Love quinoa and want to make it perfect every time? Learn How to Cook Quinoa in a Rice Cooker! It is easy, fool-proof, and perfect for meal prep. If you like fast and easy, you are going to love this way of cooking.
As an Amazon Associate, I Earn From Qualifying Sales
As the author of two quinoa cookbooks, I get asked a lot of questions about cooking quinoa. One of the most common questions is what method is the easiest.
I cooked it on the stovetop for years, and I still believe that is an excellent way to cook it. (You can see this post on how to cook quinoa on the stovetop for the two different methods that I use.)
More recently, I started cooking quinoa in my Instant Pot.
The first time someone asked me about using a rice cooker, I had to confess that I'd never tried.
I gave it a try and have been hooked ever since.
Ingredients for Making Cooking Quinoa in a Rice Cooker
- Quinoa: You can use white, red, black, or tri-colored. Whatever type you use, make sure that you rinse it before cooking.
- Oil: Use a little oil spray or add coconut, avocado, or olive oil to the bottom of your Instant Pot before adding the liquid. Oil helps to prevent sticking.
- Liquid: I recommend cooking in something other than just water since it absorbs flavors so well. Depending on how you plan on using it, broth or juice are great options.
- Seasonings: Optional, but I recommend seasoning with salt and pep
Tips & Tricks
- Don't forget to rinse before you cook! You will want to rise it in a fine-mesh strainer under a steady stream of water for three to five minutes or until the water runs clear.
- It is possible to buy it pre-rinsed - it will explicitly say so on the packaging. In this case, you may elect to skip rinsing.
- You may want to soak the seeds before cooking. Many people find that soaking helps to make it more digestible. To soak, rinse it well, and then cover it with water and 2 tablespoons of raw apple cider vinegar. Let sit for 12 hours, and then rinse again.
- If you are going to cook red quinoa in a rice cooker, I recommend soaking it since it tends to be firmer than white.
- Unless you are planning on using it in both sweet and savory dishes, I recommend cooking in something other than water. Homemade broth, in particular, adds a tremendous amount of flavor.
- Please note that every rice cooker performs a little differently, so it may take some tweaking the first couple of times .
What Can I Make With Cooked Quinoa?
- Breakfast Scramble - If a wholesome hot breakfast in less than 10 minutes sounds good to you, you are going to love this recipe. With egg, avocado, and salsa, this is a flavor-packed way to start the day.
- Turkey Meatballs - Give meatballs a nutrition boost with this delicious dish. This is one that even those who think they don't like ground turkey love!
- Broccoli Quinoa Casserole - This cheesy casserole is one of the best ways I've found to get kids excited about eating healthy. This deserves to be a weeknight staple!
- Salads are a great for meal prep. Check out this collection of 101 Quinoa Salad Recipes. You can also check out my recipe collection for salads here.
Frequently Asked Questions
It cooks up in a 1:3 ratio. This means if you need one cup of cooked quinoa, you will need to cook ⅓ a cup of seeds. If you cook one cup of dry seeds, it will yield approximately three cups of cooked quinoa.
It is covered in a bitter substance called saponin. In nature, saponin protects the seeds from pests and birds.
Because saponin is bitter tasting and can lead to gastrointestinal distress, quinoa must be well-rinsed before serving. Alternatively, you may by pre-rinsed seeds.
Tools Needed to Make Quinoa in a Rice Cooker
As an Amazon Associate, I Earn From Qualified Sales
RICE COOKERS TO CONSIDER:
- Aroma Digital Rice Cooker - This is a budget-friendly option! With a delay timer that allows you to prepare ahead, this 20-cup machine is a great option for families.
- Zojirushi Micom Rice Cooker - When only the best will do, this is the rice cooker for you. It uses computer technology to fine-tune cooking times and temperatures. Brown rice, white rice and more come out perfect every time.
- Instant Pot with Rice Cooker Function - If you like multi-function cookers, it doesn't get much better than this! This unit is a Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Yogurt Maker, Cake Maker, Egg Cooker, Sauté, Steamer, Warmer, and Sterilizer
OTHER TOOLS
- Olive Oil Sprayer
- Fine Mesh Strainer
Storage
You can keep cooked quinoa in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to five days. It may be frozen for up to three months.
How to Make How to Cook Quinoa in a Rice Cooker
- Rinse the seeds in a fine metal strainer.
- Spray the bottom of the cooker with oil. (This is optional but I find it helpful to avoid sticking.)
- Add the quinoa and water or broth to the cooker. The quinoa to water ratio in a rice cooker is two parts liquid and one part quinoa.
