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Quinoa (cooked) vs Brown rice (cooked)

Quinoa (cooked) vs Brown rice (cooked) compared per 100 g — use protein density, fat profile, and the goal of the swap to pick.

Macro table

Metric Quinoa (cooked) Brown rice (cooked)
Calories 120 kcal 123 kcal
Protein 4.4 g 2.7 g
Carbs 21 g 26 g
Fat 1.9 g 1 g
Fiber 2.8 g 1.6 g
Protein per 100 kcal 3.7 g 2.2 g

Reference macros from AskCalories food pages (USDA FoodData Central where available). Your plate still needs portion and cooking-fat edits.

Decision rule

Pick quinoa for higher protein and fiber among cooked grains. Pick brown rice when you want a familiar whole-grain rice with a milder protein bump than quinoa.

You want the strongest plant-protein grain of the common supermarket options.

You prefer rice texture and already like brown rice in meal prep.

Caveats

  • Cost and cook time differ — quinoa is usually pricier per cooked cup.

Food notes

🌾 Quinoa (cooked)

Higher protein than rice (4.4g vs 2.7g per 100g). Only common grain that's a complete protein.

🍚 Brown rice (cooked)

Slower-digesting than white. Slightly fewer calories per gram cooked. Better for steady energy meals; white rice better post-workout.

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FAQ

Quinoa or brown rice for protein?
Quinoa wins on protein per 100 g cooked in our data and is a complete plant protein. Brown rice is still a solid whole grain with less protein.
Quinoa or brown rice for fiber?
Both beat white rice on fiber. Quinoa usually adds more protein per cooked 100 g; brown rice is often cheaper and more familiar.