Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Quinoa–if you’re looking for a quinoa version of cilantro lime rice from Cafe Rio look no further. This side dish is healthy and delicious and pairs perfectly with any Mexican meal.
Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Quinoa
I love the cilantro lime rice from Cafe Rio especially when it’s paired with black beans, chicken and the tomatillo dressing. Lately, we’ve been eating more quinoa at our house at the request of my husband. So instead of making my cafe rio meal with rice I decided to swap it out with quinoa. It worked really well! This is a good choice if you’re trying to eat a little healthier. Plus the quinoa cooks really fast in the Instant Pot, so that’s a bonus if you’re in a hurry. I topped mine with a big dollop of guacamole…yum yum!
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What Instant Pot Did You Use?
To cook this instant pot cilantro lime quinoa I used my 6 quart Instant Pot Duo 60 7 in 1 for this recipe. I also own the 6 quart Instant Pot IP-LUX60 V3 Programmable Electric Pressure Cooker. They are both great pressure cookers! The first one I mentioned has a yogurt making function but other than that they are fairly similar. The price difference between the two is about $20.
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Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Quinoa
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 minute
- Total Time: 21 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
If you’re looking for a quinoa version of cilantro lime rice from Cafe Rio look no further. This side dish is healthy and delicious and pairs perfectly with any Mexican meal.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 tsp butter
- 1/2 cup diced yellow onion
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 cup rinsed quinoa
- 1 1/3 cups water
- 1 1/2 tsp better than bouillon (chicken flavor)
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1 (4 oz) can diced green chiles
- 1/2 bunch of cilantro, chopped
- 2 tsp lime juice
- 1/8 tsp salt
Instructions
- Turn your Instant Pot to saute. Melt the butter and saute the onion. Stir in the garlic powder. Stir in the quinoa and toast it for a minute.
- Add in the water, bouillon, cumin, green chiles, cilantro, lime juice and salt.
- Cover the Instant Pot and make sure the valve is set to “sealing.” Set the timer on manual high pressure for 1 minute.
- Once the timer beeps let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes. Release any more pressure by moving the valve to venting. Remove the lid and fluff the quinoa with a fork. Add if additional salt and lime juice, if needed.
- Serve as a side to your favorite Mexican meal or top with a dollop of guacamole and enjoy it by itself.
Notes
I used my 6 quart Instant Pot Duo 60 7 in 1 for this recipe.
Can I make this in the slow cooker? I haven’t tried this recipe yet in the slow cooker but I think you could do it. Just pile all the ingredients into the slow cooker and cook on high for 2 hours. Here is a similar quinoa slow cooker recipe that I have made endless times that you may want to try also.
- Method: Instant Pot
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Just added a can of black beans for protein and called it dinner, yummy!
Probably could’ve cut back the water a little bit, I think the canned black beans added some. Next time, dry beans or less water!
Nice! Good to know, thanks for sharing 🙂
1/2 garlic powder? 1/2 of what? And a tsp ofbutter or Tbsp?
Sorry about that. It’s 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder and it is 1 1/2 teaspoons of butter.
What is the advantage of owning both a slow cooker and pressure cooker/slow cooker combo unit like the one you suggest? Can all of your slow cooker recipes be cooked in the combo unit?
I just really like the option of cooking the food fast or slow depending on the timing of the day. Yes my recipes can be cooked in the instant pot since you can use the slow cooker function.