Learn how to use a rice cooker to make quinoa in just 20 minutes! With the right amount of water and following a few simple steps, you can cook fluffy and tender quinoa that's perfect for using in salads, bowls, and other wholesome dishes. A rice cooker is a quick method of cooking for this wholesome seed and perfect for meal prep. If you like fast and easy, you're going to love this method of cooking quinoa.
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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.
I love to use my rice cooker for meal prep so that I have quinoa on hand during the week to make recipes like my favorite quinoa taco salad bowl and Mediterranean quinoa salad. When dinner time rolls around, I have it to make Turkey Quinoa Meatballs, or Broccoli Quinoa Casserole
Looking for more quinoa inspiration? Check out these quinoa recipe ideas!
Let's Talk Ingredients
I’ve tested this with white, red, and tri-colored quinoa—they all work. Just make sure to rinse it well before cooking to remove any bitterness. The darker colors of quinoa will benefit from soaking before cooking.
Skip plain water if you can. In my experience, broth adds enough flavor to make it worth the effort. Try juice if you’re making something on the sweeter side.
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.
- Please note that every rice cooker performs a little differently, so it may take some tweaking the first couple of times until you figure out how to make the perfect fluffy quinoa in your rice cooker.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Proper Quinoa to Water Ratio for Cooking Quinoa in a Rice Cooker?
When making quinoa in a rice cooker, the proper quinoa to water ratio is 1:2. This means for every cup of dry quinoa, you will need to cups of water or broth.
How much quinoa is 1 cup cooked?
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.
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
How to Make How to Cook Quinoa in a Rice Cooker
- Rinse one cup of quinoa 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. So if you wanted to cook 2 cups of uncooked quinoa, increase the cooking liquid to 4 cups.
- 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.
- Instructions in this recipe are for white quinoa. Allow a bit of additional time when cooking red quinoa or other types of quinoa like tri-color or black.
- 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 with a fork.
20-Minute Rice Cooker Quinoa Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa
- Olive Oil Spray or a spoon of coconut oil
- 2 cups liquid vegetable broth, juice or water
Instructions
- Place quinoa in a fine mesh strainer and rinse with cold water, 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 more minutes.
- Fluff and serve.
Mama Ash {Erica} says
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 says
There really are so many ways to use it!
Jo says
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 says
Bummers that my rice cooker does not have a timmer. I really like how easy this is.
Wendy Polisi says
It may work on your white rice setting!
1stopmom says
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 says
It really is convenient!
What Corinne Did says
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 says
That happened to me when I first started cooking it too.
Kelli A says
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 says
It is a great kitchen tool to have.
Mary says
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 says
Let me know how it goes!
Gemille Sleweon says
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 says
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 says
I absolutely love quinoa. This looks like such an easy and healthy way to cook it right on up!
Carissa says
This has to be one of the easiest ways to cook quinoa! Yummy!
Wendy Polisi says
It really is such an easy way to cook it!
swathi says
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 says
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 says
What about if to cook this dish in the instant pot? Would it have the same taste and consistency?
Wendy Polisi says
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 says
This is the easiest method for cooking quinoa in a rice cooker. Thanks for the detailed instruction!
Wendy Polisi says
My pleasure!
Rachel says
Thank you for keeping this recipe/method out there to find. I have been trying for years to love quinoa and now I do I did cut the recipe in half, but it turned out amazing. Again, Thank you!!
Allyssa says
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!