How to cook quinoa perfect so it’s ready to use in your favorite quinoa recipes. The best way to cook quinoa is on the stove, but I also share methods for using it in the microwave, the Instant Pot, and the rice cooker.
It took me a while to fall in love with quinoa. This easy quinoa recipe did it for me. The quinoa cooks to be light and fluffy without being mushy. Our quinoa recipe takes 25 to 30 minutes, so you’ll have light and fluffy quinoa in no time.
While the oven is my preferred method, since sharing this recipe and several reader requests, we’ve added three more ways to cook quinoa: the microwave, the Instant Pot, and the rice cooker quinoa recipes blog, but here are a few favorites. my beloved quinoa saladthis quinoa black bean saladand this vegetable chili!
Main ingredients:
- Quinoa. Pronounced “keen-wah,” quinoa is a nutritious grain-like seed with a nutty flavor that originates from the Andes of South America high in protein, more than 8 grams per cup. They may be small seeds, but they’re packed with nutrients and are a great source of nutrients like manganese, magnesium, folate, and iron (read more about the health benefits of quinoa. here)
- Water-Quinoa Ratio. When cooking quinoa, the ideal ratio of quinoa to water is 2:1.You should use 2 cups of water for every cup. One cup of uncooked quinoa makes 3 cups of cooked quinoa. Replace the water with broth or stock to add flavor to your quinoa.I love this homemade recipe vegetable broth or chicken broth.
How to cook Quinoa?
Step 1: Wash your quinoa. I always rinse the quinoa before cooking to remove the saponin coating that can make it bitter and soapy. When you rinse it well before cooking it helps reduce the saponin content and produce a nutty flavor. Some packages may be labeled ” pre-rinsed” but since we are sensitive to saponin we still prefer to rinse it before cooking.
Step 2: Combine the rinsed quinoa and liquid in a medium saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a low simmer.I don’t cover the pot, which helps the quinoa cook lightly and tenderly.
Step 3: Cook the quinoa over low heat until all the liquid is absorbed. This will take 10 to 15 minutes. When the liquid is absorbed, remove the pot from the heat and cover it for five minutes. After 5 minutes, fluff the cooked quinoa with a fork, then use it in your favorite recipes.
See the recipe below for the microwave, Instant Pot, or rice cooker methods.
Ways to use quinoa
How to Cook Quinoa Perfectly!
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PREP
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Cook
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TOTALLY
This easy quinoa recipe did it for me. The quinoa is cooked to be light and fluffy without being mushy. Use water or add more flavor to the stock vegetable broth or Homemade Chicken Broth.
While the oven is my preferred method because of sharing this recipe and several reader requests, we’ve added three more ways to cook quinoa below: the microwave, the Instant Pot, and the rice cooker.
Makes 3 cups
Directions:
- How to Cook Quinoa on the Stove
1:Add the quinoa to a fine-mesh strainer, then rinse under cold water for 30 seconds to a minute. Alternatively, add the quinoa to a bowl and cover with cold water. Move the quinoa around the bowl, drain, and repeat.
2:Shake off excess liquid. Combine drained quinoa and water (or stock) in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, then simmer, uncovered, until liquid is absorbed by quinoa, 10-15 minutes. If you are making a larger batch of quinoa, it may take about 20 minutes.
3:Remove the pot from the fire and close it for 5 minutes. This extra time allows the quinoa to steam and “soften.” Uncover, then fluff the quinoa with a fork.
- How to Cook Quinoa in the Microwave
1:Combine 1 cup of rinsed quinoa with 2 cups of water (or broth) in a microwave-safe bowl.
2:Carefully remove the bowl from the microwave (it will be hot).Stir in the quinoa. Cover the bowl again and let sit for 5-10 minutes or until all the liquid is absorbed.Fluff with a fork and enjoy.
- How to cook Quinoa in the Instant Pot
1:1:1 ratio of quinoa to water is usually perfect when cooking quinoa in the pressure cooker. Add 1 cup of rinsed quinoa and 1 cup of stock stir to prevent the quinoa from sticking to the bottom.
2:Secure the lid and place the pressure cooker on HIGH. Cook for 1 minute. Let the pressure release naturally for 12 minutes.Carefully open the lid and fluff the quinoa with a fork.
- How to cook Quinoa in a rice cooker
1:Lightly coat the inside of the rice cooker with cooking spray. Add 1 cup of rinsed quinoa and 2 cups of water or broth to the rice cooker. Stir well so that the quinoa does not stick to the bottom.
2:Secure the lid. Select the “white rice” setting if your rice cooker has one. otherwise, use the normal cooking cycle. After the cooking cycle is complete, let the quinoa sit in the rice cooker with the lid closed. This allows the quinoa to finish cooking. Fluff the quinoa with a fork before serving.
Advice from Adam and Joan
- Storage tips: Store cooked quinoa in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Or freeze for up to 2 months.
- More taste. Mix olive oil, coconut oil or butter into the cooked quinoa. Add chopped fresh herbs such as parsley, chives or cilantro. Squeeze fresh lemon or lime juice over the top.
- The nutrition facts below are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
Serving size
3/4 cup cooked
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Calories
156:
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Total fat
2.6 g
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Saturated fats
0.3 g
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Cholesterol
0 mg
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Sodium
45.6 mg
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Carbohydrate
27.3 g
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Dietary fiber
3 g
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Total sugars
0 g
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Proteins
6 g
