Quinoa Pulao (Vegetable Quinoa Recipe)

Quinoa Pulao recipe with stovetop & instant pot instructions. Quinoa Pulao is an wholesome & nutritious pilaf made with quinoa, mixed vegetables, spices and herbs. This makes an amazing Breakfast or a meal with Raita. It also goes well in the office and school lunch box. Quinoa is a seed but can be used much like a grain to make different kinds of Indian 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 or at least plain yogurt. While it cooks, make the raita with some onions or cucumber.

To save some chopping time, you may leave out onions and also use frozen veggies like carrots, peas, corn and green beans.

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 leave them out 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.

How to Make Quinoa Pulao (Stepwise Photos)

Preparation

1. Add 1 cup 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.

2. Drain them to a colander and shake off gently to get rid of the excess water. Set aside and prepare the veggies. You will need:

• 1 small onion chopped or sliced (about ¼ cup)
• 1 green chili pepper chopped or slit
• ½ teaspoon ginger garlic paste
• ¼ to ½ cup carrots chopped (1 small)
• ¼ cup green peas
• 2 to 3 green beans chopped
• 1 small tomato (optional, chopped finely, I did not use here)
• 10 to 12 mint leaves / pudina, chopped

Make Quinoa Pulao

If you do not have a Instant Pot, you can use a regular sauce pan and cook on the stovetop by following the same instructions.

3. Press the saute button on your IP. Pour 1½ to 2 tablespoon oil or ghee to the steel insert. When the oil turns hot, add

• 1 small bay leaf
• 1 inch cinnamon
• 2 cloves
• 2 green cardamoms.
• ½ teaspoon cumin seeds

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 and use only garlic.

5. Then add mint, carrots, beans, peas, ¼ teaspoon turmeric, ½ to ¾ teaspoon garam masala, ¼ teaspoon red chilli powder (optional) and salt. Saute just for 30 seconds. If using tomato, add it here along with the veggies and saute until they break down.

6. Add quinoa and saute for 30 seconds.

7. Press the cancel button and pour 1¼ cup water. Please ensure you add the correct amount of water. Mix well at 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.

If making on the stovetop in a sauce pan, use 2 cups water and bring it to a rolling boil on a high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and cook uncovered until all of the water is absorbed. Cover and turn off the heat. Let rest covered for 5 to 7 mins.

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.

Update: I have found that old Instant pots (not old models) take longer to cook – 2 to 3 mins. If you are using a new IP, it just takes 1 minute else set it to 2 mins. Mine is a 4.5 years old IP and now takes 3 mins.

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. You know quinoa is fully cooked when the tails come out, at this stage quinoa is still crunchy.

Serve Quinoa Pulao with raita or yogurt.

Related Recipes

Recipe Card