Thai Coconut Quinoa Bowl (Printable Version)

Creamy coconut quinoa paired with fresh vegetables and a zesty peanut dressing for a vibrant bowl.

# List of Ingredients:

→ 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
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 Steps:

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 and let sit covered for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
02 - While quinoa cooks, slice the bell pepper, julienne or shred the carrot, and slice the cucumber and cabbage. Cook the edamame if not already done.
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 the dressing is smooth and pourable.
04 - Divide the coconut quinoa among four bowls. Top each with an even amount of vegetables and edamame.
05 - Drizzle each bowl generously with peanut dressing. Garnish with chopped cilantro and sesame seeds. Serve immediately or chill for a refreshing cold bowl.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The coconut milk transforms ordinary quinoa into something luxurious and silky that actually tastes craveable.
  • Everything comes together in 40 minutes, which means you can have dinner on the table before anyone gets hangry.
  • It's endlessly customizable, so you can raid your fridge for whatever vegetables are looking lonely in the crisper drawer.
  • The peanut dressing is genuinely better than takeout, and once you taste it, store-bought versions feel like a compromise.
02 -
  • The coconut quinoa is best served warm, but if you want a chilled version, let everything cool completely before assembling and store the dressing separately until serving time.
  • The peanut dressing gets thicker as it sits, so if you're prepping ahead, add an extra splash of warm water just before serving.
03 -
  • Toast your sesame seeds in a dry skillet for 2 minutes before sprinkling—this unlocks an incredible depth that raw seeds don't have.
  • If your lime is hard and stubborn, microwave it for 15 seconds and you'll get three times the juice from the same fruit.
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