How to Make Quinoa in the Instant Pot

Cooking quinoa in an Instant Pot works perfectly every time! Say goodbye to soggy quinoa with this Instant Pot quinoa tutorial. I’m sharing how to cook quinoa in an Instant Pot, answering FAQs about Instant Pot Quinoa, and some of my favorite quinoa recipes to try.  

Perfect Instant Pot Quinoa 

I love how versatile Instant Pot cooking is, and how many different dishes I can create with mine. While I love using it to make hearty pasta dishes and pot pie dinners, I use it most frequently to cook rice, quinoa, and other grains. 

Although quinoa cooks quickly on the stovetop, I often wind up with soggy quinoa from measuring out too much water by mistake. 

Once I learned how to make quinoa in an Instant Pot, I knew I’d never go back to the stovetop method! Instant Pot quinoa cooks in just 1 minute and is perfectly fluffy every single time! 

(Just remember that the Instant Pot needs to come up to pressure and depressurize before you can dive into your delicious quinoa.)

Now, let’s discuss my preferred method for making quinoa in an Instant Pot. 

Ingredients for Instant Pot Quinoa 

No matter the type or amount of quinoa you’re preparing, the basic ingredients list remains the same. 

• Quinoa: Any color quinoa will work. 
• Water: Plain tap water is fine. 
• Salt: Is optional, but I like to add ½ teaspoon salt per 1 cup dried quinoa. Otherwise the quinoa tastes bland. 

For the complete ingredient list and detailed instructions, scroll to the bottom of this post for the FREE printable recipe card.

Instant Pot Water to Quinoa Ratio

The Instant Pot water to quinoa ratio is a breeze to remember! To make Instant Pot quinoa, you’ll want to use a water to quinoa ratio of 1:1. 

That means that for every 1 cup of dried quinoa you’ll need 1 cup of water. 

How to Cook Quinoa in an Instant Pot

You can easily scale up or down this recipe using the water to quinoa ratio shared above. No matter how much quinoa you’re cooking, the cook time will remain the same. 

Here’s how to cook quinoa in an Instant Pot: 

1. Measure the quinoa into a sieve, then rinse thoroughly under running water. Rinsing the quinoa removes the saponin and prevents the final product from tasting bitter. 
2. Combine the rinsed quinoa, water, and optional salt in an Instant Pot.
3. Lock the lid, then pressure cook on HIGH for 1 minute.
4. Natural release for 10 minutes.
5. Quick release the rest of the pressure, being careful to not touch the steam. 
6. Fluff the quinoa with a fork and serve.  

How Long to Cook Quinoa in an Instant Pot 

You’ll cook the quinoa for 1 minute at high pressure, then do a natural release for 10 minutes. Remember that the Instant Pot will also take some time to pressurize before actually cooking the quinoa! 

Can Quinoa Be Reheated in an Instant Pot? 

Technically yes, but I find it to be more effort than it’s worth. Instead, I like to reheat leftover quinoa in the microwave for 30-second bursts or on the stove over low heat. You may need to add a splash of water to prevent the quinoa from drying out. 

Does Quinoa Need to Be Soaked Before Cooking? 

Nope! In fact, you don’t want to do that because it will create a soggy end result. However, the raw quinoa does need to be rinsed to remove the bitter saponin prior to being cooked. 

Storing and Freezing Instant Pot Quinoa 

Store cooked quinoa in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 6 months. I like to store quinoa in smaller freezer containers so I can thaw only as much as I need for future recipes. 

When freezing quinoa, remember to label and date your storage containers or freezer bags so you don’t forget what’s in them! Note that you can reheat quinoa from frozen or add it directly to soups or stews — no need to thaw it first. 

More Instant Pot Tutorials: 

Chuck roast is cooked until tender with garlic, herbs, and plenty of tomatoes in this Instant Pot Italian Beef Ragu with Pappardelle for a delicious and hearty family pasta night recipe. 

These Shredded Pork Tacos can be made using a slow cooker or an Instant Pot. Each person can customize their toppings as they see fit!

Don’t throw out those vegetable scraps, use them to make vegetable broth instead! In this post, I’m sharing How to Make Vegetable Broth on the stovetop or in a slow cooker or Instant Pot. 

Homemade Pumpkin Puree can be used in many sweet and savory recipes and lets you enjoy pumpkin season year-round! In this post, I’m sharing 5 ways to make pumpkin puree from scratch — including in an Instant Pot! 

Chicken Pot Pie with Buttermilk Biscuit Crust is comfort food and it’s finest! Creamy chicken filling is topped with tender buttermilk biscuits.

Cooking dried beans saves you money and ensures you have cooked beans on hand at all times! This post explains how to cook dried beans three ways (including the Instant Pot) and how to freeze them for later.

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Try Cooking Quinoa at Home!

Next time you need a grain-based side dish for your meal, try making some quinoa using this tutorial! When you do try it, I’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment below and give this tutorial on cooking quinoa in the Instant Pot a review for others to see.