With an Instant Pot and about 20 minutes, you can make fluffy, PERFECT quinoa every time! Let us show you how.
Instant Pot Quinoa
We love cooking quinoa in the Instant Pot because it’s fast, fluffy, hands-off, and never mushy!
Here’s what you need to know:
- Ratio = 1 part quinoa : 1 ½ parts water
- Cook Time = 3 minutes
- Release = 10 minute natural release, then release any remaining pressure
It goes well in stir fries, fried “rice,” zucchini fritters, vegan sausage, vegan meatballs, or as a side to nearly any main. It’s an incredibly versatile and protein-rich grain!
Did you find this helpful? If so, be sure to check out our Instant Pot Cooking Times Guide for perfectly cooked grains and beans every time!
If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo #minimalistbaker on Instagram. Cheers, friends!
Instant Pot Quinoa (Fluffy, Perfect, No Soaking!)
Instructions
- Add quinoa and water (or vegetable broth) to the Instant Pot and stir to prevent sticking. Pressure cook on high for 3 minutes (it will take about 8 minutes for the Instant Pot to pressurize before cooking begins).
- Once the timer goes off, allow to naturally release for 10 minutes, then release any remaining pressure. Carefully remove lid once steam has fully escaped.
- Enjoy immediately in stir fries, fried "rice", zucchini fritters, vegan sausage, vegan meatballs, or as a side to nearly any main. Store cooled leftovers in the refrigerator up to 5 days or in the freezer up to 1 month. Reheat in a skillet on the stovetop, adding oil or coconut aminos, as needed, to prevent sticking.
Video
Notes
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate.
pk says
BEST QUINOA EVER! THANK YOU!!!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Whoop! We’re so glad you love this method. Thank you for sharing! xo
Leila says
Turned out perfect!
I used tri-colour quinoa, added coarse salt (sel de Guérande), turmeric and black pepper and cooked it as per instructions, and got perfectly cooked and fluffy quinoa as described. I only made 1 cup for my first try but i can’t wait trying doubling or tripling the recipe tomorrow!
Already added a post-it with your directions to my instant pot cooking guide :)
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Yay! We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Leila! Thanks so much for sharing!
Kim says
Mine was wet :( I am in Calgary. higher elevation. Maybe I need to add 1 or 2 minutes?
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Sorry that happened, Kim! We’d recommend trying less water vs. more time. That way the quinoa doesn’t get mushy.
Aussie-Mum says
I did one portion 1 cup of tri-coloured quinoa .
Wanted to see results 1st before I made more for salad dinner & lunches.
Turned out great soft but had texture.
Il’d say perfectly cooked.
Followed another quinoa recipe & lets just say it was a disaster all over bowl, lid after I when I opened
Will use vegetable stock next batch.
Loving my new Instant Pot… veggie family certainly reduces time standing staring- stirring , cooking legumes, chickpeas, rice now Quiona etc
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
We’re so glad you had success with this recipe! Thank you for sharing your experience! xo
Jeanette says
Perfect results from my Instant pot. I used tri-colored quinoa and the 1.5 cup of liquid contained 1 cup of vegetable broth and the rest water. A very nicely calculated recipe. Thank you!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Yay! Thank you for sharing, Jeanette! xo
Bronwyn says
This turned out perfectly! Light, fluffy, delicious and done so quickly! This will be my go to method from now on.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Whoop! We’re so glad you enjoy the recipe and will be using this method moving forward. Thank you for the lovely review! xo
Rayshell Beaumont says
I made using vegetable broth turns out fantastic. I will certainly make this again.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Great! We’re so glad you enjoyed it and will be making it again. Thank you for sharing, Rayshell!
Michelle says
Great information, just what I needed. I added a finely chopped zucchini, onion and cup of diced dill pickles and used the pickle juice as liquid. Absolutely delicious.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
We’re so glad it was helpful, Michelle! Thank you for sharing! xo
Michelle says
Excellent technique, so fast and foolproof. We make it with Amish hot & spicy pickle juice as the liquid and it’s seasoned perfectly.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
We’re so glad you enjoy it, Michelle. Thank you for the lovely review and for sharing your addition! xo
Stuart Saffer says
If I am cooking two cups of quinoa should I double the cooking time from 3 to 6 minutes?
