Quinoa Recipe - 3 Methods - A Spicy Perspective

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Quinoa Recipe - 3 Methods

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!

Prep Time5

Cook Time15

Total Time20

Course: Main, Main Course, Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine: American, South American

Servings: - 4 servings

Calories: 209kcal

Author: Sommer Collier

Equipment

1 Pressure cooker
1 Slow cooker (Crock pot)

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

US Customary - Metric

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.

Video

Notes

It will keep well for up to 5-6 days in the refrigerator. Let it cool completely before transferring the quinoa to an airtight container and storing in the fridge.

To Freeze: Cool the quinoa and transfer to an airtight container. Freeze 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.

Nutrition