Easy Instant Pot Quinoa Recipe
Introduction
Quinoa is a nutritious and versatile grain that cooks quickly in the Instant Pot. This easy recipe yields fluffy, perfectly cooked quinoa every time, making it a great base for salads, bowls, or a simple side dish.
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth (or water)
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse your quinoa in a fine mesh strainer to remove any bitterness.
- Step 2: Add the rinsed quinoa to the Instant Pot along with the chicken broth or water and salt.
- Step 3: Set the Instant Pot to pressure cook at high pressure for 1 minute.
- Step 4: When cooking finishes, let the pressure release naturally for about 10 minutes until the pin drops. Release any remaining pressure manually if needed.
- Step 5: Carefully open the lid, fluff the quinoa with a fork, and serve. Optionally, stir in butter and fresh herbs for extra flavor.
Tips & Variations
- Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth to make the dish vegetarian or vegan friendly.
- Add a squeeze of lemon juice or a sprinkle of toasted nuts for added texture and brightness.
- Double or triple the recipe but keep the liquid ratio the same for consistent results.
Storage
Store cooked quinoa in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of water if it seems dry.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use water instead of broth?
Yes, water works perfectly fine and will still yield fluffy quinoa, though broth adds more flavor.
Do I need to rinse quinoa before cooking?
Rinsing quinoa removes its natural coating called saponin, which can taste bitter. It’s recommended for a cleaner, milder flavor.
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Easy Instant Pot Quinoa Recipe
- Total Time: 16 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This Easy Instant Pot Quinoa recipe offers a quick and simple way to prepare fluffy, perfectly cooked quinoa using your Instant Pot. With minimal ingredients and hands-off cooking, it’s an ideal base for a variety of meals or a nutritious side dish.
Ingredients
Quinoa
- 1 cup quinoa
Liquids and Seasoning
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth (or water)
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Rinse Quinoa: Rinse your quinoa thoroughly in a fine mesh strainer under cold water. This step is important to remove the natural bitter coating called saponin and ensures a better-tasting final dish.
- Add Ingredients to Instant Pot: Transfer the rinsed quinoa into the Instant Pot. Pour in the chicken broth or water and sprinkle the kosher salt over the quinoa.
- Pressure Cook: Secure the lid on the Instant Pot and set it to cook at high pressure for 1 minute. This intense but brief cooking time softens the quinoa perfectly.
- Natural Pressure Release: Once the cooking cycle completes, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for about 10 minutes until the pressure indicator drops, then release any remaining pressure manually if needed.
- Fluff and Serve: Carefully open the lid and use a fork to fluff the quinoa gently. For enhanced flavor, consider stirring in a bit of butter and freshly chopped herbs before serving.
Notes
- Rinsing quinoa is essential to remove bitterness and improve taste.
- You can substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth to make the recipe vegetarian.
- Adjust salt amount to your taste preference.
- Natural pressure release is critical to avoid quinoa sticking to the bottom or becoming mushy.
- Leftover quinoa keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 minute pressure cooking + 10 minutes natural release
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: International
Keywords: Instant Pot quinoa, easy quinoa recipe, healthy quinoa, pressure cooked quinoa, quick side dish
