Instant Pot Quinoa

5 from 4 votes
3 Comments

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Looking for a fool-proof instant pot quinoa recipe? This easy, step-by-step guide will give you perfect results every time.

Quinoa in a bowl with an instant pot behind it.
Featured with this recipe
  1. Ingredients in Instant Pot Quinoa
  2. Cooking Quinoa in an Instant Pot
  3. FAQs
  4. Storing Instant Pot Quinoa
  5. More Simple Instant Pot Recipes
  6. How to Cook Quinoa in an Instant Pot
  7. Instant Pot Quinoa Recipe

I have cooked quinoa a few different ways and the Instant Pot is hands-down my favorite. In terms of easy clean-up, hands-off cooking, and fluffiness it outranks the stovetop and rice cooker by far! I love to make a big batch of quinoa at the beginning of the week for meal prep. It makes my life so much easier. Quinoa makes a great base for a burrito bowl or a quinoa salad. I also love it in our Chicken Broccoli Cheese Casserole.

Make your quinoa in an instant pot for a quicker way to cook. This quinoa recipe is simple and easy to follow. To cook quinoa in an instant pot, you will need to prepare and place it in the instant pot. It doesn’t take long for the instant pot to work its magic! Create fluffy and perfect quinoa in the instant pot every time! Instant pot quinoa is a delicious, light, and fluffy side dish or add-on to any meal!

Ingredients in Instant Pot Quinoa

Homemade instant pot quinoa is a great way to cook quinoa in large amounts at a time. It is quick and easy to make. Perfect and fluffy texture that is light and delicious. This instant pot quinoa is a hands-off method and allows you to prepare other recipes or relax while the instant pot does all the work!

  • Quinoa – Quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah) is a seed that when cooked, has a similar consistency to grains like rice. I used white quinoa in this recipe, but you can also use tricolor quinoa which is a blend of red quinoa, black quinoa, and white quinoa. It is also gluten-free.
  • Water – Use filtered water if possible! To add more flavor you can also use chicken broth or vegetable broth.
  • Salt – For this basic recipe, I just seasoned it with salt. However, you can add any seasonings that will complement the meal you make with your quinoa.
Cooked quinoa in an instant pot.


Cooking Quinoa in an Instant Pot

If you are looking for a quick, easy, and foolproof way to cook quinoa, then instant pot quinoa is the recipe for you! Add this quinoa salad, soups, and stews, or top it with your favorite veggies and herbs for a light lunch or dinner. Quinoa is a versatile and delicious grain that can be enjoyed in many different ways. Cooking it in an Instant Pot is a quick and easy way to have perfectly cooked quinoa on the table in no time.

  1. Prepare – Rinse the quinoa in a fine mesh strainer. This step is important because quinoa is coated with saponins, which makes the quinoa taste bitter. Rinsing will get rid of the saponins and make your quinoa taste much better!
  2. Stir – Add rinsed quinoa, water, and salt to the instant pot. Give everything a good stir to moisten all the quinoa and break up any clumps. If clumps are present, then the grains inside the clumps will not cook thoroughly and the quinoa will be crunchy.
  3. Cook – Secure the lid onto the instant pot. Set the vent to the sealing position. Press the MANUAL button and set the timer to 1 minute.
  4. Pressure – The instant pot will take about 10 minutes to build pressure. Then, it will cook for one minute. Once the timer goes off, turn off the instant pot and let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes.
  5. Quick release – After 10 minutes, do a quick release and remove the lid. Fluff quinoa with a fork and you are done!
A bowl of quinoa with a jar of uncooked quinoa next to it.

“Your method was so effective! I made this yesterday and it was a huge hit at home, my family enjoyed this so much.”

-Natasha

FAQs

What is the water ratio for quinoa?

I have seen a range of water-to-quinoa ratios that people use, from 2:1 to 1.25:1. I like to use 1.5:1. I think it yields the fluffiest quinoa without making it mushy.

If you need a certain amount of cooked quinoa for a recipe, you can divide that number by three to get the amount of dry quinoa you will need to cook. 

Is quinoa healthier than rice?

Quinoa has more protein, vitamins, and fiber and fewer calories and carbohydrates. So, yes! It is a very healthy substitute for rice.

Quinoa is a good choice for people who struggle with high blood sugar, blood pressure, or weight loss. Quinoa has fewer total carbs and a lower glycemic index than both brown and white rice.

How much does quinoa expand when you cook it?

Quinoa expands by about four times when cooked. So, one cup of dry quinoa equals about 4 cups of cooked quinoa.

Why should you soak quinoa before cooking?

Soaking quinoa before cooking can help remove the bitter-tasting saponins and phytic acid. Soaking can also help activate enzymes that make quinoa more nutritious and easier to digest.

Does quinoa take longer to cook than brown rice?

Quinoa takes less time to cook than brown rice. Quinoa takes about 10 minutes, while brown rice takes about 45 minutes. Quinoa is similar to rice in the way it cooks.

Storing Instant Pot Quinoa

Making quinoa is so simple and easy to store. Instant pot quinoa is perfect for storing, meal prep, or adding to another dinner the next night. Place leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Store quinoa in the freezer by adding it to a freezer bag and laying it flat in the freezer. Both are great options!

More Simple Instant Pot Recipes

Using an instant pot can be intimidating for the first few uses. Try some of our simple recipes that come together quickly and easily made in the instant pot. These can each be added to any of your favorite main dishes!

How to Cook Quinoa in an Instant Pot

Cooked quinoa in an instant pot

Instant Pot Quinoa

5 from 4 votes
Looking for a fool-proof instant pot quinoa recipe? This easy, step-by-step guide will give you perfect results every time.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 1 minute
Pressure Build and Release Time 20 minutes
Total Time 26 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 3

Equipment

  • 1 Pressure cooker or Instant Pot

Ingredients

  • 1 cup quinoa
  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • Rinse and drain quinoa. Place quinoa, water, and salt in the Instant Pot. Stir to moisten all the quinoa.
    Uncooked quinoa and water in an instant pot
  • Cover the Instant Pot with the lid and turn the valve to sealing. Cook on the Manual setting on high pressure for 1 minute. When the timer goes off, let the pressure naturally release for 10 minutes, then do a quick release.
    Cooked quinoa in an instant pot
  • After the quick release, remove the lid and fluff the quinoa with a fork.
    Quinoa in a bowl with an instant pot behind it

Nutrition Information

Calories: 209kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 8gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 0.4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 784mgPotassium: 319mgFiber: 4gVitamin A: 8IUCalcium: 31mgIron: 3mg

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About the author

Kelsey Crist

Kelsey lives in Washington with her husband, Alex, and two cats, Diana and Nova. Her happy place is in the kitchen listening to an audiobook and trying new recipes. When she's not in the kitchen you can find her hiking, shopping at Trader Joe's, or playing Animal Crossing. Her favorite food is pasta and Alex loves when she makes Homemade Oreos.

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Your method was so effective! I made this yesterday and it was a huge hit at home, my family enjoyed this so much.

  2. 5 stars
    Used this Instant Pot quinoa as a base for our burrito bowl and it was a hit! It is so much easier and incredibly delicious!