Fast & Easy way to cook Fluffy & Tasty Instant Pot Quinoa in 17 mins! Deliciously rich & nutty Supergrain with a slight bite. A simple healthy side dish, salad topping or substitute for rice.
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What is Quinoa?
Quinoa (pronounced: KEEN-wah) is an ancient gluten-free seed that’s been eaten for thousands of years by the Inca Empire.
And it has rapidly become one of the most popular healthy superfoods in recent years.
It’s high in dietary fiber, high-quality protein (more than any other grain), dietary minerals, and antioxidants. It’s also one of the few plant foods that contain all nine essential amino acids!
There are 3 Main Types of Quinoa: Red Quinoa, Black Quinoa, White Quinoa.
Though it’s not a true grain, it’s prepared and served similar to a grain (i.e. rice). Very versatile, easy to eat, easy to digest, and easy to make. 😀
You can eat it on its own as a side dish, breakfast dish, a substitute for rice (can be used for cooking pilaf!), mix in stews or soups, or toss in salads.
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Instant Pot Quinoa
Fast & Easy way to cook Fluffy & Tasty Instant Pot Quinoa! Deliciously rich & nutty Supergrain with a slight bite. A simple healthy side dish, salad topping or substitute for rice.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (190g) quinoa
- 1 cup (250ml) unsalted chicken stock or cold water
- ¼ teaspoon fine salt
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) olive oil
Instructions
- Rinse Quinoa: Most packaged quinoa has been pre-rinsed to remove the saponin to reduce the bitterness. If necessary, give it a quick rinse with cold water, and drain really well.
- Toast Quinoa (Optional Step): Press the Saute button on Instant Pot, then wait 1 minute. Pour in 1 tbsp (15ml) olive oil, then add in the quinoa. Toast the quinoa until fragrant (~2 - 3 mins).
- Pressure Cook Quinoa: Add in ¼ tsp fine salt + 1 cup (250ml) unsalted chicken stock or cold water. Use a wooden spoon to scrub the bottom to make sure no quinoa is stuck to the bottom. Close lid and pressure cook:
Pressure Cooking Method:
-Toasted Quinoa: High Pressure 0 minute, then 10 minutes Natural Release
-Non-Toasted Quinoa: High Pressure 0 minute, then 12 minutes Natural ReleaseRelease the remaining pressure after the natural release time.
- Serve Quinoa: Fluff quinoa & serve. You can use quinoa as a side dish, toss into your salads or soups. Enjoy~
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Recipe Notes
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Step-by-Step Instant Pot Quinoa Cooking Guide
The ingredient list is short for this super healthy quinoa recipe 🙂
To Rinse or Not to Rinse
Do we have to rinse Quinoa?
Quinoa has a protective coating called saponin that tastes bitter.
Most packaged quinoa has been pre-rinsed to remove the saponin. So I would recommend looking at the package to see if they instruct you to rinse or not.
For bulk quinoa, rinsing can help remove the saponin to reduce the bitterness.
*Pro Tip: If you’re rinsing the quinoa, be sure to drain really well to not throw off the Water to Quinoa Ratio.
Toast Quinoa
This is an optional step, but it will increase the aroma & flavors of the overall dish.
Press the Saute button on Instant Pot, then wait 1 minute.
Pour in 1 tbsp (15ml) olive oil, then add in the quinoa. Toast the quinoa until fragrant (~2 – 3 mins).
Pressure Cook Quinoa
Add in ¼ tsp fine salt + 1 cup (250ml) unsalted chicken stock or cold water.
Use a wooden spoon to scrub the bottom to make sure no quinoa is stuck to the bottom.
Close the lid with the Venting Knob at the Venting position. Turn the Venting Knob to the Sealing position.
Pressure Cooking Method:
- Toasted Quinoa: High Pressure 0 minute, then 10 minutes Natural Release
- Non-Toasted Quinoa: High Pressure 0 minute, then 12 minutes Natural Release
After natural releasing, turn the Venting Knob to the Venting Position and release the remaining pressure.
Serve Instant Pot Quinoa
Fluff Instant Pot Quinoa & serve. Use it as a side dish, toss into your salads or even soups!
Enjoy your Instant Pot Quinoa!~ 🙂
