Instant Pot Mexican Quinoa Bowl is a quick and easy vegan meal when you’re short on time. It’s made with simple ingredients, such as quinoa, black beans, frozen sweet corn, and canned fire-roasted tomatoes. Toss all the ingredients into one pot for an easy weeknight dinner. Includes stovetop instructions.
The Instant-Pot can be a very intimidating appliance! At first, I only cooked dried beans and made Spanish rice in it. But after having one for a few months I finally ventured into making more than just rice and beans––I decided to make dinner in it!
Instant-Pot Mexican quinoa bowls were for dinner.
However, my first dinner attempt was a semi-failure. I didn't add enough liquid to the pot and undercooked the quinoa. To try and save the meal I added a bit more broth and sealed it back up for another cycle.
Success! The quinoa was cooked and dinner was delicious! It was a quick and easy vegan meal the whole family actually enjoyed.
Now I love making vegan mac and cheese, breakfast potatoes, and even jackfruit tamales in the Instant Pot!
Quinoa Bowls are great for busy weeknights
Once I perfected the liquid ratio and cook time, Mexican quinoa bowls have been my go-to for busy nights. It's a delicious, yet simple dinner made fully in the Instant Pot. Which also means fewer dishes! Because if there is one thing I hate–it's pots and pans in the sink!
Perfect Instant Pot Quinoa Bowl TIP
The key to success, or at least Instant-Pot quinoa bowl success, is to allow it to sit for at least 15 minutes after the cooking time has finished. This will help the quinoa to fully cook. So it’s a crucial step to keep the lid on and sealed for 15 minutes even if the pressure has naturally released. Unless undercooked quinoa is your thing… I won’t judge!
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Recipe
Instant-Pot Mexican Quinoa Bowl (vegan)
Instant-Pot Mexican Quinoa Bowl is loaded with easy-to-store ingredients, such as quinoa, black beans, frozen sweet corn and canned fire-roasted tomatoes. Toss all the ingredients into your IP for a simple, healthy dinner any night of the week!
Ingredients
Quinoa Bowl
- 1 small onion
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup quinoa, rinsed and drained
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon chipotle powder, optional for mild heat
- ½ teaspoon Himalayan pink salt, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 and ⅓ cups vegetable broth
- 1 (15oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup organic corn, frozen
- 1 (15oz) can fire-roasted tomatoes
Optional Toppings
- Avocado
- Fresh cilantro
- Fresh squeezed lime juice
Instructions
Instant Pot Instructions
- Press the sauté feature on your IP. Sauté the onion and garlic in 1 Tablespoon oil for 5 minutes or until onions begin to soften. For an oil-free version, sauté in veggie broth.
- Stir in the seasonings and quinoa. Sauté for another 3 minutes then, press the cancel button on the IP.
- Mix in the veggie broth, corn, and black beans. Then add the fire roasted tomatoes and gently spread them on top. (See the video above)
- Press manual on the IP and set it for 8 minutes on High. Allow the IP to naturally release pressure, then carefully remove the lid.
- Give the quinoa a final mix.
- Serve in a bowl topped with diced avocado, fresh cilantro leaves and fresh squeezed lime juice.
One-Pot Stovetop Instructions
- In a large pot sauté the onion and garlic until they begin to soften.
- Stir in the seasonings and quinoa and sauté for a few more minutes.
- Stir in the remaining ingredients, cover and simmer for 25 minutes, or until the quinoa is fully cooked.
- Give the quinoa a final mix.
- Serve in a bowl topped with diced avocado, fresh cilantro leaves and fresh squeezed lime juice.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 bowls Serving Size: 1 bowlAmount Per Serving: Calories: 268Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 5gSodium: 371mgCarbohydrates: 43gFiber: 12gSugar: 5gProtein: 11g
**Nutritional info is provided as an estimate based on the ingredients I used and for convenience and as a courtesy only.**
*Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
Kat
Can I use water if I am out of vegetable broth?
Marlena Luna
Yes, but you may want to increase the seasonings to make up for the loss of flavor.
Terri Carter
Can this be frozen?
Where you get your protein
I haven’t tried freezing it yet, but I’m sure it will be just fine. Enjoy, Terri! :)
Sarah
Just made this in preparation for to-go meals for the week. SO DELICIOUS! Thank you!
Where you get your protein
Awesome to hear, Sarah!
Chris
Made this tonight; very good. It’s a keeper.
Where you get your protein
Yay! I'm glad you enjoyed the recipe, Chris!
Megan
Anybody tried this with dry beans? How did you tweak the recipe?
Where you get your protein
I'm not sure this recipe would work well with dried beans. I feel it would overcook the quinoa.
Kimberly
I love this recipe. Have made it several times. Do you know the nutritional breakdown?
Where you get your protein
Hi Kimberly! I just updated the recipe card to show the nutritional info. However, it is only an estimate from Nutritionix based on the ingredients I used. :)
Violet
Flavors were great, but this turned to mush. I followed instructions but released pressure manually after only 7 minutes. Maybe it was the quinoa brand? I used Trader Joe's.
Where you get your protein!
I’m sorry to hear that Violet. It sounds like there was too much liquid. Perhaps the canned tomatoes had more liquid than usual. I’d suggest only adding 1 and 1/4 cups of vegetable broth next time.
kim
Tried the Mexican quinoa bowl and really enjoyed it! Quick recipe to put togather
Where you get your protein!
Yay! I'm so glad you enjoyed it Kim!
Ellie
I know this is a vegan recipe.. but if I wanted to add ground turkey to this, would I double the liquid?
Where you get your protein!
Hi Ellie, I'm not sure but I don't think there would be any need to double the liquid.
Karen
i want to make a double batch... would I double to cooking time in the instapot?
Where you get your protein!
Hi Karen! No need to double the cooking time, it should be fine. Let me know how it comes out! Enjoy! :)
Jenna
If I were to add ground beef would I just brown it up when I’m sautéing and also add more broth/adjust time?
Janice
How can you make this if you do not have an Instant Pot?
Where you get your protein!
Hi Janice! There are stove top directions included at the bottom of the recipe. Enjoy! :)
Heather
Yum! I've been eating a lot of quinoa lately. I'll have to give this a try, it looks delicious!
Where you get your protein!
Thank you Heather! Enjoy! :)