How to cook quinoa in a rice cooker- this hands off trick makes cooking quinoa even easier! Cooking quinoa in rice cooker means no more worrying about your water boiling over, and perfect fluffy quinoa every time.
Hands down one of my favorite kitchen appliances is a rice cooker! I know, I go on and on about my Instant Pot, and there have been a ton of slow cooker recipes on this blog over the years.
But when it comes down to the appliance that we use on a daily basis, it’s the rice cooker.
I first started using one when Ning, Ben’s Thai step mom, came to visit us. She insisted that we needed a rice cooker. I initially thought it was crazy…think how easy it is to cook rice on the stove top, why would we need a rice cooker?
Why use a rice cooker?
- it gives you perfect rice
- it won’t boil over
- you won’t be tempted to peek
- it makes cooking hands off so you can focus your attention on other things
- it cooks other things like quinoa and barley
Yes, you read that right, the rice cooker also happens to make perfect, fluffy quinoa! I’m sharing how to cook quinoa in a rice cooker with you here today.
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How to cook quinoa in a rice cooker
One of my favorite meal prep tips is to get your quinoa or rice cooking in the rice cooker while you prep your other ingredients.
Steps for cooking quinoa in rice cooker:
- Spray the rice cooker base with oil- I find it really helps to keep the quinoa from sticking and drying. My faves are either coconut oil or avocado oil.
- Rinse the quinoa- supposedly you don’t need to do it, but I find my quinoa ends up even fluffier with a quick rinse. We use a colander and just rinse it under the tap for 20 or so seconds.
- Add a pinch of salt.
- Add the water. We are doing 2 parts water to 1 part quinoa.
- Cook! If you have a fancy rice cooker, select the option for white rice. If your rice cooker only has one button, push the button. That’s seriously how easy it is.
Which rice cooker should I buy? We are actually on our third rice cooker. Hands down my top pick for a rice cooker is the Aroma 8 Cup Rice Cooker
. It is smaller, the lid is super easy to wash, and it cooks basmati rice in under 30 minutes (our first rice cooker took a full hour for basmati!!!). If you have a large family, I’d advise going for the Aroma 20 Cup Rice Cooker. When they say 8 cups, they are talking fully cooked rice. So that’s maybe 2 cups uncooked rice you can do.
What else can I cook in my rice cooker? Apparently you can cook all sorts of things in the rice cooker including frittatas and mac and cheese (not really sure why you’d want to though?). I myself have cooked barely in the rice cooker (make sure you rinse it REALLY well, as it’s so starchy it can really clog up the steam valve). I will have to try farro next time. The Aroma rice cooker also comes with a steamer basket so you can steam veggies in there while the rice cooks.
Looking to add more flavor to your quinoa?
There are so many ways to flavor your quinoa. Here are some great ways to add a bit of flavor to your quinoa without adding a ton of calories:
- cook your quinoa in broth (swap 1:1 for water)
- add some spices (try one of these 7 spice blend recipes)
- turn it into breakfast quinoa with some cinnamon and vanilla extract
How to Cook Quinoa in a Rice Cooker
Ingredients
- 1 spritz oil (optional)
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 cups water see note 1https://sweetpeasandsaffron.com/rice-recipes/
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- Spray the rice cooker insert lightly with oil (optional but I find it helps keep the quinoa nice and fluffy all the way through).
- Rinse quinoa under the tap for 20 seconds in a fine mesh sieve. Shake off excess water and add to the pot.
- Add a pinch of salt, then 2 cups of water.
- Cook rice using the 'white rice' function (if your rice cooker has that option; otherwise just press cook).
Daphne C.
I know this was posted quite some time ago, but wanted to thank you and let you know it worked beautifully. I have an older (read = plain-Jane) rice cooker that I can’t seem to part with. It cooks rice, quinoa and beans perfectly! Thanks so much for the tip on a bit of oil 🙂
Denise
Hi Daphne! I’m so happy to hear you liked this method…it’s my go-to! Thanks for reporting back!
Anthony R
I’ve been using a rice cooker to cook quinoa for some time now, but I’ve been having this issue; I like to steam broccoli at the same time that my quinoa is boiling – You know, kill two birds with one stone – but the quinoa has a tendency to overflow into the steamer basket above and mix with the broccoli. Not a big deal, but it can be annoying. How can I prevent it?
And I always the exact measurements you use (2 cups water, 1 cup quinoa)
Denise
Hi Anthony! Unfortunately I am not able to help you with this as I’ve never cooked quinoa and broccoli at the same time. I don’t know if it’s possible to avoid this as the quinoa will simmer quite high up in the rice cooker as it cooks.
Willa Campbell Wright
Hi, quick question, my rice cooker has a “quinoa” button and a “white rice” button. It’s an aroma professional plus 10 cup rice cooker. I also live at 7,200 feet elevation. Should I still go with the white rice button?
Denise
Hi Willa! Wow, that’s definitely not the same as my model. I would use the quinoa button! Good luck!
Tamra
Question on the cup size you refer to in your quinoa/rice cooker post. I’m assuming I use the cup and water line that my rice cooker came with vs. using an actual measuring cup for both. Correct?
Denise
Hi Tamra! I actually use standard measuring cups for my rice cooker. I remember using the one that came with the rice cooker and my rice didn’t turn out that time. Could totally have been a user error but I have not used it since then.
Steve
Worked like a charm and I loved that I didn’t have to watch a pot on the stove!
Denise
So happy you enjoyed! Thanks so much for taking the time out of your day to leave a review 🙂
Jackie Clinansmith
Thank you!!! I was gifted a one button rice cooker and I was finally able to make it! And it taste good! Lol first couple of times weren’t very successful on the stove top.
Denise
So glad you enjoyed!
Kevin Cyrus
First time visiting your site and first time cooking quinoa in a week old rice cooker. The results in a word: Fantastic! Used vegetable broth with organic quinoa and followed your instructions. I’m a believer. Thank you.
Denise
Glad you enjoyed! It’s definitely the easiest way to cook quinoa 🙂 Thanks, Kevin!
Lucksh
Love these easy recipes… specially the Qinoa cooked in a Rice cooker one! Thank you!
Denise
So happy you’ve enjoyed them! This is my favorite way to cook quinoa these days!
Jo
I’ve been cooking Quinoa for years. I’ve found, for my tastes that I like my Quinoa less cooked. When I make it in my Aroma pot I use 1/2 cup less liquid. The Quinoa comes out a little more firm. I make a large quantity so we can just take some when we want it. I tend to reheat it so having it cooked this way means it won’t get mushy. Quinoa can get mushy if over cooked. Thanks for the great recipe.
Elba Wood
I have seen your video & read the article. This is an informative article. Thanks for sharing such an article about uses of the rice cooker.
Denise
Thanks Elba!