Step-by-Step Guide on how to cook Instant Pot Quinoa with our easy “Zero-Minute” method! Perfectly cooked, deliciously savory, nutty, and fluffy with a slight satisfying bite. This gluten-free supergrain quinoa Instant Pot recipe makes a healthy side dish, breakfast dish, salad topping, substitute for rice, or mix-in for stews and soups.
Quinoa
Quinoa (pronounced: KEEN-wah) is an ancient seed of an edible plant. The Inca Empire has ate it for thousands of years.
There are 3 Main Types of Quinoa: Red Quinoa, Black Quinoa, and White Quinoa.
Though it’s not a true grain, it’s prepared and served similar to a grain (i.e. rice). It’s very versatile, easy to eat, easy to digest, and easy to make.
Why is Quinoa Good for You?
In recent years, quinoa has rapidly become one of the most popular healthy superfoods, boasting as one of the most nutrient-dense carbs.
It’s high in dietary fiber, high-quality protein (more than any other grain), dietary minerals, and antioxidants. It’s also one of the few plant foods that contain all nine essential amino acids!
How to Cook Instant Pot Quinoa
What we look for in Quinoa
We experimented with white quinoa to find the best “Liquid-to-Quinoa” Ratio and pressure cooking time that yield perfectly cooked, tasty, and fluffy pressure cooker quinoa.
- Textures: cooked through, separated individual “grain”, fluffy with a slight chew; not mushy, dry, clumpy, sticky, or gummy
- Flavors: nutty, rich, savory, earthy, flavorful (not bland)
“Zero-Minute” Method – Pressure Cook at High Pressure for 0 Minute
Yes! You can “pressure cook” at 0 (zero) minutes! From our experiments, our “Zero-Minute” method works best for cooking quinoa in Instant Pot.
By setting the pressure cooking time to “0 (zero) minutes”, we’re using the heat generated during the “building pressure” stage and “releasing pressure” stage to cook quinoa in Instant Pot.
If your Instant Pot doesn’t let you set “zero minutes”, set it to “Pressure Cook at High Pressure for 1 minute”. Once it comes up to pressure, press “Cancel” to stop the pressure cooking process.
Ingredients for cooking Quinoa in Instant Pot
We’re keeping this quinoa Instant Pot recipe as simple yet tasty as possible, so you can use it in a variety of ways.
We’re only using 4 pantry ingredients – White Quinoa, Unsalted Chicken Stock, Fine Salt, and Olive Oil.
Quinoa: We experimented with white quinoa to develop this quinoa Instant Pot recipe. Try to buy pre-rinsed quinoa that has rinsed off the bitter-tasting saponin coating.
Unsalted Chicken Stock: We develop recipes with unsalted ingredients so we can better control the flavors. If you’re substituting it with salted chicken stock, keep in mind that the sodium level can vary a lot between different brands. Always taste and adjust accordingly.
Tools for Cooking Quinoa Instant Pot Recipe
Rinse Quinoa
Quinoa has a protective coating called saponin that tastes bitter. Check your quinoa package to see if they instruct you to rinse or not because most packaged quinoa has been pre-rinsed to remove the saponin.
For bulk quinoa, rinse with cold water to help remove the saponin to reduce the bitterness. Make sure to drain really well to avoid throwing off the “Water to Quinoa Ratio”.
Optional – Toast Quinoa in Instant Pot
Amy + Jacky’s Notes: This optional step will increase the aroma and flavors of the Instant Pot quinoa.
Press the “Saute” button on Instant Pot, then wait 1 minute.
Pour 1 tablespoon (15ml) olive oil in Instant Pot, then add the quinoa in Instant Pot.
Toast the quinoa in Instant Pot until fragrant (around 2 to 3 mins).
Pressure Cook Quinoa
Add ¼ teaspoon fine salt and 1 cup (250ml) unsalted chicken stock or cold water in Instant Pot.
