Looking for the secret to fluffy, perfectly cooked quinoa every single time? Here are all the tips and tricks you need to learn how to cook quinoa in the Instant Pot or on the stove. The ideal base for salads, bowls, or as a simple side dish to chicken, beef, or pork.
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A few years ago when my daughters (all 3 at the same time 😱) were in college, we would make a big batch of quinoa and make half the batch into a flavorful salad and store the other half in the freezer for later. At that time I learned how to cook quinoa on the stovetop from Chris at The Cafe Sucre Farine.
She revealed that the secret to amazing quinoa was to toast it before cooking. That little trick revolutionized my quinoa cooking skills. It came out perfectly fluffy and moist without being waterlogged. Now I know how to cook quinoa equally well in the Instant Pot, although this recipe still works great on the stove.
🤔 What is quinoa?
Quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah) is a naturally gluten-free grain. According to Healthline.com this superfood is loaded with health benefits:
- It is high in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, specifically magnesium, iron, and zinc.
- The fiber content of quinoa is higher than most grains.
- Quinoa has a high amount of protein per gram compared to other grains.
Most importantly, though, quinoa is delicious. It is a blank slate ready to soak up whatever flavors you throw at it. Now that your perfectly cooked quinoa will turn out fluffy, without being waterlogged, you can dream up ways to use this amazing superfood.
🌾 Ingredients
Quinoa: This recipe is for standard white quinoa that is easily found at your local grocery store.
Broth (or water): Chicken broth is preferred but vegetable broth or water can be substituted.
Salt: Kosher salt, of course.
🔪 Instructions
These are simple steps that, when done correctly, yield tender, perfectly cooked quinoa without the extra moisture. Anyone can learn how to cook quinoa correctly! All the steps can done in the Instant Pot or on the stove.
1. Rinse the quinoa thoroughly. You want to see clear water running through the bottom of the strainer. No milky white residue.
2. Allow the quinoa to drain while you gather the rest of the ingredients and begin to heat the pan or Instant Pot. Feel free to shake or stir the quinoa to release extra moisture.
3. Turn Instant Pot onto saute or heat a pot on the stove. Once the pot is hot, spray with non-stick cooking spray.
4. Then dump in the drained quinoa to the hot pot. Stirring occasionally, toast the quinoa until almost all the moisture is gone. This is so important. The quinoa should not be brown but it should be dry. It might seem crazy to wash it and then dry it. Doing this gets rid of the excess starch and dries the quinoa, so that it isn’t clumpy after cooking.
5. Add in the liquid and cook. Instant Pot and stovetop specific directions are in the recipe card below.
6. Once the quinoa has finished cooking, take a fork and run it over the top of the quinoa. If you need to stir it, do so gently and run the tines of the fork across it again like you are raking leaves.
There you have it! You just learned how to cook quinoa in 6 easy steps. Might I suggest trying your perfectly cooked quinoa in this amazing Greek Quinoa Salad Bowl.
👨👩👧👦 For a crowd
This method works on the stovetop up to triple the amount as long as the pan you are using is big enough. For the Instant Pot only double the amount in a 6 quart Instant Pot. If you need more than that, go ahead and do separate batches.
🙋 Questions & Answers
Yes! The best way to freeze already cooked quinoa is to scoop the cooled quinoa into a ziptop bag. Zip the bag squeezing out all the air as you go. Then smoosh the bag flat. Place it on a sheet pan if you want it to maintain its shape while freezing.
Once it is frozen, remove from the sheet pan and stack with other bags for efficient storage. Of course, a freezer-proof plastic or glass storage container will work too. I prefer the bag because it takes up less space in the freezer.
Making quinoa ahead is a great time saver. If you are serving it as a salad, I recommend pouring some of the dressing on the quinoa while it is warm. There is something about the warmth of the quinoa that helps the dressing flavor it more intensely. Once part of the dressing is on the quinoa, allow it cool before adding in the rest of the ingredients.
If you want to serve it warm, it works to microwave it or warm it in the oven. Either way it needs a little water sprinkled on it to help it not dry out.
📖 More Instant Pot rice recipes
- Try this🥥 Toasted Coconut Rice the next time you want to wow your mouth. It's truly amazing!
- Classic Cilantro Lime Rice is a perfect addition to any meal with a Mexican flair. It is easy and full of flavor.
- For a spin on the classic, try this🍍 Pineapple Lime Rice. Serve it along side grilled meat. 😋
- A long time family favorite is this Best Brown Butter Rice Pilaf. Five ingredients get transformed into a sure-fire winner.
👨🏼🍳 Tips & Tricks
- Thoroughly rinse until all the water coming out of the strainer is clear.
- After the quinoa has drained, be sure to toast it until it is dry. See the post for an explanation for why this step is so important.
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📋 Recipe
Perfectly Cooked Quinoa (Instant Pot or Stovetop)
Ingredients
- 2 cups quinoa
- 3 cups chicken stock water or vegetable stock can be substituted
- ½ tsp kosher salt
Instructions
Instant Pot
- Place quinoa in fine-meshed strainer. Rinse thoroughly until water coming out the bottom is clear.
- Shake strainer well and allow to drain. Meanwhile, heat IP on Saute for at least 5 minutes.
- Spray Instant Pot with cooking spray. Put drained quinoa into Instant Pot and toast for approximately 5 minutes stirring occasionally.
- Turn Saute off. Add liquid, being sure to pour around the edge to get the stragglers down in the liquid. Add salt.
- Lock the lid. Set to sealing. Select manual and cook time 1 minute on high pressure. It will take approximately 5 minutes to come to temperature.
- Allow natural release for 10 minutes. Then release remaining pressure.
- Using a fork fluff the quinoa by raking the tines of the fork back and forth across the top.
Stovetop
- Place quinoa in fine-meshed strainer. Rinse thoroughly until water coming out the bottom is clear.
- Shake strainer well and allow to drain. Meanwhile, heat pot on stove for at least 5 minutes.
- Spray pot with cooking spray. Put drained quinoa in pot and toast for approximately 5 minutes stirring occasionally.
- Pour in chicken stock and allow to come to a boil. Reduce heat to a low in order for it to simmer. Mostly cover the pot with a lid, leaving a small hole for steam to escape. Allow to simmer for approximately 15 minutes.
- Uncover and allow to sit for 10 minutes. Using a fork fluff the quinoa by raking the tines of the fork back and forth across the top.
Notes
- Thoroughly rinse until all the water coming out of the strainer is clear.
- After the quinoa has drained, be sure to toast it until it is dry. See the post for an explanation for why this step is so important.
Nutrition
All nutrition information is provided by a third party and is an estimate only. Use your own nutritional calculator for more specific measurements.
Janet says
Wow, the toasting trick made all the difference. I’ve made quinoa before, but never like that. It’s the best it’s ever turned out!