HOW TO COOK: Before cooking your quinoa rinse it with water. Once it has been rinsed combine 1 cup of quinoa with 2 cups of water in a medium pot and bring to a boil. After it begins to boil cover the pot and reduce heat to medium-low and let simmer for about 15 â 20 minutes until the water is absorbed. It can also be cooked in rice cooker or instapot.