- If your cooker allows you to add in herbs and spices, you should go ahead and do that now.
- Once you turn your rice cooker on, it will take between 15 and 25 minutes for the seeds to cook. Times will vary depending on the rice cooker and the color of quinoa you are cooking.
- Allow a bit of additional time when cooking red quinoa. (See my note below about soaking. If you do soak, it will reduce the needed cooking time.)
- Every rice cooker is a little different, so you will need to experiment with your cooker. Generally speaking though, you will want to use your white rice setting. The first time you try it, I would cook red quinoa for 25 minutes and white quinoa for 15. You can make adjustments from there.
- When the time is done, make sure you fluff the quinoa!
How to Cook Quinoa in a Rice Cooker
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa
- Olive Oil Spray or a spoon of coconut oil
- 2 cups liquid chicken broth, vegetable broth, juice or water
Instructions
- Place quinoa in a fine mesh strainer and rinse with cold water for three to five minutes, until the water runs clear.
- Spray the bottom of the rice cooker with olive oil.
- Place the quinoa in the rice cooker.
- Add 2 cups of liquid.
- Turn the rice cooker on and cook for 15 minutes. (Use the white rice setting if you have one.)
- Unplug the rice cooker and allow to sit for 5 to 10 more minutes.
- Fluff and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Other Great Rice Cooker Recipes to Try:
- 17 Surprising Ways to Use a Rice Cooker By Greatist
- Rice Cooker Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya by Let's Dish Recipes
Mama Ash {Erica}
I love quinoa and I don't know why I don't cook with it more often. There are so many delicious ways to incorporate it into my lifestyle. I never thought to use my rice cooker!
Wendy Polisi
There really are so many ways to use it!
Jo
I made tri-color quinoa in my rice cooker. I add a little lemon pepper and TJ’s 21 seasoning with the water. I cooked for 15 minutes and it was a little too firm. Cooked 5 more minutes. Came out great!
Tara Pittman
Bummers that my rice cooker does not have a timmer. I really like how easy this is.
Wendy Polisi
It may work on your white rice setting!
1stopmom
I never knew you had to rinse quinoa. Thanks for the tip! i think it is pretty cool that you can cook it in a rice cooker, that is definitely a time saver
Wendy Polisi
It really is convenient!
What Corinne Did
i have tried to cook quinoa in a sauce pan once and it was a disaster... it burnt and stuck to the pan! i don't have a rice cooker unfortunately!
Wendy Polisi
That happened to me when I first started cooking it too.
Kelli A
I have never tried quinoa before, but this is the 3rd recipe today I have seen that uses a rice cooker! Now I'm thinking I just may need one! Not sure why I don't have one yet, I love rice.. and want to try quinoa now.
Wendy Polisi
It is a great kitchen tool to have.
Mary
I have a rice cooker and I definitely want to try this recipe. I didn't know that quinoa had to be rinsed so thanks for the tip!
Wendy Polisi
Let me know how it goes!
Gemille Sleweon
This dish looks so delicious. I actually usually cook my quinoa in a rice cooker. I'm Liberian, and i grew up eating lots of rice. You can always find a rice cooker in a Liberian household lol
Kate Andrews
I don't have a rice cooker but it on my list of wishes for my kitchen. I also love quinoa. So good for you!
Becca Wilson
I absolutely love quinoa. This looks like such an easy and healthy way to cook it right on up!
Carissa
This has to be one of the easiest ways to cook quinoa! Yummy!
Wendy Polisi
It really is such an easy way to cook it!
swathi
Really useful post, If I can cook quinoa in rice cooker, then I don't need to baby sit them. I like quinoa to make salad and need to cook more often thanks for sharing the this easy method.
Blair Villanueva
Oh geez this is awesome and I would like to try at home. I have a rice cooker and I'm excited to cook quinoa with it.
forgiveness
What about if to cook this dish in the instant pot? Would it have the same taste and consistency?
Wendy Polisi
I have a post on how to cook it in an Instant Pot. It works great!
https://wendypolisi.com/instant-pot-quinoa/
live custom writings
This is the easiest method for cooking quinoa in a rice cooker. Thanks for the detailed instruction!
Wendy Polisi
My pleasure!
Allyssa
This tasted so amazing! Thanks a lot for sharing this super easy to make quinoa in a rice cooker recipe! Fam really loves it! Will surely have this again! Highly recommended!
Jenni
I had no idea you could make quinoa in a rice cooker, but this worked so well!