How To Make Quinoa In Instant Pot

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Different Types Of Quinoa

INSTANT POT QUINOA | EASY PERFECT FLUFFY EVERY TIME!

Quinoa comes in a variety of forms and colors. The most common types of quinoa include white, black, red, and tri-color quinoa.

  • White quinoa The most common type of quinoa, white quinoa tends to be used as a replacement for rice due to its mild flavor and smell.
  • Black quinoa Probably the rarest quinoa to find at the grocery stores, black quinoa has a crunchier finish than white quinoa and also has a slightly sweeter finish.
  • Red quinoa Red quinoa holds its shape better during the cooking process making it an excellent addition to salads or grain bowls. Its a bit nuttier in flavor and has a crunchier finish than white quinoa.
  • Tri-color quinoa This form of quinoa happens to be a blend of white, black, and red quinoa. While the white grains are soft and mild in flavor, the black and red grains provide a little more structure and shape as well as a crunchier finish.

To learn more about the different kinds of quinoa, check out this article about the 7 Types of Quinoa.

Today Im Sharing How To Make Perfectly Cooked Quinoa In The Instant Pot Once You Try This Easy Hands

A couple years ago I shared my fool-proof method for stove-top quinoa. It is mostly hands-off and pretty awesome. But I have always wanted to master making perfectly cooked quinoa in the Instant Pot since it is such a convenient and popular cooking appliance these days. After many attempts I have landed on a super easy, almost completely hands-off method that works every time. This easy method produces perfectly cooked quinoa that is fluffy and never soggy, burnt or watery. The entire process from start to finish takes about 30 minutes but your hands-on time is like 30 seconds. That makes this perfect for meal prep or really any busy night you need quinoa.

Why Does My Qunioa Come Out Mushy

There are a few reasons your quinoa can come out mushy after you cook it. Those reasons are:

  • Overcooking
  • Over stirring
  • Too much water

All three of these things can leave you with less than perfectly cooked quinoa. The simple solution for this? Use your Instant Pot and one of these amazing recipes included in this post. It will guarantee perfectly cooked quinoa your whole family will love.

Learn just about every method on How To Cook Quinoa in one convenient place! Plus learn everything you could want to know about quinoa.

Enjoy a delightfully filling and refreshing Edamame Salad With Quinoa as a complete and nutritious meal! It’s full of plant protein and is easily made with your Instant Pot.

This Instant Pot Quinoa Salad With Salmon is a delicious and nutritious meal that’s so very easy to make. Thanks to the Instant Pot, this recipe will be done before you know it!

Read Also: How Long To Cook Ham In Instant Pot

Instant Pot Quinoa Recipe

I hope you have been following us all along, on our cooking adventures, with our favorite gadget in the kitchen, our pressure cooker . Quinoa is a simple but mighty and tasty dish. If cooked properly and mixed with proper spices, it can be an awesome replacement for rice and pasta. Today, I am just talking about creating plain old Quinoa. In the coming weeks, I will share more side dishes using Quinoa.

A painter always starts with a blank canvas whenever they are trying to create a masterpiece. Think about Quinoa as that plain canvas that can be used/filled with various colors and flavors of spices to make it enticing enough to replace your carbs cravings. Quinoa has an earthy taste when eaten without any spices or flavoring. We have used Quinoa in a lot of recipes. From soups, kids lunchbox meals to main dishes, Quinoa is very versatile and a loved item if used correctly.

Where To Buy Quinoa

How to Cook Perfect Quinoa in the Instant Pot + VIDEO ...

Quinoa is definitely a pantry staple that every home should have!

Yet, oftentimes small boxes or bags of it can be costly at the regular grocery store. Plus, if you need to stay gluten-free because of Celiac, you can buy less expensive quinoa in bulk bins because cross-contamination is a real thing.

So, if you dont have to be certified gluten-free, the best places to find quinoa are

  • bulk bins at your health food store or supermarket
  • bulk bags from Azure Standard< by far the best bulk price!

