How long does quinoa last in the fridge?

Quinoa has become the world’s favorite “whole grain.” And there’s a reason for that, as quinoa tastes good, is versatile, and extraordinarily healthy. But what is the shelf life of cooked quinoa?

How long does quinoa last in the fridge?

Cooked quinoa stored in the fridge in an airtight container or bag will last 4 to 7 days. If you want cooked quinoa to last longer, store it in the freezer, where it will keep well for up to 12 months. 

In this article, you’ll learn all about the storage conditions and shelf life of raw and cooked quinoa, as well as how to spot bad quinoa.

Does quinoa go bad?

Quinoa is a healthy seed that is often classified as a whole grain. As soon as you learn about the benefits of quinoa, you may be encouraged to buy a large quantity of it when you see it in your local supermarket.

With quinoa becoming more and more popular as a “supergrain” and health food, it sure is good to stock up on a few packets of quinoa.

But does quinoa go bad? Yes, quinoa goes bad, whether it’s cooked or raw. Quinoa has an expiration date. However, it will go bad sooner if you don’t provide it with proper storage conditions.

How can you tell if quinoa is bad?

When it comes to signs of spoilage, spotting bad quinoa when it’s raw isn’t easy. On rare occasions, you may notice an unpleasant odor, mold, or bugs in the bag with uncooked quinoa.

Most of the time, you can decide whether or not the quinoa is still good after cooking it. Cook the quinoa and if you notice changes in texture or an unpleasant odor, then you should throw away your bag of uncooked quinoa. Spoiled quinoa seeds also cook and become hard and rancid.

As for cooked quinoa, deciding whether or not it’s still good to eat is a little less difficult. Here are the signs of spoilage for cooked quinoa.

• an unpleasant odor
• Mold in the container with quinoa or on the quinoa itself
• discoloration
• hard texture

If any of these signs are present, discard the cooked quinoa. Also, if there don’t appear to be any signs of spoilage, but you’ve had the container of cooked quinoa in the fridge for more than a week, throw it away anyway.

How to preserve quinoa

Regarding uncooked quinoa, the conservation rules are quite simple and the same as for the rest of dry products.

First of all, you must preserve the dry quinoa . As with all dry goods, moisture is quinoa’s number one enemy.

Second, you must store it in a tightly closed container to prevent pests from entering it. If the original bag the quinoa came in is damaged, paper, or not airtight, transfer the seeds to an airtight container.

Finally, store the quinoa in a dark and cool place to preserve its best qualities. It is not recommended to store quinoa near heat sources or in a room where the temperature fluctuates.

As for cooked quinoa, it should always go in the fridge. 

How to store quinoa in the fridge

When storing cooked quinoa in the fridge, follow these steps to maximize its shelf life.

1. First, let the quinoa cool. Quinoa can take about 20 minutes to cool completely.
2. Transfer the quinoa to a container or freezer bag so it takes up little space.
3. Cover the container with a tight-fitting lid. If you use a bag, be sure to expel excess air and close the container tightly.
4. Label the container or plastic bag with the date and store it in the refrigerator.

If you decide to reheat part of the quinoa stored in the fridge, reheat only the amount that you will eat.

If you take the quinoa out of the fridge, reheat it and put it back in the fridge several times, the cooked seeds will lose quality.

Does cooked quinoa go bad in the fridge?

The shelf life of cooked quinoa stored in the fridge is limited.

Even if you store the cooked seeds in the fridge properly, the quinoa will eventually go bad. If all the necessary storage conditions are met, the shelf life of cooked quinoa in the fridge will be maximized and its best flavor and texture qualities will be preserved.

Can leftover quinoa be refrigerated?

You should only refrigerate leftover quinoa if it hasn’t been at room temperature for more than 2 hours. After that time, bacteria can form in the quinoa.

You can eat quinoa that has been sitting at room temperature for more than 2 hours and be fine. However, it is always safe to follow the two-hour rule and eliminate the risks of foodborne illness.

Can quinoa be frozen?

By cooking quinoa, you end up with three times more cooked quinoa than you started to prepare. This is one of the reasons why people end up with more cooked quinoa than they will be able to eat in a few days.

Whether you’ve accidentally cooked too much quinoa or just want to always have it ready in the fridge, you can freeze cooked quinoa.

Here’s how to cook and freeze quinoa: 

1. Rinse the quinoa under the tap and drain it. This step is essential if you want to remove the bitterness from the seeds.
2. Add the quinoa to the saucepan with water. The ratio of quinoa and water should be 1:2. Let the mixture simmer over medium heat for about 20 minutes until the seeds absorb all the water.
3. Once the heat is off, let the quinoa steam for 5 minutes. Next, fluff the quinoa and season it with salt.
4. Divide the quinoa into the portions you want to freeze and allow to cool. Dividing a large batch of quinoa into smaller portions will prevent it from going to waste.
5. Once the quinoa has cooled, transfer it to airtight containers or sturdy zip-top bags. Zip-top bags are a better option if you want to save space in the freezer.
6. Label the bags with the date and put the quinoa in the freezer.

Using frozen cooked quinoa

To use frozen cooked quinoa, transfer it from the freezer to the fridge and thaw there overnight. Although thawing the quinoa at room temperature would be faster, it is not recommended because harmful bacteria can grow in the food.

If you’re in a hurry and need to quickly thaw frozen quinoa, you can microwave it or reheat it in a nonstick skillet. When heating the quinoa in the microwave, add a little water to prevent it from drying out.

You can also thaw and reheat frozen quinoa by steaming it. However, this method of reheating quinoa is quite time consuming.

Note : Quinoa thawed in the fridge can be used in 3-4 days. Quinoa thawed in the microwave or on the stove should be eaten immediately.

How long does quinoa last?

The shelf life of quinoa is determined by multiple factors, such as the quality of the seeds and storage conditions.

How long does raw quinoa last?

The shelf life of uncooked quinoa is quite long if it has been properly packaged and stored. All varieties of quinoa, white, black, and red, have a shelf life of 2 to 3 years .

When you buy quinoa, be sure to check the expiration date on the packaging. While this date doesn’t indicate that you should throw out the quinoa when it’s gone, it’s always good to know how long the manufacturer recommends you keep the quinoa.

Properly stored quinoa will keep longer than the date on the package suggests. But uncooked quinoa doesn’t show many obvious signs of spoilage.

Therefore, it is good to follow the expiration date and the manufacturer’s storage recommendations if you are not sure how long the package has been on the supermarket shelves.

Also, while uncooked quinoa may still be safe to eat months and even years after the date printed, the sooner you use it, the tastier it will be.

How long does cooked quinoa last?

As we have already said, cooked quinoa should be refrigerated or frozen to prevent it from spoiling.

Cooked quinoa stored in the fridge in an airtight container lasts 4 to 7 days. This, along with its health benefits, makes quinoa an excellent ingredient for meal preparation.

Because freezing slows the quinoa’s spoilage process, cooked quinoa can last up to 12 months in the freezer. If the temperature in your freezer is stable, the quinoa may also still be safe to eat after that time.

However, we recommend using frozen cooked quinoa within 8 to 12 months maximum, as the flavor and texture will begin to deteriorate more quickly after that time.