Instant Pot Quinoa (Foolproof Method) - Amy + Jacky

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ReadingInstant Pot QuinoaShareTweet Instant Pot Quinoa Step By Step Recipe Subscribe 5 from 49 votesBy Amy + Jacky·February 18, 2023 Super Easy . 17 mins . South American instant pot quinoa | quinoa instant pot | instapot quinoa | quinoa pressure cooker

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Step-by-Step Guide on how to cook Instant Pot Quinoa with our easy “Zero-Minute” method! Perfectly cooked, deliciously savory, nutty, and fluffy with a slight satisfying bite. This gluten-free supergrain quinoa Instant Pot recipe makes a healthy side dish, breakfast dish, salad topping, substitute for rice, or mix-in for stews and soups.

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Quinoa

Quinoa (pronounced: KEEN-wah) is an ancient seed of an edible plant. The Inca Empire has ate it for thousands of years.

There are 3 Main Types of Quinoa: Red Quinoa, Black Quinoa, and White Quinoa.

Though it’s not a true grain, it’s prepared and served similar to a grain (i.e. rice). It’s very versatile, easy to eat, easy to digest, and easy to make.

Why is Quinoa Good for You?

In recent years, quinoa has rapidly become one of the most popular healthy superfoods, boasting as one of the most nutrient-dense carbs.

It’s high in dietary fiber, high-quality protein (more than any other grain), dietary minerals, and antioxidants. It’s also one of the few plant foods that contain all nine essential amino acids!

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How to Cook Instant Pot Quinoa

What we look for in Quinoa

We experimented with white quinoa to find the best “Liquid-to-Quinoa” Ratio and pressure cooking time that yield perfectly cooked, tasty, and fluffy pressure cooker quinoa.

Textures: cooked through, separated individual “grain”, fluffy with a slight chew; not mushy, dry, clumpy, sticky, or gummy
Flavors: nutty, rich, savory, earthy, flavorful (not bland)

“Zero-Minute” Method – Pressure Cook at High Pressure for 0 Minute

Yes! You can “pressure cook” at 0 (zero) minutes! From our experiments, our “Zero-Minute” method works best for cooking quinoa in Instant Pot.

By setting the pressure cooking time to “0 (zero) minutes”, we’re using the heat generated during the “building pressure” stage and “releasing pressure” stage to cook quinoa in Instant Pot.

Amy + Jacky’s Tips! Set the Instant Pot to “0” (zero) minute by adjusting the time with the + and – button.

If your Instant Pot doesn’t let you set “zero minutes”, set it to “Pressure Cook at High Pressure for 1 minute”. Once it comes up to pressure, press “Cancel” to stop the pressure cooking process.Subscribe for more tips

Ingredients for cooking Quinoa in Instant Pot

We’re keeping this quinoa Instant Pot recipe as simple yet tasty as possible, so you can use it in a variety of ways.

We’re only using 4 pantry ingredients – White Quinoa, Unsalted Chicken Stock, Fine Salt, and Olive Oil.

Quinoa: We experimented with white quinoa to develop this quinoa Instant Pot recipe. Try to buy pre-rinsed quinoa that has rinsed off the bitter-tasting saponin coating.

Unsalted Chicken Stock: We develop recipes with unsalted ingredients so we can better control the flavors. If you’re substituting it with salted chicken stock, keep in mind that the sodium level can vary a lot between different brands. Always taste and adjust accordingly.

Tools for Cooking Quinoa Instant Pot Recipe

Instant Pot Pressure Cooker
Wooden Spoon

Step 1

Rinse Quinoa

Amy + Jacky’s Notes – Do we have to rinse Quinoa?

Quinoa has a protective coating called saponin that tastes bitter. Check your quinoa package to see if they instruct you to rinse or not because most packaged quinoa has been pre-rinsed to remove the saponin.Subscribe for more tips

For bulk quinoa, rinse with cold water to help remove the saponin to reduce the bitterness. Make sure to drain really well to avoid throwing off the “Water to Quinoa Ratio”.

Step 2

Optional – Toast Quinoa in Instant Pot

Amy + Jacky’s Notes: This optional step will increase the aroma and flavors of the Instant Pot quinoa.

Press the “Saute” button on Instant Pot, then wait 1 minute.

Pour 1 tablespoon (15ml) olive oil in Instant Pot, then add the quinoa in Instant Pot.

Toast the quinoa in Instant Pot until fragrant (around 2 to 3 mins).

Step 3

Pressure Cook Quinoa

Add ¼ teaspoon fine salt and 1 cup (250ml) unsalted chicken stock or cold water in Instant Pot.

Use a wooden spoon to scrub the bottom to make sure no quinoa is stuck to the bottom of the pot.

With Venting Knob in Venting Position, close the lid, then turn Venting Knob to Sealing Position.

Instant Pot Quinoa Cooking Time:

Toasted Quinoa: Pressure Cook at High Pressure for “0” (zero) minute, then Natural Release for 10 minutes.
Non-Toasted Quinoa: Pressure Cook at High Pressure “0” (zero) minute, then Natural Release for 12 minutes.

Amy + Jacky’s Tips!