If you do need certified gluten-free

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Do You Have To Rinse Quinoa

Always rinse your quinoa unless youre using my favorite brand, Ancient Harvest, which is pre-washed. If cooking dry quinoa, increase the water to 1¼ cups per cup. Why do we rinse quinoa? As well as removing impurities, rinsing removes the bitter tasting natural saponin coating, which is a defense mechanism for quinoa against birds who may otherwise eat it.

Instant Pot Quinoa Recipe Tips

  • Rinse quinoa well before cooking it. Quinoa seeds have a bitter coating on them called saponin. Rinsing quinoa under cool running water will remove any bitter flavor. You can rub the quinoa with your fingertips as you rinse it.
  • For more flavorful quinoa, cook it in vegetable broth or chicken broth instead of water.
  • One cup of dry quinoa will yield about 3 cups of cooked quinoa.
  • You can double this recipe by doubling the recipe ingredients. The cook time stays the same for a double recipe. Be sure to not overfill the pot, since the quinoa will approximately triple in size as it cooks.

Also Check: How To Cook Frozen Uncooked Tamales In Instant Pot

How To Make Quinoa In The Instant Pot

Using the Instant Pot is, without a doubt, my favorite method for cooking quinoa. It’s the quickest, simplest method and takes almost no time to make.

  • Rinse. Rinse the dry quinoa thoroughly. It is important that you rinse the quinoa, even if the box says that it has already been rinsed.
  • Add. Add the quinoa, water or vegetable broth, salt, and the ghee, olive oil, coconut oil or butter into the Instant Pot.
  • Cook. Secure the lid on the pot. Close the pressure-release valve. Select MANUAL and set the pot at HIGH pressure for 1 minute. When cook time is complete, let the pot release pressure naturally for 5 minutes, and then release all remaining pressure.
  • Fluffy Quinoa. Fluff with a fork and serve.

Want a great quinoa Instant Pot recipe? Check out my recipe for Instant Pot Quinoa Pudding.

How To Cook Quinoa In The Instant Pot

Instant Pot 1 minute Quinoa- Easy Quinoa Recipe
  • Rinse the quinoa well in a fine-mesh strainer.
  • Place quinoa and water in the Instant Pot. If you are cooking the quinoa in water, add a little bit of salt for flavor. Stir.
  • Pressure cook at high pressure for 1 minute.
  • When the cook time ends, allow the pressure to naturally release until the pin drops down.
  • Carefully open the Instant Pot lid. Fluff the quinoa and serve.
  • Read Also: Instant Pot Steam Rice

    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!

    How To Cook Quinoa In An Instant Pot

    If youre wondering how to cook quinoa in a slow cooker or how to cook quinoa in a rice cooker, Im afraid I cant help you. Ive never tried using a slow cooker and I dont own a rice cooker.

    But when it comes to learning how to cook quinoa in an Instant Pot, IM YOUR GAL!

    I just jumped on the Instant Pot bandwagon a couple years ago, after dragging my feet and waiting to see if this electronic pressure cooker was a legit time-saving device or if it was just a fad. Turns out, its a complete LIFESAVER!

    (If youre new to the Instant Pot, this article on Common Instant Pot Mistakes and How to Fix Them might be helpful. Plus you can make your favorite slow cooker recipes in the Instant Pot with this conversion guide.

    If youre not sure if you want an Instant Pot or not, heres How the Instant Pot Saves Me Money and 20+ Things to Know Before You Buy an Instant Pot. )

    Recommended Reading: Instant Pot Turkey Breast Tenderloin

    Natural Release Vs Quick Release

    After having done this both ways many times, I think natural release is slightly fluffier and has better water absorption, but the quick release is still so good and saves five minutes, its definitely a good option.

    The only thing is you need to increase your liquid content to account for the moisture lost in the quick release. Instead of 1:1.25, use 1:1.5 so for every cup of quinoa use 1 1/2 cups liquid. Then, set the pressure cooker to high for five minutes, and then do the careful quick release, and enjoy!

