How To Cook Amaranth Porridge

In celebration of Heart Health month, we show you how to prepare a porridge alternative for hot breakfast, whether you’re tired of eating oatmeal every morning, or just want a gluten-free alternative. Probably a lesser-known whole grain than quinoa or millet, amaranth is a gluten-free crop that dates back thousands of years to the time of the Incas. It is related to spinach and beets. Both the tiny seeds and leaves are edible and are consumed in many parts of the world. Besides being high in fiber, amaranth seeds are unusually high in protein.

​How To Cook Amaranth Porridge

Starting Amount: 1/2 cup raw

Pre-Soaking Requirement: No

Pre-Rinsing Requirement: No

Cooking Liquid: 1.25 water (or broth for savory dishes)

Cooking Time: ​Combine seeds and water in a pot and bring to a boil. Once the water starts to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes, covered. (To yield a fluffier texture in the cooked amaranth, reduce the amount of liquid to a 2:1 ratio. In other words, use 1 cup of liquid for every 1/2 cup raw amaranth.)

Resulting Yield: 1.5 cups

Nutritional Information (1/2 cup cooked amaranth):

• Calories:  125 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 23  g
• Protein: 4.7  g
• Fat: 1.9 g
• ​Fiber: 2.6 g
• ​Glycemic Index (GI): ​Medium to high depending on variety
• Gluten-free: ​Yes

How To Add More Amaranth to Your Diet

• To enjoy as a hot breakfast, top with a drizzle of cream or coconut milk, and sprinkle with chopped nuts. Sweeten with honey or maple syrup.
• Pop amaranth on a dry pan, just as you would pop corn kernels.
• Add into bread recipes
• Make a Mexican-inspired supper with this Chicken in Amaranth Sauce
• Ward off the cold with this Amaranth Polenta with Wild Mushrooms