Brown Rice and Quinoa Recipe (2024)

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This Brown Rice and Quinoa recipe is a homemade version of the popular side dish that you can find at Costco. I love making this in large batches and keep in the freezer, and is so much cheaper than the store bought version. I used my Ninja Foodi to make this dish, but you can also use an Instant Pot or other electric pressure cooker. Stovetop instructions are included.

One of our favorite convenience foods is the Seeds of Change quinoa and brown rice with garlic. The ingredients are low, it’s super easy to cook, and it’s delicious!As with all prepackaged foods, the brown rice and quinoa blend has a decent amount of sodium in it. Once I realized how easy it is to make this copycat recipe at home, I had to share it with you all.

Brown Rice and Quinoa Recipe (1)

Table of Contents

Ingredients in Brown Rice & Quinoa Blend

  • dry brown rice (short grain)
  • dry red quinoa (other colors work too, but the original product uses red)
  • fresh garlic, minced
  • salt (optional)
  • olive oil
  • water or vegetable broth

How to make this Copycat Quinoa and Brown Rice in any electric pressure cooker

This recipe takes about 40 minutes from start to finish.

  1. Rinse your quinoa and brown rice. Spray inside of pot with olive oil to prevent sticking.
  2. Add rice, quinoa, garlic, 2 cups of water, olive oil, and (optional) salt to the pot. Add your lid and close it, then set your Sealing Valve from the Vent to the Seal position.
  3. Pressure cook for 18 minutes on high pressure.
  4. Once the cooking time is finished, turn the pot off and allow the pressure to naturally release for 5 minutes, then quick release the rest of the steam. Quick release is when you move the Sealing valve back to the Vent position quickly by hand.
Brown Rice and Quinoa Recipe (2)

Stovetop Instructions

  1. Bring your broth or water to a boil, then add quinoa and brown rice, and the garlic and olive oil.
  2. Simmer on low for 20-25 minutes, keeping an eye for the liquid to absorb into the rice and quinoa. If you want to cover and cook this, be very careful that it doesn’t boil over–it makes a mess that’s tough to clean off the stove.
  3. Test the rice and quinoa to make sure it’s cooked thoroughly. If so, remove from heat and serve as a side dish.

Recipe Tips

  • It’s easy to spice this dish up a bit! Add red pepper flakes, roasted garlic, or lemon juice or lemon zest to give this side dish a fun flavor twist.
  • Cooking quinoa in the Instant Pot is easy because you don’t have to worry about it boiling over as it often does on the stove. It’s easy to cook on the stove too.
  • I love cooking quinoa and brown rice recipes in my pressure cooker–even more than in my rice cooker! I make Instant Pot Brown Rice weekly and freeze it for meal prep, and I love making extra of this recipe too.

Are quinoa and brown rice gluten free?

Both quinoa and brown rice are gluten free, but make sure that the product ensures that it was grown in a field that had not previously grown products with gluten in them.

Is this quinoa and brown rice blend healthier than the store bought Seeds of Change brand?

It is. Like I mentioned above, the Seeds of Change brand (and the new Costco brand recently seen on shelves) is pretty healthy for a prepackaged product. But it’s also expensive and simply because it’s store bought, it contains added sodium and preservatives.

Nutrition comparison for sodium and calories: Per 1/2 cup serving, this recipe has 104 calories (120 calories for Seeds of Change product), and 5 mg sodium (200 mg sodium in Seeds of Change).

One batch (ten 1/2 cup servings) of this recipe costs about $2.10. One bag (four 1/2 cup servings) of the store bought blend costs $2.79.

Healthy Eating Plans

21 Day Fix: 1/2 cup of this quinoa and brown rice counts as 1 yellow container.

Weight Watchers: 1/2 cup of this dish is 4 Blue Points | 4 Green Points | 0 Purple Points | 2023 Points: 4

Trim Healthy Mama: For THM, the small amount of olive oil makes this a great THM-E recipe.

Looking for other Brown Rice and Quinoa Instant Pot Recipes?

