Slow Cooker Tex-Mex Quinoa is a gluten free, vegetarian meal that is a breeze to throw together and is packed with long lasting plant protein.
Slow cooker Tex-Mex Quinoa is one of my favorite vegetarian meals because it’s flavorful, filling and oh so simple! It’s a “dump and stir” recipe and I use a delicious store bought pouch of enchilada verde sauce. It is by far a better quality and flavor that the canned version. Look for it in your store (all the info below)!
Growing up in Texas means everything is Tex-Mexified. Just add avocado, salsa, cilantro, etc. and you’re good to go (in my humble opinion).
And since it’s Recipe Redux time and we are sharing slow cooker/pressure cooker recipes to beat the heat, I wanted to share this Slow Cooker Tex-Mex Quinoa. Our kitchen remodel is still underway and turning on the oven (without all of our walls up for insulation) really heats up the place in a hurry. The slow cooker has been saving me!
Quinoa while eaten alone is not my favorite, but paired together with the right foods and flavors is one of the most versatile gluten free, high protein grains.
This casserole can be used as a burrito filling, or is yummy scooped up with some tortilla chips. I just like it loaded with all the toppings! It makes a great meatless meal and will not leave you hungry, I promise!
As much as I love this dish though, I can’t get all my kids to eat it. Just an honest fact!
Looking for other quinoa dishes?
- Quinoa Veggie Burger
- Asian Chicken Quinoa Bowl
- Kale and Quinoa Salad
- Quinoa and Sweet Potato Bowl with Chimichurri
- Cilantro Lime Quinoa Veggie Bowl
HELPFUL TOOLS USED IN MAKING THIS DISH AND RELATED LINKS:
Good enchilada sauce– this is the exact one I used and I thought it was great. So much more flavor that the canned version. I couldn’t make it homemade any better.
Slow Cooker– a 4 1/2 to 5 qt works well. I have also used my larger oval slow cooker and it’s been fine.
[Tweet “Slow Cooker Tex-Mex Quinoa- a simple, gluten free vegetarian meal!”]
This post contains affiliate links.
- 1 cup dry quinoa (I used red), plus ¼ cup water
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can chili beans, lightly drained (these are mild pinto beans in a sauce)
- 1 can diced tomato with green chili, slightly drained
- 1½ cup frozen corn
- 1½ cup diced fresh tomato
- ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 16 ounces green enchilada sauce (I use 2 pouches), reserve half
- 1½ cup Mexican style shredded cheese
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- For the toppings: fresh chopped cilantro, sliced green onions, avocado, sour cream, salsa (optional)
- Stir all ingredients together in the slow cooker, except one package of the enchilada sauce. Top the mixture with the remaining sauce (some will sink and that's okay).
- Next top with the cheese. High for 4 hours or low on 7-8. Towards the end of cooking time, If some liquid pools on top just use a large ladle or spoon to remove it. Also, I uncover it for the last 20 to 30 minutes until the majority of the liquid has been absorbed.
Adjust the salt up or down depending on products used- for example if you sub no added salt beans, you might prefer to add a little more to the dish.
Inspired by this recipe https://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/slow-cooker-enchilada-quinoa-casserole/3ffd1864-41d9-4240-a0b5-bc6592126558
Check out some other slow cooker or pressure cooker recipes!
Roasted Tomato Salsa
Easy Vegetable Soup
Cheesy Chicken and Rice Skillet
Baked Chicken Tacos
This looks amazing! I am so excited to try it. Also excited to try that enchilada sauce.
Yay, thanks! You can sub black beans too- but then you need a little more salt. 🙂
This looks so delicious! Do you have a recipe for enchilada sauce? I’m not sure I can buy it in France!
I use my slow cooker at least twice a week. You can bet I’ll be giving this recipe a try. Looks delicious
Looks really good, I need to start adding quinoa into my diet.
I love quinoa but it has to be incorporated into a good recipe (for me) as I don’t like the flavor of it plain. 😉
This sounds (and looks) amazing! Your pics are so gorg too. Can’t wait to try next week!
Thanks so much!
What a scrumptious looking dish! What a fabulous Tex-Mex Quinoa recipe. I need to add it to my meal plan for next week. BTW: I love your stunning photos. 🙂
Thank you! Appreciate it and hope you like!
This looks so delicious. All my favorite flavors right there!
Mine too! 🙂 Thanks
Oh my goodness! Looks so delicious!
Rachel Ritlop recently posted..5 Steps to Make Anything Happen
Thank you!
This looks so tasty! I’d definitely eat this with a giant dollop of sour cream!
Maryanne | the little epicurean recently posted..Watermelon Peach Frosé (Frozen Rosé)
thank you!
The whole family (meat loving husband and all three kids even the picky one) loved this! I used a large can black beans instead of the chili beans because it is what I had. I bought the enchilada sauce you recommended and will be using that in other things as well. It was a touch spicy for the boys plain but I served it will sour cream, chunks of avocado and a few tortilla chips and their were no complaints. My daughter, husband and I also had green onion and cilantro. Great flavors and so easy! I will definitely put this in the rotation. Thanks!
Thanks for the feedback Kate! I was really happy with that sauce over the basic canned one. Glad they all liked it 🙂