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.
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 spray with canola oil spray. I also add some butter. Never sticks!
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!