Rinse the Quinoa: Start by rinsing 1 cup of quinoa under cold water. This removes the natural coating called saponin, which can make the quinoa taste bitter.
Add the quinoa, water or broth and salt if using to your rice cooker. Push the button and wait until it's done!
Combine and Boil: In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed quinoa, 1 cup of water (or broth), and a pinch of salt. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
Simmer and Cover: Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and let it simmer for about 15 minutes, or until all the water is absorbed.
Fluff and Cool: Remove the saucepan from the heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff the quinoa with a fork to separate the grains and allow it to cool slightly before using it in your recipes.