Looking to quickly heat up quinoa to prepare healthy lunch bowl or side for a dinner meal prep? Quinoa is rich with fiber, vitamins and minerals, and microwaving Trader Joe’s frozen quinoa is no exception.
The smooth and fluffy texture can easily be destroyed when improperly cooking it, so here are microwaving instructions to achieve perfection. Even though frozen quinoa can be cooked using a stove, there is a quicker and easier way to cook it in a microwave.
How do you microwave Trader Joe’s frozen quinoa? Poke 4 or 5 holes in the original package, place in microwave seam side up and nuke on high for 3½ minutes.
Let it sit in the closed microwave for 2½ minutes and carefully remove from the microwave. Once the steam has settled, cut the bag open and pour the perfectly microwaved quinoa into a serving dish.
When the frozen quinoa is microwaved, it turns out to be brown and looks delicious as it comes out of the microwave. The time taken to heat frozen quinoa in a microwave may vary depending on the wattage power of the microwave oven as the suggested timing is for a 1200 watt appliance.
In this article, we are going to walk you through how to microwave Trader Joe’s frozen quinoa to make it fluffy and delicious so that it tastes exactly like freshly made. Answered below are frequently asked questions to help prevent from drying out when serving the side dish favorite.
Does Trader Joe’s have frozen quinoa?
Yes, Trader Joe’s frozen quinoa is easy and quick to meal prep. Simply reheat in the microwave and you are ready to serve.
When quinoa is fully cooked, it is loaded with more protein than rice and many other whole grains. That is why health-conscious eaters prefer consuming quinoa compared to white or brown rice.
Each box has two small packets of frozen quinoa. The portions are not ideal for a large helping, but it’s delicious and easy to cook for a single serving or two.
Is Trader Joe’s frozen quinoa already cooked?
Yes, frozen quinoa from Trader Joe’s is fully cooked, that is why microwaving time is very short. Simply reheat to an internal temperature of 74 degrees Celsius or 165 degrees Fahrenheit so that it is ready to eat.
If you choose the stovetop cooking method, Trader Joe’s frozen quinoa takes about 5 minutes. All you are doing is reheating to a hot steamy temperature.
The already cooked quinoa is stored in the freezer to preserve freshness for the easy to reheat meal prep. It lasts for 3 to 6 months when frozen, therefore its a perfect item to have on hand for a healthy complement to your meal planning.
Can you microwave Trader Joe’s frozen quinoa?
Yes, you can microwave Trader Joe’s quinoa. As opposed to the stovetop, heating frozen quinoa in a microwave the easiest route to cook it and only takes 3½ minutes.
The microwaving period varies depending on the power of the appliance used. The plastic bag should be placed facing its seam side according to the manufacturer instructions.
After microwaving, allow the heated quinoa to settle in a closed microwave for 2½ minutes. Once the process is done, the quinoa is ready to be plated and served.
Is it safe to microwave Trader Joe’s frozen quinoa?
Yes, it is safe to microwave Trader Joe’s frozen quinoa provided all safety measures are adhered to. Make sure to poke a few holes into the microwaveable pouches and heat to fully cooked quinoa to an internal temperature of 74℃ or 165℉.
The microwaving process should not exceed 3½ minutes. When the frozen quinoa is microwaved properly, its fluffy texture is not lost and it turns out to be a delicious meal.
After opening the microwave, the contents should be allowed to settle for 2½ minutes in a closed microwave to evenly distribute all the steam before transferring into serving dishes.
How do you microwave Trader Joe’s frozen quinoa?
Trader Joe’s frozen quinoa recommend to heat in stove top or microwave.
The stovetop takes maximum 6 minutes and require pan and additional water to bring the temperature to serving. However, microwaving is quite simple and the easiest way to prepare Trader Joe’s frozen quinoa.
The process of microwaving Trader Joe’s frozen quinoa can be achieved through the following process:
Poke holes in the microwavable pouch of frozen quinoa. This original plastic bag is microwave-safe and you do not need to transfer to another container to reheat.
