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.  

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. 

Ingredient Notes

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.

How to Cook Quinoa in an Instant Pot

You can easily scale up or down this recipe using the water to quinoa ratio shared below. 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.  

Recipe FAQs

Got questions about how to make this recipe? Here are the answers to a few commonly asked questions. Feel free to leave any other questions in the comments on this post and I’ll respond with answers.

How Long Should You 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 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. 

Easy Quinoa Recipes You’ll Love:

This hearty quinoa chicken bowl recipe features lots of veggies, quinoa, salty goat cheese, and heart-healthy walnuts for a filling, satisfying meal.

This cold asparagus salad is the perfect side dish to enjoy during asparagus season! In this easy asparagus salad recipe, you’ll find small pieces of tender crisp asparagus with quinoa and a tarragon vinaigrette.

Quinoa stuffed peppers are a gvegetarian version of the classic recipe. Easy to make, hearty, and great for meal prep!

Quinoa stuffing is a fantastic vegetarian and gluten-free stuffing recipe loaded with veggies like butternut squash and kale.