To cook quinoa in a rice cooker, follow these steps for perfectly fluffy results:
- Rinse the quinoa thoroughly under cold running water using a fine-mesh strainer until the water runs clear. This removes the natural coating called saponin, which can taste bitter
- Optional: Grease the rice cooker pot lightly with oil (olive oil, coconut oil, or vegetable oil) to prevent sticking and improve texture
- Add quinoa and liquid to the rice cooker. Use a ratio of about 1 cup of quinoa to 2 cups of water or broth for more flavor. Add a pinch of salt if desired
- Start the rice cooker using the “white rice” setting if available, or simply press “cook.” Cooking time typically ranges from 15 to 30 minutes depending on your rice cooker
- Let it rest for 5 minutes after cooking is complete, then fluff the quinoa with a fork before serving
Additional Tips:
- Soaking quinoa before cooking (for about 12 hours) can improve digestibility and reduce bitterness, especially for red quinoa
- You can cook quinoa with vegetables and spices directly in the rice cooker for a complete meal
- Adjust water slightly if quinoa is too crunchy; add an extra 1/4 cup if needed
This method is straightforward and convenient, making quinoa a quick and nutritious addition to your meals using a rice cooker