Toss it into the microwave with the seam side faces up. Heat on high for 3½ minutes in the microwave. After the process of microwaving is done, give the heated quinoa two and half minutes to settle down in a closed microwaved.
Carefully transfer the fully reheated quinoa from the plastic bag to a serving dish and enjoy.
How long do you microwave Trader Joe’s frozen quinoa?
In general, it takes 3½ minutes to microwave Trader Joe’s frozen quinoa. However, the time at which frozen quinoa heats in a microwave depends on the microwave oven wattage.
When using microwave that is 1200 watts, the frozen quinoa from Trader Joe’s take about 3½ minutes to fully heat. However, if you do not know the wattage, simply set it on high and start with 3 minutes to see if it is fully heated.
Microwaving already cooked frozen quinoa is super easy and much faster than any other method. When reheated in the microwave, precooked frozen quinoa takes three and half minutes, followed by two and half more minutes to rest before opening the pouch and serving.
Tips to microwave Trader joe’s frozen quinoa
Frozen quinoa from Trader Joe’s is a convenient food for healthy meal prep options at any time of day. It has high in nutrient and fiber that is perfect replacement to traditional rice or other grains.
Instead of cooking quinoas from scratch, microwaving precooked frozen quinoa can save you time and still enjoy the fresh taste.
To carry out the process of microwaving with 100% effectiveness, consider following these tips:
- Poke 4 to 5 holes along the seam side of the microwaveable pouch.
- Once placed in the microwave, nuke for 3½ minutes to reheat the previously cooked and frozen quinoa.
- Allow the heated quinoa 2½ minutes to settle in a closed microwaved before serving.
- Each box contains 2 packages of frozen quinoa. Make sure to microwave one pouch at a time for best results.
- The pouch itself is microwave-safe and the is no need to replace with a microwave safe container, however if you do then add a few tablespoons of water and cover with a damp paper towel to trap in the steam.
Best way to microwave Trader Joe’s frozen quinoa
The frozen quinoa from Trader Joe’s is an amazing source of protein, fiber, and essential nutrients. When properly reheated, it has a nice texture and does not taste pre-made at all.
If you don’t like cooking quinoa from scratch and are intimidated to prepare it with the perfect fluffy texture, Trader Joe’s fully cooked frozen quinoa offers an easy way to simply microwave it.
The most suitable method is to place the frozen quinoa in its original pouch package. Poke 4 to 5 holes along the side seam and place it in the microwave for 3½ minutes.
After microwaving, it’s best if you allow the reheated quinoa to remain enclosed in the microwave for 2½ more minutes.
There are two packets in the box, which hold ½ cup of quinoa per pouch, it’s a perfect portion to make for a single serving. Once quinoa is cooled down, add to a salad or serve as a side dish of your choice.
Microwaving Trader Joe’s Frozen Quinoa: Conclusion
Trader Joe’s frozen quinoa is a total time saver when it comes to prepping any meal. The precooked quinoa is full of healthy nutrition that does not lose when microwaved.
Most importantly, it does not lose its smooth and fluffy texture that can be easily destroyed when overcooked from scratch.
Make 4 to 5 holes along the seam side on the clear microwavable pouch package to release the steam while microwaving. The pouch that quinoa comes in is microwave-safe, so you do not need to transfer to a separate container.
Using a microwave, heating frozen Trader Joe’s quinoa takes less than 3½ minutes to resume its flavor and texture.
Ensure the microwave is set on high, and if it uses less than 1200 watts the timing may need minor adjustment. Microwaving time for frozen quinoa ultimately depends on the power consumption of the microwave appliance.
Microwaved quinoa is very hot, so let it sit in the closed microwave for 2½ minutes before carefully removing with hot gloves to avoid burning your hands.
Carefully open the bag and transfer into a serving bowl as aside dish, or toss into the salad to complete the meal. Microwaved Trader Joe’s frozen quinoa is the perfect complement to your well rounded meal plan, within minutes it is perfectly heated and ready to serve.