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    Home » Recipes » Instant Pot Recipes

    Instant Pot Quinoa

    Updated: Jan 12, 2023 · Published: Jul 7, 2022 by Eileen Murphy Kelly

    Jump to Recipe
    Servings 4 servings
    Prep 2 minutes mins
    Cook 23 minutes mins
    A pinterest pin with text overlay of quinoa in a white bowl and another photo of the quinoa in the bowl.

    This Instant Pot Quinoa Recipe is the perfect way to make a healthy and delicious side dish in minutes. With just a few simple ingredients, you can have a nutritious dinner side dish that everyone will love. Plus, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights.

    Jump to:
    • ❤️ Why you'll love this recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Equipment
    • Instructions
    • Storage
    • Expert Tips
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Variations
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Similar recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    ❤️ Why you'll love this recipe

    • Quinoa is nutritious, gluten-free, and packed with protein and dietary fiber.
    • The Instant Pot cooks quinoa quickly and easily.
    • Using the pressure cooker is a foolproof method for making quinoa.
    • This recipe is versatile and can be customized to your liking.
    • Fluffy and light perfectly cooked quinoa, every time.

    Ingredients

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    • quinoa, rinsed
    • vegetable broth or vegetable stock
    • salt

    Equipment

    • 6 quart Instant Pot
    • measuring cup and spoon

    Instructions

    This is an overview of the recipe. The full instructions are below in the recipe card.

    1. Add the rinsed quinoa, vegetable broth, and salt to the Instant Pot insert and put the lid in place.
    2. Set the pot to manual/high pressure and set the cook time to 1 minute.
    3. The pot will take about 5-10 minutes to pressurize before the 1 minute starts counting down.
    4. Let it do a natural pressure release for 15 minutes. Turn the knob to vent to release any remaining pressure.
    5. Open the instant pot top, fluff the quinoa, and serve. Enjoy!

    Storage

    Store in a covered airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

    Reheat on the stovetop with a little chicken broth or water. You can also use a microwave and follow manufacturers' instructions.

    Expert Tips

    Expert Tip: Rinse the quinoa well before cooking. This will help to remove any bitterness and grit from the quinoa.

    • This is a great recipe to use for meal prep. We make a batch and use it all week in salads and add roasted veggies like green beans and asparagus.
    • This is a great recipe to use for meal planning. Make a big batch and use all week in burrito bowls, taco bowls, or veggie burritos.
    • When rinsing the quinoa, place it in a fine mesh strainer and run cold water over the quinoa.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Do you have questions about this Instant Pot Quinoa recipe? Here are the most commonly asked questions about this recipe.

    How long does it take to cook quinoa in the instant pot?

    It takes about 1 minute of cook time at high pressure to cook quinoa in the Instant Pot. It will take 15-20 minutes for the pot to come to pressure before the timer starts counting down.

    Do I have to rinse quinoa?

    Yes, it is important to rinse the quinoa before cooking. This will help to remove any dirt and bitter taste from the quinoa.

    Can I double this recipe?

    Yes, you can double this pressure cooker quinoa recipe. Just be sure to use a pot that is large enough. An 8-quart Instant Pot should work for doubling this recipe.

    What is the ratio of liquid to quinoa?

    In general, 1 cup quinoa to 2 cups liquid will produce tender and delicious results.

    What does quinoa taste like?

    Quinoa has a mild nutty flavor. It can also be used in sweet recipes. Great for breakfast mixed with warm almond milk.

    Variations

    Do you want to change up this recipe? Here are some ideas!

