How to Cook Quinoa

Learn the perfect quinoa-to-water ratio plus stovetop, Instant Pot, rice-cooker & microwave methods, flavor boosts, meal-prep, storage, and FAQs.

5 from 4 votes

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Prep Time 2

Cook Time 20

Course Main Course, Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine continental

Servings

Calories 156 kcal

Ingredients

1 cup quinoa rinsed
1 3/4 cups water or low-sodium vegetable broth
Pinch sea salt

Instructions

Rinse quinoa in fine-mesh sieve for 30 seconds.[/step]
Toast quinoa in dry saucepan over medium heat 3 min until nutty scent.
Add water and salt; bring to boil, cover, reduce heat, and simmer 15 min.
Remove from heat; keep covered 5 min.
Fluff with fork and serve or cool for meal-prep.

Video

Notes

Mushy Quinoa- If you always get Mushy quinoa the reason maybe too much water or over-cooked. The solution is right quinoa to water use 1:1.75 ratio; set timer for 15 min.
Bitter taste- You night have skipped rinsing. The solution is rinse quinoa for 30 sec under cold water.
Hard center- Not enough liquid / no rest. Check water ratio; allow 5 min covered rest.
Foamy sputter in Instant Pot-Natural saponins-Rinse thoroughly; add ½ tsp oil.

Nutrition

Calories: 156kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 6gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 0.3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 7mgPotassium: 239mgFiber: 3gVitamin A: 6IUCalcium: 23mgIron: 2mg