Instant Pot Mexican Quinoa Recipe - healthy and nutritious quinoa with taco seasoning, black beans, corn, onions, garlic and peppers. Perfect vegetarian grain bowl for lunch or dinner!
If you ever cooked quinoa in your Instant Pot, you know how easy and fast it is. I make it once a week and keep it portioned in ziploc bags to use for lunches and in place of rice. I love this healthy, protein-packed packed option to add nutrition to our meals. Now, I can make a one pot meal with quinoa right in my Instant Pot.
INSTANT POT MEXICAN QUINOA
This Instant Pot Mexican Quinoa can't be easier to make. All you need to do is quickly saute the garlic, onions and peppers, add quinoa, liquid and diced tomatoes. Close the lid on your Instant Pot and let it do it's magic. That's it! Your lunch or dinner is ready! You can even cool it completely, portion out into meal prep containers and enjoy throughout the week. More Healthy Instant Pot Recipe.
HOW TO MAKE INSTANT POT MEXICAN QUINOA?
- Start by pressing the "saute" button on your Instant Pot. Add oil to the insert and heat it up. Add chopped onion and pepper and minced garlic. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Add butter and saute until the onion is translucent.
- Add corn and beans to the mixture and stir well. Add spices, quinoa and water and stir everything together.
- Add diced tomatoes in the center, but do not stir. Close lid, set valve to sealing, set timer to 1 minute. Once the timer is done, let it release the pressure naturally. It takes only a few minutes.
- Stir quinoa and enjoy right away topped with shredded cheese, chopped red onion, cilantro and avocados.
HOW TO COOK QUINOA IN INSTANT POT?
Cooking quinoa in the Instant Pot is the easiest way to prepare it, in my opinion. Simply add the grain and twice the amount of water to the IP insert, close the lid, switch the valve to sealing position and set timer to 1 minute. The IP will come to pressure in about 10 minutes. Once the timer is done, release the pressure by switching the valve to venting position. Newer IP models only require to push the button. Carefully open the lid and stir quinoa. It should be perfectly fluffy. For more info, check out my 1-Minute Instant Pot Quinoa recipe.
VEGETARIAN QUINOA BOWLS
This Instant Pot Mexican Quinoa is a meatless yet protein-packed option for a healthy dinner or lunch, thanks to the quinoa itself and the black beans. Grain bowls are very popular right now and this recipe is a perfect quinoa bowl option. After the dish is done cooking, stir it well and enjoy right away or cool completely and portion out. Top it with shredded cheese, salsa, sour cream, chopped cilantro, avocado and a squeeze of a lime wedge.
MORE QUINOA RECIPES:
Roasted Sweet Potato Black Bean Quinoa Salad
Black Bean and Quinoa Enchiladas
MORE HEALTHY INSTANT POT RECIPES:
To learn more about the Instant Pot and how to use it to it's best, check out my Instant Pot Guide for Beginners.
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INSTANT POT MEXICAN QUINOA RECIPE:
Instant Pot Mexican Quinoa Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 small onion chopped
- ½ green bell pepper chopped
- 1 cup whole kernel corn
- 15 oz can black beans drained and rinsed
- 3 teaspoons taco seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup uncooked quinoa
- 1 ½ cups water or vegetable stock
- 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
- avocado for topping
- shredded cheese for topping
- chopped red onion for topping
Instructions
- Make sure the stainless steel insert is in your Instant Pot. Press saute setting. Add oil to pot and heat it up. Add minced garlic, onion and pepper. Saute for 1 to 2 minutes. Add butter and saute until the onion is translucent. Press "cancel/off" button.
- Add corn and beans to Instant Pot and stir well. Sprinkle taco seasoning, salt and pepper. Add quinoa and water and stir everything together.
- Add diced tomatoes (with liquid) in the center, on top of other ingredients. DO NOT STIR.
- Close the lid, switch the valve to sealing position. Make sure the IP is set to cook at HIGH pressure. Set timer to 1 minute. The Instant Pot will beep and start coming to pressure.
- Once the timer is done, press "cancel/off" button. Let the pressure release naturally. Open the lid away from your face and stir quinoa.
- Serve with shredded cheese, chopped red onion, cilantro, avocado and lime wedges.
Stefanie Davis says
Absolutely fabulous! Mix in some shredded cheddar & a dash of cumin.
For added indulgence, top with baked sweet potato! This makes a great base for ground taco meat, too.
Holly says
We love it! I omit the bell peppers only because my hub does not like them. After inputting in myfitnesspal it came out to 230 calories per 1 cup
Karen Theis says
This is SUPER delicious!!! I’ll definitely make it again and again!!!
But...what’ is a serving size? 🥰
Holly says
I think it makes about 6 cups, that’s what I input into myfitnesspal for my serving size.
Danyel says
This says it's 371 calories per serving, but it doesn't say how much a serving is. Could you help me with that?
Jo says
After only 1 minute of pressure and close to a half hour natural releasing, the quinoa isn't cooked....?
Anna says
Hi Jo! Something must have gone wrong. After such a long time of NPR it should definitely be cooked.
Elizabeth Agius says
Not great..came out way too mushy.. and not enough seasoning.
