Instant Pot Rice
If you’ve ever ended up with rice that’s gummy, crunchy, scorched on the bottom, or somehow all three at once, our favorite kitchen multitasker is about to save the day. The Instant Pot takes the guesswork out of cooking rice and delivers fluffy, tender results with very little effort. Whether you’re meal prepping for the week, making a quick side dish, or building burrito bowls that would make Chipotle nervous, this easy method gives you consistent results every time – without babysitting a pot on the stove.
Using an Instant Pot simplifies the rice-making process. In a nutshell, you just add white rice and water to the Instant Pot, close the lid, and press a few buttons. In no time at all, you’ll have perfect fluffy rice that’s ready to be served!
Making rice in an Instant Pot also eliminates any chance of it getting burnt or sticking to the bottom of the pot. No more stirring and no more worrying about having to monitor the cooking process. It also frees you up to work on other things, like Chicken Stir-Fry or Kung Pao Chicken.
So make easy, perfect rice with an Instant Pot! You’ll be glad you did.
Let’s look at how easy it is to use the Instant Pot as a rice cooker.
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups of water
- 2 cups of rice
- ¼ teaspoon salt, optional
Instant Pot Rice Directions
- Place rice and water in the insert of an Instant Pot. (I like to stir it to try to make sure all of the rice is submerged in the water.) Add salt, if desired.
- Secure the lid and make sure the steam release valve is set to “sealing.” Set the Instant Pot to high pressure/manual for 3 minutes. (It will take about 7 minutes to pressurize before the 3 minutes will start counting down.)
- Natural release the steam for 10 minutes. Turn the steam valve to the venting position to quick release the remaining steam.
Fluff rice with a fork and enjoy!
Store leftover rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Use leftover rice to make fried rice or rice pudding. You can also use it to make rice bowls or as a filling in burritos.
Variations
- To add flavor to the rice, substitute chicken broth or vegetable broth for the water.
- For extra flavor, add herbs and spices like garlic powder, onion powder, or cumin.
Tips
- This recipe was tested in a 6-quart Instant Pot and works with long-grain rice like jasmine rice or basmati rice. Do not use Minute Rice.
- For a firmer texture, reduce the cooking time to 2 minutes. For softer rice, increase the cooking time to 4 minutes.
- Remember, while there may be a RICE button on your Instant Pot, you will be using the PRESSURE function.
FAQs
When cooking long-grain rice, it is not necessary to pre-rinse it before cooking.
According to ABC in Australia, “There is a tradition behind it and, because of this, it becomes common practice for a lot of Asian cultures.”
For rice that has been harvested traditionally (without machinery), it would be necessary to rinse and wash the rice to help find and remove any leftover husk or stones that might have been harvested.
If you prefer for your rice to be less starchy, you can rinse it a couple of times to help remove the starch. If you plan on making rice to make fried rice, it is recommended to rinse the rice a few times.
Rinsing rice is easy. Simply place the rice in a bowl and fill it with cold water. Swirl the rice around and then pour off the cloudy water. Repeat this process until the water runs clear. Drain the rice in a fine-mesh sieve before cooking it in your Instant Pot.
Yes, you can cook brown rice in an Instant Pot. The cooking time will be slightly longer than white rice. For 2 cups of long-grain brown rice, add 21/2 cups of water and cook for 15 minutes at high pressure. Allow the pressure to release naturally before removing the lid.
Yes, you can freeze cooked rice. Allow the cooked rice to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container or freezer-safe bag. Label the container with the date and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to use, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in a microwave or on the stovetop with a little bit of water or broth.
One-half cup of rice is the standard size for one serving of rice.
Recipes To Enjoy With Cooked Rice
Instant Pot Rice
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Place rice and water in the insert of an Instant Pot. (I like to stir it to try to make sure all of the rice is submerged in the water.) Add salt, if desired.
- Secure the lid and make sure the steam release valve is set to "sealing." Set the Instant Pot to high pressure/manual for 3 minutes. (It will take about 7 minutes to pressurize before the 3 minutes will start counting down.)
- Natural release the steam for 10 minutes. Turn the steam valve to the venting position to quick release the remaining steam.
Nutrition
Video
Notes
- This recipe was tested in a 6-quart Instant Pot.
- This recipe works with long-grain rice like jasmine rice or basmati rice. Do not use Minute Rice.
- For a firmer texture, reduce the cooking time to 2 minutes.
- For softer rice, increase the cooking time to 4 minutes.
- Remember, while there may be a RICE button on your Instant Pot, you need to use the PRESSURE function.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Last Bite
The Instant Pot makes cooking rice almost embarrassingly easy. No watching the stove. No boiling over. No mystery crunchy layer hiding at the bottom of the pan. Just fluffy, dependable rice ready for weeknight dinners, meal prep, stir fries, burrito bowls, and everything in between.
Leave a comment below and let me know what type of rice you make most often in your Instant Pot! And if this recipe saved your dinner plans, share it with a friend or pin it for later before the rice coma kicks in.
