Cooking Quinoa in Pressure cooker
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Cooking Quinoa in Pressure Cooker makes life so easy. It is so efficient to cook Quinoa this way making it a quick and very efficient method.
Quinoa is one of the most popular grain lately all over the world. Moreover it is so versatile that it can be used in many recipes effectively.
I have many quinoa recipes on the blog like – Mediterranean Quinoa Salad, Jennifer Aniston Quinoa Salad, Asian Quinoa Salad, Quinoa Burrito Bowl, etc.
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Cooking Quinoa in Pressure Cooker
Quinoa is a seed not a grain. And 1 cup alone has 6 gms of protein and it is gluten free. Above all it has 2.5 gms of fiber in every cup, making it really good for digestion. The seed has bone strengthening and cancer fighting properties as well.
Cooking Quinoa in Pressure Cooker is a game changer. Not only it is a quicker method, but also a much more efficient method.
It saves on time and energy bill both.
Few varieties of Quinoa commonly available are
- White Quinoa
- Red Quinoa
- Black Quinoa
- Rainbow Quinoa
Health Benefits of Quinoa
- Protein Rich
- Heaps of Fibre
- Tonnes of Iron
- Low Glycemic Index
- Rich in Magnesium
- High in Antioxidants
- Gluten-Free
Top Reasons for Cooking in a Pressure Cooker
- It cooks food much faster and more evenly than conventional methods.
- Moreover it saves energy by using less heat and time.
- Further this method retains more nutrients and vitamins in food by reducing water loss and exposure to air.
- Pressure cooking prevents bacteria from growing and spoiling food by creating a high-pressure environment.
- It can be used to create various types of meals, such as vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free.
Kitchen Equipments
- Bowl
- Fine Mesh Sieve
- Pressure cooker – gas top traditonal pressure cooker or Modern day electric pressure cooker or Instant Pot
- measuring cup and spoon
Ingredients
- Quinoa
- Water
- Cooking Oil
- Salt
Some FAQS about Quinoa
- Washing – Always wash quinoa before cooking it. It takes away the bitter after-taste of quinoa as many people complain about.
- Soaking – You may choose to wash and then soak quinoa for 1-15 minutes before cooking. It helps in better digestion.
- Toasting – Toasting brings out the oils and rich nuttiness of grains, lending depth of flavor to a variety of dishes. Try dry roasting it or roast it in a bit of oil before cooking.
- Flavoring – If you are using it as an independent side, then try tossing the cooked quinoa with lemon juice, chopped mixed herbs and roasted nuts.
- Storing – Store cooked and cooled quinoa in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months.
How to Cook Quinoa in Pressure Cooker?
Cooking Quinoa in Pressure cooker
Cooking Quinoa in Pressure Cooker is very time efficient. It is much faster to cook and energy saver too.
Servings 4 people
Calories 161kcal
Equipment
- Bowl
- Fine mesh Sieve
- Pressure cooker traditional or electric
Ingredients
- 1 cup Quinoa
- 1&1/4 cup Water
- 1/2 tsp Cooking Oil
- 1/4 tsp Salt
Instructions
Gas Top Pressure Cooker
- Take the bowl and place fine mesh sieve on it. Place quinoa in it and wash 2-3 times till the water runs clear.
- If you want then you can soak it for 10-15 minutes. Further drain and use. Also, you can skip the soaking and use directly after washing. Check the notes on washing below.
- Place the pressure cooker on gas top. Heat oil in it and then add the washed quinoa to it. Saute quinoa for 30-40 seconds.
- Further add water and salt to quinoa. Place the lid and tighten the lid. Put the weight/whistle on it.
- Cook it on high heat for 1 whistle. Switch off the heat and take the pressure cooker off the gas stove. Set aside.
- Let the steam/ pressure escape from it on its own .Once the pressure escapes, remove the weight and open the lid. Let stand for 5 minutes. Fork through and use.
- To add more flavor, you can add lemon juice and chopped herbs of your choice.
Electric Cooker or Instant Pot Instructions
- Please follow the instructions for washing and prepping quinoa from above.
- Press Saute Mode and heat oil in it. Add washed quinoa and saute for 30-40 seconds.
- Switch off the saute mode. Add water and salt to it. Give it a good stir. Place the lid and secure it tightly.
