Make this 15 minutes healthy Shrimp Quinoa Fried Rice for a guilt free indulgence. It is easy to make, and tastes just like your favourite take away fried rice. Try my easy recipe here.
Here are some more Asian rice recipes for you – Best Hibachi Fried Rice, Korean Gochujang Fried Rice, Kimchi Fried Rice, Thai Fried Rice, Vegetable Fried Rice, Easy Mushroom Fried Rice and Schezwan Fried Rice.
About This Recipe
Shrimp Quinoa Fried Rice is a healthy version of classic Shrimp Fried Rice, where quinoa is cooked in chicken stock and then stir fried along with vegetables, prawns and sauces.
This Asian rice is easy to make, comes together in 15 minutes and tastes better than your favourite Asian takeaways.
Serve it on its own for those quick weeknight dinners or enjoy it with Asian Garlic Tofu, Honey Butter Garlic Chicken or Hunan Shrimp for a wholesome meal. It can also be packed in your school/office lunch box.
You can double or triple the recipe, if making for a bigger crowd.
Ingredients
Quinoa – Quinoa is easily available in market these days, or your can even order it online.
Shrimp – You can use fresh or frozen shrimp, whichever is easily available to you. You can select from small shrimp, medium shrimp, large shrimp or jumbo shrimp.
If you do not prefer shrimp, you can make it with chicken or tofu as well.
Vegetables – I prefer to add carrot and beans along with shrimp. You can even add your choice of vegetables such as mushrooms, broccoli, zucchini, corn, or Asian greens.
Chicken broth – Quinoa is cooked in chicken broth, which adds more flavour. You can even use vegetable broth or water to cook the same.
Sauce – This recipe uses soy sauce and sriracha. For gluten free version, you can use gluten free soy sauce or tamari.
Oil – Use good quality olive oil for the best taste. You can even substitute olive oil with peanut or sesame oil.
Others – You will also need rice vinegar, ginger, garlic, onion, salt and pepper.
Benefits of Quinoa
- Gluten Free Grain
- High in protein
- High in fibre
- Contain 9 essential amino acids
- Rich in calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorus.
- Contains Vitamin E and other antioxidants
How to make Shrimp Quinoa Fried Rice?
Heat chicken broth in a pan.
Once it comes to a boil, add rinsed quinoa and cover and cook on low heat until all the water is absorbed and quinoa is cooked.
Remove the pan from heat and let the quinoa rest for 5 minutes. Fluff it using a fork. Let the quinoa cool completely.
Heat olive oil in a pan
Once the oil is hot, add garlic and onion and fry for 2-3 minutes.
Add carrots and green beans and cook for 2 minutes.
Add shrimps and cook for 2-3 minutes.
Now add soy sauce, rice vinegar, sriracha sauce, salt and black pepper and mix well.
Add the cooked quinoa and mix well.
Frequently Asked Questions –
To rinse the quinoa, take it in a sieve strainer and run under cold water and keep rubbing it with your fingers while rinsing. Strain and then use as required.
Quinoa grains have a coating of saponin which can make it bitter and soapy. So it’s advisable to rinse it before cooking to get rid of saponin.
The boxed quinoa that we get is mostly pre-washed but I always wash it again before cooking to be on the safer side.
You can definitely substitute quinoa for rice in this recipe. But like I said, quinoa is more nutritious than rice and this is great recipe to include quinoa in your diet.
Storage Suggestions
Quinoa Shrimp Fried Rice will easily last in the fridge for 2-3 days, when stored in an air tight container. Reheat in pan or microwave until hot before serving.
Serving Suggestions
It can be served on its own for a quick and comforting weeknight dinner, or with a side dish such as Asian Chicken Meatballs, Gochujang Tofu, Hibachi Chicken, Mango Chicken or Chilli Prawns for a wholesome meal.
Pro Tips By Neha Mathur
Always cook the quinoa beforehand, cool it overnight and then use it to make this Fried Rice. It will allow the grains to stay separate and the rice will not be mushy.
If you are in a hurry or forgot to cook the quinoa beforehand, just make it freeze it for an hour. Then use it to make the fried rice.
Quinoa grains have a coating of saponin over the grains. Do wash it a few times before using it any recipes to get rid of the bitterness.
Always fluff the cooked quinoa after 5-10 minutes of cooking. It will help to separate the grains.
You can also add sauces like teriyaki sauce and oyster sauce to enhance the flavour of this rice.
Shrimp Quinoa Fried Rice Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups Chicken Broth
- 1 cup Quinoa
- 2 teaspoon Olive Oil
- 1 teaspoon Garlic (Minced)
- ¼ cup Onion (Chopped)
- ¼ cup Carrots (Diced)
- ¼ cup Green Beans (Cut into small pieces)
- 10-12 Shrimps (Cleaned)
- 2 tablespoon Gluten Free Soy Sauce
- 1 teaspoon Rice Vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Sriracha Sauce
- Salt to taste
- ¼ teaspoon Freshly Cracked Black Pepper
Instructions
- Heat chicken broth in a pan.
- Once it comes to a boil, add rinsed quinoa and cover and cook on low heat until all the water is absorbed and quinoa is cooked.
- Remove the pan from heat and let the quinoa rest for 5 minutes.
- Fluff it using a fork.
- Let the quinoa cool completely.
- Heat Olive oil in a pan
- Once the oil is hot, add garlic and onion and fry for 2-3 minutes.
- Add carrots and beans and cook for 2 minutes.
- Add shrimps and cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Now add soy sauce, rice vinegar, sriracha sauce, salt and black pepper and mix well.
- Add the cooked quinoa and mix well.
- Top with fried eggs and spring onion greens.
- Serve hot.
Triz
I love Quinoa. It may have a large count for calories but the proteins and the fiber is really good for the body. I like your fried rice recipe. Gotta buy some shrimps to start cooking this!
Neha Mathur
Do try and share your feedback.