This easy pressure cooker quinoa recipe yields fluffy and flavor quinoa every time you make it. There is no guesswork with this easy cooking method.

Swap Instant Pot quinoa for rice and pasta in all of your favorite recipes for a healthy boost of protein.

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There is never a wrong time to add healthy foods into your diet. Quinoa is a versatile, protein-rich grain, but it can be tricky to cook quinoa properly.

When I cook quinoa on the stove, it tends to come out mushy and overdone. The suggested water to quinoa ratio shown on the package never seemed correct, and I was about to give up on cooking quinoa.

Then I discovered that cooking quinoa in the Instant Pot was not only easy, but the results were also perfect every single time.

Quinoa has a wonderful texture and a mildly nutty flavor. It can be eaten on its own or used in recipes in place of rice or pasta.

I like to serve my Instant Pot Greek Chicken over quinoa, and I cook it in the pot at the same time as chickpeas for my Instant Pot Greek chickpeas recipe.

Although it’s technically a seed, quinoa is considered to be a whole grain. Quinoa is a complete protein, which means it contains all of the essential amino acids needed by your body. It’s also a good source of dietary fiber.

This Instant pot quinoa recipe can all be used as an easy way to add extra protein to your meals.

It’s such a versatile ingredient–I also love adding leftover cooked quinoa to my favorite pancake batter, or to muffins and quickbreads. My kids don’t even notice!

More Easy Pressure Cooker Whole Grain Recipes:

• Instant Pot Brown Rice
• Instant Pot Jasmine Rice
• Instant Pot Basmati Rice
• Instant Pot White Rice

Tips for Cooking and Using Quinoa

• The key to perfect Instant Pot quinoa is the 1:1 ratio of liquid to quinoa, which is less water than the stovetop method. For every cup of quinoa, you’ll use a cup of liquid.
• Always rinse quinoa until the water runs clear and drain it completely before cooking (I use a fine mesh strainer). This rinses off the natural coating, known as saponin, which can impart a bitter or soapy flavor. But you don’t need to soak it!
• Make pressure cooker quinoa with chicken or vegetable broth instead of water for more flavor.
• Double this recipe by doubling the ingredients. 1 cup of uncooked quinoa will yield about 3 cups of cooked quinoa.
• Freeze leftover quinoa in zip-top bags or another airtight container for later use. Divide into 1-cup portions to easily add to recipes or for make-ahead meal prep.
• Add a bit of leftover quinoa to the batter of all of your favorite baked goods including pancakes, muffins and quickbreads.

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How to Make Pressure Cooker Quinoa

It’s really easy to cook perfect quinoa in the Instant Pot with this foolproof method. This easy recipe also works for the Ninja Foodi or other brands of electric pressure cookers.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

• Quinoa
• Broth or Water
• Salt (you can omit salt if using broth)

How to Make It:

(Full printable recipe is available below)

Add the ingredients. First, you’ll combine your cup quinoa, your broth or water, and salt (if using) in the insert pot of the Instant Pot.

Cook the quinoa. Next, you’ll cover and seal the Instant Pot and cook the quinoa at high pressure for a 1 minute cooking time (use the Manual button or Pressure Cook button), followed by a complete natural pressure release.

Fluff and serve. Last, you’ll fluff the quinoa with a fork and serve.

Notes and Adaptations:

• Quinoa roughly triples when cooked (so 1 cup of uncooked yields about 3 cups cooked). Feel free to double this recipe if needed–the ratios and cook time will remain the same.
• You can freeze leftover quinoa by allowing it to cool completely, then scooping it into plastic zip-top bags. Remove as much air as possible before sealing, then transfer to the freezer.
• Looking for ways to use up small amounts of leftover quinoa? I love to add it to baked goods for some extra protein! You can simply add leftover cooked quinoa to pancake batter, quickbread or muffin batter, etc.

Continue to Content

Yield: Approx. 3 Cups Cooked Quinoa

Instant Pot Quinoa

Print

This fluffy quinoa cooks quickly, thanks to the Instant Pot! Use it as a base in your favorite recipe, or as a simple side dish.

Prep Time 2 minutes

Cook Time 1 minute

Additional Time 20 minutes

Total Time 23 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup broth or water
• 1/4 tsp salt (optional if using water or low-sodium broth)

Instructions

1. Add quinoa to the insert pot of the Instant Pot, followed by broth or water. If using salt, add it as well.
2. Stir to combine. Close the lid and set the vent to the sealed position.
3. Using the Manual/Pressure Cook button, select a cook time of 1 minute at high pressure.
4. When the cook time is complete, allow a natural release of pressure. After the pressure has released and the valve has dropped, carefully remove the lid.
5. Fluff quinoa with a fork and serve.

Notes

• Quinoa roughly triples when cooked (so 1 cup of uncooked yields about 3 cups cooked). Feel free to double this recipe if needed--the ratios and cook time will remain the same.
• You can freeze leftover quinoa by allowing it to cool completely, then scooping it into plastic zip-top bags. Remove as much air as possible before sealing, then transfer to the freezer.
• Looking for ways to use up small amounts of leftover quinoa? I love to add it to baked goods for some extra protein! You can simply add leftover cooked quinoa to pancake batter, quickbread or muffin batter, etc.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1/2 cup
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 51Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 158mgCarbohydrates: 8gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 2g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and is not guaranteed for accuracy.

Want more delicious recipe ideas?

Check out even more mealtime inspiration on my Pinterest boards!

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