A foolproof method for making Quinoa in Instant Pot that is virtually hands-off and produces fluffy, tender grains every time! Ready in just 15 minutes, you can make it in the main pot or use the popular pot-in-pot method. Serve it as a nutty, protein-packed base in breakfast bowls, salads, soups or side dishes.
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Fluffy, flavorful quinoa is a regular side dish in my home. It's a nutrient-dense, protein-packed, plant-powered side dish that offers a perfect starchy blank canvas to soak up curries and sauces, or act as a base for salad bowls. I like to serve quinoa with any dish that goes well with white or brown rice.
Quinoa is one of the most versatile grains in the pantry that offers a TON of nutrition and is naturally Gluten-Free, Vegan and Vegetarian.
Cooking quinoa in the Instant Pot is just as quick and easy as rice, and it is now my preferred way. It takes about 15 minutes from start-to-finish. But all you have to do is push a button and walk away. There is no waiting by the stove for the water to come to a boil. That's a win-win in my recipe book!
What Is Quinoa?
Quinoa, pronounced KEEN-wah, is a flowering plant in the amaranth family. It is a grain crop grown for those delicate, tiny, edible seeds. Technically, it's a pseudo-grain, or in other words, biologically speaking it is a seed, but it is prepared and eaten as a grain.
Fun Fact: According to Healthline, quinoa was an important crop in the Inca Empire. They believed it to be sacred and referred to it as the "mother of all grains."
It comes in a range of colors - white (golden), red and black.
Now considered a superfood, there isn't a grocery store or health food store that doesn't carry it. It's incredibly versatile, delicious, gluten-free vegan, vegetarian and especially easy to prepare.
Health Benefits of this Tiny Superfood
The beauty of quinoa is it's powerhouse nutritional make-up. It is known for being a complete protein (meaning it contains all the nine essential amino acids) and is rich in protein, fiber, magnesium, B vitamins, iron, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin E and various beneficial antioxidants.
Why Is Quinoa Bitter?
Quinoa contains a natural outer coating called saponin. This is natural to the seed and is a protective agent. To rid of saponin, all you have to do is place the quinoa in a fine-mesh sieve and rinse under cold running water for 30-45 seconds to wash away the coating.
Take note that many brands offer pre-rinsed quinoa, to rid of the bitter outer layer and save consumers a step in preparation. But I always rinse my quinoa, no matter what the package says.
Ingredients For Quinoa in Instant Pot
Three ingredients is all it takes to make the fluffiest quinoa recipe.
- Quinoa: Since there are so many brands out there, which brand of quinoa is best? I prefer Bob's Red Mill or Trader Joe's. And recently, I tried Costco's Kirkland brand Organic Quinoa and I'm loving that too. This is more about personal preference and what is available at my local supermarket. There are a number of options in the bulk section of Whole Foods, too, so you can buy only the amount you need rather than committing to a whole bag.
- Water: Water offers the cleanest flavor. If you live in an area that has hard water, make sure to use filtered water for the best results. That being said, you can always use chicken or vegetable broth instead of water. Be sure to skip the salt in that case.
- Salt: A pinch of salt brings out the natural nutty flavor of quinoa, so don't skip it!
- Olive Oil: It is optional, but I like to add it as extra insurance to prevent the quinoa from sticking to the bowl. And the fruity oil also enhances the taste of quinoa.
What Can I Add To Quinoa For Flavor?
Rather than water, you can use a low-sodium chicken, beef or vegetable stock. If you use a regular, salted stock, simply omit the salt in the recipe. To really up the nutritional value, a high-quality bone broth works wonders, too.
Adding fruity olive oil and seasoning of choice can also enhance the taste of quinoa. Some common flavorings that I use are Italian seasoning mix, a pinch of garlic powder + black pepper, or everything bagel seasoning, just to name a few.
How Much Is A Serving Of Quinoa?
