Learn to make fluffy, perfectly cooked quinoa using your Instant Pot with this fool-proof recipe for Instant Pot Quinoa.

I get excited about things that make my life easier. The Instant Pot happens to be one of those things. From making dried beans in less than an hour to cooking frozen chicken breasts to defrosting ground beef perfectly, I adore the fact that the Instant Pot makes cooking from scratch SO much easier.
Another thing that the Instant Pot cooks perfectly is grains. From Instant Pot Brown Rice to Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats to quinoa, grains turn out perfectly cooked using the Instant Pot.
Instant Pot Quinoa is the EASIEST way to prepare quinoa. And it turns out perfectly fluffy and tender every time.
Notes On Ingredients
- Quinoa: Quinoa is a healthy whole grain that is packed with fiber and protein. You can find it in a variety of colors and any variety of quinoa works in this recipe.
- Liquid: To cook the quinoa, you can use water or broth. Using broth will give the quinoa more flavor, but water is perfect when you are looking for a blank slate.
- Seasonings: You can add in whatever seasonings you like when preparing quinoa. I typically opt to just use a pinch of salt, so that I can use the quinoa as desired in a variety of recipes.
How To Make Instant Pot Quinoa
Step One: Rinse Quinoa
Why rinse quinoa? Rinsing removes quinoa's natural coating which can make it taste bitter. Even though most quinoa is pre-rinsed I still find that quinoa tastes better and is much fluffier, if you rinse the quinoa before cooking.
- Place quinoa in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse under cold, running water for at least 2 minutes, or until the water runs clear.
Step Two: Cook Quinoa
Cooking quinoa in the pressure cooker requires a 1:1 ratio. Meaning, you use the same ratio of quinoa to liquid. So for 1 cup quinoa, you would use 1 cup liquid; 2 cups of quinoa, use 2 cups of liquid.
- Place the rinsed quinoa inside the instant pot.
- Add in liquid of your choice along with a dash of salt.
- Be sure the quinoa is fully submerged in the liquid.
- To cook the quinoa, use the manual or pressure cook function and set the cooking time to 1 minute on high pressure.
Step Three: Let Pressure Release
As with anything starchy, like rice or beans, pressure needs to be released naturally.
- After the cooking time has elapsed, allow the pressure to release fully on its own.
- Once the pressure has been released, open the Instant Pot and fluff the quinoa with a fork, not a spoon, as this will help keep the grain nice and fluffy.

Serving Suggestions
Instant Pot Quinoa is a bit bland in flavor to be served as a stand-alone side dish. However, the uses for cooked quinoa are endless.
- Serve with Chicken Asparagus Stir Fry or Instant Pot Sweet and Sour Chicken in place of steamed rice.
- Instant Pot Quinoa shines in quinoa salads, like Greek Quinoa Salad or Mexican Quinoa Salad.
- Use the cooked quinoa to quickly prepare delicious Quinoa Burgers.
- Serve the quinoa warm with a drizzle of nut butter, honey, and sliced bananas for a wholesome breakfast packed with nutrients and protein.
Storing Cooked Quinoa
I highly suggest doubling or tripling this recipe for Instant Pot Quinoa, as it freezes great and can be used in so many ways.
To store the quinoa, prepare as directed, and then allow to cool. Place the quinoa in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
More Instant Pot Staple Recipes
If you tried this recipe for Instant Pot Quinoa, I would love for you to leave a review and comment below.

Instant Pot Quinoa
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa rinsed
- 1 cup water or broth
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt omit if using broth
Instructions
- Measure out the quinoa and place it into a fine-mesh strainer. Rinse under cold, running water for 2 minutes, or until the water runs clear. DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP!
- Place the rinsed quinoa, liquid, and salt into the inner pan of the pressure cooker.
- Seal the pressure cooker, being sure that the vent knob is turned to seal.
- Cook on HIGH pressure for 1 minute, by hitting manual or pressure cook and using the +/- buttons to adjust to 1 minute.
- After the cooking time has elapsed, allow the pressure to release naturally on its own.
- Once the pressure has been released, open up the Instant Pot, and fluff with a fork.
- Serve as desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Lynda
Hi Kristen,
I usually do quinoa (red or mixed) on the stovetop with milk for breakfast - then add fruit/nuts/yogurt.
Do you think this would work in the instant pot - with milk? I might give it a try.
Thanks!
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Lynda! I would not recommend cooking with milk in the inner pot, as it will burn. You can combine your quinoa with milk in heat safe pot and place that on a trivet over 1.5 cups of cold tap water in the inner pot. Cook for 5 minutes on high pressure with a full natural pressure release (you need extra time to account for the dish!) Enjoy!
Lynda
Thank you, I’ll give it a try!
Sarah
Can you cook this with chicken in it?
Kristen Chidsey
Unfortunately, no. Chicken and Quinoa have different cooking times.
Margie Buyze
I followed the directions, but I got a "burn" message before it got up to full pressure. I did a quick release and some of the quinoa had burned on the bottom. Not sure where I went wrong. It did seem like it was taking quite a bit of time to get up to pressure. Any suggestions?
Kristen Chidsey
It sounds like your instant pot lid was not sealed. Maybe the seal on the lid was not on correctly or your vent knob was opened. This should only take a few minutes to reach pressure and if not sealed right, the liquid would evaporate and cause a burn notice.
Rose W
I love this! Thank you so much.
I make Quinoa “Sausages” and this makes it so much faster.
I added a vegetable stock pot into the water and it came out great.
Thanks again.
Kristen Chidsey
Thanks for sharing Rose!
Cheryl.A.N.W.
Perfect, just like you said. Quick. Easy. Delish. Just made a great corn succotash with it. Corn, Onion, Pea, grated Carrot, thin-slice Celery, Tomato & other than S&P, a drizzle of Basil Infused Oil & Strawberry Balsamic Vinegar, so good!! Made to go with spicy BBQ Meatballs! Hubby will love it!!
Kristen Chidsey
I love your additions!