Instant Pot Quinoa is one of my favorite and go-to basic recipes. With a few basic ingredients and a hands-off cooking technique, the Instant Pot makes perfectly cooked, fluffy quinoa.
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I have been using the Instant Pot for years, and while I love it for one-pot meals and quick desserts, it is also my favorite tool for meal prep. Quinoa and brown rice are my go-to options when I want to switch things up from white rice.
Quinoa is especially versatile with its light, nutty flavor. I use it in everything from warm bowls to salads and even snacks. If you are looking for ideas to use cooked quinoa, try my flavor-packed Fiesta Quinoa Salad or these easy Quinoa Almond Date Truffles that make a perfect snack and treat.
Although quinoa cooks pretty quickly on the stovetop, I still love making it in the Instant Pot. It is completely hands-off and gives perfect results every time. No babysitting the stove, no worrying about water boiling over.
Depending on how much I am making, I use either the main pot or the pot-in-pot method. Just rinse the quinoa, add it to the pot with water, set the timer, and walk away. It is one of those little meal prep wins that make busy days feel easier.
Two Ways to Cook Quinoa in the Instant Pot
1. Pot in Pot Method: Perfect for cooking less than 1.5 cups of quinoa.
Rinse the quinoa, place it in a stainless steel bowl with water, and set it on a trivet over water in the main pot. Pressure cook for 4 minutes, followed by a 10-minute natural release. Fluff and serve. With this method, you can also cook another dish in the main pot.
2. Main Pot Method: Great for cooking 1.5 cups or more.
Rinse and drain the quinoa, and add it directly to the Instant Pot insert with water.
Pressure cook for 1 minute, let it naturally release for 10 minutes, then fluff and enjoy.
Both methods give you fluffy, mess-free quinoa with almost no effort. Just choose based on how much you are cooking.
Tips for Fluffy Quinoa
- Rinse well two to three times to wash away any bitterness
- Add a pinch of salt or cook in broth for extra flavor
- Use 1:1 quinoa-to-water ratio
- One cup of dry quinoa makes about three and a half cups cooked
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Recipe
Instant Pot Quinoa
Recipe Video
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Place quinoa in a wire mesh strianer and rinse 2 to 3 times, massaging it gently. Drain the quinoa.
To cook Quinoa directly in the main pot:
- Add drained quinoa to the Instant Pot insert.
- Add water and make sure all the quinoa is evenly submerged under water.
- Close the Instant Pot lid with pressure release handle to sealing.
- Set the Instant Pot to Pressure Cook (Hi) for 1 minute. Allow 10 minutes of natural pressure release. Release any remaining pressure by moving the pressure release handle to venting and open the Instant Pot. Gently fluff the quinoa with a fork or silicone spatula.
To cook Quinoa using pot in pot method:
- Add 1 cup of water to the main pot.
- Add drained quinoa and water to a stainless steel pot and place the pot over the trivet.
- Carefully place the trivet inside the main pot.
- Close the Instant Pot lid with pressure release handle to sealing.
- Set the Instant Pot to Pressure Cook (Hi) for 4 minutes. Allow 10 minutes of natural pressure release. Release any remaining pressure by moving the pressure release handle to venting and open the Instant Pot. Take the inner stainless pot and the trivet out using heat resistant mitts. Gently fluff the quinoa with a fork or silicone spatula.
Notes
- If you are planning to use the quinoa in savory dishes or salads, add a pinch of salt while cooking. You can also use broth instead of water for added flavor.
- If you are making lesser than 1 cup of quinoa, it is best to use the pot in pot method.
- When cooking quinoa directly in the main pot, you can also spray the bottom on the Instant Pot insert with oil. This prevents the cooked quinoa from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
Nutrition
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Archana says
I am so sorry. I will add you again. But do check your spam folder, just in case. And thank you for the kind words. If its ok I will also add you to my bi monthly newsletter for more recipe inspiration.
Pallavi Gupta says
Hi archana
Can I make rice and quinoa together using stackable inserts and pip method
Archana says
Yes! Will work with the pot in pot recipe for quinoa. Just stack rice and quinoa.
Alex says
Good day, Archana,
we have your new Instant Pot cookbook and LOVE it and also follow your website - but there is a question about measuring cup sizes - the Instant Pot cup size, which is 170 mills and the standard Northamerican cup size which is 250 ml - do you always use the Instant Pot cup for ALL your recipes???
Thank you for your help, best wishes from northern Canada, Alex
Archana says
Hi Alex, Thank you for your messgae. I can't wait to see what you make from the cookbook first and your feedback on the recipes. All the recipes in the cookbook as well as the website use standard 250 ml cup. Hope this helps.
Mikhail says
i put 2 cups water ans still got sign Burn
Archana says
Was the silicone ring placed properly? It looks like the pressure might not building properly
Dennis B says
Would the instructions for cooking Qiunoa be the same for brown Basmati rice? Thank you for this edition of your blog too. I love your cooking 101 & your great recipes!
Archana says
Here is my detailed recipe for brown rice - https://securedspot.vip/instant-pot-brown-rice/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Henri Avenard says
Hi,
Thanks so much for your tips Quinoa is perfectly cook like this !
Can we do like this for Buckwheat ? I tried with "Kasha" but food burn each time...maybe more suitable for main classic Buckwheat ?
Can we use a Pyrex Glass container instead of Stainless Steel one ?
Many thanks for your support you can answer to me here
My mail is [email protected]
Have a nice day
Henri
Archana says
I have not use buckwheat or "kasha", but yes you can use pyrex glass bowl, just be careful especially if its too old or over used. Sometimes they can break with hight heat
Nikita says
Tried this today. The quinoa cooked perfectly! Thank you for these recipes
Archana says
You are most welcome! This is a great meal prep recipe.
Lauranne says
I have used this recipe for instant pot quinoa many times, it’s the first recipe I found when I did a search and it’s the only one that I’ve used. Thank you. It makes perfect quinoa.