How to Cook Instant Pot Quinoa

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Learn how to cook quinoa in the Instant Pot pressure cooker with this easy Instant Pot Quinoa Recipe! Plus handy tips for how to flavor quinoa and make quinoa taste good! 

quinoa made in the instant potThis post contains affiliate links. I will be compensated when a purchase is made through these links.

Have you ever wondered if you can cook quinoa in the Instant Pot pressure cooker? Good news! You absolutely can! Cooking quinoa in the Instant Pot results in deliciously fluffy quinoa in a fraction of the time!

How to Cook Quinoa in the Instant Pot

 

How long does it take to cook quinoa in a pressure cooker?

This delicious quinoa recipe takes only TWO minutes to cook in the Instant Pot! Of course, it takes a few extra minutes for the pressure cooker to build pressure and come to temperature, but the actual cook time is only two minutes, so you’ll have this yummy side dish on the dinner table in no time!


Cup of Uncooked Quinoa Next to an Instant Pot

Do you have to rinse quinoa?

Rinsing quinoa removes the natural saponin coating, which is meant to deter wildlife from eating the seeds, and can often make quinoa taste bitter or soapy. Running the quinoa under cold water in a mesh strainer for two minutes before cooking will result in a quinoa with much better flavor!

How to Make Quinoa Taste Good in an Instant PotWhen it comes to seasoning quinoa, quality ingredients make all the difference. For this recipe, I like to use homemade bone broth, but a high-quality store-bought bone broth would also be great. I also prefer to use pink Himalayan salt because it’s healthier than table salt, and I prefer the taste.

Cooking Quinoa in an Instant PotSelect the saute setting on your Instant Pot, and pour in the bone broth. Starting the heat right away will help cut down on the amount of time that it takes for the pot to heat up and come to pressure. Rinse the quinoa, and then pour the strained quinoa and salt into the broth.

Cooking Instant Pot Quinoa - Countdown TimerDouble-check the seal on your Instant Pot lid, twist on the lid, set the steam vent to Sealing, and cancel the saute setting. Select manual mode on high for two minutes. When the cook time has ended, allow the pot to natural pressure release for eight minutes.

Instant Pot QuinoaCarefully release any remaining steam and pressure. Remove the lid and use a fork to fluff up the cooked quinoa.

quinoa made in the instant potEasy peasy! We like to enjoy this simple quinoa with just a dash more salt on top, but there are TONS of ways to really kick up the flavor and take your quinoa from basic to gourmet!

Three bowls of Instant Pot QuinoaWhat Does Quinoa Taste Like? 

When simply prepared as in this recipe, quinoa tastes a bit like a nutty and slightly earthier version of brown rice. The texture is fluffy, creamy, and a little bit crunchy all at the same time. The seeds can get a little gummy when overcooked, so if you prefer your quinoa to have a strong al dente bite, you may want to experiment with a one-minute Instant Pot cook time and see which version you like the best.

Delicious Instant Pot Quinoa in BowlsHow do you flavor quinoa?

Use these easy tips and tricks to help make quinoa taste great!  

  • Add herbs and spices – some of the most common seasonings that are added to quinoa are garlic, onion powder, thyme, basil, parsley, black pepper, and Italian seasoning blend.
  • Mix in cheese and breadcrumbs for a hearty dish with flavors reminiscent of mac n cheese!
  • Vegetables and quinoa are a winning combination! Mix in your favorite sauteed vegetables – onions, bell pepper, mushrooms, spinach, kale, and tomatoes are popular options.
  • A splash of lemon, lime, or orange juice mixed in with the cooking broth can add another layer of flavor to your quinoa.
  • Use quinoa in soups, chilis, stews, and salads for even more flavor options!

Instant Pot Quinoa in Aqua Blue Bowls

quinoa made in the instant pot

Instant Pot Quinoa

Learn how to cook quinoa in the Instant Pot pressure cooker with this easy Instant Pot Quinoa Recipe! Plus handy tips for how to flavor quinoa and make quinoa taste good! 
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What You’ll Need:

  • 4 cups Bone Broth
  • 3 cups Quinoa, rinsed
  • 1 tsp. Pink Himalayan Salt

Instructions:

  • Turn Instant Pot to the saute setting and add bone broth. 
  • Rinse quinoa under cold water for at least 2 minutes until the water runs clear. This will help ensure that your quinoa does not taste bitter!
  • Add salt and quinoa to the bone broth.
  • Cancel the saute setting. Place the lid on the Instant Pot, set the steam vent to Sealing, and set the Instant Pot on manual mode on high for two minutes. 
  • Allow the Instant Pot to natural pressure release for 8 minutes before CAREFULLY venting the remaining steam and removing the lid from the Instant Pot. 
  • Fluff the quinoa with a fork, and add a dash more salt on top if desired. 

Notes:

Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. 
Did You Make This?Mention @HeidiKundin or tag #hihmakersclub on Instagram to show off your awesome work! ♥

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how to cook Instant Pot Quinoa Recipe

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