Brown Butter & Sage Quinoa

Brown butter & sage quinoa is an easy side dish recipe that's quick, healthy & made with simple ingredients. It's great with chicken or fish!

Quinoa.  Keen-wah.  Funny little word isn't it?

Aside from being high in protein & fiber and gluten free, quinoa is one of my favorite whole grains because it's nutty with a slightly crunchy yet creamy(ish) texture.

Quinoa salad, brown butter & sage quinoa pilaf, quinoa granola bars-a versatile super grain for sure.

This quinoa side dish is simple enough for weeknight dinners yet elegant enough to serve as a holiday side dish.

It's made with browned butter, slightly toasted quinoa, fresh sage and a squeeze of fresh lemon for a super simple, yet flavorful side.

How to make easy brown butter & sage quinoa:

1. Brown butter in a medium sauce pan.  Butter will start to foam and you will smell a nutty aroma.
2. Add fresh sage, garlic and dry quinoa.  Stir and cook 3-4 minutes.
3. Stir in vegetable stock, salt and pepper.  Bring to a boil, turn down to low, cover and cook undisturbed for about 15 minutes or until liquid is fully absorbed and quinoa is tender.
4. Add lemon juice and fluff using a fork.  Season with additional salt and pepper is needed.  Serve

Why is quinoa healthy?

• High protein
• High fiber
• Gluten free
• Contains a sufficient amount of all 9 essential amino acids (needed for building proteins & hormones)
• High in vitamins, iron and beneficial antioxidants
• Low glycemic index (good for blood sugar control!)

Now, if you're on the fence about quinoa or you've written it off because it tastes like cardboard, I hear you.

It is definitely a different flavor and texture from regular white rice, and if not cooked properly I can see how it can be a turn off.

Before you add it to your "never going to eat again" list, at least try my brown butter & sage quinoa recipe first before you banish it forever.

The brown butter works so well with the natural nuttiness in the quinoa, and along with the sage and lemon juice it's really quite flavorful! 

What to serve with this healthy quinoa side dish?

• Easy Pecan Crusted fish
• Stuffed Pork Chops with Cream Cheese & Spinach
• Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs

For more easy side dish recipes try:

• Lemon Parmesan Broccoli Rice Orzo
• Roasted Maple-Curry Acorn Squash
• Spaghetti Squash Gratin
• Roasted Potato Salad with Bacon

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Brown Butter & Sage Quinoa

Yield: 4

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Brown butter & sage quinoa is an easy side dish recipe that's quick, healthy & made with simple ingredients. It's great with chicken or fish!

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Ingredients

• 4 tbsp butter
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh sage , chopped
• 1 cup uncooked quinoa
• 2 cups vegetable stock
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice, about ½ lemon

Instructions

1. Melt butter in medium saucepan over medium heat. Continue melting until the butter starts to foam. Swirl around and cook until the butter has a nutty aroma and there are brown specks.
2. Stir in garlic, sage and uncooked quinoa. Cook 3-4 minutes to lightly toast the quinoa.
3. Stir in the vegetable stock, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then turn heat down to low and reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook for about 15 minutes, until the liquid is fully absorbed and quinoa is tender.
4. Remove from heat, add lemon juice and lightly fluff the quinoa with a fork. Season with more salt and pepper if needed and serve warm.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4 Serving Size: 182 grams
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 271Total Fat: 14.2gSaturated Fat: 7.64gTrans Fat: 0.46gUnsaturated Fat: 5.54gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 600mgCarbohydrates: 30.31gFiber: 3.4gSugar: 1.13gProtein: 6.36g

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