  • How to Cook Quinoa
  • Quinoa Tacos
  • Brown Rice Risotto in the Instant Pot
  • Healthy Brown Rice Pudding
  • Vegan Pineapple Fried Rice

Brown Rice and Quinoa Recipe (3)

4.49 from 74 ratings

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Brown Rice and Quinoa Recipe

Created by: Becca Ludlum

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 18 minutes mins

Natural Pressure Release 5 minutes mins

Total Time 28 minutes mins

Approximate Serving Size: 1/2 cup

Servings 10

Do you love the Seeds of Change Brown Rice Quinoa Blend? Make this easy (and cheap!) copycat recipe in your electric pressure cooker! This healthy side dish is easy to make in batches and freeze.

Equipment

  • Ninja Foodi

  • Strainer

  • Sealing Rings

Ingredients

  • 1 cup red quinoa dry
  • 1 cup brown rice dry, I used short grain
  • 3 tbsp garlic minced
  • 1.5 tsp olive oil
  • 2 cups water

Optional: salt to taste

    Instructions

    • Rinse your quinoa and brown rice. Spray inside of pot with olive oil to prevent sticking. 1 cup red quinoa, 1 cup brown rice

    • Add rice, quinoa, garlic, water, olive oil, and (optional) salt to the pot. 3 tbsp garlic, 1.5 tsp olive oil, 2 cups water

    • Set the pressure cooker for 18 minutes on high pressure.

    • Allow dish to naturally release for 5 minutes, then quick release the rest of the steam.

    Stovetop Instructions

    • Bring your broth or water to a boil, then add quinoa and brown rice, and the garlic and olive oil. 1 cup red quinoa, 1 cup brown rice, 3 tbsp garlic, 1.5 tsp olive oil

    • Simmer on low for 20-25 minutes, keeping an eye for the liquid to absorb into the rice and quinoa.

    • Test the rice and quinoa to make sure it’s cooked thoroughly. If so, remove from heat and serve as a side dish.

    Notes

    Recipe Tips:

    • It’s easy to spice this dish up a bit! Add red pepper flakes, roasted garlic, or lemon juice or lemon zest to give this side dish a fun flavor twist.
    • Cooking quinoa in the Instant Pot is easy because you don’t have to worry about it boiling over as it often does on the stove. It’s easy to cook on the stove too.
    • I love cooking quinoa and brown rice recipes in my pressure cooker–even more than in my rice cooker! I make Instant Pot Brown Rice weekly and freeze it for meal prep, and I love making extra of this recipe too.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 104kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 5mg | Potassium: 95mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 1mg

    Make This Recipe?

    Make sure to follow on Pinterest @bludlum and on Instagram @beccaludlum

    Brown Rice and Quinoa Recipe (4)

    Becca Ludlum

    Healthy recipe creator, self-confessed food snob, and certified Level 1 Precision Nutrition Coach. I create healthy recipes with minimally processed ingredients, but have never turned down a homemade brownie. ;)

    Brown Rice and Quinoa Recipe (2024)

    FAQs

    Is brown rice and quinoa blend healthy? ›

    Both foods have many known or suspected health benefits including improved gut health and decreased inflammation in the body with quinoa, lower blood pressure and improved heart health with brown rice, and improved digestion with both. So, maybe the best answer is: “Eat both!” After all, variety is the spice of life.

    Can you cook rice and quinoa at the same time? ›

    Directions. Place the quinoa and rice in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse until the water runs clear. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat until foamy. Add the quinoa and rice and cook, stirring to coat with the butter, then add the broth or water.

    Does quinoa take longer to cook than brown rice? ›

    Add salt, pepper and butter if using. Stir and cover tightly with foil or glass lid if you have it to fit. Bake Quinoa or White rice for 25 Minutes. Bake Brown Rice for 50-60 minutes.

    Which is better for weight loss quinoa or brown rice? ›

    Quinoa has amino acid and protein, which white and brown rice lack. Thus, quinoa is a better option for people trying to lose weight. The amount of fibre in quinoa is more than the fibre in rice, which again makes quinoa a slightly healthier option. White rice and brown rice have fewer calories than quinoa.

