How to Cook Quinoa
by Sommer Collier — last updated on May 28, 2025 
Best Ways to Cook Quinoa – Follow these easy no-fail steps for how to cook perfect quinoa on the stove, in the Instant Pot, or slow cooker so that it’s fluffy and tender, every time!
Sommer’s Recipe Notes
A Handy Guide for Cooking Quinoa
What’s the best way to cook quinoa? There is no one universal answer! With our easy step-by-step guides for How to Cook Quinoa on the stove, in the Instant Pot, or slow cooker, you’re sure to find the perfect method for you.
Today I’m going to show you how to make quinoa all three ways, plus an optional step of toasting the quinoa that really helps develop the nutty flavor.
Enjoy fluffy quinoa as a side dish, include it in salads or bowls, or use it in recipes that call for rice or any other grain!
Ingredients You Need
- Quinoa – any color or type of quinoa, including white quinoa, red quinoa, black quinoa, or tri-color quinoa
- Water – or chicken, or vegetable broth
- Salt and pepper – both to taste
- Olive oil – optional, to toast the grain-like seeds in the pan before adding water
How to Cook Quinoa on the Stovetop
- First, toast the quinoa. Add olive oil in a medium sauce pot over medium heat. Then pour in the quinoa, and stir to coat it in oil. Stir and toast the quinoa for a few minutes to develop the nutty flavor.
- Pour the water (or broth) into the pot, along with the salt and black pepper. Stir the quinoa, cover the pot, and bring to a boil. Then reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes until the water is mostly absorbed.
- Turn off the heat but keep the pot on the hot burner, and allow the quinoa to sit and steam for another few minutes. Then fluff with a fork and serve.
How to Cook Quinoa in the Slow Cooker
- Make quinoa nearly all hands-off with the crockpot! Get it started earlier in the day, and without another thought, it’ll be ready to serve at dinnertime.
- To cook quinoa in a slow cooker, first place the quinoa water, and spices in the crock pot.
- Set on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours, or on LOW for 4 to 6 hours. Fluff with a fork and serve.
How to Cook Quinoa in the Instant Pot
Free up the stovetop and prepare quinoa in the pressure cooker!
- Set the Instant Pot on Sauté. Once hot, add the olive oil and quinoa to the pressure cooker. Stir and toast the quinoa briefly before stirring in the water and spices.
- Then, lock the lid in place and set the Instant Pot on Pressure Cook High for 3 minutes. Once the timer goes off, perform Natural Release for 10 minutes (i.e., don’t touch it!). Then finish with a quick release, open the instant pot, fluff, and serve.
Optional Add-Ins
Jazz up the fluffiest quinoa with any mix-ins you like! Here are some of our favorite simple but flavorful ingredients for you to consider adding to quinoa:
- Spices – Before adding quinoa to the boiling water first mix in seasonings like a teaspoon or two of cumin, chili powder, Italian seasoning, or other spice blends to complement the meal. For some heat consider sprinkling on some crush red pepper flakes before serving.
- Other aromatics – Add minced garlic, grated ginger, fennel seeds, diced onion, or shallots to the boiling water or broth before stirring in the dry quinoa.
- Fresh herbs – Gently stir in your choice of chopped parsley, cilantro, or mint after the quinoa has cooled.
- Protein – Toss in cooked chopped chicken, turkey, or crisp tofu.
What to Do With Quinoa
Quinoa is a nutrient-dense wonder that has a similar texture to many grains (i.e. rice, corn) but is actually a small seed. So it’s a more protein-rich option for making all kinds of dishes that are a bit lighter on the carbs and calories, but are also still super versatile and satisfying!
Use cooked and cooled quinoa in salads to make them extra hearty and delicious. Try these favorite recipes:
- Lentil Salad
- Thai Quinoa Salad
- Crispy Kale and Quinoa Salad
- Quinoa Salad with Green Chile Dressing
- Chunky Mediterranean Salad
- THE Jennifer Aniston Salad
Prepare a batch on the stovetop, slow cooker, or Instant Pot, and use the cooked quinoa to make any of these winning savory dinner quinoa recipes:
- Confetti Quinoa Stuffed Chicken
- Vegan Plant-Based Meatballs
- Stuffed Zucchini Boats
- Superfood Fajita Bowls
- Chicken Broccoli Quinoa Skillet
Frequently Asked Questions
Quinoa is a gluten-free super food; a complete protein food that contains complex carbohydrates, protein, minerals, essential amino acids, and healthy natural fats. It might look like a grain, and is typically lumped in with grains like rice and barley, but those little pieces of quinoa are actually seeds. When cooked, they go from being tiny hard balls to a mass of tender, toothsome fluffiness.
When cooking on the stovetop, you need roughly 2 cups of liquid for every 1 cup of quinoa. A little less liquid is required for the Instant Pot and crockpot methods.
No, there is no need to pre-soak quinoa! These tender grains (technically seeds) cook nicely and tenderly right from the package to the sauce pot.
Quinoa is fantastic for meal prepping! It will keep well for up to 5-6 days in the refrigerator. Let it cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container and storing it in the fridge.
Yes, you can freeze quinoa! Cool the quinoa and transfer it to an airtight container. Keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat frozen quinoa, simply thaw the container in the fridge overnight, then reheat on the stove or in the microwave. Lightly sprinkle on some water before reheating to help fluff it up a bit.
Looking for More Handy “How To” Guides? Be Sure to Check Out:
Quinoa Recipe – 3 Methods
Video
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried quinoa any color
- 1 ½ – 2 cups water or broth
- Salt and pepper
- Optional: 2 teaspoons olive oil for toasting the quinoa
Instructions
How to cook quinoa on the stovetop:
- Set a medium sauce pot over medium-high heat. Add that olive oil to the pot. Pour in the quinoa and stir to coat the quinoa and oil. Stir and toast the quinoa for 3-4 minutes to develop the nutty flavor.
- Pour 2 cups of water (or broth) into the pot. Add ½ teaspoon of salt and ¼ teaspoon of black pepper. Cover the pot and bring to a boil. Then reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes, until the water is mostly absorbed.
- Turn off the heat and allow the quinoa to sit and steam for another 3-5 minutes. Then fluff and serve.
How to cook quinoa in the slow cooker:
- Place the quinoa, 1 ½ cups of water, ½ teaspoon of salt, and ¼ teaspoon of black pepper in the slow cooker.
- Set on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours, or on LOW for 4 to 6 hours. Fluff and serve.
How to cook quinoa in the instant pot:
- Set the instant pot on Sauté. Add the olive oil and quinoa to the instant pot. Stir and toast the quinoa for 3-4 minutes. Add 1 ½ cups of water, ½ teaspoon of salt, and ¼ teaspoon of black pepper. Stir well.
- Then lock the lid into place and set the instant pot on Pressure Cook High for 3 minutes.
- Once the timer goes off perform Natural Release for 10 minutes. Then open the instant pot, fluff, and serve.
