How To Cook The Perfect Quinoa

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Learn how to make the perfect most fluffy, non-mushy quinoa in the Instant Pot.

 

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Want to learn how to cook the perfect quinoa?  Here are a couple of super simple, fail-safe methods using either the Instant Pot or a stovetop pressure cooker to cook fluffy, non-mushy quinoa!

I first heard the word “quinoa” when my husband started clean-eating almost ten years ago.  His trainer at the time suggested that he incorporate quinoa into his diet as a great source of plant-based protein.  I have to admit, I was a bit skeptical at first.

What is Quinoa?

I did what I always do when I’m skeptical.  I immersed myself in research.  Here’s what I found out.

Quinoa, pronounced “keen-wah”, is a grain-crop that originated in Peru and Bolivia.  According to Healthline, quinoa is gluten-free, high in protein, and one of the few plant foods that contain sufficient amounts of all nine essential amino acids.

Not only that, but it boasts a nutrient-dense composition of fiber, magnesium, B vitamins, iron, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin E, and various beneficial antioxidants.

How to Meal-Prep Quinoa?

These days, I am notorious for incorporating quinoa into our meals.  From Quinoa Khichdi and Quinoa Biryani, to salads and soups and spicy masala quinoa, I love using this nutrient-dense ingredient and turning it into delicious, real foods that I feel great about putting on our table.  It’s as simple as making a batch of quinoa to use in various meals over 3-4 days!

What Can I Make With Meal-Prepped Quinoa?

Meal-prepped quinoa can be used in so many ways throughout your weekly meals!  It makes for a nutritious and filling side with Chevti Dal or Green Moong Dal, or Japanese Miso Eggplant and Chana Masala. Cooked quinoa can also be used to prepare these tasty meals!

Vegetable Quinoa Biryani
Easy Tomato Cucumber Salsa Quinoa Salad by My Plantiful Cooking
Roasted Veggie Quinoa Bowl

How to Cook The Perfect Quinoa

Trust me, I have gone through much experimentation and failure when trying to cook quinoa.  My earlier results have been less than stellar… from a mushy, soggy consistency to dry, undercooked quinoa.  I just needed to focus, write my measurements down, and make adjustments accordingly.

How to Cook The Perfect Quinoa In The Instant Pot

After rinsing your quinoa and straining out the water, transfer your quinoa to the inner pot of the Instant Pot.  For 1 cup uncooked quinoa, you will use 2 cups of water.  Set the Instant Pot to ‘Multigrain’ mode for 12 minutes with the valve on the ‘Sealing’ position.  Once the Instant Pot completes its cycle, move the valve position to ‘Venting’ to manually release the steam.  Once the silver (or red) float valve drops, you can carefully open the lid.

How to Cook The Perfect Quinoa In A Pressure Cooker

After rinsing your quinoa and straining out the water, transfer your quinoa to your pressure cooker  As with the Instant Pot, when cooking quinoa in a pressure cooker, you will use the same ratio (1 cup uncooked quinoa to 2 cups water).  Seal the pressure cooker and set it on a stove on medium heat.  I have a traditional ‘Indian-style’ pressure cooker that whistles.  I let my pressure cooker ‘whistle’ 2 times before turning off the heat.  That’s about 15-20 minutes.

The Perfect Quinoa In The Instant Pot

Learn how to make the perfect most fluffy, non-mushy quinoa in the Instant Pot.

 

5 from 5 votes

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 5 mins

Cook Time: 20 mins

Course: Appetizer, Breakfast, Main Course, Salad, Side Dish, Soup

Cuisine: American, Chinese, Indian, Italian, Mediterranean, Mexican

Keyword: batch cooking, how to make the perfect quinoa, instant pot authentic indian recipe, meal prepping quinoa, quinoa, quinoa in the instant pot, quinoa recipe

Servings: 6 people

Calories: 222kcal

Equipment

• Instant Pot

Ingredients

 

• ▢ 1 ½ cups uncooked quinoa
• ▢ 3 cups water

Instructions

• Rinse uncooked quinoa.
• Transfer rinsed quinoa to the IP inner pot.
• Add measured water.
• Set IP to 'Multigrain' mode, 12 minutes, valve to 'Sealing' position.
• Once the Instant Pot completes its cycle, move the valve position to 'Venting' to manually release the steam.  Once the silver (or red) float valve drops, you can carefully open the lid.

Notes

1. The best way I have found to rinse quinoa is through a fine-meshed strainer.
2. An alternate method is to cook the quinoa in a pressure cooker.  After rinsing your quinoa and straining out the water, transfer your quinoa to your pressure cooker  As with the Instant Pot, when cooking quinoa in a pressure cooker, you will use the same ratio (1 cup uncooked quinoa to 2 cups water).  Seal the pressure cooker and set it on a stove on medium heat.  I have a traditional 'Indian-style' pressure cooker that whistles.  I let my pressure cooker 'whistle' 2 times before turning off the heat.  That's about 15-20 minutes.

Nutrition Facts

The Perfect Quinoa In The Instant Pot

Amount Per Serving (1 cup)

Calories 222 Calories from Fat 36

% Daily Value*

Fat 4g6%

Saturated Fat 0g0%

Trans Fat 0g

Polyunsaturated Fat 0g

Monounsaturated Fat 0g

Cholesterol 0mg0%

Sodium 0mg0%

Potassium 0mg0%

Carbohydrates 39g13%

Fiber 5g21%

Sugar 0g0%

Protein 8g16%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. The values here may not be 100% accurate because the recipes have not been professionally evaluated nor have they been evaluated by the U.S. FDA.

Nutrition Disclaimer: All nutritional information shared on this site is an approximation. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information shared on this site should be used as a general guideline.

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Instant Pot – 8 Qt

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