If you love a particular dish and try to prepare it at home, you may often end up cooking it more than the preferred quantity. It happens to everyone! Imagine you have some leftover cooked quinoa and do not know how to store it and how long it lasts. This article is going to tell you how to store quinoa properly, and how long does it last after cooking.
Quinoa is nothing but a grain seed with many essential nutrients and minerals included, and is also popular as a ‘superfood’ with its high protein content. It can be a healthy alternative to wheat and rye, which contain gluten. The popularity and convenience of storing a batch of cooked quinoa made it people’s favorite edible seed.
Factors Affecting the Shelf Life of Quinoa
To store cooked quinoa is not as easy as you think. It is highly perishable and promotes bacterial growth when not considered hygiene in the surroundings. There are many factors that you need to consider when storing cooked quinoa.
Storage: Proper storage for cooked quinoa is nothing less than airtight containers, which can prevent air exposure and bacterial growth due to other contamination.
Extra Ingredients: To enhance the flavor and texture, people sometimes add herbs, spices, oil, etc. to quinoa while cooking. This can easily spoil quinoa and make it not suitable to store for a long time.
Inconsistent Temperature: After cooking quinoa, keep it at room temperature for cooling, and transfer it to the refrigerator after cooling. A consistent temperature below 40°F is suitable for quinoa. Changes in this temperature can affect the quality and freshness.
To preserve quinoa for a long time, you must follow certain guidelines and factors. It may help you enjoy the healthy variety for an extended period.
Cooked Quinoa in the Refrigerator
Cooked quinoa, if stored in an airtight container, can last for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. But, it is recommended to consume quinoa before 4 days to not lose the quality.
Do not try to store it in the refrigerator after the recommended period, because, after that, there will be an increased risk of bacterial growth and mold formation indicating spoilage.
Keep in mind that, varieties of quinoa may have different expiry dates even in the refrigerator. This is due to the change in ingredients.
How to Tell if It Has Gone Bad?
Cooked quinoa is prone to bacterial growth and spoilage in different ways. But before getting completely spoiled, it will definitely show some clues indicating the spoilage.
Mold Formation: A mold formed on the surface of quinoa, or sides of the container, indicates fungal growth inside. It can be in powdery form or a wet white net-like structure.
Discoloration: Quinoa usually has a pale color. But once spoiled, it may show green or brown spots. Change in the normal color is a clear indication of spoilage
Off-Odor: An unpleasant smell from cooked quinoa indicates that it is unsuitable to consume. Typically, it has a nutty smell, which is common for all grains.
Change in Texture: If you find a slimy and over-sticky texture, it is due to the bacterial growth in quinoa. Throw it away once you find it slimy.
Believe in your senses when it comes to the quality of any food. Because, the signs of spoilage may not be visible in all ways, but you may get it using your senses. It is better to prevent any food-borne illness.
How to Store Quinoa
Tips to extend the shelf life of cooked quinoa:
- Using airtight containers to store cooked quinoa in the refrigerator can prevent air exposure and exposure to any foreign particles that can increase the chances of bacterial growth.
- Before transferring it to the refrigerator, cool the quinoa at room temperature.
- Do not keep cooked quinoa at room temperature for a long time.
- Keep consistency at refrigerator temperature.
- Remember the date of storage, so that you can follow it correctly and use it before the expiry date.
- Freezing is the best option to extend the shelf life.
Freezing Quinoa
If you are cooking a large batch of quinoa, and want to freeze it, then freezing can help you store cooked quinoa for up to 8 months.
- To freeze, you can prepare it by adding ingredients of your choice.
- Let it cool at room temperature
- Transfer it to a freezer-friendly bag or airtight container.
- Clear the air inside and tighten the lid or wrap it tightly.
- Place it in the freezer, keeping hygiene inside the freezer also.
To thaw, keep it at room temperature for 2 to 3 hours, depending on the quantity prepared. For a quick thawing, you can use microwave heating. Sometimes it may lose its flavor and texture after freezing. Still, you can enjoy your portion of happiness without any quality fear.
How to Reheat?
Microwave reheating can help maintain the moisture of cooked quinoa after refrigeration. Refrigeration may dry it out partially. You can add water or any broth of your choice while reheating.
Frozen quinoa can be thawed first, and then reheated. Similar to reheating refrigerated quinoa, you can add water content to the quinoa while reheating.
A medium temperature and heat is recommended to reheat quinoa. Keep stirring to avoid stickiness. Overheating may change the flavor. Moreover, you can add herbs or spices to enhance the flavor.
How Ingredients Affect the Shelf Life of Cooked Quinoa?
Some ingredients can influence the shelf life of cooked quinoa in different ways. It may get spoiled easily with the presence of certain ingredients that are highly perishable in nature.
Vegetables can improve the flavor of quinoa, but at the same time, they can reduce the shelf life too. Sautéing vegetables before adding them can help to an extent.
Tomato sauce and citric juice containing acidity may perform as a preservative. But it can change the texture while freezing. You can even add it once you are ready to reheat and use the cooked quinoa.
Try to include herbs and spices before serving. It can improve the flavor and also will not affect the shelf life.
The Bottom Line
Just follow the guidelines to keep your freshly prepared quinoa for a long time, and enjoy this healthy meal whenever you want.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes. Cooked quinoa will last for up to 1 year if stored in the refrigerator. Use airtight, freezer-friendly containers or bags to store it.
A freshly prepared quinoa can be kept at room temperature to let it cool, but not more than 2 hours. It may get easily spoiled at room temperature by promoting bacterial growth.