How To Cook Quinoa To Substitute White Rice
Quinoa is a popular and nutritious grain that can be used as a substitute for white rice in many dishes.
Prep Time2 minutes mins
Cook Time10 minutes mins
Total Time12 minutes mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegan
Allergen: Dairy free, Gluten free
Difficulty: Easy
Servings: 4
Calories: 156kcal
- 1 cup quinoa
- 1 ¼ cup water 2 cups for stovetop
- pinch of salt
Stove top method
Start by rinsing the dry quinoa in a fine-mesh strainer under cold water. This helps remove any bitter coating that may still be on the grains. In a pot, boil 2 cups of water, then add one cup of quinoa and a pinch of salt.
Cover the pot and let it simmer for about 15 minutes or until all the liquid has been absorbed. Remove from heat and let it sit for a few minutes before fluffing it with a fork.
Your quinoa is now ready to be used as a substitute for rice in your favorite dishes.
How to cook in an Instant Pot
If you have an Instant Pot, you can also use it to cook quinoa.
Add one cup of quinoa and 1 ¼ cups of water or vegetable broth to the pot, then select the manual setting and set the timer for 3 minutes on high pressure.
Once done, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes before opening the lid and fluffing with a fork.
This method is quicker and produces a fluffy, perfectly cooked Instant Pot quinoa every time.
- Cooked quinoa can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months. When reheating, add a splash of water or broth to prevent it from drying out.
- Due to the longer shelf life, quinoa recipes are a good fit for meal prep options.
Calories: 156kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 0.3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 6mg | Potassium: 239mg | Fiber: 3g | Vitamin A: 6IU | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 2mg