# Couscous, quinoa and grains cooking times

How long to cook quinoa: **5 min boiled**. Every way to cook it is below, with the temperature and how to tell it’s done.

Source: https://feastflow.co.uk/couscous-and-quinoa-cooking-times (FeastFlow free cooking-time guides). Last checked 11 November 2026.

## How long to cook quinoa

Times are for 60–75 g dry per person.

Couscous, quinoa and grains: cooking times by method:

| Method | Time | Heat | How |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Boil](https://feastflow.co.uk/boiling-times) (Couscous) | 5 min | off the heat, covered | Couscous: pour over 1¼ times its volume of boiling stock, cover, then fluff with a fork. |
| [Boil](https://feastflow.co.uk/boiling-times) (Quinoa) | 12–15 min | simmering, covered | Quinoa in twice its volume of water; rest 5 minutes covered. |
| [Boil](https://feastflow.co.uk/boiling-times) (Giant couscous) | 6–8 min | in boiling salted water | Giant (pearl) couscous and orzo; drain. |
| [Boil](https://feastflow.co.uk/boiling-times) (Bulgur) | 10–15 min | simmering, covered | Bulgur wheat in twice its volume of water. |
| [Boil](https://feastflow.co.uk/boiling-times) (Pearl barley) | 25–30 min | simmering in plenty of water | Pearl barley. |

## Before you start

Rinse quinoa well; it can taste bitter otherwise.

## How to tell it’s done

Tender. Quinoa shows a little white ring around each grain.

## Questions

### How long to boil quinoa?

Couscous: 5 min off the heat, covered. Couscous: pour over 1¼ times its volume of boiling stock, cover, then fluff with a fork. Quinoa: 12–15 min simmering, covered. Quinoa in twice its volume of water; rest 5 minutes covered. Giant couscous: 6–8 min in boiling salted water. Giant (pearl) couscous and orzo; drain. Bulgur: 10–15 min simmering, covered. Bulgur wheat in twice its volume of water. Pearl barley: 25–30 min simmering in plenty of water. Pearl barley.

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Times are a guide for typical home portions: ovens, air fryers, microwaves and sizes vary. Check meat, poultry and fish with a thermometer. Safe temperatures follow USDA and UK Food Standards Agency guidance.

FeastFlow also plans a whole meal backwards from serving time, with every dish timed and oven temperatures that don’t clash: https://feastflow.co.uk/