1. Chicken

Chicken is by far one of he best foods that go great with quinoa. It’s also rich in protein, so if you eat chicken with some quinoa after a workout, this is an ideal meal that can help repair your muscles and promote growth. Chicken is also widely available, usually on sale, and can be made in a multitude of ways. Whether you braise, grill, or lightly pan fry, this is a great food to eat with quinoa.

2. Chickpeas

For all you vegetarians out there, try eating your quinoa with chickpeas. This starchy legume is loaded with both protein and fiber. I like to make a spicy chickpea curry, then eat it with quinoa and fresh cilantro. It’s absolutely delicious, full of vitamins and antioxidants, and good for you!

3. Meatballs

No, I’m not talking about the meatballs you get on a giant Italian sub with mozzarella cheese. Remember that meatballs don’t always need to drenched in a red tomato sauce. You can, of course, eat your quinoa with meatballs and sauce if you’d like. But I think eating some plain meatballs that have been lightly pan fried or even baked go great with quinoa. Remember that you don’t need to use ground beef either. Ground turkey, pork, chicken, and even lentils for a vegan meatball are all great choices.

4. Cucumbers and Tomatoes

Quinoa salads are especially popular in the spring and summer. They’re portable, don’t require refrigeration a lot of the time, and healthy. Try adding veggies like cucumbers and tomatoes to your quinoa. This is an easy way to add some moisture and flavor to the salad without a ton of fat or calories.

5. Fresh Herbs

Fresh herbs are another easy way to give flavor to quinoa. On its own, I’ll admit that quinoa can be a pretty bland grain. But with parsley, cilantro, basil, dill, and a bunch of other fresh herbs, the sky’s the limit! Start slowly, adding one herb per batch until you get the feel for the herb’s flavor profile. Don’t forget to add a few raw veggies as well.

6. Bell Peppers

Bell peppers are an incredibly versatile food. You can eat them raw with hummus, in a stir fry, or stuffed. Perhaps you’ve tried stuffing peppers with meats and rice, but have you tried quinoa yet? Quinoa can definitely withstand the cooking time and temperature required for stuffed bell peppers, so you won’t have to worry about this filling getting soggy or gross. Simply cook your quinoa according to package instructions, season it to your tasting, pack it into your peppers, and bake until the peppers are soft and fleshy!

7. Fresh Citrus

Citrus can offer quinoa a subtle or bold note of acid that just about everybody will love. Usually people go for citrus products like fresh lemons or limes to jazz up their quinoa. But don’t be shy of adding other citrus fruits like grapefruit or even blood oranges for a sweet variation of quinoa. My favorite way to use citrus in quinoa is adding blood oranges and a handful of finely chopped basil for a side that’s sweet, savory, and 100% delicious.

Quinoa is one of the best foods you could possibly eat. This ancient grain has come a long way since its nascent beginnings in the Andes Mountains. What are some of your favorite foods to pair with quinoa?