Go Back
+ servings
Overhead shot of a perfectly cooked quinoa in a white bowl
5 from 6 votes

How To Cook Quinoa

Learn how to cook perfectly fluffy quinoa every time! This tried and true method works for all quinoa varieties. Instant Pot and Rice Cooker Methods included.
Author Diana
Servings 4 servings
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 cup (185 grams) uncooked quinoa any variety
  • 1 ½ cups (360 ml) water Note 2
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

  • Rinse the quinoa using a fine mesh colander under cool running water (See Note 1). Drain.
  • Add the quinoa to a saucepan, cover with water, add the salt, and stir. Bring to a boil,
  • Lower the heat to the lowest setting possible, cover with a lid, and simmer for 15 minutes.
  • Remove from heat, and let it sit for 5 minutes without peeking!
  • Uncovered, fluff with a fork and serve.

Notes

  1. The key to good tasting quinoa is to rinse it well to get rid of the saponins coating the seeds, this is a natural occuring phytochemical that gives quinoa a bitter taste. If you don’t rinse your quinoa well, it might turn out bitter and possibly difficult to digest.
  2. Sub the water for stock for a richer flavor! To add even more flavor, substitute the water for vegetable or chicken stock, add a squeeze of lemon juice, sauteed onions and/or garlic, and dried herbs.
  3. Season your quinoa. Quinoa is plain on its own, so I recommend seasoning it with other things such as olive oil, lemon juice, black pepper, stir in freshly chopped herbs, a little garlic, top with toasted nuts or feta cheese, the possibilities are endless!
  4. Store the leftovers in the fridge in a sealed container for up to 5-7 days. You can also batch cook the quinoa, and freeze it to use later.
  5. The recommended portion per person is ¼ cup of uncooked quinoa or ¾ cup of cooked quinoa if served as a side dish. That would be about 40-50 grams of uncooked quinoa.
  6. To cook quinoa in the Instant Pot you need a ratio of 1:1 water to quinoa and pressure cook it on high for 1 minute. In a rice cooker, keep the water to quinoa ratio the same as the stovetop method which is 1:1½.

Nutrition

Serving: 40g | Calories: 165kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 302mg | Potassium: 253mg | Fiber: 3g | Vitamin A: 6IU | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 2mg