Make perfect Instant Pot Rice EVERY SINGLE TIME with my fool-proof 12-minute method. This easy tutorial (includes video) shows you how to nail cooking rice in the pressure cooker! I add a bit of spice for extra flavor but you can omit for times you want plain white rice.
INSTANT POT RICE
Anyone who has an Instant Pot knows that it is pretty much a magical kitchen appliance. I use mine almost every single day, whether it’s for hard-boiled eggs, a quick pot of greens, Instant Pot Hummus (seriously the BEST and easiest hummus recipe!), making a quick dinner by cooking FROZEN salmon fillets like in my Instant Pot Salmon, or even for 10-minute Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes.
I have to admit that when I first tried rice in my Instant Pot it was an epic failure. Mainly because I didn’t adjust the water : rice ratio from stove-top cooking and just hit the “rice” button.
After a bunch of trial and error, I discovered that the secret to making amazing rice in the Instant Pot EVERY SINGLE TIME is the water : rice ratio and it’s really different than stovetop rice.
I like to season my rice with a couple cracked cardamom pods, one star anise, some white pepper and a bit of salt. It smells amazing and the rice has the slightest hint of spice. It’s really wonderful with everything.
But, if you keep the water : rice ratio the same and make sure to add a little bit of fat and salt, you could skip the spices (try it at least once with the spices!) if you just want plain rice.
DOES THIS WORK FOR ONLY WHITE RICE?
I have tried this technique with a few varieties of White Jasmine and White Basmati rice (medium and long grain) and all have worked really well. I have NOT tested this technique with brown rice and would expect the water: rice ratio to be different for cooking brown rice in the pressure cooker.
HOW TO MAKE INSTANT POT RICE
It’s fairly simple, but the water : rice ratio for instant pot rice is different than cooking rice on your stovetop. My guess is that it’s because of the fact that less evaporation happens during the cooking process when you use an instant pot – your rice and water is all sealed away.
Make sure to rinse the rice until the water runs completely clear before adding it to the instant pot. If you don’t, you’ll end up with extra starches in the rice and it could interfere with the taste and the cooking time.
I add some avocado oil to my rice to prevent the rice from sticking to the pot. Salt and spices add an amazing flavor to the rice. You can always omit these, of course, but I highly recommend trying instant pot white rice with the spices I recommend below – so good!
If you are using an Instant Pot, then you will just hit the “Rice” button. For other pressure cookers, you will want to set the pressure cooker to low pressure for 12 minutes.
Why use Natural Pressure Release (rather than Quick Pressure Release)?
Natural pressure release is the way to go when it comes to cooking rice in an instant pot. Think of this as “settling time”, similar to when you cook rice on the stove-top and allow it sit off of the burner with the lid cocked a bit.
I have found with trial and error that using only the QPR often results on wet rice or sticky rice. If you are in a rush and just can’t wait the full natural pressure release, give it at least 5 to 7 minutes before hitting the quick release.
CAN YOU FREEZE INSTANT POT RICE
YES! I always make extra (pre-cooked rice is the absolute BEST for fried rice!). I usually allow the rice to cool on baking sheets in my freezer and then transfer to freezer-safe containers or freezer bags for future meals.
TIP: portion it out for your family before freezing. This makes defrosting a pinch.
RECIPES USING COOKED RICE
Chicken Rice Soup with Turmeric
Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating below!
Make perfect Instant Pot Rice EVERY SINGLE TIME with my fool-proof 12-minute method. This easy tutorial (includes video) shows you how to nail cooking rice in the pressure cooker! I add a bit of spice for extra flavor but you can omit those for times you want plain white rice.
- 3 cups organic jasmine rice rinsed until water runs clear
- 3.25 cups cold filtered water
- 1 Tablespoon avocado oil
- 1 whole star anise
- 3 whole cardamom pods cracked
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
Rinse rice until water runs clear.
Place rinsed rice into Instant Pot vessel and add filtered water, oil and spices. Stir to mix.
Lock lid and make sure pressure cooker vent is set to "SEALED". Use "RICE" button or set to manual low pressure for 12 minutes.
