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Crockpot Quinoa is one of those side dishes that can be made in many ways. Now for me to the stovetop, I get distracted, so to throw it in the crockpot to cook and not have to stir total win. This side dish is easy but also healthy to make.

Cooked Crockpot Quinoa on a fork over a white plate

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While I love white rice as a side dish, sometimes a change is good. My daughter is obsessed with Quinoa, so I had to try it. I was surprised when I plugged it into the Weight Watchers Recipe Calculator to find a low point. Finding low-point side dishes with fiber and protein is a plus to pair with main courses at dinner.

WHAT IS Weight Watchers?

When starting a new weight loss program or diet change, consult a doctor or physician about personal health concerns. It is a good idea to have blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and hormones checked at a physical before and during being on the WW program.

New to Weight Watchers?? Also known as WW, a weight loss program uses points assigned to food to track and lose weight. When you sign up, you take an assessment that will assign you a point value to eat daily and a weekly allowance. You can carry over 4 points from the day into your weekly budget, which is handy when you need more points.

I have been on Weight Watchers since 2011. They have had Points Plus Value, WW Smartpoints, Blue Plan, Green Plan, Purple Plan, WW Personal Points, and now Weight Watchers Points. The new Weight Watchers Simplified plan is the new program launched in November 2022, similar to previous plans like WW Smartpoints, with some color plans. ( You can see the Weight Watchers Zero Point Foods 2023 -> here)

No matter the WW plan, they work to help you learn healthy eating habits. I have hit lifetime goal weight several times but stopped operating the plan and tracking, so the weight does creep back on.

Right now, you can head on over -> here and sign up for WW for $10 a month for your first six months.

crockpot quinoa Ingredients

Quinoa– I used White quinoa, but you can use any colored quinoa too.

Chicken Broth– Use fat-free chicken broth so the broth has zero points in the recipe. The only thing that will have points is the Quinoa.

Minced Garlic– You could substitute garlic powder or another seasoning; we are big garlic fans, so I used this.

how to cook quinoa in the crock pot

Spray your crockpot with a non-stick spray or line with a crockpot liner.

Crockpot Liners Nonstick Sprays

I used a 4-quart crockpot to make mine, a 2-quart crockpot would also work. (Fun fact the first time I made this, I used the 8 quart, which was way too big.)

10 Quart Crockpot 8 Quart Crockpot 6 Quart Crockpot

Add your chicken broth, quinoa, and minced garlic to your crockpot.

Mix the ingredients with a spatula and cover with the slow cooker lid.

Turn your crockpot on low and cook for 1 1/2 hours. *I did check mine at the one-hour mark to make sure it wasn’t overcooking*

Slow cooker quinoa cooking in a slow cooker

Remove and Serve!

cooked slow cooker Quinoa on a white plate

How to store Quinoa

Allow to cool down completely and store in the fridge in an air-tight container for up to 5 days. You can freeze the quinoa for up to three months in an airtight container.

Storing leftovers properly requires the right tools! My preferred storage method is if the leftovers can be sealed in a food saver. If not, then an air-tight container or Ziploc bag for the fridge is the way I go. The air-tight container and a freezer Ziploc bag are the next best bet for freezing the leftovers. I also use a food scale to measure portions into serving sizes.

Freezable storage Containers Food Sealer Freezer Bags Food Scale

How To Reheat Quinoa

Defrost your quinoa if it is frozen by leaving it in the fridge; I tend to pull mine out the night before. In a pinch, you can defrost with the setting on your microwave.

The fastest way to reheat cooked quinoa is using your microwave until it is heated all through. If you want, you can use a pan, but the process will take much longer.

Crockpot Quinoa served with air fryer salmon and cheesy asparagus

What to serve with Slow Cooker Quinoa

Honestly, anything you would serve with white rice, brown rice, or even mashed potatoes can be served with Quinoa.

Main Dishes: Grilled Cuban Pork Chops, Grilled Garlic Chicken, Air Fryer Chicken Breast, Air Fryer Salmon, Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Tilapia, Crockpot Ranch Ranch Chicken, Cream Cheese Chicken, WW Ranch Chicken, WW Chicken Parmesan, and Cabbage Soup

Bread: Cheesy Garlic Pull Apart Bread, Garlic Parmesan Bisucti Pull Part Bread, English Muffin Garlic Cheese Bread, Easy Cheesy Monkey Bread, and Corn Bread

Side Dishes: Air Fryer Bacon Asparagus, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Oven Roasted Baby Potatoes, Air Fryer Brussell Sprouts, Green Beans, Ceasar Salad, Acorn Squash, Green Salad, Baked Sweet Potatoes, Steamed Broccoli, Grilled Zucchini, Grilled Corn On The Cob, Air Fryer Zucchini Chips

Weight Watcher Collections To Checkout

Are you looking for Zero Point food ideas? Check out this list -> here of all the Zero Weight Watchers points food.

These are easy Weight Watchers recipes made in my kitchen; most are kid-approved. Click on the name to be taken to them.

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5 from 8 votes

Crockpot Quinoa Recipe

Crockpot Quinoa is an easy side dish to serve with dinner protein! Full of protein and fiber, it makes for a filling grain side dish.

Course American

Cuisine side dish

Keyword Crockpot quinoa, Slow Cooker quinoa

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 1 30

Servings Servings

Equipment

Ingredients

2 Cups Quinoa
4 Cups Chicken Broth
1/2 Tablespoon Minced Garlic

Instructions

I used a 4 quart crockpot to make mine in.
Add everything to crockpot and stir.
Allow to cook for 1 1/2 hours and serve

Yum

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