Fluffy, fail-proof quinoa—made effortlessly in the Instant Pot! Whether you’re cooking directly in the main pot or using the pot-in-pot method, this recipe gives you perfectly cooked quinoa every single time. Just add quinoa and water, set the timer, and let the Instant Pot do the magic. This has officially become our go-to method for cooking quinoa!
What is better than quick and hands-off food? Nothing! Especially if you’re a parent juggling many things. If you agree, this Instant Pot Quinoa is precisely what you have been looking for 🙂
No need to wait for the water to boil on the stovetop, or watch the quinoa while it’s cooking on the stove, or even burn the quinoa at the bottom of the pan. Just add the quinoa and water, press a button, walk away, and come back to perfectly cooked quinoa.
This is a foolproof method for cooking quinoa and works perfectly every single time.
Use this quinoa in salads, as a side dish with curry, or add it to a soup. It is also perfect for meal prep.
If you love quinoa just like me, check out these delicious Quinoa Chili, Quinoa and Vegetable Pilaf, and Quinoa Khichdi recipes.
Table of Contents
You can use any type of quinoa in this recipe. My preferred brand of Quinoa is the one shown in the picture that I got from Costco. It is also available on Amazon. I like to alternate between different types of sides, such as quinoa, brown rice, white rice, or some bread.
Another favorite gluten-free alternative is buckwheat. Check out how to cook buckwheat in the Instant Pot.
Two Ways to Cook Quinoa
Here, I’m sharing two ways to cook Quinoa. Sometimes, when cooking quinoa alone or in larger quantities, you want to do it in the main pot. However, at other times, you want a cup of quinoa and don’t want to deal with cleaning the whole large steel pot. At such times, pot-in-pot quinoa comes in handy.
Rinse the Quinoa: Place the quinoa in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse it under cool tap water. Rinsing it before cooking removes any dirt and improves its flavor.
Add More Flavor to Quinoa
Quinoa tastes delicious on its own with protein, but you can brighten it up with some of the below flavor additions:
- Butter or Olive Oil: Adds richness to the quinoa.
- Aromatics: Sauté some garlic and shallots for a deep, savory flavor.
- Herbs: Add cilantro or parsley for some fresh flavors.
- Spices: Add smoky, earthy spices for that extra kick.
- Lemon juice: Adds zest and tanginess
- Veggies: Add frozen veggies, like peas, carrots, or corn, for a colorful boost.
Instant Pot Quinoa
It can’t get any easier. Add the rinsed quinoa and water to the pot. If you like, you can also add salt, butter, or oil at this time. You can also use chicken or vegetable broth in place of water to make quinoa.
I set it for 1 minute at high pressure and do a 10-minute natural pressure release. Fluff with a fork and enjoy perfectly cooked, separate grains of quinoa.
Instant Pot Quinoa with Pot-in-Pot Method
To cook pot-in-pot quinoa, you’ll need a trivet and a bowl that can be placed on top of it. If I’m preparing only quinoa, I use the trivet that came with the Instant Pot. If you’re cooking the main dish along with the quinoa, you’ll need a long-legged trivet.
You will also need a bowl that can fit inside the pressure cooker. Here is one on Amazon – Ekonova Stackable Stainless Steel Insert Pans. You can also do a PIP for quinoa in a Pyrex glass bowl, but it takes a couple of extra minutes to cook.
Learn more about the instant pot pot-in-pot method with this comprehensive guide!
Add about a cup of water to the steel insert. Then, place the trivet and the bowl of quinoa and water on top.
Just 4 minutes at high pressure and a natural pressure release. Perfect quinoa is ready. Fluff it with a fork and enjoy!
Why use the pot-in-pot method for cooking quinoa?
I love using the pop-in-pot method to make quinoa, as I can prepare multiple things at once. Here are some more advantages of using this method:
- You can cook a smaller quantity at a time.
- You don’t need to wash the large Instant Pot insert if cooking quinoa.
- You can cook in the serving bowl itself.
- You can cook a complete meal at once and save precious time, with the entrée in the steel insert and quinoa in a bowl on a trivet. This could work with any main dish that takes about 3-6 minutes to cook in the Instant Pot. 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.
How to Store?
I love meal-prepping quinoa and having it ready for multiple meals throughout the week. Store the quinoa in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Make sure the quinoa cools to room temperature before storing.
You can also freeze it in smaller portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight to use it.
Reheat the quinoa in the microwave. If needed, you can add a splash of water to freshen up the quinoa.
How to Use Instant Pot Quinoa?
My favorite way to serve this Instant Pot quinoa is as a side dish. Add a drizzle of lemon juice, a pinch of salt, and a sprinkle of pepper, and enjoy as a side with any protein. I add it to grain bowls, such as a sweet potato Buddha bowl, salads, or mix with veggies to make a quinoa pilaf.
