Easy Instant Pot Quinoa Recipe
Introduction
Quinoa is a versatile and nutritious grain that cooks perfectly in the Instant Pot. This easy recipe ensures fluffy and flavorful quinoa with minimal effort, making it a great base for a variety of meals.
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth (or water)
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse your quinoa in a fine mesh strainer to remove any bitterness.
- Step 2: Add the rinsed quinoa to the Instant Pot, then pour in the chicken broth or water and add the salt.
- Step 3: Pressure cook at high pressure for 1 minute.
- Step 4: When cooking ends, allow the pressure to naturally release until the pin drops down, about 10 minutes. Release any remaining pressure if necessary.
- Step 5: Carefully open the Instant Pot lid, fluff the quinoa with a fork, and serve. Optionally, add butter and fresh herbs for extra flavor.
Tips & Variations
- For a vegetarian option, substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth to add more depth to the flavor.
- Try adding a clove of garlic or a slice of onion to the pot for subtle aromatic notes.
- Use fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, or thyme to brighten the dish before serving.
Storage
Store cooked quinoa in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove with a splash of water to keep it moist.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Do I need to rinse quinoa before cooking?
Yes, rinsing quinoa removes its natural coating called saponin, which can taste bitter if not washed away.
Can I cook quinoa without broth?
Absolutely, water works fine as a cooking liquid, but broth adds extra flavor to the quinoa.
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Easy Instant Pot Quinoa Recipe
- Total Time: 16 minutes
- Yield: 3 servings 1x
Description
A quick and simple recipe for perfectly cooked quinoa using an Instant Pot. This method ensures fluffy quinoa every time with minimal effort, making it a great side dish or base for various meals.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth (or water)
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Rinse Quinoa: Rinse your quinoa thoroughly using a fine mesh strainer to remove any bitterness and impurities, ensuring a clean and pleasant taste.
- Add Ingredients to Instant Pot: Place the rinsed quinoa into the Instant Pot, then pour in the chicken broth or water, and add the kosher salt for flavor.
- Pressure Cook: Secure the lid and set the Instant Pot to high pressure for 1 minute to cook the quinoa quickly and evenly.
- Natural Pressure Release: When the cooking cycle completes, allow the pressure to naturally release for about 10 minutes until the pressure pin drops, ensuring the quinoa finishes cooking gently. If any pressure remains, release it manually.
- Fluff and Serve: Open the Instant Pot carefully, fluff the quinoa with a fork, and serve as desired. Optionally, add a pat of butter and some fresh herbs for extra flavor.
Notes
- Rinsing quinoa is important to remove its natural bitter coating called saponin.
- You can substitute water for chicken broth for a vegan or vegetarian option.
- Natural pressure release helps prevent quinoa from sticking and overcooking.
- Quinoa pairs well with fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, or basil.
- Use a fork to fluff quinoa to keep the grains separate and fluffy.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Instant Pot quinoa, easy quinoa recipe, pressure cooker quinoa, healthy side dish, quick quinoa