    How To Cook Perfect Quinoa In Instant Pot

    How to cook quinoa in the Instant Pot

    Learn how to make perfect, fluffy Instant Pot quinoa- It’s fast, flavorful, and easily made in advance for speedy lunches and sides for work, school, or home! Serve it warm or cold. Sprinkle quinoa onto salads, serve as a side dish, fold in chopped veggies, seeds, beans or nuts or even make ‘breakfast quinoa’ in place of oatmeal. Use in tacos, veggie burgers and so much more.

    Soniya. Saluja

    ! WERE ALWAYS PINNING TASTY RECIPES!

    If youre an Instant Pot beginner, take a deep breath and dont let yourself be afraid of your Instant Pot .Check out our complete beginners guide to the Instant Pot,15+ Quick and Easy Instant Pot Recipes for Begginers. Also check out our 100+ Instant Pot Vegetarian Recipes for all your instant pot recipe needs. From soups to pasta to desserts everything under one umbrella!

    Read Also: How To Cook Frozen Hamburger Meat In The Instant Pot

    Tips For Making Perfect Instant Pot Quinoa

    • Rinse your quinoa before cooking. We know, youve heard this before. Just dont skip this step. Rinsing before you cook helps get rid of the natural chemical compounds called saponins than can make quinoa taste bitter.
    • Use a little less liquid than youre used to using on the stove. All the moisture stays locked inside the IP during cooking, so youll need only 1.5 cups of liquid per cup of raw quinoa.
    • Consider using broth instead of water for an instant flavor boost. Because why not?
    • Add a tablespoon of olive oil to the pot. This cuts down on foamy bubbles and prevents sticking.
    • Cook on high pressure for one minute, then let the pressure come down naturally for 10 minutes before you flip the valve. The grains will continue to cook during the natural release time.
    • Batch cook it to have healthy whole grains on hand all week. Store cooked and cooled quinoa in a big bowl in the fridge to eat hot or cold. Or freeze single-serve portions in zip-top bags to use later.

    Is Quinoa A Grain

    Quinoa is a seed that comes from a flowering plant in the amaranth family, though it is often confused as a grain.

    Quinoa is grouped in with the “Ancient Grains” such as farro, millet, barley, oats, chia, buckwheat and amaranth, where all of them have changed very little over recent millennia and are praised for their health benefits.

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    How To Store Quinoa

    • Uncooked: store in an airtight container in a cool, dark pantry for 2 to 3 years
    • Cooked: Perfect for meal prep!Store covered in the fridge for about a week, or in the freezer for a year

    Do check out our healthy snack recipes that will help you take care of the afternoon hunger attack. Move towards a healthy lifestyle

    Try out our Air fried Apple chips, Beetroot chips, Baked Carrot fries, Sweet Potato curly fries , Roasted whole moong beans, and Roasted green peas

    Do you have a sweet tooth? You should check out our 20 Healthy Sweet snacks for the sweet tooth to reduce the sugar intake and not feel guilty about eating sweets. You should also check out our No Fry Appe Pan Recipes with tips and tricks to cut down your calories on deep fried food.

    What Is The Proper Way To Cook Quinoa

    Instant Pot Quinoa | READY in 10 Minutes Vegan Quinoa Burger Recipe!

    There is no “proper” technique for cooking quinoa. Quinoa is such a versatile food, you can cook it in several different ways. The methods I will cover are:

  • Instant Pot
  • Stove Top
  • Rice Cooker
  • No way is better than another, it all depends on your personal preference and which kitchen gadgets you have at home.

    Read Also: How To Convert Slow Cooker Recipe To Instant Pot

    Can You Freeze Quinoa

    Yes, Instant Pot quinoa is incredibly easy to freeze so make a big batch of it and save for later! To freeze quinoa, do the following:

    • Let the quinoa cool to room temperature.
    • Transfer it to a freezer bag or freezer-safe container.
    • When youre ready to eat the frozen quinoa, place it in the fridge or on your counter to thaw and then reheat in a skillet with a little water.

