How to cook quinoa perfectly so it is ready to use in your favorite quinoa recipes. The best way to cook quinoa is on the stove, but I’m also sharing methods for cooking it in the microwave, Instant Pot, and using your rice cooker!
It took me a while to fall in love with quinoa. This easy stovetop quinoa recipe is what did it for me. The quinoa cooks up to be light and fluffy without being mushy or bitter. Our quinoa recipe takes 25 to 30 minutes, so you’ll have light and fluffy quinoa in no time!
While the stovetop is my preferred method, since sharing this recipe and a few reader requests, we have added three more methods for cooking quinoa: in the microwave, Instant Pot, and a rice cooker. I love all of our quinoa recipes on the blog, but here are are few favorites: my favorite quinoa salad, this quinoa black bean salad, and this vegetarian chili!
Key Ingredients
- Quinoa: Pronounced “keen-wah,” quinoa is a nutritious grain-like seed with a nutty flavor originating in the Andes in South America. Quinoa is high in protein, with over 8 grams per cup. They may be little seeds, but they pack a nutrient punch and are an excellent source of nutrients such as manganese, magnesium, folate, and iron (read more about the health benefits of quinoa here).
- Water to Quinoa Ratio: When cooking quinoa, the ideal quinoa-to-water ratio is 2:1. For every cup, you should use 2 cups of water. One cup of uncooked quinoa will make 3 cups of cooked quinoa. Swap the water for broth or stock to add flavor to your quinoa. I love this homemade veggie broth or chicken broth.
How to Cook Quinoa
Step 1: Rinse your quinoa. I always rinse quinoa before cooking it, removing the natural saponin coating that can make it taste bitter and soapy. When you rinse it well before cooking, it helps to reduce the saponin and produce a delicious nutty flavor. Some packages may be labeled with ‘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 so the liquid is at a low simmer. I don’t cover the saucepan with a lid, which helps the quinoa cook up to be light and fluffy.
Step 3: Cook the quinoa at a low simmer until all the liquid has absorbed. This will take 10 to 15 minutes. When the liquid is absorbed, slide the pan off the heat and cover with a lid for five minutes. After 5 minutes, use a fork to fluff the cooked quinoa, then use it in your favorite recipes.
For microwave, Instant Pot, or rice cooker methods, see the recipe below.
Ways to Use Quinoa
- Make a salad. I love this superfood quinoa salad, and Adam leans towards this quinoa and black bean salad.
- Use our oatmeal reicpe, but replace the oats with quinoa for breakfast. Top with your favorite toppings like blueberries, honey, and yogurt. Or, for a savory breakfast, top fluffy quinoa with a fried or poached egg and sautéed veggies.
- Scatter cooked quinoa over salads or swap out rice in rice bowls or stir-fries for a more nutrient-rich base of cooked quinoa.
- We’ve also swapped brown rice for quinoa in these veggie burgers with great success.
- Stir into soups, stews, and chili. I use quinoa to make our vegetarian chili.
- Make these tahini lemon quinoa bowls!
How to Cook Quinoa Perfectly
- PREP
- COOK
- TOTAL
This easy stovetop quinoa recipe is what did it for me. The quinoa cooks up to be light and fluffy without being mushy or bitter. Use water or add more flavor with broth. I love this veggie broth or homemade chicken broth.
While the stovetop is my preferred method, since sharing this recipe and a few reader requests, we have added three more methods for cooking quinoa below: in the microwave, Instant Pot, and a rice cooker.
You Will Need
1 cup quinoa
2 cups water or broth, like chicken stock or veggie broth
Pinch fine sea salt, optional
Directions
- How to Cook Quinoa on the Stove
1Add quinoa to a fine mesh strainer, then rinse under cool water for 30 seconds to a minute. Alternatively, add the quinoa to a bowl and cover with cool water. Move the quinoa around the bowl, drain the water, and repeat.
2Shake the quinoa of any excess liquid. Combine the rinsed quinoa and water (or stock) in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a low simmer and cook, uncovered, until the liquid is absorbed by the quinoa, 10 to 15 minutes. If you are making a larger batch of quinoa, this may take closer to 20 minutes.
3Move the saucepan off of the heat and cover for 5 minutes. This extra time allows the quinoa to steam and “fluff up.” Uncover, and then fluff the quinoa with a fork.
- How to Cook Quinoa in the Microwave
1Combine 1 cup of rinsed quinoa with 2 cups of water (or broth) in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover the bowl with a microwave-safe plate. Microwave on high until the liquid level has reduced by about half, about 6 minutes.
2Carefully remove the bowl from the microwave (it will be hot!). Stir the quinoa. Cover the bowl again and let it stand for 5 to 10 minutes or until all the liquid is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and enjoy!
- How to Cook Quinoa in an Instant Pot
1You’ll need less water when cooking quinoa in an Instant Pot than other methods. A 1:1 ratio of quinoa to water is usually perfect. Lightly coat the bottom and sides of the pressure cooker with cooking spray. Add 1 cup of rinsed quinoa and 1 cup of water or broth to the pressure cooker. Stir well to prevent the quinoa from sticking to the bottom.
2Secure the lid and set the pressure cooker to HIGH pressure. 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
1Lightly coat the inner pot 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 to prevent the quinoa from sticking to the bottom.
2Secure the lid. Select the “white rice” setting if your rice cooker has one; otherwise, use the regular cooking cycle. Once the cooking cycle is complete, let the quinoa sit in the rice cooker for about 10 minutes with the lid closed. This allows the steam to finish cooking the quinoa. Fluff the quinoa with a fork before serving.
Adam and Joanne's Tips
- Storing tips: Store cooked quinoa in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Or freeze for up to 2 months.
- More flavor: Stir olive oil, coconut oil, or butter into the cooked quinoa. Fold in chopped fresh herbs like parsley, chives, or cilantro. Squeeze fresh lemon juice or lime juice on top.
- The nutrition facts provided below are estimates.
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Squeeze a bit of lime on it; really good. Do you pre-cook in a pan before or after you’ve rinsed it?
You can toast the quinoa after rinsing — the water will evaporate.