How to Make Quinoa in a Rice Cooker

It may be simple and straightforward but it tastes so good.

Table of Contents

Toggle

Despite what its name suggests, rice cookers aren’t just for cooking rice. Of course, that doesn’t mean you can put anything you want in there. However, quinoa is one of the foods that can be prepared in a rice cooker. This is a hands-off method of preparing quinoa that allows the rice cooker to do the vast majority of the work. This makes it a safe and reliable way to prepare quinoa.

The best part is that you’ll have tasty quinoa. In the rice cooker, any type of quinoa you have will come out fluffy, consistent, and tasty. Of course, there are a few things to add to the rice cooker to prevent the quinoa from sticking and to enhance the flavor. But it’s hard not to achieve optimal results when preparing quinoa in a rice cooker.

The only question you have to ask yourself is what you’ll do with the quinoa when you take it out of the rice cooker. After all, there are so many great meals that incorporate quinoa one way or another. For example, have you tried quinoa cheeseburger casserole? Doesn’t that sound good? You can also try a healthy BBQ chicken quinoa casserole in a slow cooker. Even if you don’t have a rice cooker at home, you can always whip up “cheesy” one-pan Mexican quinoa.

Is Quinoa Healthy?

No matter how you prepare quinoa, it’s an excellent source of protein. Since rice cooker quinoa is both vegan-friendly and gluten-free, it’s a great way for people who don’t eat meat to get protein into their diet. Making quinoa a regular part of your diet has also been shown to ease digestion, regulate blood sugar, and lower cholesterol, among a few other health benefits. Just keep in mind that if you use broth or vegetable stock to cook the quinoa, try to make sure those ingredients are low in sodium. Likewise, go easy on the salt and any other ingredients you combine with the quinoa that could negate some of its health benefits.

Add Whatever You Want

Part of the beauty of rice cooker quinoa is the ability to add whatever you want to the recipe. Well, at least anything that will fit in the rice cooker and steam up nicely. Most folks add broth or vegetable stock with a dash of salt to enhance the flavor. Pepper, garlic, and other herbs and spices are also good additions. Last but not least, vegetables that taste good when steamed can also be added to the rice cooker alongside your quinoa to make the dish feel more like a full meal rather than just a side dish.

INGREDIENTS

1 cup quinoa
2 cups water or broth
1/2 tsp salt (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

Rinse

The quinoa thoroughly to ensure a non-bitter taste.

Combine

The quinoa with water or broth in the rice cooker for added flavor.

Season

With salt if desired, then start the rice cooker.

Cook

Until the rice cooker indicates it’s done, usually in about 30 minutes.

Fluff

The quinoa with a fork after letting it rest for a few minutes.

Serve

As a side or a base for other dishes and enjoy!

Devour!

FAQs & Tips

How to Make Ahead and Store?

If sealed in an airtight container, leftover quinoa should remain good for up to 4 days. Meanwhile, if you store it in the freezer, it should last up to 3 months.

What’s the best Water to Quinoa Ratio in a Rice Cooker?

Generally, it’s best to use two cups of water or another cooking liquid for every cup of quinoa when using a rice cooker.

Don’t Forget to Rinse

Always remember to rinse quinoa before cooking it. This will help take away some of the bitterness while making it easier to digest.

Serving Suggestions

More times than not, quinoa is going to be a side dish, usually as part of a vegetarian meal. With that in mind, you may want to consider using quinoa as a side dish for a black bean burger or even a homemade sweet potato veggie burger. You might also find that rice cooker quinoa goes great with tasty tofu tacos. Finally, if you’re a fish lover, try pairing quinoa with crispy air fried fish, which can also be made in a gluten-free way, or perhaps you can try our recipe for perfect poached fish.