One Minute Perfect Quinoa Instant Pot recipe is a simple and quick method of cooking quinoa in a pressure cooker. Try this today!
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What is Quinoa?
Quinoa, pronounced ‘keen-wa’ is a gluten-free, whole-grain carbohydrate, as well as a whole protein (meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids). There are two types of quinoa available: red and creamy white. They open up to release little white curls (like a tail) as they soften. Technically, the quinoa is actually a seed, not a whole grain.
How to Cook Perfect Quinoa in Instant Pot
Rinse the Quinoa to remove the natural coating, called saponin, which can make it taste bitter or soapy. Drain excess water.
In the Instant Pot, add water, quinoa, and salt.
Close the lid on the pot. Set the pot to MANUAL/PRESSURE COOK (High Pressure) for 1 minute. Once the pot beeps, let it release the pressure naturally (NPR) for 10 minutes.
Remove the lid away from you and fluff the quinoa with a fork or serving spoon.
Perfect pressure cooker Quinoa recipe is ready to serve immediately or place into freezer bags for long-term freezer storage.
Dont Have an Instant Pot?
No worries, you can still cook quinoa in a stovetop pressure cooker or on a stovetop pan.
In Traditional Stove Top Pressure Cooker: Pressure cook the rinsed quinoa with 1.5 cups of water for 2 whistles on medium-low heat. Let the pressure release naturally.
On Stovetop in a Vessel: Cook the rinsed quinoa with 2 cups of water on medium-low heat until cooked, and let it cool a bit.
Tips for Perfect Instant Pot Quinoa
- Use less water – Use an appropriate amount of water, or else quinoa will turn mushy.
- Rinse Quinoa in a fine-mesh sieve, if desired (most brands come pre-rinsed to remove bitter coating called saponin).
- Add a pinch of salt to flavor your quinoa right from the get-go. But it's optional.
- You can Double the recipe to make more ~ 2 cup Quinoa, 2.5 cups Water, and 1 teaspoon Salt, and cook for the same amount of time.
- Leftover quinoa keeps well, and refrigerate for 2 to 3 days. Make sure it has been cooled to room temperature before covering and chilling. You can also portion the quinoa into freezer bags and freeze the quinoa until you’re ready for it.
How to freeze the Cooked Quinoa
This is a perfect recipe to make extra of and freeze for future use. I never do this myself since it is so simple to make it in an instant pot in a few minutes.
- Prepare Quinoa as per recipe directions.
- Allow cooling completely
- Freeze them in freezer-safe bags or containers
- Thaw them before using them in salads or a side dish.
More Quinoa Recipes
- Instant Pot Quinoa Bisibelebath
- Instant Pot Quinoa Pulao
- Quinoa Vegetable Biryani
- Curd Quinoa
- Lemon Quinoa
- Quinoa Chickpea Salad
One Minute Quinoa Instant Pot
Equipment
Ingredients
Measuring cup used 1 cup = 240ml
- 1 cup dry quinoa rinsed and drained
- 1 ¼ cups water
- salt to taste, optional
Instructions
- Rinse the Quinoa to remove the natural coating, called saponin, which can make it taste bitter or soapy. Drain excess water.
- In the Instant Pot, add water, quinoa and salt.
- Close the lid on the pot and turn valve to SEALING position.
- Set the pot to MANUAL/PRESSURE COOK (High Pressure) for 1 minute. Once the pot beeps, let it release the pressure naturally(NPR) for 10 minutes (Wait until silver button on lid drops).
- Remove lid away from you and fluff quinoa with a fork or serving spoon.
- Perfect Quinoa is ready to serve immediately or place into freezer bags for long-term freezer storage.
Notes
- 1. Rinse Quinoa in a fine-mesh sieve, if desired (most brands come pre-rinsed to remove bitter coating called saponin).
- Double the recipe to make more ~ 2 cup Quinoa, 2.5 cups Water and 1 teaspoon Salt and cook for the same amount of time.
- I have prepared this dish in my electric pressure cooker, Instant Pot DUO60 6 QT
Nutrition
♥ We LOVE to hear from you If you make this recipe, please share your food photo with hashtag #indianveggiedelight on Facebook or Instagram, so we can see it and others can enjoy it too! Thank you ♥
Max
Thank you for sharing. I am eager to find ways to use quinoa.
Bhavana Patil
Hi Max, you are welcome..few indian quinoa recipes from my blog https://www.indianveggiedelight.com/healthy-quinoa-recipes/