Can you cook quinoa in a rice cooker or an Instant Pot?

Yes, I love to do this for hands-off meal prep. Simply rinse uncooked quinoa with water, and add it to a rice cooker or Instant Pot along with the water and broth. Then, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to cook the grain, which is 15 to 20 minutes in a rice cooker or about 3 minutes on high pressure in an Instant Pot. Some devices even have a quinoa setting, making it super easy.

Why does quinoa sometimes turn out mushy?

The most common reasons for soggy or mushy quinoa are using too much liquid and undercooking. Be sure to measure carefully, using a 1:2 quinoa to water ratio, and keep an eye on the stovetop. Remove the pan from the heat as soon as the water is fully absorbed.

Do you need to soak quinoa before cooking?

No, it's not necessary to soak quinoa in water before cooking, but it is a good idea to rinse quinoa under running water to remove the saponin that can make quinoa taste bitter. However, even that step is not necessary if you purchase already washed and rinsed quinoa.

How to Cook Quinoa (Easy Step-By-Step Guide)

Servings: 3 cups (4 servings) 1x

Ingredients

1 cup dry quinoa
2 cups water

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Instructions

Rinse the quinoa in a fine mesh strainer. (NOTE: If the quinoa is pre-rinsed, you can skip this step.)
To a saucepan over medium-high heat, add the quinoa and water; stir together. Bring to a boil, uncovered, then reduce the heat to simmer. Cover and cook for 15 minutes.
Remove the pan from the heat and let sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff the quinoa with a spoon, fork, or spatula.
Store leftover cooked quinoa in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 6 months.

Notes

For even more flavor, substitute half or more of the water with broth, and follow the recipe as normal.

Nutrition Information

Serving Size: 1/4 cup dry (3/4 cup cooked)
Calories: 170
Fat: 2.5 g
(Sat Fat: 0g)
Sodium: 0 mg
Carbohydrate: 29 g
(Fiber: 3 g
Sugar: 0 g)
Protein: 6 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg

Dietary

Dairy-Free Egg-Free Gluten-free Nut-free Vegan Vegetarian

Recipe By: Stacie Hassing