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A bowl has cooked quinoa.
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5 from 2 votes

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
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time12 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegan
Allergen: Dairy free, Gluten free
Difficulty: Easy
Servings: 4
Calories: 156kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 cup quinoa
  • 1 ¼ cup water 2 cups for stovetop
  • pinch of salt

Instructions

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.

Notes

  • 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.

Nutrition

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