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Instant Pot Quinoa is an easy and healthy side dish that is easy to prepare. This foolproof recipe comes out fluffy and perfectly cooked every time.
$2.25 is all that this recipe costs to make. It makes six servings, which is only $0.38 per serving.
We love making this Quinoa to use in our Quinoa Buddha Bowls for a deliciously nutritious lunch or light dinner.
Eating healthy is a priority, but it can be expensive! Especially when trying to feed a family on a budget. That is why we love making Quinoa. It is a healthy side dish that is inexpensive to buy and easy to whip up.
Our favorite method for making Quinoa is in the Instant Pot. It yields fluffy Quinoa that is not overcooked or mushy.
There is no more standing over a pot waiting for it to boil and watching to make sure it doesn’t burn. And it takes one minute to cook (plus the time to come to pressure and release the pressure).
Instant Pot Quinoa is so simple to make. It takes just three ingredients and is so easy your kids can make it for you. This is a hands-off and fast recipe that is packed with nutrition!
Quinoa is a seed rich in protein and has a mild earthy and nutty flavor, making it versatile to serve with various main dishes.
Ingredients & Cost:
- 1 ½ cups dry quinoa – $2.24
- 2 ¼ cups water – $0.00
- ¾ teaspoon salt – $0.01
To learn more about how we price our recipes, check out Budget Recipes Explained.
INSTRUCTIONS
- First, rinse the quinoa well before placing it in the Instant Pot.
- Pour the water into the Instant Pot and then sprinkle the salt on top.
- Secure the lid and cook on manual for one minute.
- Let it naturally release for ten minutes before opening the lid.
- Finally, fluff the quinoa with a fork before serving.
RECIPE VARIATIONS AND SUBSTITUTIONS
You can replace the water with broth if you prefer to infuse the Quinoa with more flavor. You will want to reduce the salt to ⅛ or ¼ teaspoon if you choose to swap out the water with broth.
This recipe can be doubled without increasing the cooking time.
STORAGE TIPS
Serve: You can keep the Quinoa out for about two hours before it needs to be covered and stored in the refrigerator.
Store: place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
Freeze: Once cooled, place the Quinoa in a freezer-safe container or Ziploc bag and freeze for 2-3 months.
Defrost: Defrost in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for 2-4 hours.
Reheat: Place in a microwave-safe bowl and heat on HIGH power in 1-minute intervals until heated through. Stir halfway through each interval. You may need to add a Tablespoon of water to the Quinoa, especially if it was previously frozen.
COOK’S TOOLS
- Instant Pot
- Measuring cups
- Liquid measuring cup
- Measuring spoons
- Fine mesh strainer
RECIPE FAQs
Yes, you do need to rinse Quinoa before using it. This step is crucial as the saponin will give the Quinoa a bitter taste if not rinsed off.
Yes, Quinoa is a healthier option than rice. It will provide twice the protein and more fiber than the same amount of rice. You can also have smaller portions of Quinoa as it will fill you up faster than rice due to all the extra nutrients.
For 1 ½ cups of dry Quinoa, you will need 2 ¼ cups of water. This will produce 3 cups of cooked Quinoa.
GET KIDS INVOLVED
Ages 2-3: Your little one can help rinse the Quinoa. Talk about the importance of this step while they help you, and wash their own hands before and after handling various foods.
Ages 4-5: With only three ingredients in this recipe, this is a great one for your child to build some confidence in the kitchen. They can measure the ingredients and pour them into the Instant Pot with your assistance.
Ages 6-8: Have your child pre-measure the ingredients for you. They can then dump them in, and you can teach them how to close the lid and turn on the Instant Pot to cook.
Ages 9-11: Supervise them while they prepare the entire recipe. Remember to have them read it twice before beginning the recipe.
Ages 12+: Let them prepare the entire recipe, unsupervised, while you do the happy dance in the corner!
BUDGET TIPS
Eating healthy can be very expensive. Cooking with Quinoa is an inexpensive way to eat healthier on a budget. It is cheap to buy and can be served in salads, casseroles, or on its own as a side dish alongside some Salmon, for example.
MORE HEALTHY RECIPES
- Chicken and Pepper Stir Fry
- Easy Hummus
- Chia Seed Pudding
- Healthy Chicken Vegetable Soup
- Zucchini Taco Boats
- Crock Pot Greek Yogurt
- Healthy Tuna Salad Without Mayo
- Greek Mason Jar Salads
- Mexican Chicken Rice Bowls
- Italian Zucchini Boats
- Instant Pot Lentils
Instant Pot Quinoa
Equipment
- Instant Pot
- measuring cups
- Liquid measuring cup
- Measuring spoons
- fine mesh strainer
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cup dry quinoa
- 2 ¼ cups water
- ¾ teaspoon salt
GARNISH:
- Fresh chopped parsley optional
Instructions
RINSE AND PREP QUINOA:
- Rinse the quinoa thoroughly to remove saponin. (This step is very important as the saponin will give the quinoa a bitter taste if not rinsed off.)
- Add the rinsed quinoa into the instant pot.
- Pour the water into the instant pot and sprinkle the salt on top.
- Put the lid on the instant pot and ensure that the pressure valve is sealed.
COOK:
- Cook on manual (pressure cook) for 1 minute.
- Once the timer has gone off, let the pressure naturally release for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, carefully flip the pressure valve to release the remaining pressure.
TO FINISH:
- Use a fork to fluff the quinoa.
- Serve warm with freshly chopped parsley (optional).
Notes
- You can replace the water with broth if you prefer to infuse the quinoa with more flavor.
- You would want to reduce the salt to ⅛ or ¼ teaspoon if you choose to swap out the water with broth.
Rachna says
Looks delicious and fluffy. I love how easy it is to make quinoa in instant pot.
Jessica Stroup says
My new favorite way to cook quinoa! So tender and delicious!
Sharon Chen says
Thanks for sharing this, I think I might use my InstaPot more often!
Aimee Mars says
This is one of those recipes you bookmark and use again and again. I love how easy this recipe is for making quinoa, which I make all the time.
Wanda says
We’ve never rinsed our quinoa and it still taste great! Can’t wait to try this in the IP!