Rinse the quinoa: Place the quinoa in a fine mesh strainer and rinse under cold water for about 30 seconds until the water runs clear to remove saponin.
In the Instant Pot, combine the rinsed quinoa, water, salt, and olive oil (if using). Stir briefly to mix everything together.
Close the lid securely and set the steam release valve to the sealing position. Select the 'Manual' or 'Pressure Cook' button and set the time to 1 minute on high pressure.
Once the cooking time is up, allow the Instant Pot to release pressure naturally for 10 minutes. Then, carefully release any remaining pressure by turning the steam release valve to venting.
Open the lid and using a fork, fluff the quinoa gently. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired and serve warm.
You can add spices, such as garlic powder or onion powder to the water for extra flavor before cooking.
Leftover quinoa can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.