Quinoa Instant Pot

Name: Quinoa Instant Pot
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 3 min
Total time: 18 min
Ingredients: 1 cup quinoa; 1.5 cups chicken stock

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Making quinoa in an instant pot is a quick and simple way to prepare this nutritious grain. Made with chicken broth, this quinoa is packed with flavor and ready as a side dish or for your favorite recipes.

Our recipe creates the fluffiest quinoa with a hands-off cooking method. Forget learning how to cook quinoa on the stove and instead make instant pot quinoa!

For more instant pot grain recipes, check out Instant Pot Sushi Rice, Jasmine Rice (Instant Pot), Basmati Rice (Instant Pot) and Long Grain White Rice (Instant Pot),

Quinoa only requires 3 minutes under pressure before the pressure can start to release. It is quicker than you could ever imagine!

You can skip boiling water on the stove or burning quinoa on the bottom of a pot with this fool proof method. The end result is perfectly cooked quinoa every time.

Plus, you can store leftovers in the fridge and freezer to meal prep for the week.

Quinoa can be substituted for rice or oats is most recipes. It quickly soaks up the flavor of any recipe making it very versatile.

Consider swapping it into Gluten Free Oatmeal Recipes, Gluten Free Chicken Fried Rice, or Baked Chicken and Brown Rice Casserole.

To get started, gather the equipment and ingredients then follow the written instructions or printable recipe card. Enjoy!

Table of Contents

Ingredients

1 cup quinoa
1.5 cups chicken stock

Gluten-Free Guide: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten.

How To Make

Add the quinoa and chicken broth to the instant pot. Place the lid on and turn the valve to sealing.

Cook

Set the instant pot to high pressure for 3 minutes.

Once the time is up let it do a natural release for 10 minutes then turn the valve to venting to release the rest of the pressure. Remove the lid.

Serve

Serve as a side dish or use in your favorite recipes.

What is Quinoa?

Quinoa (pronounced “keen-wah”) is an edible seed that comes in a variety of colors – white, red, yellow, black. It is also sold tricolor as you can see in this recipe.

It is often considered a pseudograin as it is technically not a grain but has the nutrient profile similar to a grain. Every cup is known to be packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber and protein.

Quinoa is gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, egg-free and vegetarian to make it an outstanding allergen-free option.

Serving Suggestions

Learning how to cook quinoa in an instant pot sets you up to create a delicious and nutritious recipe. It can be served as a side option (plain or seasoned) or featured in any burrito, taco, soup, salad or grain bowl.

Quinoa can also act as a binder in burgers, meatballs, granola bars and cookies.

If looking to serve as a side dish, consider pairing with:

Keeping in mind that this grain is protein rich, it can also be the base of any vegan or vegetarian dish. Pair with a variety of colorful vegetables to create a complete meal.

Tips and Substitutions

Use beef or vegetable broth or water instead of chicken broth for cooking.
Use tricolor, red, white, yellow or black quinoa without changing the cooking time.
Add seasonings such as garlic powder, onion powder, or your favorite spices to the quinoa before or after cooking.
Drizzle with olive oil or toss with roasted garlic for added flavor.
Do not turn on the “Keep Warm” function with quinoa, immediately remove it from heat once pressure is released to prevent overcooking.
Fluff the quinoa with a fork instead of stirring.
If there is extra moisture in the Instant pot after cooking, remove the insert and let sit uncovered for 5-10 minutes to allow the liquid to evaporate.
Always rinse quinoa before cooking to keep the grain from being bitter.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to make quinoa taste good?

Quinoa must be rinsed prior to cooking. It is coated with saponins, which are safe to consume but bitter in flavor. By rinsing the quinoa in a colander until cool water for a few minutes, you can eliminate the bitterness.

Quinoa to water ratio?

It is 1 cup of quinoa to 1.5 cups of liquid. Use this ratio if looking to make a double batch.

What is the difference between quick and natural release?

There are two pressure-releasing functions with an Instant pot – natural and quick release. Natural is letting the pressure release from the pot on its own. Quick is a manual release of pressure by turning the value to venting. Read each Instant pot recipe to see which release function is required.

How much does 1 cup of dry quinoa make?

You can expect 1 cup of dry to yield 3 cups of cooked.

Do you change the cooking time if you double the recipe?

The cooking time does not need to be adjusted. Simply add the additional quinoa and liquid then cook with the same time as a single batch.

Kids In The Kitchen

Cooking tips and suggestions for kids making this recipe.

Use a fine mesh colander (one with very small holes) to rinse the quinoa.
Swap chicken broth with vegetable broth or water to turn this recipe vegetarian.
Be cautious when turning the Instant pot to venting as water may burst out of the top of the lid.
Use a fork to fluff the quinoa instead of stirring to keep the grain intact and fluffy.

Storing Quinoa (Instant Pot)

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

Quinoa can be a great choose for picky eaters at home or kids refusing to eat protein such as fish, chicken or beef at meals.

In the freezer: Place cooled quinoa onto a baking sheet to freeze for at least 30 minutes. Once frozen, it can be added to a container, Ziploc bag or stasher bag to freeze for up to 3 months.

For best results, thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat the next day.

In the pantry (dry): Store dry quinoa in a cool dark place for a few months or up to a year if sealed tightly. It can be added to an airtight container once the seal is broken to extend its shelf life.

Reheating Instructions

Microwave: Add thawed quinoa to a microwave-safe bowl with a splash of water or broth to rehydrate the quinoa. Cover with a damp paper towel to retain the moisture and microwave in 30-second increments. Stir in-between until hot.

Stovetop: Place quinoa in a covered pot over low to medium heat to reheat until hot (approximately 3-5 minutes for thawed and 7-10 minutes for frozen). Add a splash of water to the bottom of the pot to prevent it from burning. Stir occasionally.

More Instant Pot Recipes

CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.

The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.

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