Instant pot rice is an awesome dinner hack. It always makes perfectly fluffy rice and doesn’t require me to stand over the hot stove top!
Making rice in the instant pot is a great way to get our favorite easy side dish on the table quickly with no muss and no fuss. Pair it with our Wendy’s chili recipe or this yummy pulled pork chili.
Instant Pot Rice
Instant Pot Rice
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Why you’ll love making rice in the instant pot!
📌 Set it and forget it! Get it going then, walk away and don’t worry about it until it’s finished.
📌 No fail recipe. Makes perfect rice every time.
📌 Doesn’t take up valuable stove top space – great for when you’re making lots of dishes.
Instant Pot Rice Ingredients
- Rice – This recipe will work for any type of rice. Pictured is long grain white rice, see recipe card for specific cook times.
- Water – Cold filtered water.
- Seasoning – Optional, but we at least like to add a little bit of salt.
Rice, water, salt
How do you make rice in the instant pot? (step-by-step directions)
⭐ First, if desired, rinse rice. I like to rinse 2 – 3 times until the water is mostly transparent and not milky looking.
⭐ Next, combine the ingredients in the insert of your instant pot and stir to combine. Cover, set to ‘sealing’, and cook on manual (high pressure).
⭐ Then, allow a natural pressure release for several minutes.
⭐ Finally, quick release any remaining pressure, remove lid and fluff rice with a fork.
Scroll down to the printable recipe card toward the bottom of this article for ingredient measurements and detailed cooking instructions.
Add rice, water, and seasonings to the pot. Stir to combine.
Preparation
What is the ratio of rice to water in the instant pot?
When cooking rice in the instant pot, the water to rice ratio is always 1:1. Regardless of what type of rice you are using.
The reason stovetop and rice cooker recipes call for different water ratios depending on the type of rice has to do with the amount of water that evaporates during longer cook-times. Because the instant pot does not allow the water to evaporate, there is no need to adjust the ratios.
How long does it take to cook rice in the instant pot?
This will depend on the type of rice you are cooking, see below for our guideline:
- White rice (long grain, basmati, jasmine) – 3 minutes
- White rice (sushi) – 5 minutes
- Brown rice – 18 minutes
We use manual (high pressure) for our instant pot rice setting.
Do I need to rinse my rice before cooking?
Rinsing rice is a personal preference, we always rinse with cool water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch and debris.
Can you make instant pot rice recipe ahead of time?
I’m personally a fan of making this just before serving it, but it can be made in advance. If the rice has dried out in the refrigerator, drizzle with water and reheat in a covered container in the microwave to steam it back to life.
The ratio for all types of rice in the instant pot are the same!
Storage and leftovers
How long does rice last?
It will last 2 – 4 days in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Add some water and steam to reheat it if begins to dry out. You can also use the drier leftovers to make a deliciously fragrant chicken fried rice!
Can you freeze rice?
You can freeze the rice with the caveat that it may change the consistency and be a little mushier when thawed. It will still taste great though!
Allow the rice to cool, then store in an airtight freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator.
Cook time does vary depending on the type of rice you’re making.
Tips, tricks, and frequently asked questions
✅ Add a few squeezes of lime juice and fresh cilantro to make a cilantro lime rice.
✅ Save some rice to make this next day fried rice recipe.
✅ Try serving with flavored whipped butter
✅ Use a long handled spoon or other utensil to turn the pressure release valve so you don’t risk burning yourself
✅ Doubling or tripling the recipe does NOT change the cook time or the ratios.
This method is even faster than a traditional rice cooker!
What to enjoy with instant pot rice (serving suggestions)
This is a great side option with dishes like grape jelly meatballs, Hawaiian chicken, or chicken tikka masala. For dessert try a batch of donut cookies or scotcharoos!
We like to make a big batch at the beginning of the week and use it for different meals.
More delicious rice recipes
- Easy coconut rice
- Wild rice soup recipe
- Cheesy chicken and rice casserole
- Cauliflower rice
- Broccoli rice casserole
- Hot chicken salad
Brown rice takes much longer to cook due to its husk.
Other awesome recipes made in the instant pot
- Instant pot corn on the cob recipe
- Instant pot Bailey’s cheesecake recipe
- Hawaiian chicken recipe
- Easy dill pickle soup
- Classic ham and bean soup
- Check out this collection of instapot recipes from sites we love.
- See all our favorite instant pot recipes!
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Tools we love
- Instant pot pressure cooker – Mine is a 6 quart basic model, but there are lots of bigger, smaller, and fancier options to choose.
- Steamer basket – This basket is specifically made to fit the instant pot.
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How to Make Instant Pot Rice
Instant Pot Rice
Ingredients
- 1 cup your preferred rice* (pictured is long grain white rice)
- 1 cup cold filtered water
- optional pinch of salt, or other seasonings
Instructions
- If desired, rinse rice with cool water. We like to rinse 2 - 3 times, until water is clear and no longer milky looking.
- Add rice, water, and seasonings to the instant pot inner liner. Stir to combine.
- Cover and set to 'sealing'. Cook on 'manual' (high pressure) for 3 minutes (long grain white rice, basmati rice, jasmine rice), 5 minutes (sushi rice), or 18 minutes (brown rice).
- When time finishes, hit 'cancel' and allow at least a ten minute natural pressure release. After ten minutes, carefully quick release remaining pressure.
- Unlock and open the lid, and fluff rice with a fork.
Notes
- Cook time - Most electric pressure cookers take about 10 - 15 minutes to come to pressure. The inputted cook time will begin after the pot is pressurized.
- Natural pressure release - Hit cancel and walk away from the pot. It will slowly naturally depressurize. Depending on the contents this can take anywhere between 10 - 20 minutes for a full natural release.
- Quick release - Turn the dial at the top of your pot to allow the pressure to release quickly. Always use a long handled utensil for this to avoid steam burns. Do not quick release under cabinets or you may cause steam/water damage. If there is sputtering, quickly turn dial back to 'sealing' and allow it to naturally depressurize a few minutes before trying again.
Nutrition
Instant Pot Rice
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Jamie says
Loved this instant pot rice! I’ll never make it another way!
Abby says
This was so easy and the rice turned out perfect. The only way I’m going to prepare rice now.
wilhelmina wessel says
This is my new favorite way to make rice! It comes out perfect every single time!