Thx
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Stuart, double the water, but keep the cooking time the same.
Anne says
Perfect every time. I’ve been using your method for a few months now, and my previously inconsistent results with quinoa are now perfectly consistent. We especially like quinoa salad (pasta salad style) in the hot weather, so I have been making quinoa often. I like to make a lot of plain quinoa on the weekend so I can make quinoa salad and use the extra under veggies and in other recipes. I prefer to make it plain with water. Seasoning after cooking tastes best to us.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
We’re so glad you’ve been enjoying this recipe, Anne! Thank you for sharing your experience! xo
ARACELI KAPLAN says
I added chicken broth, cumin and tumeric. I put two cups so I cooked it on high for about 6 minutes. It came perfectly fluffy. Very useful thank you!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Lovely! Thank you for sharing, Araceli! xo
Marsha says
Holy Mackerel, I am so happy I found this recipe as it made perfectly cooked fluffy quinoa! It couldn’t be any easier. Thank you so much!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Whoop! We’re so glad it worked well for you, Marsha. Thank you for the lovely review! xo
Paula says
The simplest and best quinoa recipe 🤩 Perfect, fluffy quinoa every time. Thank you ☺️
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Whoop! xoxo
Megan says
It came out perfect. Thank you—no more stovetop hassles!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Yay! Thank you for the lovely review, Megan! xo
Becky says
I’ve made this many times and it’s always perfect! Minimalist Baker has been my go-to for simple, healthy recipes for YEARS (at least 7)! Thank you!!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Aw, this makes us so happy, Becky! Thank you for the lovely review! xo
Stuart Saffer says
How long to cook if it is mixed colour (red, black, white) quinoa?
Thx
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Stuart, it will be the same!
Don Webster says
Thanks, easy to read instructions on water/ quinoa ratio and cook time along with depressure method.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
We’re glad it was helpful! Thank you for sharing, Don!
Kate Mc says
Wow! Perfectly fluffy quinoa; even better than how mine usually turns out on the stovetop. I doubled the recipe with no issues. Thanks so much for this!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
We’re so glad you loved this version, Kate! Thank you for sharing your experience! xo
Pat says
I’ve made this many times. This is my go-to quinoa instant pot recipe. Thank you.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Amazing! We’re so glad you enjoy it, Pat. Thank you for sharing! xo
KristinJG says
This recipe is perfect as is. When you just need to make regular old quinoa follow the recipe and instructions.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
We’re so glad you enjoy the recipe, Kristin. Thank you for sharing! xo
Maria Wieand says
Wow what an easy dish to make in my pressure cooker (instapot). I made a garlic herb mixture to place on top when it finished cooking. It was fantastic!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Yum, that topping sounds amazing! Thank you for sharing, Maria! xo
Kahla Brown says
Comes out perfect! I also toast & rinse beforehand. My favorite use is breakfast quinoa – I add a milk substiture or yogurt, sliced bananas or chopped apples (peach or berries are great too), and toasted coconut and pecans.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
That sounds so lovely, Kahla! Thank you for sharing! xo
David says
I have made this NUMEROUS TIMES and love it! I do saute the quinoa dry until it pops. Also, I tend to season it: now (as in right NOW cooking) with garlic, chicken broth, and dried mushrooms (your choice-I use Kirkland 6 variety blend) to pair with a Costco rotisserie chicken. Other varieties are adding ginger, shoyu, and 5 spice. Use Abobo for Philipino foods, esp the chicken skewers!!! Baharal (Middle Eastern) for lamb; Gochujang (Korean) for chicken and Kim Chee pairing; and Berbere (Ethiopian) for pairing with chicken and okra/stewed tomatoes. I vastly prefer to have quinoa seasoned to pair with the intended primary meat/chicken/fish.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
We’re so glad you enjoy the recipe, David. Thank you for sharing!