Our fool-proof Instant Pot Quinoa recipe is perfectly fluffy every time and is faster than most other Instant Pot quinoa recipes (hello quick release!).
This recipe was updated on May 2, 2023 to change the water-to-quinoa ratio.
In this post, we’re going to talk about the benefits of cooking quinoa in an Instant Pot and share some delicious Instant Pot quinoa recipes that you can try at home.
Benefits of Cooking Quinoa in an Instant Pot
When it comes to cooking quinoa, using an Instant Pot has several advantages over traditional stovetop methods.
For one, it saves time. No more waiting for the water to boil or worrying about the pot boiling over. The Instant Pot also retains more nutrients than stovetop cooking, ensuring that your quinoa is healthy and nutritious.
It’s easy to use and clean, and the results are consistent every time. Plus, the Instant Pot is versatile and can be used to cook a variety of grains and ingredients.
What You Need
Like cooking traditional quinoa on the stovetop, all you need is quinoa and liquid!
Quinoa: you can use any kind of quinoa for this recipe such as white quinoa, red quinoa, or a blend.
Liquid: this recipe calls for water, but we’ve also made it with broth to add more flavor!
Mesh Sieve: we also recommend using a mesh sieve for this recipe in order to rinse your quinoa (which you should not skip!).
Liquid-to-Quinoa Ratio
Traditional stovetop quinoa calls for a 2:1 water-to-quinoa ratio. We tested this ratio using the Instant Pot, and it came out much too moist.
We recommend a 1:1.25 water-to-quinoa ratio in order to get super fluffy, perfectly cooked quinoa.
- 1 cup quinoa
- 1.25 cups water
Cook Time for Instant Pot Quinoa
Some people like to use the rice cooking feature on the Instant Pot and some like a gradual natural release. If you’re anything like us, you know that a natural release can be slow and painful and take even more time than other methods.
This is why we tested our recipe with a quick release. We tested times ranging from 2 minutes to 8 minutes and 5 minutes was the golden time.
5 minutes + a quick-release created the perfectly fluffy quinoa that is truly fool-proof every time.
Tips and Tricks for Cooking Quinoa in an Instant Pot
- Rinse your quinoa before cooking. This will remove any residue and make sure you don’t get that sour aftertaste.
- Make sure your vent is turned to ‘seal’ instead of ‘vent’ before setting your Instant Pot.
- Use broth instead of water for extra flavor. Any kind of broth works!
- Set your pressure to high pressure instead of ‘low pressure.’
- Use a 1:1.25 ratio of quinoa to water or broth.
- Add salt or spices to the water for extra flavor.
Serving Suggestions
- Bowls: We’re huge fans of bowls and quinoa is one of our all-time favorite things to really amp up the protein and nutrition of any bowl. Try our Thai Coconut Quinoa Bowls.
- Lunch Meal Prep: adding quinoa to one of our healthy lunch ideas is never a bad idea! It’ll get you more protein and a delicious side!
- Quinoa & Meatballs: one of my personal favorite things to do is sub out noodles for quinoa. Our Homemade Italian Meatballs would go great with a serving of quinoa!
- Soup/Chili: Want to amp up a brothy soup? Add cooked quinoa once it’s done cooking. Add about 1 to 2 cups of cooked quinoa to Taco Soup, Kale Soup, or Spicy Coconut Thai Curry Soup.
Storage
Store quinoa in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5-7 days.
Freezer Instructions
Can you freeze quinoa? Freezing cooked quinoa is easy! All you have to do is let the quinoa cool completely. Then, transfer it into a freezer-safe, gallon-size bag. Remove as much air as possible and then seal. The quinoa will last for up to 3 months.
Trust me, you will love cooking quinoa in the Instant Pot. Prep is easy and clean-up is a breeze!