Once done, allow to depressurize using the natural pressure release.
If you are in a rush and want to do a manual pressure release, let it sit for at least 5 minutes first.
Fluff rice with a fork, serve and Enjoy!
Once cool, freeze for later.
Recipe Video
- I have tried this technique with a few varieties of White Jasmine and White Basmati rice (medium and long grain) and all have worked really well. I have NOT tested this technique with brown rice and would expect the water: rice ratio to be different for cooking brown rice in the pressure cooker.
- Make sure to rinse the rice until the water runs completely clear before adding it to the instant pot. If you don't, you'll end up with extra starches in the rice and it could interfere with the taste and the cooking time.
- Natural pressure release is the way to go when it comes to cooking rice in an instant pot. Think of this as "settling time", similar to when you cook rice on the stove-top and allow it sit off of the burner with the lid cocked a bit. I have found with trial and error that using only the QPR often results on wet rice or sticky rice. If you are in a rush and just can't wait the full natural pressure release, give it at least 5 to 7 minutes before hitting the quick release.
- I always make extra (pre-cooked rice is the absolute BEST for fried rice!). I usually allow the rice to cool on baking sheets in my freezer and then transfer to freezer-safe containers or freezer bags for future meals.
TIP: portion it out for your family before freezing. This makes defrosting a pinch.
Did you make this recipe? Tag @EverydayMaven on Instagram with the hashtag #EveryDayMaven and please give a star rating below.
UPDATE NOTES: How to Make Perfect Instant Pot Rice was originally published in January 2017 and was updated in October 2019 with answers to commonly asked questions, edited photos and more helpful information.
Ivy, I am so glad you brought this up. It is not mentioned in the recipe instructions that you use low pressure setting on manual setting. I would have ruined mine! Thank you so much! Rule of thumb with most recipes seems to be if LOW PREASURE is not mentioned, default is HIGH. I am not familiar with the rice setting. Thanks again!
Great insight Paula – I would update it now!
I have been asked to make the rice as part of a meal for our book club…38 ladies. How many cups can I safely make using one recipe and how many would it feed?
Hey Deby! What size Instant Pot do you have?
I’m hit or miss with cooking rice on the stove top, but your IP rice recipe worked perfectly for me!! Thank you!
Perfect!!! That is fantastic!
Hi! A little late to the game but I just came across this. How do you freeze your rice? And then how do you heat it up again without it being dry clumps of rice balls? Thanks so much for the recipe. I never thought of making a lot and freezing it. We are always waiting for the rice to finish to eat dinners. Excellent!!!
Hi April! I scoop it into glass storage containers and allow to cool completely. Then cover and into the freezer! I usually just defrost one the night before and keep in the fridge. Are you using Basmati or Jasmine? I have found that Jasmine rice freezes and reheats better than Basmati!
Will this recipe work with regular long grain white rice?
As long as it is not par-boiled, it should!
I have the instant pot 6qt v3 my rice button when pressed says 10 mins..if I put on manual there’s no way to change pressure to low. So my question is will this amount of rice/water in your recipe get cooked right
Hi Susan! I would give it a try with the rice button and see how it turns out! If it’s not cooked right, switch to manual and test it! Do you have the Lux?
Hi, yes sorry thought I added that I do have the Lux
Can you make a table for 1 cup, 2 cups, 2 cups, etc of rice showing how much time and water required?
Hey Susan! It’s a 1:1 ratio and you can just use the “rice” button
Heh Alyssa
If you use manual, it’s LOW pressure for 12 minutes, right? That’s what the rice button does. If you cook it on high for 12, you’re going to get mush, in my experience.
Hey Ivy! Yes – absolutely 🙂
I never cooked rice before, I have a chicken and rice dish I want to make for freezing and it calls for 10 cups cooked rice, how much dried rice do I use
Tammy, 1/3 cup of dry rice makes about a cup of cooked rice.
So you need 10/3 cups = 3-1/3 cups dry rice to make 10 cups cooked.
Could I use ground cardamom? If so, how much?
