In this beginner-friendly recipe, we are going to teach you how to cook rice in the Instant Pot pressure cooker. With detailed instructions, step-by-step photos and cooking tips, you will have perfectly cooked rice every time. We will cover how to make dry white rice such as Basmati, Jasmine and regular long-grain and medium-grain, and provide cooking variations for brown rice and wild rice.
Rice In the Instant Pot
Rice is the most widely consumed staple food on the planet, so naturally, it is one of the first Instant Pot recipes one should learn how to make. Another reason is that the pressure cooker is perfect for making fluffy, well-cooked rice quickly and easily.
You will find an easy everyday recipe just below or you can jump to other sections in this post: detailed step-by-step instructions for making uncooked white rice such as Basmati, Jasmine, regular long-grain or medium-grain and variations for making wild rice and brown rice in the Instant Pot.
BASIC INSTANT POT RICE RECIPE
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 13 minutes
- Total Time: 18 minutes
- Yield: 4.5 cups cooked rice 1x
- Category: Side
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Learn how to cook white rice in the Instant Pot with this easy, beginner-friendly recipe. Use this recipe for any dry, uncooked long-grain or medium-grain rice such as Basmati and Jasmine. See notes on storage and freezing below. Variations for cooking brown rice and wild rice in Instant Pot are provided just below this recipe card.
Ingredients
1+1/2 cups long-grain rice (Basmati, Jasmine, about 8.8 oz./250 g)
2 cups water or stock (about 350 ml / 11.8 fl. oz.)
1/2 teaspoon salt (omit if using stock)
Note: 1 cup of dry white rice makes 3 cups of cooked rice, so 1.5 cups makes 4.5 cups of cooked rice.
Instructions
1. Prep. Place 1.5 cups of white rice into a colander or a bowl and rinse under cold water 4-5 times; drain well. Don’t skip this step as the water rinses excess starch, preventing the rice from getting stodgy and sticky when cooked.
2. Add ingredients: Turn the Instant Pot on. Transfer the drained rice into the pot and pour in 2 cups of water and 1/2 teaspoon of salt (or chicken or vegetable stock with no extra salt).
3. Set: Secure and lock the lid; make sure that the pressure handle on the top is set to the Sealing position. Select Manual/Pressure Cook button and adjust the time to 4 minutes at HIGH pressure. After a few seconds, the ON sign will come on indicating that the pressure is starting to build (you might also hear 3 beeps on some models). The time of 4 minutes on HIGH works well for thinner Jasmine and Basmati rice; for slightly thicker long-grain or medium-grain white rice, you could do 5 minutes.
4. Cook: It will take about 5 minutes for the pressure to build, during which the cooking already begins. Then, the 4-minute timer will begin. Once the timer ends, leave the Instant Pot uninterrupted for 3-4 minutes to release pressure naturally. Then use the steam-releasing knob to let off the remaining pressure (or move the pressure handle to Venting). If you let the pressure release naturally longer, the rice will keep cooking very slowly, however, it will not have any liquid to absorb so it might get a little stuck to the bottom.
5. Serve: Carefully open the lid. Use a fork or a spatula to stir and fluff up the rice before serving as a side with your favorite meat or vegetable dishes.
Notes
Pressurizing time: 5 minutes | Cooking under pressure: 4 minutes (on HIGH) | Release: 3 minutes natural release followed by a quick release. Total cooking time: 13-15 minutes
SMART PROGRAM COOKING OPTION: You can also choose to select the RICE smart program button. This program cooks on low pressure and is best used for white rice. For rice with a firmer texture or thinner rice like Jasmine or Basmati, use the Less mode; for rice with a normal texture or regular long-grain or medium-grain white rice, use the Normal mode; for rice with a softer texture, use the More mode. You can change modes by pressing the Rice button again. Use quick release at the end.
ADD MORE FLAVOR OR COLOR: Use chicken or vegetable instead of water for extra flavorful rice. You can also stir in half water/stock and half coconut milk for an Asian twist. Adding 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric will give you beautiful yellow rice.
STORAGE TIPS: Cool and refrigerate leftover rice as quickly as possible. Store leftover cooked rice in an airtight container in the fridge for no longer than 24 hours before reheating it – and then only reheat it once.
Can You Freeze Cooked Rice? Yes, you can safely freeze any leftover cooked rice to eat at another time. Make sure to cool as quickly as possible after cooking (spreading it on a flat tray or plate will help). Then store in Ziploc bags with a date on for up to 2 months. Defrost in a microwave on high heat, see how here.
USING LEFTOVER RICE: Cold rice is perfect for turning into flavored, hot fried rice or throwing it into soups or stews. You can also use leftover rice to make fritters, fishcakes, vegetarian patties with beans or lentils.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 250
- Sodium: 290mg
- Fat: 0.5 grams
- Carbohydrates: 55 grams
- Fiber: 1 gram
- Protein: 4.9 grams
Keywords: Vegan, Vegetarian, Rice, Grain, Instant Pot, Pressure Cooking, Basmati Rice, Jasmine Rice
HOW TO MAKE RICE IN INSTANT POT (Basmati, Jasmine, White Long-Grain)
Here are step-by-step instructions for making medium-grain and long-grain white rice such as Basmati or Jasmine rice. We used Instant Pot Duo Nova 6-quart pressure cooker for this recipe.
Step 1. Prepare the ingredients. Wash the rice under cold water 4-5 times to remove excess starch. This will result in fluffier, most separated cooked rice. Use your hand to rub the rice underwater. Strain and add rinsed rice to the inner pot.
Step 2. Add water (or stock) and salt (if using) and stir. Pop the lid on top, secure and lock in place.
Step 3. If using classic Instant Pot Duo, check that the steam release handle is pointing to Sealing. Select Pressure Cook button (or Manual on older models). Make sure the pressure level is set to HIGH and use – and + buttons to adjust the time to 4 minutes. If you need to change from LOW to HIGH, press Pressure Level to toggle between settings. You can leave the Keep Warm default setting on.
After 3 beeps, the display will show ON and two status icons at the top indicating that the pot is heating up and the pressure is building. This will take about 5 minutes.
Step 4. Once pressure is built up, the cooking timer of 4 minutes will display. The float valve on the lid will also rise up as the pressure is built up. Once the cooking timer is done, the Keep Warm cycle will begin with a new 00:00 timer. During this stage, the Instant Pot will start to depressurize and cool down. