How To Cook Brown Rice and Quinoa – Stovetop, Rice Cooker & Instant Pot

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Updated on 9 May 2025

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Brown rice and quinoa make a protein-packed and fiber-rich rice option. Learn how to cook them easily in 3 foolproof methods.

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If you want to learn how to cook brown rice and quinoa easily at home, you’re at the right place! Whether you’re using a rice cooker, Instant Pot, or stovetop, you will see below an easy step-by-step guide with visuals.

Each cooking method slightly differs in times, water ratios, and preparations. Make sure you read through so you can decide the best method to cook brown rice and quinoa that suits your preference.

I also included the pros and cons of each method of cooking brown rice and quinoa, as well as the one I prefer the most!

This brown rice and quinoa recipe is simple with minimal ingredients. It’s perfect if you’re looking for everyday healthy rice or an easy whole-grain recipe that is gluten-free and nutritious to enjoy alongside the main course and side dishes.

Table of Contents

Benefits of brown rice and quinoa
Ingredients to make brown rice and quinoa
Herbs and seasoning (optional)
Method 1: How to cook brown rice and quinoa on a stovetop
Instructions on how to cook brown rice and quinoa on a stovetop
Method 2: How to cook brown rice and quinoa in a rice cooker
Instructions on how to cook brown rice and quinoa in a rice cooker
Method 3: How to cook brown rice and quinoa with Instant Pot
Instructions on how to cook brown rice and quinoa with Instant Pot
Conclusion
What can you pair with brown rice and quinoa
Prep them ahead! How to freeze quinoa and brown rice.
Reheating brown rice and quinoa in the microwave
Frequently asked questions

Benefits of brown rice and quinoa

I love this brown rice and quinoa combo as my go-to nutritious carb alternative to white rice. Here’s why:

Nutritious gluten-free carbohydrate combo. Brown rice and quinoa are fiber-packed and protein-rich carbs that are also rich in magnesium and manganese. A bowl of cooked brown rice and quinoa contains:

Nutrition Fact Label of Brown rice and Quinoa — *Source USDA – Nutrition facts are just estimates, they might vary a little depending on what you use*

Low in Glyemic Index (GI)– Rich in fiber and protein, brown rice and quinoa have a lower GI. Which means they digest slowly and give you steady energy instead of a sugar spike.

Antioxidant-rich -Both brown rice and quinoa are high in antioxidants (thanks to their flavonoid and phenolic compounds). Foods rich in antioxidants have the potential to reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

Whether you are on a gluten-free diet, weight loss journey, or simply cutting back on simple carbs, this quinoa and brown rice recipe can be a nutritious alternative to simple carbs like white bread, white rice and pasta.

Plus, it is so easy to make, versatile, and can be prepped ahead of time to save time thinking of your daily carbs.

Chicken Meatballs with Quinoa Brown Rice and Stir Fry Veggie — I love pairing this quinoa brown rice with my Asian chicken meatballs recipe. It’s my go-to meal prep combo on busy days.

Ingredients to make brown rice and quinoa

Brown rice – I use medium-grain brown rice, and I recommend using this type. It’s widely available, and the texture is better for everyday rice compared to short grain, which is stickier, and long grains, which can be a bit dry.

Quinoa – In this recipe, I use tricolor quinoa, a mixture of red, white and black quinoa) I prefer to maximize the variety of colors that come with antioxidant properties in my diet. Plus, the flavor is well-balanced without being too bitter. Black quinoa can have a stronger bitter taste. Feel free to use white quinoa too!

Salt – Use sea, Himalayan, or kosher salt. Avoid table salt as it can be overly salty.

Water

I like my carbs simple and plain. However, feel free to experiment with other flavoring agents below.

Herbs and seasoning (optional)

LIQUID BROTH

Chicken broth, vegetable broth, or bone broth—Flavor it up by replacing water with broth to get that richer taste. If you’re not sure, start by replacing half of the water with broth and see if you like it. Note that if you use the broth with sodium, you might want to skip the salt.

FAT

Butter—A tbsp of pure butter (or vegan butter) can make it more tasty and hearty.
Coconut milk—If you like the asian way, replace 1/2 a portion of water with coconut milk. For inspiration, check out my Indonesian turmeric rice with coconut milk. It also contains other aromatic herbs like ginger and turmeric!

HERBS

Garlic—I sometimes add 2-3 cloves of freshly minced or finely grated garlic to make it more aromatic. Add them to the mix and stir well to spread them evenly before cooking. Optionally, you can add 1 teaspoon of garlic powder.

Herbs—Sprinkle a tablespoon of mixed dried or fresh Italian herbs (oregano, basil, marjoram, parsley) for a flavorful Mediterranean-style rice.

Method 1: How to cook brown rice and quinoa on a stovetop

This method is for you if you don’t own a rice cooker or an Instant Pot.

Cooked quinoa and brown rice in a saucepan

Tools & equipment: Medium-sized pot with a lid. Go for stainless steel or non-stick.
Total time: 45 minutes
Ingredients ratio: 1:1:3
⦿ 1 cup of brown rice
⦿ 1 cup of tri-color quinoa
⦿ 3 cups of water

Instructions on how to cook brown rice and quinoa on a stovetop

Rinse the grains. Combine brown rice and quinoa in a fine mesh strainer. Gently rub the grains to remove the excess starch and dust, and rinse them until the water runs clear.
Assemble. Transfer the washed brown rice and quinoa to a saucepan/pot and add water (following the ratio above). At this point, you may add your choice of flavoring agents.
Simmer. Bring them to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, close the lid, and let it simmer for 30 minutes or until the water is fully absorbed. You don’t need to stir while cooking.
Rest. Remove the pan from the heat and let it rest with the lid closed for 3 minutes.
Fluff and serve. Fluff the cooked grains with a fork, and it’s ready to serve!

Pros

Requires only basic kitchen tools (stovetop and pan).
Free to make any amount of rice, depending on the size of your pan.

Cons

Need to set the timer manually.
Cooking time may vary depending on the stovetop/induction heat levels.
It can burn if the heat is not set correctly.

Method 2: How to cook brown rice and quinoa in a rice cooker

If you have a rice cooker, whether with a brown rice setting or a white rice setting, I have it covered.

Cooked quinoa and brown rice in rice cooker pot

Equipment: Regular rice cooker. I use a multi-function rice cooker with a brown rice setting. The closest model to mine is this Zojirushi Rice Cooker.
Total time: 63 minutes
Ingredients ratio: 1:1:2.5
⦿ 1 cup of brown rice
⦿ 1 cup of tri-color quinoa
⦿ 2 and 1/2 cups of water

Instructions on how to cook brown rice and quinoa in a rice cooker

Rinse. This part is the same as cooking on the stovetop. Combine brown rice and quinoa in a fine mesh strainer and wash them until the water runs clear. While at it, gently rub the grains with your palm to remove the excess starch and dust.
Assemble- Transfer the strained brown rice and quinoa to a rice cooker pot and add water (following the ratio above) and your choice of flavoring agents (if any).
Cook. Start the cooking according to your rice setting.

⦿ White Rice Setting: If your rice cooker only has a “white rice” setting, consider pre-soaking the brown rice and quinoa for 30 minutes before cooking on the white rice setting.
⦿ Brown Rice Setting: If your rice cooker has a “brown rice” setting, select the button and let it start cooking. It usually took me 1 hour.
⦿ Manual Setting: If your rice cooker doesn’t have a brown rice setting but a manual setting, set the cooking timer for 50 minutes.
Fluff and serve: Once the timer is done, fluff them with a rice scoop, and it’s ready to serve!

Pros

Convenient to cook, you just need to set it and leave it. Even if it stays longer in a rice cooker, it won’t overcook.

Cons

It takes longer to cook compared to other methods.
If you don’t have a brown rice setting or manual setting, you might want to consider soaking them first.

Method 3: How to cook brown rice and quinoa with Instant Pot

If you have an Instant Pot, it helps you save time!

Equipment: Instant Pot – I use Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Multi-Use Pressure Cooker
Total time: 40 minutes
Ingredients ratio: 1:1:2.25
⦿ 1 cup of brown rice
⦿ 1 cup of tri-color quinoa
⦿ 2 and 1/4 cups of water

Instructions on how to cook brown rice and quinoa with Instant Pot

Rinse. This part is the same as cooking on the stovetop and rice cooker. Rinse brown rice and quinoa over a fine mesh strainer until the water runs clear.
Assemble. Combine brown rice and quinoa in the instant pot and add water (following the ratio above) and salt or any flavoring agents.
Cook. Seal the lid by turning the vent to ‘sealing’. Press the ‘Pressure cook’ button on ‘High’ and set the timer to 22 minutes by adjusting the ‘+’ button. The cooking will start a few seconds after the timer is set.
Rest. Once the cooking time is complete, let it rest for 10 minutes. Once the timer shows (L0.10), with an oven mitt or cloth, carefully turn the valve back to venting to release the pressure.
Fluff and serve. When the steam stops (about 1-2 minutes, open the pot and fluff the cooked brown rice and quinoa with a fork or spatula. It’s ready to serve!

Pros – Cooks faster than other methods and no soaking required
Cons – Requires understanding of handling a pressure cooker.

Conclusion

While the total cooking time and water ratio vary slightly between these three methods, they all result in perfectly fluffy grains. Personally, I love using my rice cooker with the brown rice setting – it’s the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it method! But ultimately, the best method is the one that fits your lifestyle and kitchen tools.

Methods	Grains	Water	Total Time	Pros
Stovetop	1 cup of quinoa 1 cup of brown rice	3 cups	45 minutes	Convenient
Rice cooker	1 cup of quinoa 1 cup of brown rice	2 and 1/2	65 minutes	Easiest
Instant pot	1 cup of quinoa 1 cup of brown rice	2 and 1/4	40 minutes	Fastest

What can you pair with brown rice and quinoa

There’s so much you can pair with these grains. I personally make brown rice and quinoa to replace white rice and enjoy it next to other side dishes with my main course or soups. Feel free to browse my recipes.

Other nutritious rice and grains recipes you might like

In case you’d love to try a festive and cultural rice recipe

For a quick and flavorful chicken dish, try my Turmeric and Black Pepper Chicken with this grain combo. If you’re craving Thai flavors, here’s a list you can get some ideas from:

I like to prep the brown rice and quinoa in advance, it helps to save time when preparing my daily meals. Less decision fatigue!

If you’re not planning to finish the brown rice and quinoa within 4 days, I recommend freezing them to keep them fresh for a month or so.

Prep them ahead! How to freeze quinoa and brown rice.

Portion the cooked quinoa and brown rice into small containers (following your individual portion). Optionally, you can also use a muffin pan. Scoop the grains into a muffin pan, press them tightly, and transfer them to the freezer.

Quinoa brown rice in a muffin pan and a stacking of cup shape frozen quinoa

If you are using the mold, once they are solid, bring the frozen quinoa and brown rice out and transfer them to a big container or ziplock bag.

Reheating brown rice and quinoa in the microwave

Place the brown rice and quinoa in a dish, then place a small bowl of water next to it. Reheat for 2–3 minutes or until warm enough. Voila!

Frequently asked questions

Is it necessary to wash the rice before cooking?

Yes, it is necessary to wash the rice first. Washing the rice before cooking not only removes the excess starch on the outer layer of the rice but also cleans it from dust, bugs, and chemical residue during processing. As someone who grew up eating rice every day, washing the rice before cooking is a common thing in most Asian households.

Is it necessary to wash the quinoa before cooking?

Washing quinoa prior to cooking not only helps to remove potential dust and debris but also reduces its bitter taste, especially in colored quinoa.

Should I soak brown rice before cooking?

It is not necessary, but recommended. Whole grains, including brown rice, contain phytic acid, which can cause reactions in some people, such as bloating. Soaking brown rice is said to help remove some of the grains’ phytic acid, which helps improve digestion and speed up the cooking time. But if you are short on time, you can go ahead and cook them after you wash them.

How long should brown rice and quinoa be kept in the fridge?

You can store the cooked brown rice and quinoa in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To maintain freshness, I recommend portioning and freezing them.

How to reheat frozen brown rice and quinoa?

Remove the frozen brown rice and quinoa from the container and place them in a microwave-safe dish. Fill half of a separate microwave-safe bowl with tap water. Place both the bowl and the dish with the frozen rice and quinoa and reheat them for about 4 minutes. You can also steam them.