Should I Rinse Quinoa Before Cooking
Quinoa has a natural, bitter coating called saponin. Check the instructions on the package, as packaged quinoa is usually pre-washed. But if the instructions call for a rinse, just place the quinoa in a fine mesh strainer and rinse until the water runs clear.
I love this rice rinser basket and it would work great for quinoa too.
Instant Pot Quinoa Sweet Potato Chili
This quinoa chili has the perfect combo of flavors, it is a little sweet from the sweet potatoes, and balanced with savory onions, garlic, and peppers, then the chili powder adds a nice warmth that you expect from chili. All-in-all the flavors are completely balanced, no one flavor overpowers the other. Recipe from Moms Dinner.
Cooking Basic Quinoa In The Instant Pot
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How To Cook Quinoa In Instant Pot
Ingredients: Were keeping it as simple yet tasty as possible. So were only using 4 simple pantry ingredients White Quinoa, Unsalted Chicken Stock, Fine Salt, and Olive Oil.
Flavor & Texture: Savory, nutty, earthy flavors fluffy with a slightly satisfying chewy texture.
Cooking Time: From start to finish, the whole process takes less than 20 minutes.
Equipment: Youll need your Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker.
Ease Level Super Easy: Its super easy to cook with minimal preparation and minimal pantry ingredients, basic cooking skills & cooking equipment. Yet its still tasty!
Why Quinoa Over Rice
- Quinoa has fewer calories and carbs
- Quinoa has more protein than all other rices
- Quinoa keeps you full for longer
- Quinoa can help with weight loss and improve lipid profile
My preferred brand of Quinoa is this one shown in the picture that I get from Costco. It is also available on . I like to alternate between different types of sides, such as quinoa, brown rice, white rice or some type of bread.
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Can I Freeze This Quinoa And Black Bean Salad
If stored in an airtight container, cooked Instant Pot quinoa and black bean salad can be left in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If you wont be using it up during that time, then its better to freeze the leftovers.
Divide the leftover salad into single servings or family-sized servings and place them into airtight containers, meal prep containers, or freezer bags. If you are using freezer bags, make sure to flatten the bags so that they take up less space in the freezer.
The cooked salad can be kept in the freezer for up to 6 months, but for the best tasting salad, consume it within 3 months.
Is Quinoa Better For You Than Rice
Both rice and quinoa have health benefits. However, in comparison to rice, quinoa has more protein and fewer carbohydrates per serving. Quinoa is a complete protein, gluten-free, high in fiber and minerals, and good for your gut!
Fun fact: even though quinoa is cooked and eaten like a grain, its actually a seed and relative of beets and spinach.
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How Long Does It Take To Cook Beans In The Instant Pot
When it comes to actually cooking your beans in the instant pot, the time varies by bean type. Chickpeas, for example, can take upwards of 40 minutes to cook, whereas lentils take less than 10.
And then there’s the soak factor. If you’ve soaked your chickpeas, they only take about 10, whereas soaked black beans take about 5. So reallyit’s bean dependent!
To make it easy for you, I’ve put together a free printable cooking chart that outlines the various cooking times for 11 of the most common beans . And we’ve even included the different times for soaking vs. not soaking!
How To Cook Beans In The Instant Pot
Once you’ve got your timetable picked out and you know how long your bean is going to take, it’s time to get cooking.
All you need to do to cook beans in the instant pot is add them into your pot, followed by 2 3x that amount of water. So if you’re using 1 cup of dried beans , you’d follow that with about 2 3 cups of water.
Basically, you want the beans to be fully submerged or else they won’t cook evenly.
From there, just pop on your lid, make sure your vent is sealed, choose your time and TURN OFF the keep warm setting! I’ve found this to be a really helpful trick to avoid mushy beans as the keep warm setting continues to cook them.
Once your Instant Pot has come to pressure, let it do its thing until the timer runs out. Then let the pressure naturally release we’ve also included those times in the free guide and you’re done.
See how simple? It’s seriously a game changer!
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Fluffy Soaked Quinoa In The Instant Pot
Cook perfectly fluffy quinoa in just 3 minutes in your pressure cooker! Soaked first to reduce phytic acid and saponins for better digestion, this is the easiest and best way to cook quinoa! This Instant Pot Fluffy Soaked Quinoa makes a great side dish, or meal prep it to use throughout the week!
Natures perfect plant-based protein meets the hottest trend in 21st century cooking
That sounds like an infomercial, doesnt it?
But really, quinoa is like rice but SO much more nutrient-dense!
And, I can use my Instant Pot to cook perfectly fluffy quinoa in just 3 minutes!
What Types Of Beans Can You Cook In An Instant Pot
That’s a great question! And the answer is most. There’s really only one type of bean I wouldn’t bother cooking in the Instant Pot and that’s red lentils. Red lentils are super delicate, cook very quickly on the stove already and you’ll end up spending more time cooking them in your pressure cooker.
