Quinoa pulao with stovetop & instant pot instructions. Quinoa pulao is an wholesome & nutritious dish made with quinoa, mixed vegetables, spices and herbs. This makes an amazing breakfast or a meal with raita. It also goes well in the lunch box. Quinoa is a seed but can be used much like a grain to make different kinds of dishes like pulao, upma, khichdi and even curd quinoa.
Quinoa takes lesser time to cook compared to the other grains. Whenever I decide to prepare a quick meal I make something with quinoa. This quinoa pulao is super quick to make if you have the mixed veggies ready.
This is best served with a raita. While it cooks, make the raita with some onions or cucumber.
Step-by-step photos
Preparation
1. Add quinoa to a large bowl and pour water. Rub them very well for 30 to 50 seconds. Drain the water and repeat the rinse. I use pre rinsed quinoa but still I prefer to rub and rinse them well.Otherwise I feel the bitter taste.
2. Drain them to a colander and set aside. Then rinse and chop the veggies.
How to make quinoa pulao
3. Press the saute button on your IP. Pour oil to the steel insert. When the oil turns hot, add a small bay leaf, cinnamon, cloves, cumin and cardamoms.
4. When they begin to sizzle, add the onions and green chilli. Saute until they turn golden. This just takes a minute or 2. Add ginger garlic and saute for 30 seconds. You can also skip ginger.
5. Then add mint, carrots, beans, peas, turmeric, garam masala and salt. Saute just for 30 seconds.
6. Add quinoa and saute for 30 seconds.
7. Press the cancel button and pour water. Please ensure you add the correct amount of water. Scrub the bottom on the steel insert with a spatula to release any bits of food stuck. Taste the water and add more salt if desired.
8. Close the Instant pot with the lid and position the steam release valve or handle to sealing. Press the pressure cook button and set the timer for 1 minute.
9. When the Instant pot beeps, press cancel and wait for the pressure to release naturally. Quinoa pulao is done. When it cools down slightly sprinkle lemon juice and serve with raita.
Serve quinoa pulao with raita.
If you are new to using quinoa these tips may help you.
TIPS
- Always rub and rinse quinoa very well before using. I rinse even the pre rinsed quinoa as we feel they taste bitter without the extra rinse. This helps to remove any bitter tasting & toxic saponins that are present on the seeds.
- You can cook this on the stove top or in an instant pot like the way I did.
- Quinoa doesn’t absorb much of the flavors from spices due to the short cooking time. So I use the whole spices as well but you may skip them if you do not have.
- Sometimes I feel ginger doesn’t go well with quinoa. So I have used ginger garlic here. You may avoid ginger completely and add only garlic paste.
Recipe
Vegetable quinoa pulao
Quinoa pulao
For best results follow the step-by-step photos above the recipe card
Ingredients (1 cup = 240ml )
- 1 cup quinoa
- 1½ to 2 tablespoon oil or ghee
- 1 small onion chopped or sliced
- 1 green chilli chopped or slit
- ½ teaspoon ginger garlic paste
- ¼ cup carrots chopped
- ¼ cup green peas
- 2 to 3 beans chopped
- 1 small tomato (optional, chopped finely)
- 10 to 12 mint leaves (pudina) chopped finely
- ½ to ¾ teaspoon garam masala
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric
- ¼ teaspoon red chilli powder (optional)
- 2 cups water (1¼ cups for instant pot)
Whole spices (skip if you do not have)
- 1 small bay leaf
- ½ teaspoon cumin (jeera)
- 2 green cardamoms
- 1 inch cinnamon
- 2 cloves
Instructions
Preparation
- Pour quinoa to a large bowl and pour 3 to 4 cups of water. Rub them well for a few seconds and drain the water.
- Pour more water and rinse them again. I rinse them thrice. Lastly drain them to a colander and set aside.
- Rinse and chop all the veggies.
How to make quinoa pulao
- Heat oil in a pot. On a low flame saute all the whole spices if using for 30 to 50 seconds.
- When they begin to sizzle add sliced or chopped onions and onions. Saute until they turn golden or transparent.
- Add ginger garlic and fry until you get a nice aroma. Do not burn.
- Then stir in salt, garam masala, turmeric and chilli powder.
- Add the chopped veggies and mint. Stir fry for 60 seconds. If using tomato then saute until it breaks down and turns mushy.
- Transfer drained quinoa and saute for 30 to 60 seconds. Pour water and give a good stir. Taste test and add more salt if needed.
- Bring the water to a rolling boil & then reduce the flame to medium.
- Cook until the quinoa turns tender and absorbs all the water.
- When quinoa is cooked fully they look transparent. Cover and reduce the flame to low.
- Let the quinoa pulao rest on the stove for sometime. Squeeze some lemon juice if desired. Serve with raita.
Video
NUTRITION (estimation only)
Notes
- Instant pot Instructions after the recipe card with step by step instructions.
- You can also use cauliflower but it turns too mushy and soft.
Alternative quantities provided in the recipe card are for 1x only, original recipe.
For best results follow my detailed step-by-step photo instructions and tips above the recipe card.
© Swasthi’s Recipes
Priya says
Hi! Thanks for this recipe. Is it okay to use frozen veggies? Also, would potatoes taste good here?
swasthi says
Hi,
Welcome! Yes it’s okay to use frozen veggies. Potatoes go well but I haven’t tested with them in the IP.
sarita says
you haven’t mentioned at what stage quinoa to be added in quiinoa pulao. otherwise rest is good
swasthi says
Thanks for the mention Sarita. I will update it.
It goes before adding water.
Amey says
Amazing recipe. I am inspired from your list of recipes. Your blog is always a savior.
swasthi says
Hi Amey,
Thank you so much!
Flavia says
Hi Swasthi,
Is it ok for a toddler to eat quinoa pulao or upma
swasthi says
Hi Flavia
Yes! you can serve 2 to 3 times a week.
Flavia says
Thank you Swasthi
Jeet says
If I am to add chicken how many minutes should I cook in Ip. Will it turn mushy. Thank you for all the rexioes . Trying them on the weekends. Looking forward for your ip chicken curry recipe
swasthi says
Hi Jeet,
You can add chicken and saute for 2 mins. Cover with a glass lid and cook on a saute mode for another 3 to 4 mins until the chicken is almost tender. Then add the quinoa & keep the cook time same. This way you don’t need to add more water and quinoa will not turn mushy. You may need to up the spice powders a bit. Thanks for trying the recipes. Yes sure I will share the IP chicken curry.
Revathi says
Have been loving all your Insta recipes and trying them. I made this today.Turned out quite good. Please share insta chicken curry.
swasthi says
Hi Revathi,
Glad to see your comment after a long time. Thank you! Yes I will do it.
Jaswant Kaur says
Hi Swathsthi,
I’m starting on a gluten-free low fat diet to keep my liver healthy. So I looked for a quinoa pulao recipe and found your website. I’m quite impressed by your recipe and am going to try it. I will look for other recipes on your site to help my liver and heart health.
Thank you for being there. Will let you know how I got on.
Regards,
Jaswant xx
swasthi says
Hi Jaswant Kaur,
You are most welcome! You can also check this quinoa upma. Thank you so much!