I make rice every week. Exactly as posted and turns out perfect. We make our own dog food and occasionally add rice and the pups love it too. Freezes perfectly.
We always give our dog rice too! She love it with butter 🙂
Hello,
I have never cooked rice before, just learning how to cook. Did one cup in the IP and it surprised me that it was really good.
Thanks,
Dave
Yay! Glad you liked it Dave!
Thanks for this recipe! My rice was perfect! Did 3 cups rice and 3 cups water.
Came out just as I like it. Sticky and flavorful! Used the Jasmine Rice. Oh and a little olive oil.
I have the 6qt with 10 settings insta-pot.
Try it, you’ll like it!. I just love my pot. I have had it for about 3 weeks now and use it all the time!!!!
That is awesome Angie – so glad to hear it!
Next time I do the rice………I will add a T oil…….my rice was good but stuck to the bottom a lil?……
Hi Erin! What type of rice was it? And, yes, add 1 T of oi for sure it that happens
i made it but with different ingredients used chicken broth and Italian seasonings with sausage came out perfect, good job beta testing.
Awesome jon!!!
I have a new ip mini. To cook white rice, would it work to halve your recipe including water? Thank you. Carolyn
Yep – that should work!
I have an IP Duo with a low pressure and high pressure option. With this recipe, do I do high or low with the rice setting? I can do either.
Hi Sara,
Set it to “Rice” and it will automatically set the pressure for you!
I’ve tried rice a couple times and it was okay, but looking forward to trying your recipe. I had a question though. I am wondering why I see so many different cooking times for people claiming to have the perfect rice recipe. Yours says 12 minutes, but I just read another that was only 3. Same kind of rice, same ration of rice to water. I will try both maybe, but wondering if you have experience with both cooking times to tell me the difference. I use boil in bag rice all the time, but maybe will do larger batches and freeze if this works well. Thanks for your response!
Hi Matt! I am not sure – I have tested rice a lot of times and 3 min sounds totally unrealistic unless they are using a super short grain rice or par-boiled rice? Try mine exactly and see what you think!
Probably a typo. No way would 3 minutes cook the rice. Maybe minute rice.
I believe you are referring to manual mode on high pressure. That would be 4 minutes of cooking with a 10 minute natural release.
High pressure vs low pressure. High pressure for 3 minutes and 10 minutes natural release works well too
Great tip Peggy!
If I ever buy an instant pot, I’m definitely trying this first!
OMG – you need to get one! There will for sure be a huge sale on them around Black Friday. It’s one of my top kitchen appliances (and you know I have like 40 lol)
You won’t be sorry. It is the best gadget yet. I make yogurt once a week. Love it. Best corn on the cob ever and believe me I have cooked it every way imaginable.
What’s the max capacity of a 6qt instant pot to cook rice?
Can I make 6 cups of rice? I have a large Chinese family 🙂
Hey Gladys! I have made 4 or 5 cups at a time!!
I believe the owners manual states to fill only to the 1/2 mark on the vessel if making rice. I would think this is closer to her 3 cups, but I am not quite sure, and mine is pressurized with rice in it right now so I can’t check. Sorry.
I substituted with 2 cups of water and 1 cup of orange juice.
I call it “sunshine rice.”
Delicious!
Sounds so good Mary!! I need to try this 🙂
I take it that you are using a real 1 cup measure for the rice and not the plastic cup that came with the instant pot.
Hi Carol — Yes – a real 1 cup measure!
Carol – so glad you asked the question… I was confused because I know that it is not a full cup!!
Ok, I’m not one to experiment with my rice. Especially since I was experimenting with lunch today. But holy moly, this rice was awesome! My mother was skeptical as well as I didn’t have time to hide the evidence before she got here, but she loved it as well! Thank you so much for this recipe, I’ll have to pick up some avocado oil for next time as I had to use olive oil today.
Thank you so much Holly! That is great feedback and I’m thrilled that your family loved it 🙂
I made this exactly except for 1 cup each of jasmine rice and water. I just happened to have whole cardamom pods and star anise. I used 1 star anise and 2 cracked cardamom pods. And a tsp of salt along with regular oil since I didn’t have any good oil.
It was so good this way. Those spices added a little somethin-somethin!
My 11 year old snarfed it down and he doesn’t like plain white rice.
Make sure you rinse it as directed above. You need that extra water with a 1:1 ratio or it’d be crunchy.
Hi Bonnie! Love it and so glad your 11-year old liked it – that’s the best!!!
How do you keep the rice from sticking to the bottom of the instant pot, or is that what the avocado oil is for,
Hey Thomas – yes, the oil helps with that. I very rarely have sticking but the grain (jasmine, basmati, etc.) and type of rice (long, short, etc.) also play a big role! If you are having sticking issues, swirl the oil on the bottom and then add the rest of your ingredients.
How can i make perfect parboiled rice. the carolina gold parboiled kicks my butt everything, not sure why
Hi Steven! I am not sure – I don’t use parboiled rice.
Hi Steven, I just made some Carolina Gold in my Crock Pot Express. I used the recipe in the booklet (1 cup rice + 1.5 cups water) and did the 12 minute low pressure rice setting. I let it sit for 10 minutes natural release. I thought it was perfect! I tried 2 batches, one rinsed and one not rinsed. I honestly think I prefer the non-rinsed, but it might be a personal preference. It’s slightly firmer and has more flavor. I did see a demo saying that parboiled rice did not need to be rinsed, so I probably won’t bother. Hope that helps!
I made this today, didn’t use any of the spices besides pepper.. only cooking for two so 3 cups of uncooked rice was waaaaay too much.. so cut it down to 1 1/2 cup of each… it did not turn out the best.. although it was mostly cooked and not crunchy. it still needed more moisture it seemed.. although i used warmed chicken broth so that may have been a bit of a difference since the recipe calls for cold water.
Hi David,
What type of rice did you use? White? Brown? Long? Short? etc.
Whats the max amount of cups do you think I can cook in my 6 quart instant pot?
It is said that you should not fill the IP more than halfway with starchy things such as rice/pasta. So for a 6 Quart, you can do 3 Quarts of rice and water total. So 1.5 quarts of rice is 6 cups. I have never done this much rice, but I can imagine it would take longer to come to pressure and longer for the pressure to drop. Still the same amount of cooking time tho. Beware of foam coming out of the vent, you might need to really clean out the vent area afterwards so it doesn’t get all gummed up.
I usually do 3 cups or 4 cups of dry rice with equal amounts of water (and spices) in my 6QT and it’s never been a problem
Instant Pot rice is my fave! Great tips the spices too!
This is so great! I can’t wait to try it
I’ve been hearing wonderful things about the Instant Pot! Including that it’s a good ricing cooker. As with all things, it sounds like there’s a tiny learning curve. But it does sound like a good appliance, and a great way to make rice. Thanks!
This does look perfect!
Cool! I’ve never used an Instant Pot but you’ve got me interested now! 🙂
Awesome, This is perfect for cooking rice.
I have a Instant Pot and cook brown basmati rice with a ratio of 1:1.25 rice to water for 22 minutes. I try to use hot water and sauté function to start off, so it doesn’t take so long to get up to pressure,
great tip for brown rice – thanks Marlene!
I keep saying it but I really do need one of these.
You do – it is one of my most FAV kitchen appliances!
I don’t have an instant pot. But am intrigued 🙂 Love that you add avocado oil to the rice… it’s my current fav!
I love to use avocado oil!
I’ve had a instant pot for a few years now. But have never even tried cooking rice in it. I have always cooked it in a pot on the stove. That’s how my mum cook it so I just followed suit.
But after reading your way of cooking it I gave it ago and walla Perfect rice. I always cook my rice with a couple slice’s of lemon peel. Thank you for your recipe on how cook rice. Peter
Yay – so happy to hear it was perfect! This is my fav way to prepare rice and I even have a fancy pants rice cooker (that is collecting dust). Love the lemon peel addition – I’ll try that next time Thanks Peter!