Instant Pot Quinoa

Ready in just 5 minutes, this Instant Pot quinoa requires very few ingredients and is a versatile side dish that will pair well with just about anything.

Cooked quinoa can be used to make salads, bowls, and many other healthy protein-packed meals, so if you haven't tried it yet, consider this your sign to cook quinoa in your Instant Pot for dinner tonight.

Recipe Video

Why This Recipe Works

This Instant Pot quinoa is a great recipe that works on so many levels.

First, it's a super healthy food that you can feel good about feeding your family. It's an excellent source of a multitude of different vitamins and minerals, plus it's packed with vegetable-based protein making it an excellent vegan side dish option. Additionally, these perfectly cooked grains are gluten-free and keto friendly (when eaten in moderation).

The second reason that Instant Pot quinoa is so great is that it's a blank slate. It doesn't have much in the way of flavor naturally, but you can season it however you please. Try chili peppers, paprika, and coriander for a little spice to serve with curry, or add some cherry tomatoes, cucumber, lemon juice, and olive oil for a delicious cold salad. You can even try cooking quinoa in some chicken broth, vegetable broth, or even almond milk.

Third, this Instant Pot quinoa is an excellent item to include when doing your weekly meal prep. Being that it is such an excellent source of protein, this perfect Instant Pot quinoa can be made in a double recipe giving you more than enough quinoa for multiple meals throughout the week.

Finally, what makes this Instant Pot quinoa recipe so great is the speed with which it is ready to eat. Stove-top quinoa or rice cooker quinoa, unlike quinoa that is made to pressure cook, could take more than double the amount of time to cook. Making quinoa by pressure cooking in the Instant Pot gives you the perfect quinoa in less than 5 minutes.

Ingredients

Dry Quinoa:

For this Instant Pot recipe, you will need one cup of quinoa. This can be any variety of dry quinoa you like. Red quinoa, black quinoa, tri-color quinoa, and red and white quinoa will all work for this perfect Instant Pot quinoa recipe.

To get perfectly fluffy Instant Pot quinoa, I recommend rinsing it in a fine mesh strainer with cold running water. Rinsed quinoa will give you fluffy quinoa perfectly cooked in your Instant Pot every time.

Water:

When cooking quinoa, water is always necessary. However, you can add more delicious flavor to your Instant Pot quinoa by cooking it in chicken broth, chicken stock, vegetable broth, or even lemon juice instead of water.

Seasonings:

While this Instant Pot quinoa recipe only calls for salt and pepper as far as seasonings go, you can always think outside the box and use whatever seasonings you like, such as garlic powder, ground cumin, or chili powder.

How to Make Instant Pot Quinoa

Step One: Add one cup of dry quinoa and one cup of water to your Instant Pot. Salt and pepper to taste.

Step Two: Cook on high pressure for 4 minutes.

Step Three: When cooking time is complete, do a quick release and carefully remove the lid.

Step Four: Fluff with a fork, serve while hot and enjoy!

Tips

• When making quinoa in the Instant Pot, have fun and get creative with your flavors. Just because the recipe calls for one thing, doesn't mean you can't go off script. Season your Instant Pot quinoa with any flavors you want. You can even make cooked quinoa in your Instant Pot using vegetable or chicken broth for added flavor.
• Instant Pot quinoa is a bit of a blank slate, so you can really incorporate any additional ingredients you want, such as diced mushrooms, carrots, corn, or bell peppers.

What to Serve With Instant Pot Quinoa

I love cooking quinoa in the Instant Pot because it's so easy to find a side dish that pairs well with it.

To keep the meal vegan, try serving your Instant Pot quinoa alongside some yummy air fryer bok choy, these Instant Pot artichokes, or mushroom tacos.

For something a little heartier, your perfectly cooked quinoa will pair nicely with this chicken tikka masala or Spanish pork stew.

FAQs

What is quinoa?

While it's not technically a grain, quinoa is often called a "pseudo-grain" because it has the same nutritional properties and is eaten the same way as a cereal grain, but unlike a cereal grain, it's plant-based. It is, however, considered to be a superfood because of its incredible nutritional benefits. Just 1 cup of quinoa is loaded with iron, zinc, manganese, phosphorous, vitamin b6, and more.

Some consider quinoa to taste bitter or bland however you can change that by adding your own seasonings to create a flavorful quinoa recipe using the Instant Pot method for cooking quinoa.

Can I Double the Recipe?

Yes you can. Quinoa uses a simple 1:1 ratio for cooking. Cook quinoa in whatever amount you desire, with no fancy math required.

You can double up this recipe easily — just use two cups of quinoa and two cups of water. Follow the same recipe instructions.

How long can Instant Pot quinoa leftovers be stored?

Cooked quinoa made using the Instant Pot can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge or 3 months in the freezer. This is what makes it such a good item to double and make lots of to add to soups, cold salad recipes, and other meals throughout the week. Simply double the ingredients! The cook time will stay the same for a double recipe.

Can I add any vegetables to my quinoa?

You can add just about any vegetable you can imagine to your Instant Pot quinoa recipe, from mushrooms to zucchini, tomatoes, and even cucumber can make a perfect quinoa recipe.

Healthy Instant Pot Recipes

If you loved how easy and versatile this recipe is, check out this collection of some of my other favorite quick and easy Instant Pot recipes.

• Instant Pot Polenta
• Instant Pot Zucchini Noodles
• Instant Pot Roasted Brussels Sprouts
• Instant Pot Lentils
• Instant Pot Israeli Couscous