    • Make it a complete meal: Stir in cooked chicken, shrimp, or beef after cooking for a complete meal.
    • If you want to add some extra flavor to your quinoa, try cooking it in garlic-infused olive oil or adding some diced onion to the pot with the quinoa.
    • You can swap out the vegetable broth for any broth you prefer, or just cold water will do great as well. Make note, that changing the broth can alter the taste of the finished quinoa.
    • This is a base quinoa recipe, you can add more flavor by adding your favorite spices, sauce, or even some parmesan cheese. The options to change up the flavor of this side dish are endless.
    • You can also add vegetables or tofu to the pot when cooking the quinoa for a complete meal.
    • Add in some spices such as chili powder, homemade seasoned salt, or cajun seasoning.

    Serving Suggestions

    • Use this Instant Pot quinoa recipe to make the quinoa for this delicious Kale and Quinoa Salad with Pomegranates.
    • Add some flavor to this pressure cooker quinoa recipe by tossing it in this Kale Pesto.
    • I love to serve a side of garlic parmesan quinoa alongside these Falafel Pita Sandwiches for a healthy meal that your entire family will enjoy.
    • Add some to the Grilled Greek Chicken Salad for extra protein.

    Similar recipes

    • Instant Pot Oatmeal is an easy recipe to make, and also one of the most nutritious meals that you can start your day with.
    • Instant Pot Hummus is a chickpea-based dip with a smooth, creamy texture. The flavors are robust and the entire process is super easy. You will love this pressure cooker dip recipe.
    • Our Instant Pot Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes are incredibly creamy and fluffy. Once you try them, you won't need any other recipe. This comfort food side dish will quickly become a family favorite recipe for you.
    • Enjoy other easy side dishes such as Garlic Roasted Red Potatoes, Roasted Potatoes, and Roasted Broccoli with Garlic.
    • For all our delicious instant pot recipes, click here.
    A white bowl filled with cooked quinoa topped with parsley.

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    If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.

    If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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    Instant Pot Quinoa

    Instant Pot quinoa makes the most delicious quinoa, every time. A quck, easy, foolproof recipe. It takes just a minute to get the recipe ready and the Instant Pot does the rest. Perfect, tender and perfectly cooked quinoa. A great recipe to make ahead and use for meal planning.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print (Email Required) Rate
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: South American
    Keyword: instant pot quinoa, pressure cooker quinoa, quinoa in the instant pot
    Prep Time: 2 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 23 minutes minutes
    0 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 241kcal
    Author: Eileen Kelly

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases

    Equipment Needed:

    • As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
    • 6 quart Instant Pot
    • Measuring Spoons and Cups

    Ingredients

    • 1 ½ cup quinoa, rinsed
    • 18 ounces vegetable broth
    • 1 teaspoon salt

    Instructions

    • Combine the quinoa, vegetable broth, and salt in the Instant Pot insert and put the lid in place.
    • Set your pot to manual/high pressure and set the cook time to 1 minute.
    • The pot will take about 5-10 minutes to pressurize before the 1 minute starts counting down.
    • Let it naturally release for 15 minutes. Turn the knob to vent to release any remaining pressure.
    • Open the top, fluff the quinoa, serve. Enjoy!

    NOTES

    Be sure to check the Expert Tips and FAQs above with important tips and questions that can help make a delicious recipe.
    The recipe makes 4 cups of quinoa. 
    Notes: You can use the type of quinoa you prefer. As long as it’s not one of those rice and quinoa mixtures, and is just quinoa, this recipe will be perfect.
    ●     You can swap out the vegetable broth for any broth you prefer, or just water will do great as well. Please note that changing the type of broth can alter the taste of the finished quinoa.
    ●     The actual cooking time is 1 minute, but I always include the pressurizing and release time into the cooking time. Don’t set your pot for 23 minutes of cooking time, total, or you’ll ruin your yummy quinoa!
    ●     This is great for a base recipe when making any kind of quinoa. Add more spices, protein, etc. to make it a full meal, or just use it as a side.
    Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation and actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and proportion sizes.
    Don’t forget to shop at the Everyday Eileen store on Amazon

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 241kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1095mg | Potassium: 359mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 281IU | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 3mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @Everyday_Eileen or tag #everydayeileen!

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