How to cook quinoa completely 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 ways to cook it in the microwave, in the Instant Pot, and using your rice cooker!
It took me a while to fall in love with quinoa. This simple stovetop quinoa recipe did it for me. Quinoa cooks down to be light and moist without being mushy or bitter. Our quinoa recipe takes 25 to 30 minutes, so you’ll have light and fluffy quinoa in no time!
Although the stovetop is my preferred method, since sharing this recipe and several reader requests, we have added three other ways to cook quinoa: in the microwave, in the Instant Pot, and in the rice cooker. I love all of our quinoa recipes on the blog, but here are a few favorites: my favorite quinoa salad, this black bean quinoa salad, and this vegetarian chili!
Key Ingredients
- Quinoa: Pronounced “keen-wah,” quinoa is a nutritious grain-like seed with a nutty flavor that originates from the Andes of South America. Quinoa high in protein, more than 8 grams per cup. They may be a small seed, but they pack a nutritional punch and are an excellent source of nutrients like manganese, magnesium, folate, and iron (read more about the health benefits of quinoa here).
- Ratio of water to Quinoa: When cooking quinoa, the ideal quinoa-to-water ratio is 2:1. For each cup, you should use two cups of water. One cup of uncooked quinoa will make 3 cups of cooked quinoa. Replace the water with broth or stock to add flavor to your quinoa. I love this homemade veggie broth or chicken broth.
How to cook Quinoa
Step 1: Clean your quinoa. I always rinse the quinoa before cooking it, to remove the natural saponin residue that can make it taste bitter and soapy. If you clean it well before cooking, it helps reduce the saponin and produces a sweet nutty flavor. Some packages may be labeled ‘pre-washed,’ but since we are sensitive to saponin, we still prefer to wash it before cooking.
Step 2: Combine the drained quinoa and liquid in a medium saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. I don’t cover the pan with a lid, which helps the quinoa to cook easier and moister.
Step 3: Cook the quinoa on a low simmer until the liquid is absorbed. This will take 10 to 15 minutes. When the liquid is absorbed, remove the pan from the heat and cover with a lid for five minutes. After 5 minutes, use a fork to fluff the cooked quinoa, and use it in your favorite recipes.
For microwave, Instant Pot, or rice recipes, see the recipe below.
Ways to Use Quinoa
How to Cook Quinoa Perfectly
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PREP
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COOK
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TOTAL
This simple stovetop quinoa recipe did it for me. Quinoa cooks down so it’s 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.
Although the stovetop is my preferred method, since sharing this recipe and several reader requests, we have added three other ways to cook quinoa below: in the microwave, in the Instant Pot, and in the rice cooker.
Makes 3 cups
Directions
- How to Cook Quinoa on the Stove
1Add the quinoa to a fine mesh bowl, then rinse under cool water for 30 seconds to a minute. Alternatively, add the quinoa to the bowl and cover with cold water. Transfer the quinoa to a bowl, drain, and repeat.
2Shake the quinoa of any excess liquid. Combine the drained 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 about 20 minutes.
3Remove the pan from the heat and cover for 5 minutes. This extra time allows the quinoa to smoke and “boil.” Uncover, then fluff the quinoa with a fork.
- How to Cook Quinoa in the Microwave
1Combine 1 cup of drained 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 in 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 the Instant Pot
1You will need less water if you cook quinoa in the Instant Pot than with other methods. A 1:1 ratio of quinoa and water is usually fine. Lightly coat the bottom and sides of the pressure cooker with cooking spray. Add 1 cup of drained quinoa and 1 cup of water or broth to a 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. Open the lid well and mash 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 drained 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 normal 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. Prick the quinoa with a fork before serving.
Tips from Adam and Joanne
- Final tips: Store cooked quinoa in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Or freeze for up to 2 months.
- More flavor: Add olive oil, coconut oil, or butter to cooked quinoa. Add fresh chopped herbs like parsley, chives, or cilantro. Squeeze fresh lemon or lime juice over the top.
- The nutrition facts given below are estimates.
Food Per Serving
Serving Size
3/4 cup cooked
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Calories
156
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Perfect Oils
2.6g
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Saturated Fats
0.3g
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Cholesterol
0 mg
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Sodium
45.6mg
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Carbohydrate
27.3g
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Dietary fiber
3g
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Total Sugar
0g
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Proteins
6g
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