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Make a batch of quinoa in minutes in your Instant Pot. Ready to enjoy in 15 minutes and you are guaranteed perfect results every single time. Great for meal prep, salads, or as a side for a quick weeknight meal.
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Take the guesswork out of cooking quinoa with this simple Instant Pot quinoa recipe.
Quinoa is one of my favorite grains and is a great alternative to rice and pasta. If you haven’t cooked it before, it can be a little tricky to get it just right, but our trusty pressure cooker means perfect results every time!
Be sure to try my guides on How To Cook Rice and How To Cook Lentils for more kitchen basics and cooking tips.
Why you will love this pressure cooker quinoa recipe!
- Quick and easy: With very minimal prep, your quinoa will be ready to serve in 15 minutes.
- Make ahead: Quinoa in the Instant Pot is so great for meal prep. It’s perfect to add to salads for lunch or as a side to your favorite dinners.
- Healthy: Quinoa is loaded with protein, fiber, and vitamins. It is also a good source of several minerals, including manganese, phosphorus, copper, folate, iron, magnesium, and zinc. Unlike some plant proteins, quinoa is a complete protein, meaning that it contains all nine essential amino acids that our bodies cannot make on their own.
Ingredients for cooking quinoa in Instant Pot
- Quinoa: This gluten-free grain is so quick and easy to cook in the Instant Pot. It’s one of the healthiest and most nutritious grains you can eat. You can use any type of quinoa, I used tri-color quinoa.
- Water: Just plain tap water is fine for cooking.
- Salt: A little salt helps to bring out the natural flavors of the quinoa.
- Cooking spray: To oil the bottom of the Instant Pot so that the grains don’t stick.
How to make Instant Pot quinoa
- Rinse quinoa in a fine mesh strainer very thoroughly under running water until water runs clear.
- Spray the bottom of the Instant Pot bowl with cooking spray. Add rinsed quinoa, water, salt, and stir everything. Close the lid and turn the valve to ‘Seal’. Pressure cook on Manual High Pressure for 1 minute, naturally release pressure for 10 minutes, quick release any remaining pressure.
- Open the lid carefully and fluff the quinoa with a fork, and serve warm.
How long does it keep?
This Instant Pot quinoa recipe is so great for weekly meal prep. Once cooked, let it cool and place in an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. The cooled quinoa can also be frozen for up to 8 months.
Cooked quinoa can be eaten cold, or warm through to enjoy. Reheat on the stovetop with a little oil or in the microwave with a tablespoon of water per cup stirred into it. Cover with a paper towel and heat on high for 3 minutes, stirring halfway.
How do you add more flavor?
Quinoa has a slightly sweet and nutty flavor, and I find it delicious as it is. If you would like more flavor, you can add some bay leaves or spices like cumin, cilantro, or garlic powder to the water in the Instant Pot. Try stirring in a bouillon cube to the water before adding the quinoa or use vegetable or chicken stock to cook it.
How do you serve quinoa?
Add quinoa to your salads or serve it as a side dish as an alternative to rice or pasta. Be sure to try these other quinoa recipes for inspiration!
- Quinoa Salad with Salmon
- Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad
- Balsamic-Glazed Chicken with Citrus Salad and Quinoa
- Greek Quinoa Salad with Chicken
TIPS FROM NELI’S KITCHEN
Recipe Notes and Tips for the Perfect Instant Pot Quinoa
- Be sure to rinse the quinoa well under cold running water before adding it to your Instant Pot. It has a natural coating of saponin that can taste bitter if not washed off.
- Stick to the ratio of one part water and one part quinoa when making this recipe. Too much liquid and the quinoa will be watery, and too little it won’t be cooked properly.
- For more flavorful quinoa, cook it in vegetable broth or chicken broth instead of water.
- Regardless of how much quinoa you make, the cooking time remains the same. Keep in mind quinoa triples in size when cooked. Be careful you don’t overfill the pot.
- Regardless of which quinoa variety you use, the cooking time and water ratio will remain the same.
- One cup of dry quinoa will yield about 3 cups of cooked quinoa.
More Instant Pot Recipes
Instant Pot Quinoa
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INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup quinoa
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Cooking spray
INSTRUCTIONS
- Rinse quinoa very thoroughly under running water until water runs clear.
- Spray the bottom of the Instant Pot bowl with cooking spray. Add rinsed quinoa, water, salt, and stir everything. Close the lid and turn the valve to ‘Seal’. Cook on Manual High Pressure for 1 minute, naturally release pressure for 10 minutes, quick release any remaining pressure.
- Open the lid carefully and fluff quinoa with a fork, and serve warm.
TIPS & NOTES
- Be sure to rinse the quinoa well under cold running water before adding it to your Instant Pot. It has a natural coating which can taste bitter if not washed off.
- Stick to the ratio of one part water and one part quinoa when making this recipe. Too much liquid and the quinoa will be watery, and too little it won’t be cooked properly.
NUTRITION
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