More Instant Pot Recipes
Instant Pot Oatmeal
How to cook Sorghum?
Easy-Peel Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs (5-5-5 Method)
Mexican Black Beans in Instant Pot
1-minute Instant Pot Quinoa (Pot-in-Pot option)
Video
Instructions
- Wash quinoa in a mesh strainer until the water runs clear.
Cooking in the pot
- Add water and quinoa to the pressure cooker. Close the lid with the vent in sealing position. Start the pressure cooker in MANUAL or pressure cook mode at high pressure for 1 minute.
- When the pressure cooker beeps, do a 10-minute natural pressure release. Fluff with a fork. Quinoa is ready.
Cooking with the pot-in-pot (PIP) method
- Add 1 cup of water to the steel insert of the pressure cooker. Place the trivet in the steel insert.
- Add water and quinoa to a steel or oven-safe bowl. Place the bowl on the trivet.
- Close the lid of the pressure cooker with the vent in sealing position. Set in pressure cook or manual mode for 4 minutes at high pressure.
- When the pressure cooker beeps, do a natural pressure release. Fluff with a fork. Quinoa is ready to be served.
Notes
- If you like, you can add salt or butter/oil before pressure cooking quinoa.
- You can also use broth in place of water to make quinoa.
Made this many times always perfection
Hi – So happy to hear that!
The recipe worked perfectly with red quinoa. I let it rest after pressure dropped for about 20 minutes. All the water was absorbed. The quinoa came out light and fluffy.
Meeta’s recipes turn out perfectly every time I try them. One thing I love is her precision regarding the amount of water to add to the grains and seeds. They never come out with too much liquid left at the bottom. In general, even when doing stovetop cooking, I leave things to rest a bit and soak up liquid while cooling.
I would love more of these pot in pot instructions for all grains and seeds. I also especially wish there were precise directions for pot in pot cooking of grains after sprouting and draining the water. Even stove top directions are lacking online for these.
Hi – So happy to hear that. Thank you for sharing back! I have been adding pot-in-pot instructions for many of these basics recipes. Please let me know if you want them for a specific recipe.
Actually, I let the quinoa cook for another couple of minutes and it ended up cooking perfectly… I would just be sure to either cook it a minute or two longer or just let it rest in the pot before opening for 10 more minutes or so after the pressure has dropped so the quinoa can absorb more water.
Glad to hear the quinoa cooked perfectly with the pot-in-pot method. It is important to let the quinoa rest for 10 minutes after pressure cooking is complete, and do a 10 minute pressure release. Thank you for sharing back your experience, Thomas!
Just a warning to anyone who wanted to try the Pot In Pot method…it did not work. Did everything as instructed… 4mins on high, 1 cup water in pot, 1.25 cup water in bowl with the quinoa, no presoaking. Came out both soggy and uncooked at the same time. The outside quinoa was over cooked and soggy. The inside was under cooked and quinoa was hard. I’ve tried other PIP quinoa cooking methods before and had similar outcomes. Perhaps quinoa just isn’t meant for the pot-in-pot method?
Same thing happened to me. I’m not sure he to proceed at this point.
Hi Katherine – I am not sure why this happened. As you can see in the photos, I got perfectly cooked quinoa with the pip method. I would suggest to fluff the quinoa and then let it stay in the instant pot with the lid on for a few minutes. This will help to cook any hard quinoa grains.
Thank you Meeta for the simple yet perfect recipe, tried both the ways.
Hi Kav – Glad to hear the quinoa turned out perfectly.
Perfect ratios and cooking times. Love this recipe !!
Hi Maddy Iyer – Thank you for sharing it! 🙂
Loved the recipe but the sad part was about the stories and why quinoa and so many other stories behind it and the way quinoa impacted your life… so much reading…. reading is more time than actually making the quinoa itself. So maybe less of dramatic stories and jump to recipe would help
Hi Laxmi – Glad you liked the quinoa. All of my recipes have a “Jump to Recipe” button right at the top of the post, so feel free to use that to skip the details. I also include any tips in the recipe notes, so you won’t miss any information.
I used the PIP recipe this morning and it was spot on. I did use 1.5 cups water because I like my quinoa to be a little soft.
Hi Krith – Glad to hear the quinoa cooked perfectly. Thank you for sharing back!
For PIP method, 1 cup water in main pot – how much water mixed in with the quinoa in the smaller pot? Is it another full cup?
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe. My quinoa came out perfect. Whenever I’ve cooked it on the stove, it always comes out mushy. But, not in the instant pot! I also want to thank you for all the recipes on your site. I’ve tried several and they’ve all been a success!
Hey Sheila – So glad to hear you found the perfect quinoa in the instant pot. Thank you for sharing your review. It is always helpful to hear feedback on the recipes 🙂