This Instant Pot Quinoa is the perfect easy way to cook quinoa. If you need a great easy start to quinoa recipes, this is the recipe for you. With just a few minutes of hands-on time, you have delicious perfectly cooked quinoa.
Quinoa has become a staple in my life in the last few years. It’s so good for you, filling, and a great addition to so many different recipes. The instant pot has become my absolute favorite way to make it. While making quinoa on the stovetop is easy, I far prefer this method. It’s a hands-off method and it comes out perfect every time.
What is Quinoa?
I love that quinoa is considered a super grain. Actually, it is a gluten-free seed. One of the best benefits of quinoa is its protein content. It acts like a carbohydrate in recipes, like in my cilantro lime quinoa, but 1/4 cup of dry quinoa is six grams of protein. A grain with protein in it is a great way to stay fuller longer. It also has all 20 amino acids, making it a complete protein.
Use this quinoa instant pot recipe as a replacement for rice in your favorite taco recipe, stir fry, or burrito bowl.
How to Cook Quinoa in the Instant Pot
Cooking quinoa in a pressure cooker is easy and predictable. Here is a brief overview of how it is made. For the full recipe, please scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
- Rinse your quinoa. This is a step you really don’t want to skip. It eliminates the bitter taste from the quinoa.
- Add water and quinoa to the instant pot. Add double the water as your amount of quinoa. You can cook as little as a half cup of quinoa with one cup of water.
- Seal the instant pot. With your water and your quinoa in the instant pot, seal it. Make sure that the pressure release valve is set to sealing.
- Turn it on. Hit the “Rice” setting. Your instant pot will read “12” and then will beep loudly as it turns on. It will come to pressure, then it will count down the 12 minutes.
- Let the pressure release. At the end of the 12 minutes, it will beep that it is done. Allow the float valve to fall on its own. If it hasn’t fallen after 10 minutes, turn the pressure release valve to venting. Take off the lid and lightly fluff your quinoa with a fork. Serve and enjoy!
Instant Pot
Quinoa to Water Ratio
No matter how much quinoa you want to make, it is important to remember the correct water ratio. You need to really make sure that you do one cup of quinoa to two cups of water. You can do as little as 1/2 cup of quinoa and one cup of water. To double the recipe, just make sure to double the water. Two cups of quinoa would be four cups of water.
This ratio is perfect for the instant pot. Keep in mind that the ratios here will be different than making it on the stovetop because there is less evaporation.
How Long To Cook Quinoa in Instant Pot
For one cup of quinoa and two cups of water, it will take about six minutes to come to full pressure. Then it will cook for 12 minutes. After it has cooked, the instant pot needs to release the pressure that has built up, this can take up to 10 minutes. All said and done, the process will take about 28 minutes.
Tips and Tricks
- Don’t skip rinsing your quinoa. This step is important in getting rid of the bitter taste of the quinoa, so please do not skip this step. Put it in a fine mesh strainer and rinse under cool running water for about a minute.
- Use broth instead of water. Replace all or part of the water with beef or chicken broth to give the quinoa a little flavor. If you follow a vegetarian diet, using vegetable broth is another great way to add a bit more flavor.
- Double the recipe. You can easily double this recipe by doubling both the water and the quinoa. This is a great way to meal prep for the week ahead.
Serving Size
It is important to know that one cup of dry quinoa will m make about four cups of cooked quinoa. If you are using a recipe that calls for cooked quinoa you can use this method and plan accordingly.
Storing Leftover Quinoa
Store any leftover quinoa in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. It can be used in quinoa recipes as soon as it is done cooking, but may need to cool depending on the recipe. Reheat in the microwave.
Recipes For Your Instant Pot Quinoa
This quinoa can be enjoyed as a side or in any of these delicious recipes:
If you make this Instant Pot Quinoa recipe or any of my other recipes, please let me know what you think by leaving a comment. I love hearing from you!
Instant Pot Quinoa
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried quinoa rinsed
- 2 cups water
- dash of salt optional
Instructions
- Put your rinsed quinoa in the instant pot. Mix in the water and the dash of salt.1 cup dried quinoa, 2 cups water, dash of salt
- Close the Instant Pot and make sure the pressure release valve (the black knob on the top of your instant pot with words near it that say "sealing" and "venting") is set to sealing. Set your Instant Pot to "Rice." Your Instant Pot will do nothing at first, then it will beep loudly and say "On."
- Your Instant Pot will take about six minutes to come to pressure. Then it will start counting down the 12 minutes. At the end of the 12 minutes, it will beep. Using a natural pressure release, allow the float valve to drop before opening the Instant Pot, about 6 minutes.
- Open your Instant Pot, fluff the quinoa lightly with a fork, and enjoy!
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