How to Cook Millet (Instant Pot & Stovetop)
Learn how to cook millet to perfection with this easy step-by-step guide. Millet is a versatile and nutritious grain that's gluten-free and packed with goodness!
Servings 3.5 cups
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup millet; Foxtail or Little Millet
- 1 ¾ - 2 cups water or vegetable broth for added flavor
- ½ teaspoon salt optional
- 1 teaspoon ghee or oil optional, for added flavor
Instructions
Prep Millet
- Place the millet in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse it under cold running water. This helps remove any bitter compounds and excess starch.
- Transfer the rinsed millet to a bowl and cover it with enough water. The water should be at least an inch above the millet.
- Allow the millet to soak for at least 30 minutes. Soaking make the millet more tender and reduce cooking time.
- After soaking, drain the millet using a fine-mesh strainer to remove excess water. It's important to ensure that it's well-drained before cooking.
- Proceed with the cooking instructions, whether you're using a stovetop or an Instant Pot.
How to Cook Millet on the Stove
- Toast the Millet (Optional): To enhance the flavor of the millet, you can toast it before cooking. Heat the skillet over medium heat, add a teaspoon of ghee or oil and the rinsed millet. Stir constantly for a few minutes until it starts to release a nutty aroma and turn slightly golden. Be careful not to let it burn.
- In a saucepan, combine the rinsed or toasted millet with 2 cups of water or vegetable broth. If desired, add salt for extra flavor. Stir well.
- Place the saucepan over high heat and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Once it's boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan with a lid, and let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes. The millet will absorb the liquid and become tender.
- After the cooking time, remove the saucepan from the heat and let it sit, covered, for an additional 5 minutes. Then, use a fork to fluff the millet, separating the grains.
How to Cook Millet in Instant Pot
- Saute (Optional): To enhance the flavor of the millet, you can use the sauté function on your Instant Pot. Add a teaspoon of ghee or oil and the rinsed millet. Stir constantly for a few minutes until it starts to release a nutty aroma and turn slightly golden. Be careful not to let it burn.
- Add the rinsed or toasted millet to the Instant Pot. Pour in 1.75 cups of water or vegetable broth. If desired, add salt and any seasonings for extra flavor. Stir well to combine.
- Close the Instant Pot lid, set the valve to the sealing position, and select the "Manual" or "Pressure Cook" function. Set the timer for 4 minutes at low pressure.
- Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for about 10 minutes. Then, you can carefully turn the valve to the venting position to release any remaining pressure.
- After releasing pressure, open the lid, and use a fork to fluff the millet, separating the grains.
Using Instant Pot PIP (Pot-in-Pot) Method
- Here's the "pot-in-pot" (PIP) method:
- Rinse millet and place it in a heatproof container with water or broth. If desired, add salt and ghee or oil for extra flavor. Stir well.
- Put water in the Instant Pot, insert a trivet, and place the container on the trivet.
- Close the Instant Pot lid, set the valve to the sealing position, and select the "Manual" or "Pressure Cook" function. Set the timer for 4 minutes at low pressure.
- Natural release, remove the container, fluff the millet, and serve.
Serve Millet
- Your cooked millet is now ready to serve. Use it as a side dish, in salads, or as a base for various dishes.
Notes
Soaking millets is optional, but I highly recommend soaking them. Soaking enhances the flavor and it also reduces the cooking time.
If cooking millets without soaking, increase the amount of water. For the stovetop, use 3 cups of water and for Instant Pot use 2 ¼ cups of water for 1 cup of the millet.
Please refer to the post for the following:
- Tips on How to Cook Millet Perfect
- FAQ's