Learn how to make delicious Instant Pot recipes with quinoa. This grain-like seed is versatile and gluten-free and can be used in cold salad recipes, hot side dishes, or even for breakfast as a porridge. When you need to plan ahead but no time to cook, it’s ideal for a one-pot batch cooking meal prep for lunch throughout the week.
Quinoa is a pseudo-cereal grain crop. It is basically a seed, but is prepared and eaten similarly to a grain. In recent times, it has become a trendy health food of choice as a gluten-free substitute. There are three main types: white, red, and black. The lighter the color the milder the flavor.
Quinoa is high in protein, fiber, minerals, and vitamins which can help reduce blood sugar levels, lower cholesterol, increase fullness and help with weight loss. Containing essential amino acids makes it a great source for vegetarians and vegans. Two flavonoids, quercetin and kaempferol, have both been found in high amounts in quinoa. Its high concentration of antioxidants offers health benefits, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-cancer, and anti-depressant effects.
Instant Pot is the perfect method for cooking quinoa. The versatility of using it for cold salads or hot side dishes makes one-pot batch cooking ideal for meal prep throughout the week.
Cooking Basic quinoa in the instant pot
- Use 1 ½ cups of water for every cup of quinoa.
- Rinse your quinoa first and strain well.
- Spray the Instant Pot with oil to prevent sticking.
- Add a little salt to season the quinoa (vegetable or stock cube can be added)
- Cook for 1 minute on High Pressure using Manual/Pressure setting.
- Natural Release for 10 minutes followed by a quick release.
HEALTHY & DELICIOUS QUINOA INSTANT POT RECIPES TO TRY
Below you will find a collection of healthy and delicious recipes using quinoa. We have hearty stews and soups, colorful and fresh salads and breakfast porridge-like creations.
JERK CHICKEN & QUINOA
This pressure cooked jerk chicken and quinoa recipe is great for showcasing that not everything that comes out of an Instant Pot needs to be a soup or stew. It’s also a good example of how to use a pot-in-pot method to cook two different foods in the pot at the same time. Get the recipe here at Instant Pot Eats.
Instant Pot Quinoa Breakfast Porridge
This soaked Instant Pot Quinoa Breakfast Porridge is a gluten-free, grain-free dairy-free breakfast that’s easy, digestible, and has just 4 ingredients! Top it with extra dairy-free milk, butter or ghee, and fun things like nuts or seeds, chocolate chips, and raisins! Recipe from All The Nourishing Things.
QUINOA CORN & CRISPY BACON SALAD
You get the sweetness, saltiness, and crunch in one dish; plus, this salad is hearty and satiating while being light and healthy at the same time. Featuring crunchy peppers, cherry tomatoes, cilantro, scallions, feta, and delicious lemon honey mustard dressing, this is a meal you will want to cook over and over again. Recipe from Instant Pot Eats.
QUINOA WITH BROCCOLI & CHEESE
This casserole-inspired Instant Pot quinoa with broccoli and melted cheese is a one-pot, dump-it-all, vegetarian, and gluten-free dinner recipe you can make in 10-15 minutes with your pressure cooker. Get the recipe here at Instant Pot Eats.
INSTANT POT QUINOA SWEET POTATO CHILI
This quinoa chili has the perfect combo of flavors, it is a little sweet from the sweet potatoes, and balanced with savory onions, garlic, and peppers, then the chili powder adds a nice warmth that you expect from chili. All-in-all the flavors are completely balanced, no one flavor overpowers the other. Recipe from Mom’s Dinner.
VEGETABLE QUINOA SOUP
Healthy and well-balanced, this Vegetable Quinoa Soup filled with hearty vegetables, protein-rich quinoa and beans is oil-free and so easy to make using a slow cooker, Instant Pot, or stovetop method! Recipe from The Simple Veganista.
KALE & QUINOA PILAF (GLUTEN-FREE, VEGETARIAN)
This delicious and healthy one-pot Instant Pot kale and quinoa pilaf is a fantastic vegetarian meal bursting with gorgeous flavors and textures. Cooked in a tasty broth and served with freshly chopped parsley, goat’s feta cheese, and toasted almonds. Recipe from Instant Pot Eats.
HEARTY BUFFALO CHICKEN QUINOA
Pressure Cooker Buffalo Chicken Quinoa is a healthy casserole style recipe made in the Instant Pot in less than 20 minutes with broccoli and corn. It’s perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or meal prep lunches. Add a little cheese on top to balance out the spicy sauce. It is a delicious meal under 500 calories. Recipe from The Creative Bite.
Curried Sweet Potato Chickpea Quinoa
A healthy, wholesome vegan meal made in the Instant Pot. So easy to put together, vegan and gluten-free! Eat it for lunch/dinner or pack for your lunch-box. Also great for meal-prep. Recipe from Cook With Manali.
INSTANT POT MISO QUINOA WITH MUSHROOMS & PEPPERS
A combination of raw miso paste, tomato paste, and Tamari or soy sauce, infuse this dish with real umami flavor, known as the fifth taste. It’s a little salty and savory, tickling your tastebuds in all the right ways. Recipe from Instant Pot Eats.
Instant Pot Mediterranean Quinoa
This Instant Pot Mediterranean Quinoa is simple to make and full of fresh flavors. This recipe is perfect on its own, or add your favorite choice of protein, serve it cold as a salad or warm as a side, you cannot go wrong with this. Recipe from Garden In The Kitchen.
MEXICAN QUINOA WITH CILANTRO & LIME DRESSING
The quinoa is perfectly pressure-cooked together with colorful veggies and Mexican inspired spices, so it absorbs all those beautiful warm and earthy flavors while still in the pot. As a contrasting and much complimenting addition, the cilantro and lime sauce is drizzled over the top when you serve this dish. Recipe from Instant Pot Eats.
GARLIC MUSHROOM QUINOA WITH CHERRY TOMATOES
This gorgeous Instant Pot quinoa dish is perfect for a lazy, nutritious dinner. Made with garlic mushrooms and cherry tomatoes, it’s vegan, gluten-free. Recipe from Instant Pot Eats.
CHOCOLATE COVERED STRAWBERRY BREAKFAST QUINOA
This pressure cooker Chocolate Covered Strawberry Breakfast Quinoa is the perfect quick and delicious breakfast! Made in under 20 minutes in your instant pot, this simple, wholesome meal will leave you feeling full all day! Recipe from The Clean Eating Couple.
QUINOA VEGETABLE TABBOULEH SALAD
This Instant Pot quinoa salad is fluffy, full of chewy texture, and pairs well with vegetables and bright flavors of fresh lemon juice and herbs for a great grab-and-go meal prep lunch. This recipe is gluten-free, twice the protein content of rice or barley, and contains sufficient amounts of all nine essential amino acids. Recipe from Instant Pot Eats.
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