Brown Rice & Quinoa Porridge

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This brown rice and quinoa porridge is the best type of comfort food when it’s cold outside or when you just want something rich, warm, and sweet. The combination of rice and quinoa is unbeatable. Add a few nuts and fruits to have a wholesome, healthy breakfast!

Brown rice and quinoa porridge served in a white bowl with berries and almond slices topped

What Is Quinoa Porridge?

This porridge is actually made with a combination of brown rice and quinoa. Then, I sweetened it with Natvia and topped it with almond milk. This is a dairy-free and gluten-free breakfast option that is packed with protein and fiber.

It’s a healthy way to start your day!

one spoonful of brown rice and quinoa porridge with berries and almond slices

Why You Will Love This Quinoa and Brown Rice Porridge

You are going to love how creamy and filling this simple breakfast bowl is. I first experienced this dish at a cafe called Little Loco Cafe in Newfarm. As soon as I did, I knew I had to learn how to make it at home.

This is a wonderful way to add a bit of variety to your breakfast routine. It easily replaces oat-based porridge with a quinoa one.

The brown rice also gives this recipe a little Japanese twist since many Japanese people eat rice for breakfast.

brown rice and quinoa, berries, almond slices, milk, cinnamon, rice malt and nativia

Ingredients Needed To Make Quinoa Porridge

There are only four simple ingredients in this delicious porridge. Here is what I used:

Brown Rice And Quinoa

I used both cooked brown rice and quinoa because it gave the porridge a fantastic variety of texture and taste. You can choose to use one or the other.

brown rice and quinoa package and cooked one in a bowl

Almond Milk

Use your favorite dairy-alternative milk here. I think unsweetened plain almond milk has the best taste. You could use soy milk or even oat milk.

vitasoy brand oat milk carton

Natvia

This is my favorite type of sweetener because it is 100% GMO-free. It has a combination of stevia and erythritol.

You can replace this with any type of sweetener that you enjoy the most.

natural erythritol packet and erythritol in a small bowl with a teaspoon

Cinnamon

Use your favorite type of spice – for me, it is just a pinch of cinnamon. You might also enjoy adding a dash of nutmeg and allspice to it as well.

How To Make Quinoa Porridge

This is such a simple recipe. First, I cooked the quinoa and the rice together in my rice cooker.

Then, I cooked it together with almond milk in a pot. At this step, just keep heating it up until it is nice and hot.

Finally, top it with berries, almond flakes, and rice malt syrup. It was super simple and it tasted great. It’s also very healthy and nutritious which is makes it a perfect way to start the day.

4 process photos collage of brown rice and quinoa porridge

Tips And Tricks For Making Brown Rice Porridge

Here are a few more things about this recipe that I think you will really enjoy.

Porridge As A Home Remedy

You know how chicken soup is one of those types of food that some people make or eat when they feel sick? Porridge is just like that. The hot steam from the porridge and its soft texture is extremely comforting when you have a cough or a sore throat.

4 process photos collage of brown rice and quinoa porridge

Cook Brown Rice and Quinoa Together

Although I made the quinoa and brown rice together in a rice cooker, it’s not necessary to have a rice cooker but it does make it a bit easier. You can easily boil it in a pot. Either way, you can save yourself time by cooking them both together.

Frequently Asked Questions About Brown Rice and Quinoa Porridge

Before I get to the recipe card at the bottom of this post, here are some questions people often have about quinoa porridge.

Is this the same thing as “Okayu”?

Yes, this porridge is also very similar to a dish in Japan called “Okayu”, which is basically just rice cooked in tea. It’s a very common and popular dish in Japan. “Okayu” has always been my family’s go-to dish when we’re sick since it’s so soft and easy to swallow.

How do I make this without a rice cooker?

You don’t have to use a rice cooker for this recipe. Just follow the instructions and make your rice and quinoa on the stove.

How do you store leftover quinoa porridge?

I suggest only storing leftover quinoa and brown rice, not the porridge. After you mix in the almond milk, it will change the consistency of the grains and make them mushy. This might not be appetizing the next day.
Instead, store the brown rice and quinoa in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Then, when you are ready to make more porridge, grab it from the refrigerator and heat it up with the rest of the ingredients.

Brown rice quinoa milk okayu served in a bowl

Related Recipes

If you enjoyed this quinoa porridge recipe, here are some more breakfast recipes you might want to try next. They are some of my favorites!

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Brown rice and quinoa porridge served in a white bowl with berries and almond slices topped

Brown Rice & Quinoa Porridge 玄米とキヌアのお粥

4.67 from 3 votes
This super simple Brown Rice & Quinoa Porridge is perfect for cold winter mornings and when you need something soft and comforting to eat when you’re sick.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 2 people

Ingredients

  • 2/3 cup cooked brown rice and quinoa
  • 2/3 cup soy or almond milk
  • 1 tsp Natvia
  • 1 pinch cinnamon

Instructions

  • Put all ingredients in a sauce pan and bring to boil.
  • Reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 5 minutes.
  • Top with blueberries, raspberries, flaked almonds and rice malt syrup.

Notes

The 30 minutes of prep time is for cooking the rice and quinoa in a rice cooker. If you don’t have a rice cooker, boil the quinoa and rice together with water in a pot to cook it.

Nutrition

Calories: 241kcal · Carbohydrates: 48g · Protein: 5g · Fat: 2g · Sodium: 110mg · Potassium: 169mg · Fiber: 2g · Calcium: 121mg · Iron: 1.1mg
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: Japanese
Did You Make This Recipe?I want to see it! Tag @chopstickchronicles on social media!

Shihoko Ura of Chopstick Chronicles
About The Author

Shihoko Ura

Shihoko Ura is a Japanese home cook and cookbook author with a passion for food and photography. She shares her authentic and beloved recipes with step-by-step guides and helpful tips so you too can make delicious Japanese food at home. Her recipes have featured in The Japan Times, Buzzfeed, and Country Living.

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4.67 from 3 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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Questions and Reviews

  1. Hey, I like your site! Just a little thing on the cook time for the quinoa and rice… It says 5 mins but that can’t be right! Some poor follower is gonna have one crunchy breakfast haha.

    1. Hello, thank you! The cook time was just for making the actual porridge, with the rice and quinoa already cooked, which is why the prep time is 30 minutes. Sorry for the confusion!