforting, and surprisingly flavorful for how simple it is. I love how it elevates quinoa from a basic grain to a buttery, garlicky delight that everyone at the table enjoys. I hope you give it a try and find it as easy to make and delicious to eat as I do—it really feels like a little comfort in every bite.