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    Zen and Zaatar » Recipes » Side Dishes

    Creamy Coconut Quinoa and Greens (Vegan, GF)

    Published: Feb 26, 2020 · Modified: Mar 30, 2025 by Zena | Zen and Zaatar · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

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    This savory, creamy quinoa and greens is a versatile side dish, but also filling enough to be a main. Coconut milk adds creaminess to this flavorful savory quinoa dish. This creamy coconut quinoa and greens is packed with umami flavor and protein!
    This savory, creamy quinoa and greens is a versatile side dish, but also filling enough to be a main. Coconut milk adds creaminess to this flavorful savory quinoa dish. This creamy coconut quinoa and greens is packed with umami flavor and protein!

    If you're not the biggest fan of quinoa, you need to try this recipe! This creamy coconut quinoa and greens is super savory, flavorful, and the creaminess makes it feel like a comfort food dish!

    This savory, creamy quinoa and greens is a versatile side dish, but also filling enough to be a main. Coconut milk adds creaminess to this flavorful savory quinoa dish. This creamy coconut quinoa and greens is packed with umami flavor and protein!

    This dish pairs well with a main protein, but is also filling and hearty enough to stand alone. I would recommend adding white beans if you want to serve it as a main dish- they add extra protein and basically just melt into the dish, adding to the creaminess!

    This savory, creamy quinoa and greens is a versatile side dish, but also filling enough to be a main. Coconut milk adds creaminess to this flavorful savory quinoa dish. This creamy coconut quinoa and greens is packed with umami flavor and protein!

    The garlicky greens and creamy coconut milk truly make this savory quinoa dish feel like a comfort food, although it is a relatively healthy dish and packed with protein already from the quinoa! Nutritional yeast can be added to give this quinoa a cheesy flavor.

    This savory, creamy quinoa and greens is a versatile side dish, but also filling enough to be a main. Coconut milk adds creaminess to this flavorful savory quinoa dish. This creamy coconut quinoa and greens is packed with umami flavor and protein!

    If you would like some extra flavor, I recommend topping this creamy quinoa and greens with your favorite hot sauce.

    This savory, creamy quinoa and greens is a versatile side dish, but also filling enough to be a main. Coconut milk adds creaminess to this flavorful savory quinoa dish. This creamy coconut quinoa and greens is packed with umami flavor and protein!
    This savory, creamy quinoa and greens is a versatile side dish, but also filling enough to be a main. Coconut milk adds creaminess to this flavorful savory quinoa dish. This creamy coconut quinoa and greens is packed with umami flavor and protein!

    Serving suggestions:

    • Add chickpeas or white beans for extra protein and make it even more filling as a main meal.
    • Add your favorite hot sauce on top if you like heat and want to add some extra flavor.
    • Switch up the greens and use your favorites! This would be great with chard, spinach, or even broccoli.
    I hope you love this creamy quinoa as much as I do! Don't forget to tag your recreations on Instagram @zenandzaatar #zenandzaatar, or pin this recipe to make it later!

    Recipe

    Creamy Coconut Quinoa and Greens (Vegan, GF)

    Zena Hassoun
    This savory, creamy quinoa and greens is a versatile side dish, but also filling enough to be a main. Coconut milk adds creaminess to this flavorful quinoa dish.
    4.75 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Cook Time 25 minutes mins
    Total Time 25 minutes mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine Vegan
    Servings 4
    Calories 573 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup quinoa
    • 2 cups vegetable broth
    • 1 cup coconut milk
    • 1 heaping tablespoon miso paste or substitute with ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon onion powder
    • ¼-1/2 teaspoon black pepper
    • 2 tablespoon nutritional yeast optional

    Greens

    • 2 tablespoon avocado oil
    • 2-3 cloves garlic minced
    • 8 collard green leaves about 1 bunch
    • 4-5 cups chopped kale leaves de-stemmed
    • pinch of salt
    • ground pepper

    Instructions
     

    • Wash and trim collard greens, removing the stems. To cut them, you can stack a couple leaves on top of each other, roll them, and slice these rolls, making thin ribbons (chiffonading.) Make sure your kale is de-stemmed and cut into smaller pieces as well.
    • Sauté minced garlic in oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat, 1-2 mins, until fragrant. Add kale, collard greens, and some salt and pepper. Sauté for 5-6 mins and remove from heat.
    • Rinse and drain dry quinoa. Put quinoa and vegetable broth in a pot and bring to a boil. Lower to a simmer and add in miso paste, garlic powder, and onion powder. Cover and cook for 10-12 mins, until most of the liquid has been absorbed.
    • Add coconut milk, cooked greens, nutritional yeast if desired, and salt and pepper to taste. Combine and cook for about 5 more mins before serving.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1servingCalories: 573kcalCarbohydrates: 75gProtein: 29gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 10gSodium: 746mgFiber: 31gSugar: 11g
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below and tag @zenandzaatar on social!

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    Comments

      4.75 from 4 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Jennifer says

      April 20, 2025 at 10:59 am

      5 stars
      I have just made this as a side dish for an Easter dinner. I will be the only WFPB eater and wanted to make sure I’d have something good to eat. After sampling it I am thoroughly impressed, love it! I followed your recipe but I did sauté, broccoli, kale, swish chard and spinach along with the garlic to add to the quinoa then once it was all mixed together I chopped up some baby tomatoes to add for colour and as a last thought added some white beans. I will certainly make this one regularly. Thank you for your recipe share.

      Reply
      • Zena | Zen and Zaatar says

        April 22, 2025 at 4:06 pm

        Your additions sound so delicious! So glad you loved it, thank you for sharing!!

        Reply
    Headshot image of the author of Zen and Zaatar, Zena Hassoun, MS.

    Welcome!

    Hi, I’m Zena, a passionate home cook with a Master’s in Medical Health Sciences. I’ve been vegan for nearly a decade and love creating approachable, Mediterranean-inspired recipes that nourish your body and soul.

    More about me

    55+ Vegan Recipes for Real Life

    The cover image of my e-cookbook, with text overlay "Vegan is Delicious: 55+ nourishing, innovative, plant-based recipes to satisfy vegans and omnivores alike! by Zena Hassoun, M.S., creator of Zen and Zaatar."

    Tired of the same meals or relying on takeout? Vegan is Delicious is full of flavorful, plant-based recipes (with photos!) plus a 7-day meal plan to make home cooking feel effortless.

    Get it now!

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