The average serving size of quinoa is ½ cup cooked. This recipe uses 1 cup uncooked quinoa, which will make approximately 3 cups. That's enough for 6 servings.
How To Cook Quinoa In Instant Pot
This recipe for Instant Pot quinoa will produce fluffy, tender grains every time. The quinoa-to-liquid ratio on the stovetop is 1:2. But when you prepare quinoa in the Instant Pot, you don't need as much liquid since the Instant Pot seals in more moisture. That's why I cook my quinoa in a ratio of 1:1¼. Which means, for every cup of quinoa, I use 1.25 cups of liquid.
Follow one of the two cooking methods below - Pot-In-Pot or the Main Pot. The 1-minute cooking time is the same for each, but the recipe steps are a bit different.
Pot-In-Pot Instant Pot Quinoa
- Measure out 1 cup of quinoa. Place in a fine-mesh sieve, rinse and drain (pics 1 & 2).
- Add 1-2 cups of water in your steel pot (depending on the size of your cooker). Place a metal trivet in the pot (pic 3).
- Add the quinoa to an ovenproof bowl that fits in your pressure cooker, with about an inch of space all around and place the quinoa bowl on top of the trivet (pic 4).
- Add water (or broth), olive oil (if using) and salt to the bowl and stir (pics 5-7).
- Close the lid, set to 'sealing' (pic 8). Cook for 1 minute at HIGH pressure. Let the pressure release naturally, about 8-10 minutes.
- Open the lid after the pin drops. Gently fluff the quinoa with a fork (pics 9 & 10).
Instant Pot Quinoa In The Main Pot
- Measure out 1 cup of quinoa. Place in a fine-mesh sieve, rinse and drain.
- Add to the steel pot of your electric pressure cooker. Add water (or broth), olive oil (if using) and salt and give it a stir.
- Close the lid, set to 'sealing'. Cook for 1 minute at HIGH pressure. Let the pressure release naturally.
- Open the lid after pin drops. Gently fluff the quinoa with a fork.
How Do You Know When Quinoa Is Cooked? Quinoa has the unique characteristic of tiny 'curled' tails emerging from the seeds once they are fully cooked. Once you see these, you know it's done!
How to Store and Freeze
I love recipes that help me get ahead of the game and this Instant Pot quinoa is certainly one of them. The quinoa is a great make-ahead side dish or base and can easily be doubled or tripled to freeze for future use. To freeze:
- Fridge: Prepare the quinoa following the recipe (double or triple, if desired). Cool completely and store in an airtight container. Refrigerate and use up to 5 days.
- Freeze: Place 1-2 cup portions in freezer-safe containers or plastic storage bags, seal tight, label and date. Freeze for up to 3 months.
- To Re-use: Defrost in the fridge overnight to use in breakfast bowls, salads, soups, pilafs or side dishes.
Recipe Tips & Notes
- Rinse the quinoa. This washes away the bitter outer coating and produces a fluffier grain.
- Make sure to use a fine-mesh sieve when rinsing. The holes in a colander are simply too big and the seeds will fall right through.
- Easily double or triple the recipe. You can double or triple this recipe by multiplying the ingredients. The 1-minute cooking cycle stays the same, just keep in mind that the pot will take longer to pressurize, so the total time will increase.
- Natural pressure release. Letting the pot release pressure naturally allows the quinoa to steam cook in gentle heat and results in fluffy quinoa. If a recipe with quinoa calls for quick pressure release, be sure that cooking time is more than a minute for it to cook through.
- Cook time variation: Just like rice, quinoa grains differ in quality. If your quinoa doesn't turn soft and fluffy after cooking, add another minute next time (2 minutes pressure cook time).
- Serving Size: 1 cup uncooked quinoa yields about 3 cups cooked quinoa. Average serving size is ½ cup, so this quantity should give you 6 servings. Adjust based on your needs.
