Cook Quinoa in a Rice Cooker
Quinoa is a delicious and nutritious whole grain. It can be used to replace rice in many recipes, adding protein and fiber.
Cooking quinoa in the rice cooker is easy and hands-off. This method is also great for making quinoa ahead for meal prep. This recipe is for white quinoa, but you can also try it with black or tri-color quinoa!
Rinse
If you’re cooking quinoa in your rice cooker, the first step is to rinse it. Quinoa has a natural bitter coating called saponin that can be tough and unpleasant to eat, so rinsing it removes it before it cooks.
Use cold water to rinse the quinoa until the water runs clear. You may have to rinse it a few times to ensure that all of the saponin is removed.
Once the quinoa is rinsed, drain it thoroughly in a colander or sieve. This step is very important to ensure that you are cooking a fully cooked and flavorful batch of quinoa.
Allowing excess moisture to evaporate after rinsing helps to make your quinoa fluffy and light. It also prevents the quinoa from becoming mushy or sticky when it is cooked. After draining, let the quinoa rest for a few minutes before fluffing with a fork. This allows the grains to separate and ensures that they are cooked evenly.
Add Water
Quinoa cooks up fluffy and al dente in a rice cooker, making it a convenient way to add this protein-rich grain to meals. You can use it in salads, soups, casseroles and even breakfast. It’s a great addition to Weight Watchers diets!
It’s important to rinse quinoa before cooking. This helps remove the saponin, a natural bitter coating that is left on the seeds when they are not rinsed properly. Rinsing also helps remove excess soap residue and other impurities.
Place the rinsed quinoa in your rice cooker pot and add 2 cups of water. You can use plain tap water or a vegetable broth or chicken stock for added flavor. If desired, you can also add a pinch of salt to the mixture. Be sure to stir well and evenly combine the ingredients before closing the lid.
Cover
A rice cooker is a game-changer for cooking healthy quinoa. It’s easy, hands-off and makes perfectly fluffy quinoa every time. It’s also freezer-friendly and great for meal prep. Quinoa is a protein-packed whole grain that’s versatile and filling. It can be paired with soups, curries, stews, salads and much more. It’s also vegan, gluten free and Weight Watchers friendly.
Add the quinoa, water and salt to your rice cooker. Use the white rice setting or select your desired option based on the type of quinoa you’re using (i.e. white, red or tri-color). The quinoa will cook for about 15-25 minutes depending on the type you have. Once cooked, let it sit undisturbed for 10 minutes before fluffing and serving. Enjoy!
Cook
Using a rice cooker makes cooking quinoa completely hands-off and ensures perfectly fluffy results every time. This is a great way to add quinoa to your diet when you’re looking for more whole grains in your meal plan without spending extra time preparing it on the stove.
Place the quinoa in your rice cooker and add two cups of water. If desired, you can replace some of the water with chicken or vegetable stock for added flavor.
Close the lid and select the white rice setting. Allow the quinoa to cook for approximately 25 minutes. When done, let the quinoa rest for five minutes and then fluff it with a fork before serving.
Use cooked quinoa to make healthy sprightly salads or in place of rice for hearty and filling meals. Add it to soups, stews and casseroles. You can also mix quinoa with nuts, seeds and a sweetener like maple syrup to create energizing breakfast bowls or nutrient-packed energy balls.
