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Easy Instant Pot Quinoa (white or red)

cooked quinoa in a white bowl

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The easiest way to cook quinoa is in your Instant Pot! Quinoa made in a pressure cooker turns out fluffy and perfectly cooked every time. This recipe includes instructions for both white and red quinoa. 

Total Instant Pot Cooking Time:
5 to 7 minutes to reach pressure, plus
White quinoa: 1 minute cooking time + natural release
Red quinoa: 2 minutes cooking time + natural release

Ingredients

Units Scale

White Quinoa

  • 1 cup white quinoa
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Red Quinoa

  • 1 cup red quinoa
  • 1 1/4 cups water
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. In the Instant pot, combine quinoa, water and salt. 
  2. Secure the lid, making sure the steam release valve is in the “sealed” position.
  3. Press the Manual or Pressure Cook button to program the Instant Pot.
    White quinoa: 1 minute on high pressure 
    Red quinoa: 2 minutes on high pressure
  4. When the cooking time is done, let the pressure release naturally (10 to 15 minutes). 
  5. Fluff and mix with a fork.

Notes

Cooked quinoa keeps well in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can also freeze quinoa, and defrost in the refrigerator overnight. 

1 cup of dry quinoa will make about 3 cups cooked

This recipe was tested in a 6-quart Instant Pot