Anna says
Hi Elizabeth! It should not be mushy considering the pressure cooking time is 1 minute. Also, if you don't like the seasoning, maybe try finding a better quality one in your grocery store.
NataliaO says
This was so easy to make and so delicious and full of flavor. My children loved it! I will definitely be making this regularly. Thank you for the recipe!
Greg says
I want to love this but I got a burn notice. Followed the instructions correctly too. I keep getting burn notices with these types of recipes. I honestly thought that might happen because it looked like not enough liquid. Thoughts? Help?
Anna says
Hi Greg! I am assuming you have a fairly new model of the Instant Pot pressure cooker. They seem to be more sensitive and show burn message often. Try adding more liquid next time and let the cooked quinoa sit for 10 minutes in the end, before serving. It should have enough time to evaporate any excess of liquid. You can also try the pot-in-pot method, by placing all ingredients in a safe dish, placing it on the trivet and adding 1 cup of water to the bottom of the pot. I hope this helps!
Shaina says
This is in my instapot as we speak and I just got a burn error 🙁 What do I do now? Is my dinner completely ruined? When can I open the top and check out the situation? Thanks!
NataliaO says
My suggestion to avoid the burn message could be after sautéing the onion, pepper and garlic- you have to make sure to stir the pot so that nothing is stuck to the bottom of the pot. I just cooked this with no problem and it was so good. Good luck!
Becky says
I would like to make this when my kids and their families come to visit. If I double the recipe, will I need to change the time or anything? Thanks!
Anna says
Hi Becky! I did not test it with double the ingredients so I can say for sure, but it should be fine. The rule is that the time stays the same if you double the recipe, it may just take longer to come to pressure. I hope this helps!
Becky says
Oh my, this was good! Plus, it was so easy. I’ll be making this on a regular basis. Thanks for the delicious recipe!
Anna says
Thank you so much, Becky! I am so glad it was a hit!
Stacy Young says
This is so delicious and a huge hit with my toddler! Because he loves it, I sneak in extra veg, like broccoli and spinach (shhh don’t tell him!).
Do you know if I can double the recipe?
Anna says
Hi Stacy! That's is fantastic! It's always a bonus point when kiddos healthy meals. 😀 I love your addition of broccoli and spinach. Delicious! I think you can easily double the recipe, although I have not tried it yet. Let me know how it goes!
Katie says
We loved this recipe as well as the weight-loss soup. So much flavor. I am going to continue making more of your recipes. My almost three year old asked for seconds of the quinoa!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Hi Katie! You made my day! I am so happy to know you love this quinoa! Bonus points for kiddos asking for seconds. Awesome!
Ellie says
I am on day 2 of having this quinoa for lunch. It's so good!! I can't believe how easy and quick it is to make. Thank you for sharing this recipe!!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Hi Ellie! Isn't it just the best for a healthy lunch? I am so glad you tried it! Thank you!
Veronica says
Just made this and OMG! It's so easy and so good! Thank you for sharing the recipe!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
You are very welcome, Veronica! I am so happy you love it!
Cathy says
Love quinoa and love this Mexican version!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Thanks, Cathy!
Pam says
Hi just wondering how long natural pressure release takes with this recipe? I am 17 minutes in and still waiting.
Anna says
Hi Pam! At the longest, it could be 12 minutes. I suggest you switch the valve to venting at this point. Let me know how it goes!
Pam says
Hi i just tried to open it and it opened and it was SO good!! Thank you! I am supposed to be eating alot of protein per my doctor so i added a 10 oz can of chicken (before the tomatoes) breast and it was wonderful!!
Anna says
Yay! That's fantastic! I am so glad you love it! You can also stir in cooked, shredded chicken at the end just to heat it up or even ground chicken or turkey.
Brandy O'Neill says
This looks incredible! Love that it's made in the Instant Pot!
Abeer says
This quinoa would be perfect for my husband! He loves the Mexican flavors!
Chrissie Baker says
This was absolutely delicious! Even my meat loving hubby loved it. Gonna make a double batch next time and freeze .
Allyson Zea says
This looks like a fantastic healthy meal! I haven't tried quinoa in my IP, but I am going to follow your tips- thanks!
Aimee Shugarman says
LOVE this healthy dinner in the instant pot. It turned out perfect!
Cheryl says
My Instant Pot is getting a work out this year!! My family loves anything Mexican! Thanks for another fabulous recipe!
Cheryl says
My Instant Pot is getting a work out this year!! My family loves anything Mexican! Thanks for another fabulous recipe
Erin says
This looks incredibly delicious! This sounds amazing! I want to dive into my screen!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Thanks so much, Erin!
Paula says
This came at the perfect time! Adding to my weekly menu.
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
I hope you love it, Paula!
Amanda says
This looks delicious. I can’t get enough of this recipe !!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Yay! That's awesome! Thank you, Amanda!
Kara says
This looks so tasty! I am finally comfortable using my Instant Pot, so I can't wait to give it a try. We love anything Mexican at my house!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
That's perfect! Thanks, Kara!
Sara says
Quinoa is a great additive to many of my meals. I'll have to give your recipe a try; thank you for sharing!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Thank you, Sara! I hope you love it!
Sarah Skaggs says
This looks so delicious, we are trying it tonight!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Yay! Let me know how you like it, Sarah!