Instant Pot Quinoa
Posted: 08/28/19
Updated: 11/21/21
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Making quinoa in the Instant Pot is so quick and easy, and it makes the most tender, fluffy quinoa! Made in 20 minutes with barely any prep involved and only a couple simple ingredients, making quinoa in the Instant Pot is a game changer for meal prep or weeknight dinners.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Instant Pot quinoa is good because of the well rounded and delicious flavors this recipe emits. With it being made in the Instant Pot, this quinoa is finished in 10 minutes, and it only requires 3 additional ingredients! This quinoa is perfect especially if you are needing an extra side dish!
How To Make It
Start off by rinsing the quinoa very well with water. Once the quinoa has been rinsed, transfer quinoa to the Instant Pot bowl and spray with avocado oil or any other neutral oil you may have. Add salt and pepper, then combine all ingredients with a spoon or rubber spatula until quinoa is evenly coated.
Make sure your Instant Pot is plugged in, and place the locking lid over the bowl and quinoa while making extra sure the lid hits its position as you twist to the right. Turn on manual pressure to “high” and cook for 2 minutes. After two minutes, wait 10 minutes before quickly releasing pressure. Done!
Serve as a side dish or by itself. You could also save the quinoa to eat on during the week for your meal prep or plan!
Is quinoa healthy?
Yes! Quinoa is one of most nutritious foods on the planet as it is loaded with fiber, antioxidants, and minerals.
What can I eat with this quinoa?
You can eat quinoa by itself as a side (it is super yummy thanks to the salt and pepper!) or you can mix in some sauteed vegetables. Another idea for quinoa is to eat it in breakfast bowl form with soft boiled or scrambled eggs paired with some black beans and salsa. Delicious!
Chef’s Tips
- Be sure to rinse your quinoa.
- Make sure you allow the steam to release the pressure manually before doing a quick release (10 minutes after 2 minutes is up).
- Make sure your Instant Pot lid is truly locked (it will lock into position with the latch).
- Make sure the steam valve is turned all the way to the right before you do a quick release, then turn the valve to the left. Lots of pressure should be released when you do this.
Other Recipes You Will Love
- Instant Pot Healthy Chicken Pot Pie Soup (Paleo, Whole30)
- Instant Pot Burrito Bowls With Chicken
- Buy The Paleo Instant Pot Cookbook (Whole30 Compliant!)
I would love to hear if you have tried this Instant Pot Quinoa recipe – do leave me a star rating and comment down below!
Be sure to share your photos of your creations on Instagram too!
Instant Pot Quinoa
This tasty quinoa made in the Instant Pot is perfect in so many ways, and it is perfect for meal planning. With only a few ingredients, the true nutty flavors of quinoa truly stand out with just salt and pepper.
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa
- 1 ½ cups water
- spray cooking oil like avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- pepper to taste
Equipment
- Instant Pot Pressure Cooker
Instructions
- Rinse quinoa very well with water. Spray evenly with avocado oil.
- Transfer quinoa to pressure cooker and add salt and pepper. Combine evenly with spoon or rubber spatula.
- Turn on Instant Pot to manual high pressure. Cook for 2 minutes. Let Instant Pot naturally release pressure for 10 minutes before doing a quick release. Serve.
Notes
- Make sure the Instant Pot lid is in the locked position so it can cook the quinoa.
- Let the quinoa manually release pressure for 10 minutes (valve turned as far as it will go to the right-almost to 11 o’clock).
- To do quick release pressure, turn the steam valve down to the left. You will hear the pressure release.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 153kcal | Protein: 5g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Total Carbs: 23g | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Net Carbs: 20g | Sodium: 1401mg | Potassium: 207mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 2mg
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
Oh my yummy!! I love quinoa
I love quinoa! I have never thought about doing it in the Instant pot! DUH!! what a great idea!
So cool. I never made quinoa in the IP before. We will have to give that a go.
Thanks so much for sharing this. This makes it so much easier than having to watch it on the stove. Total game-changer!
Yes! I love how easy quinoa is in the Instant Pot!
This worked great! Thanks for suggestion using my IP to do the job!
So glad it worked, Tessa!
Hi there! I love your recipes, but this one confused me. You list water in the ingredients, but do not mention it in the recipe instructions. Do you add the water to the instant pot? Or are you really using 1 1/2 cups of water to simply rinse the quinoa? Thanks!
Sorry about that confusion, Annette! We add the water to the Instant Pot.