    Can diabetics eat quinoa and brown rice? ›

    Quinoa is a healthier grain for people living with diabetes and those at risk of developing the condition. This whole grain is rich in vitamins and minerals. Other whole grains that are good for people living with diabetes include brown rice and steel-cut oats.

    Is quinoa a good carb or bad carb? ›

    Quinoa is considered a whole grain, which is better for you than refined grains like white flour. Quinoa has a glycemic index of 53, which is a measure of how quickly it will raise your blood sugar levels. That score puts quinoa in the middle range of “good” vs. “bad” carbs.

    Is it OK to eat quinoa everyday? ›

    You can eat one-two cups of cooked quinoa in a day. You should avoid eating it if you experience stomachache, itchiness or vomiting after consuming it. A study by Harvard Public School of Health has reported that eating a bowl of quinoa daily is healthy and without any side effects.

    Is mixing rice and quinoa healthy? ›

    High-protein and fiber rich quinoa rice is a great way to enjoy steamed white rice with your favorite Chinese dishes—supplemented with healthy quinoa. It's the best of both worlds!

    Why should you soak quinoa before cooking? ›

    *Soaking grains helps to remove some of the naturally occurring phytic acid in the grain, which helps improve digestibility and speed cook time. To soak: Rinse quinoa thoroughly then add to a large mixing bowl or pot and cover with twice the amount of lukewarm water (2 cups water, 1 cup quinoa).

    What does brown rice and quinoa taste like? ›

    These pseudograins have a nutty undertone and an earthy aftertaste similar to brown rice. However, they have a soft yet slightly chewy texture. Meal possibilities are endless as quinoa will also absorb the flavor of any dressing or extra ingredients you toss it with.

    Should you stir quinoa while cooking? ›

    Stay vigilant: Stir the grains constantly to avoid burning, watching for that perfect golden moment, around 6 to 8 minutes. Water is this grain's go-to companion, but other liquids–think low-sodium chicken, mushroom or vegetable broth–add flavor. Just keep the ratio 2 cups liquid to 1 cup quinoa.

    Which tastes better quinoa or brown rice? ›

    Quinoa is slightly more mild, while rice is known for its subtle and very plain taste." "Quinoa is a complete protein, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids that the body needs to function properly. It is also high in fiber, B vitamins, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and vitamin E.

    Does quinoa burn belly fat? ›

    It is very healthy due to its plant chemical contents that cause the secretion of appetite-suppressing hormones that curb your appetite. 25. Quinoa: High in protein, quinoa keeps you full with its high levels of plant-based proteins. It decreases your appetite and promotes belly fat decrease.

    Which is healthier quinoa or oatmeal? ›

    It is high in proteins and fiber and enriched with antioxidants that help in making the immune system stronger. You are advised to consume quinoa more in comparison to oats as quinoa will provide more health benefits in low calories.

    Can I eat quinoa salad everyday? ›

    A study by the Harvard Public School of Health stated that eating a bowl of quinoa daily may reduce the chances of early death risk from cancer, heart disease, respiratory ailments, diabetes, and other chronic diseases by 17%.

    Is brown rice and quinoa a complex carb? ›

    Quinoa and brown rice are rich in complex carbohydrates, which provide glucose to the body quickly and constantly. Thus, they contribute to maintaining energy levels.

    Is brown rice and quinoa easy to digest? ›

    Both brown rice and quinoa are easily digested by most healthy bodies. Either or both can be tricky for people suffering from insufficient stomach acid production, dehydration, or carbohydrate sensitivity, but typically, the high fiber in each makes these great options for easy, agreeable digestion.

    Is brown rice and quinoa good for cholesterol? ›

    Go with Whole Grains

    Choose whole grains like 100% whole-wheat breads and pasta, brown rice, quinoa and oats. But still be mindful of serving size. Why: Whole grains along with beans and lentils are a great source of soluble fiber which can help bind and remove the cholesterol your body makes naturally.

    References

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