Quinoa Rice

5 from 5 votes

Quinoa Rice has the same taste and texture as white rice, but it's healthier with more protein and fiber. For stir-fries, grain bowls, or a side dish.

Prep Time1

Cook Time15

Total Time16

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Vegan

Diet: Vegan, Vegetarian

Servings: people

Calories: 108kcal

Author: Nisha Melvani

Ingredients

½ cup white rice
½ cup dry quinoa
Salt to taste (about ¼ teaspoon -optional)
2 cups water (add slightly less than this amount)

Instructions

Stovetop method:
Rinse the quinoa and rice in a sieve under running water until it runs clear.
Transfer the quinoa and rice to a small saucepan (preferably with a wider base). Add salt, and just under 2 cups water (a little more than 1 ¾ cups). Stir to mix.
Heat over medium-high heat until the liquid comes to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low. Stir and cover quickly. Cook covered for 15 minutes, stirring briefly halfway.
Remove from the heat and set aside for 5 minutes covered. Fluff with a fork.
Rice cooker method:
Use the cup that comes with the rice cooker. Fill the cup with quinoa. Transfer this amount to a fine mesh sieve. Then fill the cup with white rice. Transfer the rice to the sieve with the quinoa. Rinse under running cold water until the water runs clear.
Transfer the rice and quinoa to the rice cooker. Add salt, and water to the 2-cup mark. Turn on the rice cooker setting to cook.
(Or use the measurements listed in the recipe above and add 2 cups water.)
Instant Pot Method:
Add the quinoa, rice, 1 ½ cups water, and a drizzle of oil* to the inner pot of an Instant Pot. Lock the lid and set the steam valve to the sealing position. Select manual and cook for 1 minute on high pressure. Allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes. Then release any remaining pressure. Fluff the quinoa rice with a fork.
Microwave method:
Pour rinsed rice and quinoa into a microwave-safe bowl, and add 2 cups of water.
Microwave, uncovered, on full power for 15 to 25 minutes. For a 1000 to 1200 watts microwave, start with 15 minutes. For a 700 to 900 watts microwave, start with 20 minutes.
The quinoa rice is done cooking when the rice grains are poking up and are tender and the water is fully absorbed. Keep microwaving it in 1- to 2-minute increments until cooked. Once cooked, set aside, undisturbed, in the closed microwave for 5 minutes, then fluff it with a fork.

Notes

Makes about 3 cups of cooked quinoa rice. One serving is about one-half cup cooked.
Any amount of quinoa or rice will work. Use slightly less than twice as much water as quinoa + rice combined. (This roughly 1:2 ratio works for larger or smaller portions.)
Toast the quinoa beforehand to enhance its nutty flavor (optional). Transfer the quinoa to a dry pan over medium-high heat and toast for 5 to 8 minutes, or until it is golden brown and you start to hear a light popping sound.
Oil - If the inner liner for your Instant Pot or rice cooker is stainless steel (and not nonstick), spray with oil or add oil to the water. If using a ceramic nonstick liner, you can skip the oil.
Storage: To minimize foodborne illness from leftover rice, it is advised to cook grains to temperatures above 140ºF, immediately cool and store them in a fridge that’s colder than 40ºF, and dispose of the leftovers after a few days.

Nutrition