Tip #1: 0 minutes (zero minutes) is not a typo! We’re using the heat from the “Pressurizing” Stage & “Pressure Releasing” Stage to cook quinoa in Instant Pot.

Tip #2: If your Instant Pot doesn’t let you set “zero minutes”, set it to “Pressure Cook at High Pressure for 1 minute”. Once it comes up to pressure, press “Cancel”, then let it Natural Release.Subscribe for more tips

After natural releasing, turn the Venting Knob to the Venting position to release the remaining pressure.

Open the lid carefully.

Step 4

Serve Instant Pot Quinoa

Finally, fluff the tasty instapot quinoa, then serve.

What to Serve with Quinoa

This deliciously savory, nutty, and fluffy Instant Pot quinoa is a very versatile dish.

You can serve it as a simple tasty side dish or breakfast dish substituting rice or mashed potatoes in your meal. You can also add them to salads, stews, and soups.

Another tasty idea is to make your own quinoa bowls or poke bowls with eggs, veggies, avocadoes, your favorite toppings and protein.

Here are some tasty dishes you can serve with Quinoa:

Chicken: Instant Pot Chicken Marsala, Instant Pot Chicken Curry, Instant Pot BBQ Chicken
Pork: Instant Pot Pork Chops, Instant Pot Pork Roast, Instant Pot Pork Loin
Beef: Instant Pot Pot Roast, Instant Pot Beef Stew, Instant Pot Meatballs, Instant Pot Salisbury Steak
Other: Toasted Garlic Butter Shrimp, Instant Pot Black Beans

Enjoy your fluffy Instant Pot Quinoa!

Print 5 from 49 votes

Instant Pot Quinoa

Author: Amy + Jacky Easy way to cook Fluffy & Tasty Instant Pot Quinoa! Deliciously rich & nutty Supergrain with a slight bite. A simple healthy side dish, salad topping or substitute for rice. Subscribe for Free Recipes & Tips Servings 4 Total Time 17 minutes Rate this Recipe

Ingredients

▢ 1 cup (190g) quinoa
▢ 1 cup (250ml) unsalted chicken stock or cold water
▢ ¼ teaspoon fine salt
▢ 1 tablespoon (15ml) olive oil

Equipment

▢ Instant Pot Pressure Cooker

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Instructions

Rinse Quinoa: Most packaged quinoa has been pre-rinsed to remove the saponin to reduce the bitterness. If necessary, give it a quick rinse with cold water, then drain really well to avoid throwing off the "Water to Quinoa Ratio".
Optional Flavor Aroma Boosting - Toast Quinoa: Press Saute button on Instant Pot, then wait 1 minute. Pour in 1 tbsp (15ml) olive oil, then add quinoa in Instant Pot. Toast quinoa until fragrant (~2 to 3 mins).
Pressure Cook Quinoa: Add ¼ tsp fine salt and 1 cup (250ml) unsalted chicken stock or cold water in Instant Pot. Use a wooden spoon to scrub the bottom to make sure no quinoa is stuck to the bottom. With Venting Knob in Venting Position, close the lid, then turn Venting Knob to Sealing Position. Pressure Cooking Method:Toasted Quinoa: Pressure Cook at High Pressure 0 (zero) minute, then Natural Release for 10 minutes.Non-Toasted Quinoa: Pressure Cook at High Pressure 0 (zero) minute, then Natural Release for 12 minutes.After natural releasing, turn the Venting Knob to the Venting position to release the remaining pressure. Open the lid carefully.
Serve Quinoa: Fluff quinoa & serve. You can use quinoa as a side dish, toss into your salads or soups. Enjoy~

Notes

1) “Zero-Minute” Method: From our experiments, this works best for cooking quinoa in Instant Pot. By setting the pressure cooking time to "0 minutes", we’re using the heat generated during the “building pressure” stage and "releasing pressure" stage to cook the quinoa.

If your Instant Pot doesn’t let you set “zero minutes”, set it to “Pressure Cook at High Pressure for 1 minute”. Once it comes up to pressure, press “Cancel” to stop the pressure cooking process. Then release the pressure as stated in recipe.

2) Double the Recipe: You can double the recipe and use the same pressure cooking time. 3) Quinoa: We developed this recipe using white quinoa. Try to buy pre-rinsed quinoa. 4) Unsalted Chicken Stock: We develop recipes with unsalted ingredients so we can better control the flavors. If you’re substituting it with salted chicken stock, keep in mind that the sodium level can vary a lot between different brands. Always taste and adjust accordingly. Rate Amy + Jacky's Recipe: If you've tried our recipe, rate the recipe in the Comments section. Thank you! Calories: 196kcal Course: Breakfast, Side Dish Cuisine: South American Keyword: cooking quinoa in instant pot, instant pot quinoa, instapot quinoa, pressure cooker quinoa, quinoa in instant pot, quinoa instant pot, quinoa pressure cooker

Nutrition

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Hello, We are Amy + Jacky!

Amy + Jacky is a husband and wife team who worked directly with Instant Pot company, pressure cooker manufacturers, and 35+ restaurants. Our goal is to give you the confidence and knowledge to cook with an Instant Pot or pressure cooker through our well tested recipes.