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.

    Does quinoa take longer to cook than brown rice? ›

    1 cup of brown rice takes 40 to 50 minutes to cook. No, quinoa is very easy and quick to cook. It takes around 15–20 minutes for quinoa to cook completely. Quinoa is also a very healthy option that you can try including in your diet.

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

    Add the quinoa and rice and cook, stirring to coat with the butter, then add the broth or water. Increase the heat to high and bring to a boil, then immediately reduce the heat to low and cover with a tight-fitting lid. Cook for 18 minutes, then remove from the heat and let sit, covered, for 5 minutes.

    Is brown rice and quinoa good for weight loss? ›

    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.

    Which is better for diabetics brown rice or quinoa? ›

    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.

    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.

    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.

    Why do people eat quinoa instead of rice? ›

    Quinoa is rich in both fiber and protein, contains a much higher amount of other nutrients, and has a similar fluffy texture to the rice. A cup of quinoa contains twice more protein and about 5 g more fiber than white rice.

    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!

    Do you have to toast quinoa before cooking? ›

    If you've never toasted quinoa, you may be surprised by the depth of flavor and delightful texture this simple step can add to your favorite gluten-free ancient grain. Whether it's part of the process or the entire cooking method, toasting can turn your quinoa into a brand-new culinary sensation.

    Can quinoa be eaten by diabetics? ›

    The dietary fiber content in quinoa is also higher than the content for many other grains. This means that quinoa can be particularly beneficial for people with diabetes, since fiber and protein are considered important for keeping blood sugar under control.

    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).

    Do you stir quinoa while boiling? ›

    Add the quinoa, salt (plus any optional aromatics) to a large pot of boiling water and stir to combine. Simmer for about 12-15 minutes, or until the quinoa is tender and translucent and those cute little white curlicues have poked out from the seeds.

    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 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.

    Does brown rice and quinoa have carbs? ›

    It's not a low-carb food. A cup of cooked quinoa has more than 39 grams of carbohydrates. That's 50% more than in the same amount of brown rice and almost as many carbs as in white rice.

    Is brown rice and quinoa healthier than white rice? ›

    White rice is not bad but is devoid of nutritional value and thus will always take a back seat. While both brown rice and quinoa are super healthy options that are good sources of fibre and minerals and are naturally gluten-free, which aids bodily functions like digestion and blood sugar levels.

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