All other beans are fair game!
If you’re wondering where to get dried beans, my friends at Bob’s Red Mill are always my go-to! Their beans are super high quality and they have an amazing selection to choose from. Just check out the bean section on their site to see what I’m talking about!
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Weight Watchers Points In Instant Pot Quinoa
If you replace the oil in this recipe with calorie-controlled cooking spray, there are 2 Freestyle points in each serving of Instant Pot Quinoa.
Thank you for reading my Pressure Cooker quinoa recipe post. And please visit again as I continue dreaming up recipes, traditional African recipes, African fusion recipes, Sierra Leone recipes, travel plans and much more for you. Thanks for reading Recipes from a Pantry, UK food blog.
The Easiest Instant Pot Quinoa
Don’t forget to share it!
Instant pot quinoa is one of the easiest things you can cook in the pressure cooker and always come out perfect.
Cooking quinoa in the instant pot is easy and it is a pretty quick side dish. The texture is even better than cook on the stove, different than rice that not everyone has master rice in the instant pot . But once you try this instant pot quinoa recipe, you won’t look back.
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Why Is Quinoa Bitter
Quinoa contains a natural outer coating called saponin. This is natural to the seed and is a protective agent. To rid of saponin, all you have to do is place the quinoa in a fine-mesh sieve and rinse under cold running water for 30-45 seconds to wash away the coating.
Take note that many brands offer pre-rinsed quinoa, to rid of the bitter outer layer and save consumers a step in preparation. But I always rinse my quinoa, no matter what the package says.
Adding Flavor To Instant Pot Quinoa
If youd like to add even more flavor and nutrition to your Instant Pot Quinoa, you could cook it in bone broth instead of water. I love to make bone broth in either my slow cooker or instant pot. All you need is some leftover meat bones and veggie scraps.
The result is Instant Pot perfect quinoa thats never mushy, and always flavorful.
You can make as little or as much Instant Pot quinoa as youd like. Ill often double or triple the recipe. There is no need to adjust the cook time. Once its finished, I like to portion the quinoa into freezer bags to have on hand for when Im needing some cooked quinoa especially handy when I get a craving for these Blueberry & White Chocolate Quinoa Breakfast Cookies. Just thaw the quinoa in the fridge overnight, or reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding a tablespoon of water and covering the bowl or pan. It will take about a minute in the microwave. On the stove, heat on low until heated through.
If this Instant Pot Quinoa turned out perfect for you I would appreciate it so much if you would give this recipe a star review! Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on
For more great Platings & Pairings recipes, be sure to follow me on , , and .
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Wait Did You Say 1 Minute Of Pressure Cooking
Yes, indeed I did. Its right out of the Instant Pot manual. And I tested it just for you!
The quinoa will continue to cook during that 10 minutes after the Instant Pot beeps to say its done, since theres still plenty of pressure built up.
During testing, I tried releasing the pressure immediately I found that the quinoa wasnt fully cooked and there was still a decent amount of liquid left that was not absorbed into the quinoa.
After the float valve has gone down, remove the lid and fluff your quinoa. GOOD AS GOLD.
Thats basically it. The whole process takes just over 20 minutes, including the time for the Instant Pot to get up to pressure after sealing. You can now use this quinoa in any recipe you like, including any of the following:
Instant Pot Recipes On The Bewitchin Kitchen
- How to make chicken stock in the Instant Pot
- Instant Pot Korean Chicken Meatballs
On the fence about purchasing an Instant Pot? Just do it! Want another reason to buy one? You can cook chicken breasts from frozen in fifteen minutes time. Its perfect for those moments where you forgot about dinner or if you want a quick meal prep.
Buy the . Im an affiliate, which means that I get a small commission at no added cost to you.
TBKs Pro Tip: For added flavor, use chicken broth instead of water.
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Perfect Instant Pot Quinoa
See my guide on how to use an Instant Pot.
Instant Pot Quinoa is perfectly fluffy and so simple to make. Youll love this foolproof, hands-off method for cooking quinoa in the Instant Pot.
Ive shared how to cook quinoa on the stove, but I have to say that cooking quinoa in my Instant Pot is my favorite way to prepare it. With this Instant Pot quinoa recipe, you can easily make perfect fluffy quinoa without having to watch a pot on the stove.
Quinoa is often thought of as a grain, but it is actually a seed. Quinoa is full of nutrition, high in protein and naturally gluten-free.
There are three main types of quinoa that you may find in your local grocery store: white quinoa, red quinoa and black quinoa. White quinoa has the mildest flavor and the softest texture. Red quinoa is a bit crunchier and has more of an earthy flavor. Black quinoa is the strongest in both flavor and texture. All three types of quinoa can be cooked in the same way in your Instant Pot.
I love quinoas nutty, earthy flavor and slightly chewy texture. Since quinoa is mild-flavored, it is delicious with almost any type of seasoning.
