Are you wondering where is quinoa in the grocery store, let me tell you so you can find it quickly. I will list 5 different grocery stores and where they can be found in each one.
The short answer is, there are a couple of standard places you can find it in most major grocery stores, one is in the rice aisle, and the next place would be in the gluten-free products section. In many health food stores, you can find it in the grains section of the grocery store.
It is a versatile product that works well with so many dishes.
I have also written a post all about whether or not you can freeze cooked quinoa. Wondering whether or not you can substitute quinoa for couscous, I have a post for that as well.
Popped quinoa is also a really cool way to eat it. The half-popped kernels are delicious for topping salads, chocolates, etc. Check out this recipe for superfood dark chocolate disks.
Fred Meyer / Kroger
This store is well laid out and quinoa is so easy to find. This is my personal favorite store to shop in.
In my local stores, I can always find quinoa in the rice aisle. White quinoa and tri-colored quinoa have always been in stock when I have looked.
WinCo
If you are lucky enough to have this co-op in your area, I hope you use it! This is another local favorite grocery store. Not only can you find quinoa in the rice aisle, as with most stores, but you can also find it in the bulk bin area as well. I typically buy my quinoa there are is it so much cheaper! They have white quinoa, red quinoa, and tri-colored in the bulk bins, so look for them.
I consider this the best place to buy quinoa, as I can never pass up a good deal. If your local grocery store has a bulk section, check there!
Trader Joes
I probably visit this store the least out of all these, not that I don't love it, but TJ's is just a bit out of my price range. I do go every few months though. If you are headed to Trader Joe's and wondering where to quickly find the quinoa, let me tell you. As with most stores, I have always been able to find quinoa in their rice aisle.
Walmart
I have found quinoa in 2 different places in Walmart. One is in the rice aisle. It is right by the white rice and brown rice. The other place I have seen it is in the gluten-free section.
Whole foods market
Just like the other grocery stores, quinoa is found in the rice aisle. One thing about Whole Foods Market is there are many different brands of quinoa to choose from, Bob's Red Mill and Ancient Harvest are 2 of the most common.
What is quinoa?
While most people think quinoa is a whole grain, it is actually a seed. It is a healthy food considered a superfood, which is gluten-free and packs a nutritional punch.
Check out the amazing nutritional value in this article from the Harvard School of Public Health. The health benefits are well-known and trusted.
It was grown in South America but now is grown in many areas. It was a staple grain in South America for years.
Quinoa used to only be found in natural food stores, but over the years as it has risen in popularity, you can find it almost anywhere.
There are many varieties of quinoa, but white, red, and tri-colored quinoa are all pretty common types of quinoa and are easy to find. Black quinoa is harder to find, but you can usually find it in specialty grocery stores.
Quinoa is a gluten-free food that is perfect for those with celiac disease.
Is quinoa the same as quinoa flakes?
It is not! Quinoa is the whole seed, quinoa flakes are mechanically flattened quinoa. You can not recreate this method at home, but you can purchase the flakes in your local health food store.
You can find quinoa flakes in your local health food store in the cereal aisle.
How to cook quinoa
There are a couple of ways to cook quinoa, one classic way of boiling the liquid and adding in the quinoa. Cover and cook until it is tender.
The other is a way Cookie and Kate published a post all about. She does not cover her quinoa while it is cooking, but covers and steams it after cooking.
What is the shelf life of quinoa?
If you buy quinoa in bulk quantities at Costco or another store, you may be wondering how long it will hold well.
Quinoa will easily stay good for 2-3 years. If it isn't packaged well, be sure to store quinoa in an airtight container or vacuum seal it. The key to the longevity of quinoa is keeping it dry, this is crucial.
Storing it in the dark also extends the shelf life as well.
So, buy it in bulk amounts, the shelf life is worth it.
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!