Cheap and Easy Quinoa Vegetable Stew
A cheap, easy, and healthy quinoa vegetable stew with carrots, leek, potato, and garlic – perfect for meal prep, using up leftovers, and even frozen veggies from your own harvest. It’s not only delicious warm but also tastes great as a cold dish the next day.
Ingredients
- 1/2 leek (white and light green part)
- 3 medium carrots
- 1-2 medium potatoes
- 1 garlic clove
- 5 tbsp tomato paste
- 1-2 bay leaves
- 160 g quinoa
- 1.2 liters vegetable broth (or water with stock powder)
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Rinse quinoa in a fine sieve under running water, then set aside.
- Chop leek, carrots, potato, and garlic into small pieces.
- Add a little water to a large pot, sauté the leek and garlic briefly until softened.
- Stir in quinoa, bay leaf, carrots, potatoes, and season with salt and pepper.
- Mix in the tomato paste, then pour in the vegetable broth.
- Cover with a lid and let simmer gently for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add more liquid if needed.
- Remove bay leaf, adjust seasoning, and serve.
Notes
For a balanced and satisfying meal, serve your quinoa vegetable stew with a fresh seasonal side. A crisp garden salad, roasted zucchini, or even a slice of whole-grain bread make perfect companions – budget-friendly, healthy, and filling.
“Dinner is never just food – it carries the warmth of a shared table.” – Frida, HealingHarvestLog.comStorage: Store leftover tortilla in airtight glass containers – I like this 5-piece set on Amazon. It will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 3 days and tastes great cold as well. Make ahead: You can chop the vegetables the night before and store them in glass containers in the fridge. This way, the stew comes together in just 20 minutes on busy evenings. Or simply use your own frozen garden vegetables – carrots, leeks, or potatoes – and add them straight to the pot for an even quicker, no-fuss version. Flavor tip: Add a drizzle of mild, high-quality extra virgin olive oil before serving. I recommend this Spanish olive oil on Amazon – it keeps its flavor even when heated and adds depth and richness to the stew. Helpful tools: A large non-stick pot or Dutch oven (like this one on Amazon) makes cooking this quinoa stew effortless, prevents sticking, and ensures even cooking with minimal fuss. Note: These are personal recommendations. If you purchase through the Amazon links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. © This recipe is copyrighted by HealingHarvestLog.com. Join us on Pinterest! Discover more simple recipes, mindful gardening ideas, and seasonal treasures from the garden: