How to Cook Perfect Rice in the Instant Pot (Ultimate Guide)

Learn how to cook rice in the Instant Pot for perfectly fluffy rice with this easy step-by-step guide and helpful tips.

Rice is an important part of many cultures worldwide, and for good reason. It’s a delicious and versatile side dish that goes with just about any meal.

Rice is one of our favorite grains. But many people have trouble cooking perfect rice on the stove top. If you are one of those people, you may want to using an Instant Pot!

Using our step by step guide and helpful tips, you can create perfect Instant Pot rice. You’ll be surprised at how easy it is!

Why is rice such a popular dish?

Well, consider these reasons:

1. Versatile – Whether you’re serving it with chicken, fish, beef, or pork, rice makes for a simple and delicious side.

2. Budget-friendly – Especially now, as the cost of everything is more expensive, grains like rice are a bargain. Plus, it has fiber, which can help you feel full.

3. Plenty of flavor options – On its own, rice has a mild flavor; it’s sort of a blank slate, waiting for the addition of other ingredients and seasonings. This is especially true for white rice. There are many different spices and herbs that can add flavor to a rice dish!

Ultimate Guide to Cooking Rice in the Instant Pot

In addition to the tips below, you can find other helpful information on cooking specific varieties in our individual Instant Pot rice recipe posts.

Currently, we have recipes and tips for making Instant Pot brown rice and Basmati, as well as Jasmine and Instant Pot wild rice.

I prefer sauteing the rice first because sautéing the rice in oil or butter prevents the rice from sticking, and assures the perfect rice every time. But you can also opt for a normal method (see my note in the instructions).

Kitchen Tools needed

• Instant Pot (or any electric pressure cooker)
• Mesh colander or strainer – for cleaning the rice

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What is the ratio of water to rice in the Instant Pot?

When cooking rice in the Instant Pot, it’s important to get the water-to-rice ratio just right. This will ensure that your rice is not too soggy or undercooked.

The ratio should be 1:1 of rice and water. This means that for every cup of rice you add, you will need to use 1 cup of liquid.

Since Instapot locks in moisture, you will need to use slightly less water than when cooking rice on the stovetop.

For extra flavor, you can substitute the water with chicken or vegetable broth. This will give your rice a more robust and flavorful taste.

How does the rice setting work on the Instant Pot?

Most Instant Pots have a built-in rice button setting. This function makes it easy to cook perfect rice every time.

But this function is limited to long-grain white rice only. If you want to cook other types of rice, it is best to use the manual setting for the best results.

How long does Instant Pot take to cook rice?

The cooking time for rice in an Instant Pot depends on the type of grain you use. For example, long-grain white and jasmine rice take around 7 minutes under high pressure.

Basmati has a shorter cooking time of around 4 minutes, while brown rice and wild rice usually take about 18 minutes to pressure cook.

How to Cook Perfect Rice IN INSTANT POT

The InstaPot has a sauté mode, which is great for cooking rice. This method requires you to lightly fry the rice before adding liquid and pressure cooking. This gives you tastier, more flavorful pressure cooker rice.

1. Rinse the Rice
Before cooking your rice in an Instant Pot, it’s important to rinse the grains. This removes any dirt or debris that may have accumulated on the grains. Put the uncooked rice in a mesh strainer and run cold water over it for about 30 seconds.

2. Heat Instant Pot
After rinsing the rice. Turn on your instant pot and press the sauté button. Allow the instant pot to heat up for about 5 minutes.

3. Add Ingredients
Once the IP is hot, add butter or olive oil, rice, and salt (skip the salt if using broth). Sauté for about 3 minutes or until the rice turns golden.

NOTE: For the normal cooking method, just skip sautéing and add all the ingredients to the Instant Pot, and then proceed to Step 5.

4. Add Liquid
Next, add the appropriate amount of liquid (I prefer using the broth for extra flavor) and stir it in to deglaze the pot.

5. Cook
Close and seal the lid. Cook on high pressure depending on the cooking time mentioned below.

• White and Jasmine: 7 minutes
• Basmati rice: 4 minutes
• Brown and Wild rice: 18 minutes

After the cooking time has elapsed, allow natural pressure release for 10 minutes before you manually release any remaining pressure.

6. Fluff and Serve
Once all the pressure has been released, open up your pot and fluff your instapot rice with a fork.

What to Serve with Instant Pot Rice?

Rice is an incredibly versatile side dish that goes with almost any main course. Here are some popular dishes to serve over your perfectly cooked grains:

• Baked Chicken Tenderloins
• Cast Iron Skillet Chicken
• Shake and Bake Chicken Tenders
• Sweet Chili Meatballs

Storing and Reheating

If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

To reheat rice, simply add a tablespoon of water to the container and microwave for 1-2 minutes.

Make ahead Instapot rice is a great way to save time and effort during meal prep. Follow the cooking method above and store as directed. This is good for up to 5 days if stored properly.

Can I freeze cooked rice?

Yes, it can be frozen for up to 3 months. Make sure to store it in a freezable, airtight container or storage bag. When you’re ready to eat, simply thaw in the refrigerator overnight and follow the reheating instructions above.

Frequently Asked Questions