FAQs
Rinse quinoa in a sieve and add it to the Instant Pot steel insert. Add 2.5 cups water, 1 tablespoon olive oil and ¼-1/2 teaspoon salt. Stir and close the lid, valve set at sealing position. Pressure cook for 1 minute. Let the pressure release naturally. Fluff the grains with a fork and enjoy.
For soft and fluffy grains I cook my quinoa in a ratio of 1:1¼. Which means, for every cup of quinoa, I use 1.25 cups of liquid.
You can follow this recipe and assemble rinsed quinoa, 1.25 cups water, ¼ teaspoon salt and 2 teaspoons olive oil in the Instant pot. Pressure cook for 1 minute, then release pressure naturally.
Adding olive oil and seasonings of choice can enhance the taste of quinoa. You can add Italian seasoning mix, a pinch of garlic powder, crushed black pepper, or any preferred seasoning mix.
Instant Pot Quinoa Recipes
- Quinoa Vegetable Biryani - Quinoa Pilaf
- Instant Pot Quinoa Poha
- Quinoa Veggie Burgers
- Mexican Quinoa in Instant Pot
- Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad
- Gluten-Free Minestrone Soup
More Recipes From The Instant Pot Basics Series
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📖 Recipe
Instant Pot Quinoa
Equipment
Ingredients
Instructions
Pot-in-Pot Method in Instant Pot
- Measure out 1 cup of quinoa. Place in a fine-mesh sieve, rinse and drain.
- Add 1-2 cups of water in your steel pot (depending on the size of your cooker). Place a metal trivet in the pot.
- Add the quinoa to an ovenproof bowl that fits in your pressure cooker, with about an inch space all around and place the quinoa bowl on top of the trivet.
- Add water (or broth), olive oil (if using) and salt to the bowl and stir.
- Close the lid, set to 'sealing'. Cook for 1 minute at HIGH pressure. Let the pressure release naturally (takes about 5-7 minutes). Open the lid after the pin drops. Gently fluff the quinoa with a fork.
Instant Pot Main Pot
- Measure out 1 cup of quinoa. Place in a fine-mesh sieve, rinse and drain.
- Add to the steel pot of your electric pressure cooker. Add water (or broth), olive oil (if using) and salt and give it a stir.
- Close the lid, set to 'sealing'. Cook for 1 minute at HIGH pressure. Let the pressure release naturally (takes about 5-7 minutes). Open the lid after pin drops. Gently fluff the quinoa with a fork.
Notes
- Rinse the quinoa. This washes away the bitter outer coating and produces a fluffier grain.
- Make sure to use a fine-mesh sieve when rinsing. The holes in a colander are simply too big and the seeds will fall right through.
- Easily double or triple the recipe. You can double or triple this recipe by multiplying the ingredients. The 1-minute cooking cycle stays the same, just keep in mind that the pot will take longer to pressurize, so the total time will increase.
- Natural pressure release. Letting the pot release pressure naturally allows the quinoa to steam cook in gentle heat and results in fluffy quinoa. If a recipe with quinoa calls for quick pressure release, be sure that cooking time is more than a minute for it to cook through.
- Cook time variation: Just like rice, quinoa grains differ in quality. If your quinoa doesn't turn soft and fluffy after cooking, add another minute next time (2 minutes pressure cook time).
- Serving Size: 1 cup uncooked quinoa yields about 3 cups cooked quinoa. Average serving size is ½ cup, so this quantity should give you 6 servings. Adjust based on your needs.
Savitri says
Perfect quinoa with the "Instant Pot main pot" methode👍.
For 4 cups cooked quinoa (1 cup for my 6 years old twin daughters and I together, so I have enough for in the refrigerator for 4 days):
1½ cups quinoa
2 cups water
1 tbsp organic olive oil extra vierge
¼ tsp Himalaya salt
Thank you Aneesha 😘
Greetings from us 👩👧👧
Aneesha says
Glad you enjoyed it. I love the convenience of cooking quinoa in the IP, fill it and walk way 🙂