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
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Rinse rice until water runs clear.
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Place rinsed rice into Instant Pot vessel and add filtered water, oil and spices. Stir to mix.
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Lock lid and make sure pressure cooker vent is set to "SEALED". Use "RICE" button or set to manual low pressure for 12 minutes.
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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.
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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.
Brandy | Nutmeg Nanny says
Instant Pot rice is my fave! Great tips the spices too!
Cate says
This is so great! I can’t wait to try it
John/Kitchen Riffs says
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!
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes says
This does look perfect!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Cool! I’ve never used an Instant Pot but you’ve got me interested now! 🙂
Nicole Hood says
Awesome, This is perfect for cooking rice.
Marlene says
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,
EverydayMaven says
great tip for brown rice – thanks Marlene!
The Food Hunter says
I keep saying it but I really do need one of these.
EverydayMaven says
You do – it is one of my most FAV kitchen appliances!
Kelly @ Nosh and Nourish says
I don’t have an instant pot. But am intrigued 🙂 Love that you add avocado oil to the rice… it’s my current fav!
EverydayMaven says
I love to use avocado oil!
Peter. says
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
EverydayMaven says
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!