Did you know you can make quinoa in the instant pot or pressure cooker? Learn how to make instant pot quinoa that comes out fluffy and delicious in just minutes.
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People always wonder what kinds of vegetarian and vegan foods they can make in their instant pot. And while there are lots of great recipes out there, my favorite thing to make in my instant pot is the basics!
Quinoa is something I eat pretty often, and I was so excited to find out I could make it in the instant pot. If you don’t own a pressure cooker, no worries, you can still learn how to cook quinoa on the stovetop!
Instant pot quinoa ingredients
- Quinoa
- Water
How to make instant pot quinoa
- Combine quinoa and water in the instant pot and arrange in an even layer.
- Seal the lid and valve and pressure cook for 3 minutes on high pressure. It will take 5-10 minutes for the instant pot to come up to pressure.
- Once it has finished cooking, do a natural release of the pressure for 10 minutes.
- Turn the valve to release any remaining pressure. Once the valve has dropped, you can open the lid.
- Fluff with a fork and enjoy as a side dish or use in salads, casseroles, and more.
Top tips and questions
What is quinoa?
Quinoa is a seed that is often categorized as a grain, even though technically it is not. It is high in protein, fiber, and other nutrients that make it a great addition to any diet, but especially a plant based diet.
Quinoa is easy to cook and makes a great side dish or addition to bowls, soups, and casseroles. When properly cooked it should be fluffy with an appearance of a “halo” around the seed, which is the germ of the seed separating from the kernel.
Is quinoa gluten-free?
Yes, quinoa is naturally gluten-free and vegan.
Can I make other colors of quinoa in the instant pot?
Yes, you can use any color quinoa such as red, black, or tri-color, to make quinoa in your instant pot. The directions remain the same.
Do I need to rinse quinoa?
Yes, I recommend rinsing your quinoa before cooking. This will help remove some of the bitter taste that people sometimes complain about.
Add your quinoa to a fine mesh sieve and rinse under cold, running water for at least 2 minutes or until the water runs clear.
How do I cook quinoa on the stovetop?
You can read my post about how to cook quinoa to learn all the details about cooking it on the stovetop, but I’ll run you through the basics.
First, rinse your quinoa in a fine mesh sieve under running water for at least 2 minutes. Heat a little olive oil in a medium pot over medium heat, then add the quinoa and cook until it begins to dry out and jump around.
Add almost twice as much water or stock as you have quinoa, bring to a boil, then cover, reduce the heat, and simmer until all the water has been absorbed, about 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and let rest, covered, for 5-10 minutes before fluffing with a fork and enjoying.
How long is quinoa good for?
Cooked quinoa will last 3-5 days covered in the refrigerator. You can also freeze it in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Uncooked quinoa will keep for months in an airtight container on a dark shelf or in the freezer.
What kind of instant pot should I buy?
I have the Instant Pot Duo 6 quart. I like it because it can do a lot of different things. However, this recipe should work with any pressure cooker, even if it isn’t an Instant Pot.
How to do a pressure cooker natural release
This recipes requires a natural release of pressure after cooking. This is very easy to do. After the quinoa has finished cooking, allow the pressure cooker to remain closed until the pressure naturally releases, about 10 minutes.
At that point, you can turn the valve to release any remaining pressure and open the lid. Make sure the pressure valve has dropped before opening the lid of your instant pot.
Is this a 3 minute recipe?
Instant pot recipes can sometimes be a little misleading on how quickly they’re prepared. While the quinoa only takes 3 minutes to cook in the instant pot, it may take 5 minutes for more to come to pressure, and you need to allow 10 minutes for the natural release at the end.
All in all, this recipes takes about 20 minutes from start to finish, which is about the same as making it on the stovetop, so plan accordingly.
Ways to use quinoa
- Rainbow Quinoa Salad
- Slow Cooker Quinoa Enchilada Casserole
- Warm Kale and Quinoa Salad
- Broccoli Quinoa Casserole
- Vegan Quinoa Salad with Balsamic Tofu
- Italian Quinoa Casserole
- Crispy Quinoa Bake
- Vegetarian Quinoa White Chili
- Vegetarian Autumn Grain Bowl
More instant pot recipes
If you make this recipe, be sure to rate it, leave a comment, or tag #theliveinkitchen on Instagram!
Instant Pot Quinoa
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa, rinsed and drained
- 1 ½ cups water
Instructions
- Combine quinoa and water in the instant pot and arrange in an even layer.
- Seal the lid and valve and pressure cook for 3 minutes on high pressure. It will take 5-10 minutes for the instant pot to come up to pressure.
- Once it has finished cooking, do a natural release of the pressure for 10 minutes.
- Turn the valve to release any remaining pressure. Once the valve has dropped, you can open the lid
- Fluff with a fork and enjoy as a side dish or use in salads, casseroles, and more.
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