Instant Pot Quinoa

2 blue bowls with cooked quinoa and black spoon.

This Instant pot Quinoa is perfectly fluffy, light, tender, flavorful without any stock and never mushy! Learn how to make the fluffiest quinoa in about 20 minutes, that comes out perfect every single time.

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Keyword instant pot quinoa

Prep Time 2

Cook Time 18

Total Time 2

Servings servings

Calories 156kcal

Author Maria Doss

Equipment

instant pot

Ingredients

1 cup quinoa
1 tablespoon unsalted butter (or use oil)
1 cup water
¼ teaspoon salt (or use according to taste)

Instructions

Preheat. Set instant pot to saute setting and wait until indicator says "hot". (I like to rinse quinoa and gather remaining ingredients in the meantime)
Rinse quinoa. Place quinoa in a fine mesh strainer and rinse it under cold running water for at least 30 seconds or until the water runs clear. Let quinoa drain completely.
👉The water will be whitish at first and then gradually become clear.
Toast quinoa. Add butter when it displays "hot" and let it melt. Add rinsed and drained quinoa; saute for 1 to 2 minutes to toast. Press cancel, add water and salt. Mix. Close and lock the lid, making sure the valve is set to sealing position.
Cook. Pressure cook on high for 1 minute (the instant pot will take about 6 minutes to come to pressure before cooking begins).
Once the timer goes off, allow it to be in warm mode for 15 minutes, then release any remaining pressure. Carefully remove the lid, gently fluff using a large fork, and serve warm.

Video

Notes

Do not skip rinsing - It gets rid of the natural coating, called saponin, which can make it taste bitter. You can find boxed varieties that are "pre rinsed", but it doesn't hurt to give an additional rinse to get rid any dirt or bitterness.

Total cooking time - Although the instant pot setting is for only 1 minute, the total cook time is about 20 minutes which includes sautéing, coming to pressure and warm time.

Yield - One cup dry quinoa yields about three cups cooked quinoa.

Reduce or omit salt if using salted butter.

Nutrition