Use a wooden spoon to scrub the bottom to make sure no quinoa is stuck to the bottom of the pot.
With Venting Knob in Venting Position, close the lid, then turn Venting Knob to Sealing Position.
Instant Pot Quinoa Cooking Time:
- Toasted Quinoa: Pressure Cook at High Pressure for “0” (zero) minute, then Natural Release for 10 minutes.
- Non-Toasted Quinoa: Pressure Cook at High Pressure “0” (zero) minute, then Natural Release for 12 minutes.
Tip #1: 0 minutes (zero minutes) is not a typo! We’re using the heat from the “Pressurizing” Stage & “Pressure Releasing” Stage to cook quinoa in Instant Pot.
Tip #2: If your Instant Pot doesn’t let you set “zero minutes”, set it to “Pressure Cook at High Pressure for 1 minute”. Once it comes up to pressure, press “Cancel”, then let it Natural Release.
After natural releasing, turn the Venting Knob to the Venting position to release the remaining pressure.
Open the lid carefully.
Serve Instant Pot Quinoa
Finally, fluff the tasty instapot quinoa, then serve.
What to Serve with Quinoa
This deliciously savory, nutty, and fluffy Instant Pot quinoa is a very versatile dish.
You can serve it as a simple tasty side dish or breakfast dish substituting rice or mashed potatoes in your meal. You can also add them to salads, stews, and soups.
Another tasty idea is to make your own quinoa bowls or poke bowls with eggs, veggies, avocadoes, your favorite toppings and protein.
Here are some tasty dishes you can serve with Quinoa:
- Chicken: Instant Pot Chicken Marsala, Instant Pot Chicken Curry, Instant Pot BBQ Chicken
- Pork: Instant Pot Pork Chops, Instant Pot Pork Roast, Instant Pot Pork Loin
- Beef: Instant Pot Pot Roast, Instant Pot Beef Stew, Instant Pot Meatballs, Instant Pot Salisbury Steak
- Other: Toasted Garlic Butter Shrimp, Instant Pot Black Beans
Enjoy your fluffy Instant Pot Quinoa!
Instant Pot Quinoa
Ingredients
- 1 cup (190g) quinoa
- 1 cup (250ml) unsalted chicken stock or cold water
- ¼ teaspoon fine salt
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) olive oil
Equipment
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Instructions
- Rinse Quinoa: Most packaged quinoa has been pre-rinsed to remove the saponin to reduce the bitterness. If necessary, give it a quick rinse with cold water, then drain really well to avoid throwing off the "Water to Quinoa Ratio".
- Optional Flavor Aroma Boosting - Toast Quinoa: Press Saute button on Instant Pot, then wait 1 minute. Pour in 1 tbsp (15ml) olive oil, then add quinoa in Instant Pot. Toast quinoa until fragrant (~2 to 3 mins).
- Pressure Cook Quinoa: Add ¼ tsp fine salt and 1 cup (250ml) unsalted chicken stock or cold water in Instant Pot. Use a wooden spoon to scrub the bottom to make sure no quinoa is stuck to the bottom. With Venting Knob in Venting Position, close the lid, then turn Venting Knob to Sealing Position. Pressure Cooking Method:Toasted Quinoa: Pressure Cook at High Pressure 0 (zero) minute, then Natural Release for 10 minutes.Non-Toasted Quinoa: Pressure Cook at High Pressure 0 (zero) minute, then Natural Release for 12 minutes.After natural releasing, turn the Venting Knob to the Venting position to release the remaining pressure. Open the lid carefully.
- Serve Quinoa: Fluff quinoa & serve. You can use quinoa as a side dish, toss into your salads or soups. Enjoy~
Notes
- If your Instant Pot doesn’t let you set “zero minutes”, set it to “Pressure Cook at High Pressure for 1 minute”. Once it comes up to pressure, press “Cancel” to stop the pressure cooking process. Then release the pressure as stated in recipe.
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