You can add this Instant Pot quinoa to quinoa salads or grain bowls, use it in one pan meals such as this Mexican quinoa, or even enjoy it for breakfast. Ive included links to my most-loved quinoa recipes below.
Quinoa Instant Pot Recipe With Pot
To cook pot-in-pot quinoa, you need a trivet and a pot you can place on the trivet. If I am preparing only quinoa, then I use the trivet that came with the instant pot. If you are cooking the main dish along with the quinoa, you would need a long legged trivet.
You will also need a pot that can be placed in the pressure cooker. Here is one on Amazon Ekonova Stackable Stainless Steel Insert Pans. You can also do PIP for quinoa in a Pyrex glass bowl, but these need a couple extra minutes to cook the quinoa.
Add about a cup of water in the main steel pot, place the trivet and then the bowl of quinoa and water.
Just 4 minutes at high pressure, and a natural pressure release. Perfect quinoa is ready. Fluff it with a fork and enjoy!
Advantages of pot-in-pot method to cook quinoa
- You can cook less quantity at a time.
- You dont need to wash the large instant pot insert if just cooking quinoa.
- You can cook in the serving bowl itself.
- You can cook a complete meal at once and save precious time. With entree in the main insert and quinoa in a bowl on a trivet. This could work with any main dish that takes about 3-6 mixtures to cook in the main steel insert. Some examples are – Mom’s Chicken Curry, Saag Paneer, Dal Fry or Panang Curry with Chicken.
Try cooking Quinoa in the Instant Pot and let me know how you like it.
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Ingredients You Will Need
Quinoa : There are three main types – Red, Black and White Quinoa. You can choose any one of your choice.
Water / Stock / Broth : Rarely do I cook it using water until the specific recipe calls for the use of it. Otherwise, I always prefer to cook it either using vegetable stock, chicken stock or bone broth.
Salt : I add little bit of salt only when using water. No need to add it when using stock or broth.
Olive oil or vegetable oil : For spraying or brushing the bottom of the pot.
How To Use The Instant Pot
When it comes to new appliances, Ill admit that Im not one to read manuals. I always try to use a new appliance intuitively first, and in most cases, I feel that really good appliances are pretty easy to understand without extra instruction needed.
That being said, its super-duper important to learn how to correctly use the lid of any electric pressure cooker, because you need to make sure that the venting and sealing lever at the top is turned to seal when you want to pressure cook something. Watch my Instant Pot tutorial video, if you want a fast 3-minute overview.
Youll want to make sure that the lid is sealed properly before cooking, and youll need to fully release that built-up steam before attempting to remove the lid.
Tip: The Instant Pot has safety features built-in, so it wont let you remove the lid without releasing the steam. I think youd really have to struggle to do something dangerous with it.
I bought the Instant Pot with the yogurt function , and I will say that you definitely need to look up how to use that function its NOT intuitive. But, neither is making yogurt until you practice, so a quick Google search helped me out in both regards.
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Why I Love Quinoa
Fun fact: quinoa is actually a seed NOT a grain.
Just like wild rice is a pseudo-grain, so is quinoa. So if youre following a gluten-free/grain-free diet , you can definitely eat it!
Quinoa is also an ancient food. Called the gold of the Incas, quinoa has been eaten traditionally in South America for thousands of years.
Quinoa is high in iron, magnesium, manganese, and Vitamin B2.
Finally, unlike most other grain-like foods, quinoa is a complete protein and a great source of plant protein!
Yes, its more expensive than rice, but its way less expensive than grass-fed meats.
So, although I dont advocate for a totally vegan or vegetarian diet, there is a lot of value in including a variety of plant foods, like quinoa, in our diets. These foods help balance the blood sugar, relieve constipation, and keep our digestion healthy.
How To Cook Quinoa In An Instant Pot
This post contains affiliate links.
I took advantage of Amazon Prime Day this July and purchased the Instant Pot deal that was advertised. I had been debating for a while on whether or not I buy one, and thought that if all else fails that it would be a good way to post recipes on The Bewitchin Kitchen and share my learning process.
The verdict?
I love my Instant Pot.
When my Instant Pot arrived, I scoured through the instruction manual and noticed that they had a cook time chart.
I noticed that quinoa had a cook time under pressure for one minute.
It takes me 20 minutes to make quinoa on the stove top.
Seriously? 1 minute?!
Something to keep in mind is that thats the pressure cook time. That doesnt include the time it takes for the Instant Pot to come to temperature first.
TBKs Pro Tip: To speed up the process, start the Instant Pot on saute to pre heat the pressure cooker. It makes a big difference in the pre heat time.
So a one-minute pressure cook is one option, but you would have to naturally vent it so it would still take another 10-15 minutes. I decided to simply use the rice cooker option.
One hit of a button and I was able to cook up Quinoa while I focused on other things .
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