Step by step guide to make the perfect quinoa in the Instant Pot each time!

Recipe Snapshot

  • Prep time: Not specified
  • Cook time: 15 minutes
  • Total time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 4
  • Category: Sides
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 cup quinoa (uncooked, 185 grams)
  • 1.25 cups water (10 oz)

Method

  1. Start by taking 1 cup (185 grams) of uncooked quinoa in a colander. Rinse under running water for 2 minutes. Rub the quinoa with your hands while rinsing it, this is important so that it doesn't taste bitter when cooked. Once rinsed let the water drain completely.
  2. Then add the rinsed and drained quinoa to the inner steel pot of your instant pot. Add 1 1/4 cups (10 oz) water to the pot.
  3. Close the pot with its lid. Press the manual or pressure cook button and cook on high pressure for 1 minute, with the pressure valve in the sealing position. Let the pressure release naturally.
  4. Please note that 1 minute high pressure doesn't mean that the quinoa cooks in 1 minute! The pot takes time to come to pressure and then also takes time to release pressure naturally. So it takes around 15 minutes for the quinoa to cook.
  5. Once the pressure releases naturally and the pressure pin drops down, unplug the pot. Open the lid and let the quinoa cool down a bit and then fluff with a fork. The quinoa will get fluffier as it cools down.
  6. Store cooked quinoa in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Enjoy in salad or with curries/dal!

Kiyaan Singh’s Kitchen Note

Keep this recipe as a working base: cook once as written, then adjust spice, texture, and serving style for your own table.