- Set Pressure cooker mode on high for 5 minutes. Once the timer goes off, let the pressure release naturally.
- Once the safety valve drops down, open the lid. Let it stand for 5 minutes. Then fork it gently and it is readdy to use.
- To add more flavor, you can add lemon juice and chopped herbs of your choice.
Notes
Some FAQS about Quinoa
- Washing - Always wash quinoa before cooking it. It takes away the bitter after-taste of quinoa as many people complain about.
- Soaking - You may choose to wash and then soak quinoa for 1-15 minutes before cooking. It helps in better digestion.
- Toasting - Toasting brings out the oils and rich nuttiness of grains, lending depth of flavor to a variety of dishes. Try dry roasting it or roast it in a bit of oil before cooking.
- Flavoring - If you are using it as an independent side, then try tossing the cooked quinoa with lemon juice, chopped mixed herbs and roasted nuts.
- Storing - Store cooked and cooled quinoa in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Top Reasons for Cooking in a Pressure Cooker
- It cooks food much faster and more evenly than conventional methods.
- Moreover it saves energy by using less heat and time.
- Further this method retains more nutrients and vitamins in food by reducing water loss and exposure to air.
- Pressure cooking prevents bacteria from growing and spoiling food by creating a high-pressure environment.
- It can be used to create various types of meals, such as vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free.
Kitchen Equipments
- Bowl
- Fine Mesh Sieve
- Pressure cooker - gas top traditonal pressure cooker or Modern day electric pressure cooker or Instant Pot
- measuring cup and spoon
- Quinoa
- Cooking Oil
Nutrition
Serving: 4people | Calories: 161kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 0.3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.003g | Sodium: 151mg | Potassium: 239mg | Fiber: 3g | Vitamin A: 6IU | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 2mg
Cheers,
Sonal
Hello, I just tried your method of cooking quinoa. How much longer do we have to wait until opening the lid? Is there a minimum time? I’m afraid if I check too early I’ll let some steam escape and ruin the cooking process.
Hey Carlos – are you using gas top pressure cooker or instant pot?
In either case, don’t release the pressure manually. Let the pressure releases naturally and then open the lid. Let sit for 8-10 minutes and then fork gently.
Hello,
Thanks for replying! I’m using gas stovetop.
I let it sit for more than 30 minutes and it got a little bit mushy. Next time I’ll make sure it doesn’t sit for more than 10 minutes.
Thanks again for sharing!
So fluffy and delicious looking. Never tried it in a pressure cooker. I shall give it a try the next time I make some quinoa. Thanks for sharing!
You will love it Liz 🙂
What a cool idea to cook quinoa in the pressure cooker! I am going to try this method.Happy weekend!
Thank you 🙁
:)))
I don’t own a pressure cooker, I will buy one and try this. Maybe the new ones are safe and there is not danger of them exploding. Thats my only fear. Has it ever happened to me, nope but then I have never used a pressure cooker. I should get over my silly fear.
You can use an electric one Suzanne! I guess..
I am going to target and look at them. I have friends that use them all the time. I am silly.
No you are not silly just new to it ❤️
Thanks for providing a short-cut method of preparing quinoa, Sonal! I’ll be using your method… none of my cookbooks for the pressure cooker have directions for quinoa. Thank you for providing!
Pleasure is all mine Nancy 🙂
I look forward to what you’re going to bring us, especially more pressure cooker recipes. I’ve never thought of cooking quinoa in mine, great idea. The only issue is that my little pressure cooker doesn’t whistle? You have to apply guess work!
Hmm
Have never seen a pressure cooker without whistle !
It’s got the weight that you put on the top of the lid, but it just doesn’t make the sound
Then how do you operate it?
Do you want to do a pressure cooker post together?
I take care of my kind and you take care of your kind. Create a post on use and care of our kinds of pressure cooker and then link each other’s??
That sounds good to me, I’m nowhere near as knowledgeable as you though!
I can talk about my pressure cooker and what I use it for and how I use it x
Absolutely
That’s what is on my mind too :).
I will shoot an email to you !
Okay xx
Great time saving idea…I always wondered if it would turn into a mush…but this looks perfectly pressure cooked…great share!
I have to try this! I made it once but it was not a success! This sounds good!
So healthy and flavorful..
Loving your pressure cooker ideas for quick cooking …
I make quinoa Pilaf in the pressure cooker ….