    What Does Quinoa Taste Like

    Quinoa has a mild, nutty flavor that is perfect by itself, but what makes cooked quinoa very versatile is that it takes on the flavors of whatever you cook it with. There’s not as much of a quinoa taste per se, as what it is cooked with. So you will see quinoa recipes for both sweet and savory dishes that are equally good.

    Also Check: Instant Pot Hamburger Frozen

    How Long Does It Take To Cook Instant Pot Quinoa

    We call this one minute quinoa because thats how long you set your Instant Pot to cook under high pressure. But keep in mind that it takes time for the Instant Pot to reach high pressure, and it also takes ten minutes of natural-release time afterwards.

    What this means is that the total cook time is closer to 20 minutes, which is roughly the same length of time it takes to cook quinoa on the stove.

    So why make Instant Pot Quinoa? We still love cooking this grain in the Instant Pot because you can set it and forget it, and get perfectly fluffy quinoa every time.

    How To Make Quinoa On The Stovetop

    How To Cook Instant Pot Quinoa Perfectly

    If you don’t own an Instant Pot, cooking quinoa on the stovetop will probably be the easiest and most convenient method. It’s still quite easy and is done in about 20 minutes.

    • Rinse. Rinse the dry quinoa thoroughly. It is important that you rinse the quinoa, even if the box says that it has already been rinsed.
    • Add. Add the quinoa, water or vegetable broth, salt and the ghee, olive oil, coconut oil or butter into a pot.
    • Cook. Bring the pot to a boil. When the water boils, reduce the heat so that your water is at a gentle simmer. Allow it to cook for 15 minutes or until the water is absorbed.
    • Rest. Cover the pot and allow it to rest for 5 minutes.
    • Fluffy Quinoa. Fluff with a fork and serve.

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    How We Eat Quinoa

    I serve quinoa almost anytime I make any meal with a gravy or topping. You know, stroganoffs and stir fry recipes and stuff like that. Its high in protein and honestly just really nutty and wholesome and delicious. Here are a few favorite meals that always see quinoa served alongside around here:

    Also, I make quinoa weekly just for this whole wheat quinoa bread . And these little quinoa patties happen almost anytime I have leftover quinoa. And we cannot, absolutely cannot, forget about this amazing gluten-free chocolate cake that uses cooked quinoa as the base.

    Because quinoa can seem intimidating if you arent used to it, I wanted to show you how I make quinoa perfectly every time in the Instant Pot. I think itll make quinoa believers out of just about anyone.

    Even though many quinoas nowadays come prerinsed, I always give the quinoa another rinse in a fine mesh strainer under cool water just to be safe to get rid of the natural coating on quinoa which has a bitter flavor. Dump the rinsed and lightly drained quinoa into the insert of an Instant Pot thats been coated lightly with nonstick cooking spray.

    For every cup of quinoa, I add 1 1/4 cups water and about 1/2 teaspoon coarse, kosher salt. I like this ratio of quinoa to water for a perfectly fluffy cooked quinoa. Feel free to experiment with different water/broth amounts if you like softer quinoa.

    Other Quinoa Recipes To Give You Inspiration To Prepare Quinoa In An Instant Pot

    If you are like us and love to meal prep Quinoa for the week, here are few delicious and unique recipes we use cooked Quinoa. You can make the Quinoa in an instant pot and keep it refrigerated / or freeze for your next adventure.

    These No-Fry Crispy Quinoa bites are delicious on top of a salad, or just as finger food for your next get together.

    This Vegan Ceviche Quinoa Salad Recipe is a refreshing vegan twist to the classic Mexican Ceviche. Its easy to make, on-the-table in minutes, a perfect party appetizer, salad for lunch or afternoon snack when paired with chips.

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