This fail-proof recipe for Instant Pot Rice makes the most delicious white or brown rice in your pressure cooker! With a hands-off cooking process and a speedy result, you’ll never make rice on the stove again!
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Updated March 2021
The Best Instant Pot Rice
Say goodbye to waiting by the stove for your rice to cook – this Instant Pot recipe will have you making delicious rice with minimal effort. Long-grain, short-grain, brown or white, your rice is sure to turn out perfect!
Growing up in a typical Asian household, rice was an absolute staple at our dinner table. My brother and I used to take turns making rice using our rice cooker. But these days, my go-to method for cooking rice is definitely the Instant Pot. Once you try this easy recipe, you’ll understand why!
Recipe Ingredients
You don’t need anything special to make rice in the pressure cooker. This recipe sticks to the basics for a tried and true result.
- Coconut Oil: Or olive oil/cooking spray, to prevent sticking.
- Brown Rice: Or long-grain white rice.
- Water: You’ll need equal parts rice and water.
- Fine Sea Salt: Optional, for fluffiness and flavor.
What Type of Rice to Use
For this recipe, I like to use either brown rice or long-grain white rice. White rice cooks in a whopping 3 minutes! If you’re using brown rice, you should cook it for about 22 minutes instead. Wild rice would take closer to 30 minutes. Keep in mind that these cook times do not include the time it takes to build up and release the pressure from the Instant Pot.
How to Make Instant Pot Rice
To make rice in a pressure cooker, you simply rinse the rice to remove the excess starch, add water, set it and forget it. The process couldn’t be easier!
- Grease Instant Pot: Lightly coat the bottom and the sides of the inner pot of the Instant Pot with oil (this prevents sticking).
- Rinse & Drain Rice: Measure the rice into a large colander or bowl and rinse it under cold water. Gently rub the rice together with your fingertips. Drain and continue rinsing under cold water until the water is clear. Drain the rice well and add it to the Instant Pot.
- Add Water: Measure out the water using the same measuring cup as the rice. Add the water to the pressure cooker. Toss in a pinch of salt as well, if desired.
- Close & Lock Lid: Cover and lock the lid. Turn the valve to sealing and press MANUAL/PRESSURE COOK.
- Cook: Allow the Instant Pot to come to pressure (about 15 minutes) and cook for the appropriate time depedning on your rice. After the rice is cooked, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release for 10 minutes. Use a long spoon to release the remaining pressure by turning the valve to venting, then unlock and remove the lid.
- Serve: Fluff up your rice with a fork and serve it warm.
Tips for the Best Instant Pot Rice
Want a few more tips for making rice in your Instant Pot? Read on!
- Rinse & Drain Rice Well: It’s important to rinse the rice until the water becomes clear. You can rinse it using the inner pot of the Instant Pot, if desired. Just add the rice, run it under cold water and rub the rice together using both hands. This will get rid of excess starches on the surface and prevent the rice from becoming gluey. Be sure to drain it to avoid cooking it with too much water.
- Use the Same Measuring Cup: I recommend using the same measuring cup for the rice and the water to ensure that the ratio is one to one.
- Can I Double the Recipe? Sure! Use equal proportions of water and rice and cook it for the same amount of time. You can make however much you’d like following this ratio – just remember not to fill your Instant Pot more than halfway.
Serving Ideas
Is there anything that doesn’t go good with rice? I don’t think so! These pairings, in particular, are some of our favorites.
- Serve with Chicken: I love sitting down to a warm plate of rice and Orange Chicken. I swear, you’ll never be tempted to order takeout again!
- Serve with Tofu: You didn’t think I’d leave you without a vegan option, did you? This Orange Tofu is an amazing meatless alternative to orange chicken.
- Make a Burrito Bowl: Wondering how you can use leftover rice? These Vegan Burrito Bowls are ultra hearty and delicious.
- Make Fried Rice: Another great dish to make with leftover rice is, of course, Fried Rice! This easy recipe is so tasty. And it’s so much healthier than takeout!
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
Leftover rice should be stored in an airtight container or resealable bag and refrigerated. It will stay fresh for up to 4 days. Reheat the rice over low heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring every so often and adding a splash of water to make up for lost moisture.
You can also store your rice in the freezer if you’d like. Frozen rice lasts for up to 3 months and should be thawed overnight in the fridge before it’s reheated.
More Instant Pot Recipes
Need more yummy dishes to cook up in your Instant Pot? These recipes won’t disappoint!
This fail-proof recipe for Instant Pot Rice makes the most delicious white or brown rice in your pressure cooker! With a hands-off cooking process and a speedy result, you'll never make rice on the stove again!
- 1/2 teaspoon coconut oil olive oil or cooking spray, to prevent sticking
- 1 cup brown rice or white long-grain rice
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt optional
- Lightly coat the bottom and the sides of the inner pot of the Instant Pot with oil (this prevents sticking).
- Measure rice into a large colander or bowl and rinse under cold water. Gently rub rice together with your fingertips. Drain and continue rinsing under cold water until the water is clear. Drain well and add to Instant Pot.
- Measure out water using the same measuring cup as the rice. Add water to rice. Add a pinch of salt, if desired.
- Cover and lock the lid. Turn the valve to sealing and press MANUAL/PRESSURE COOK: For White Rice - cook for 3 minutes. For Brown Rice - cook for 22 minutes.
- Allow the Instant Pot to come to pressure (about 15 minutes) and cook for selected time. After the selected time and the rice is cooked, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release for 10 minutes. Using a long spoon, release the remaining pressure by turning the valve to venting , then unlock and remove the lid.
- Fluff with a fork and serve warm.
- Store leftovers in a sealed container or zip-top bag in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Use a 1:1 ratio to double or triple the recipe (e.g. 2 cups water, 2 cups rice)
Did you try this recipe?
JoAnn -
Hey, ILOVe rice & have totally SWITCHED to making rice the instant pot way. I almost always make brown rice, thanks for the time info for white rice: that I didn’t know.
Johnna -
What a great guide! I can’t wait to try this in our new IP!