Thai Coconut Quinoa Bowl (Print Version)

Creamy coconut quinoa with crisp vegetables and zesty peanut dressing

# What You’ll Need:

→ Coconut Quinoa

01 - 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
02 - 1 cup coconut milk, full-fat or light
03 - 1 cup water
04 - ½ teaspoon salt

→ Vegetables

05 - 1 cup red bell pepper, thinly sliced
06 - 1 cup carrot, julienned or shredded
07 - 1 cup cucumber, thinly sliced
08 - 1 cup purple cabbage, shredded
09 - ½ cup edamame, cooked and shelled
10 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
11 - 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

→ Peanut Dressing

12 - ¼ cup creamy peanut butter
13 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce, gluten-free if needed
14 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
15 - 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
16 - 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
17 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
18 - 1 to 2 tablespoons warm water

# How-To:

01 - Combine quinoa, coconut milk, water, and salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat, keep covered for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
02 - While quinoa cooks, slice bell pepper thinly, julienne or shred carrot, slice cucumber and cabbage. Prepare edamame if not already cooked and shelled.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, lime juice, maple syrup or honey, and sesame oil. Add warm water one tablespoon at a time until dressing reaches a smooth, pourable consistency.
04 - Divide cooked coconut quinoa evenly among four serving bowls. Top each with equal portions of prepared vegetables and edamame.
05 - Drizzle generously with peanut dressing. Garnish each bowl with chopped cilantro and sesame seeds. Serve immediately or chill for a cold presentation.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The coconut milk transforms ordinary quinoa into something creamy and almost luxurious without any cream.
  • Prep is genuinely quick if you slice your vegetables while the grain cooks, which means dinner happens in under 45 minutes.
  • It tastes even better the next day, so it's a genuine meal-prep winner that doesn't get soggy or sad.
02 -
  • Rinsing quinoa is genuinely essential; skip this step even once and you'll taste the difference in a way you won't enjoy.
  • Make the dressing with warm water, not cold, because warm liquid dissolves the peanut butter smoothly instead of creating stubborn lumps.
  • If you're prepping ahead, keep the cucumber separate and add it just before eating or right before serving, otherwise it'll release water and dilute everything.
03 -
  • If your peanut butter is the natural, oil-separated kind, stir it well before measuring or the ratio gets thrown off and your dressing turns gritty.
  • Make a double batch of dressing and keep it in the refrigerator—it lasts a week and suddenly you can dress up grilled vegetables, rice bowls, or even roasted tofu with zero effort.
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