Golden Garlic Quinoa (vegan, gluten free, oil free)

Aug 15, 2019 • Updated Jun 20, 2023

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This recipe was created in partnership with, MegaFood®. I love working with MegaFood because their products are created with real food and added nutrients, intentionally crafted to deliver potency and health promoting compounds present in plants. They are also committed to organic and regenerative agriculture for a more sustainable future.

your new golden go-to!

This Golden Garlic Quinoa is the perfect upgraded quinoa that I love to make in advance and store in the fridge. I’m sharing the recipe for my go-to side that I use as a base for nourish bowls, toss into my salads and sometimes even add to soups! It’s the perfect foundation for a quick, fueling, post-workout meal or for a simple and delicious lunch during a hectic day. Basically, use this as a replacement for anything that you typically add quinoa to for more flavour and #health. The star ingredient in this recipe? Turmeric.

You may already be familiar with turmeric, known for its ability to support healthy inflammation and immune health. It is commonly served in latte form, but it’s a wonderful spice when used in savoury cooking too. For example, turmeric is used in numerous traditional Indian and Middle Eastern dishes. Absorption of curcumin, the compound found in turmeric, is also improved when paired with piperine, found in black pepper, which is why this savoury dish is a great way to enjoy the golden goodness and all of the health benefits.

Even if you’re not a big fan of turmeric flavour, I highly recommend you give this recipe a try because between you and I, I’m not the biggest fan of the flavour alone either! I just know how to pair it with other ingredients to make the spice shine without overwhelming the other flavours. If you don’t believe me, try my Turmeric Latte for People Who Don’t Like Turmeric!

For this recipe, I used the MegaFood Daily Turmeric Nutrient Booster Powder™ because it’s formulated with health promoting FoodState^®Vitamin C and tart cherry,BioPerine^® black pepper extract for optimal absorption and Fruit Phenolic Blend^*for an array of antioxidants. Not only does it add a subtle flavor to the quinoa, its restorative properties help support post-workout recovery too.* Whether I’m trying a new fitness studio, increasing training, or adding something new to my weekly routine, I love this recipe because it helps me bounce back from a hard workout and fuel my body with a great-tasting, nourishing meal.* Finally, the slight tartness balances the spices really nicely, but you can use any ground turmeric you have on hand, too.

the details

The recipe is vegan, gluten-free, grain free, paleo, oil-free and whole food plant based.
This Golden Garlic Quinoa is the perfect combination of spice, rich garlic, plant protein, fiber, and ingredients to support healthy inflammation.
It’s easy to make, and can be prepped and stored in the freezer.

secrets to success

Each spice in this recipe can be adjusted to suit your preference, so use a heavy hand and a heaping spoon if you like a bolder flavour, and go light if you prefer a mild palate.

If using ground turmeric powder, make sure you don’t skip on the black pepper, which is not only essential for maximum absorption, but also a delicious complementary spice.

Although you can use garlic powder in this recipe, I’d highly recommend using roasted garlic cloves for a richer, deeper flavour.

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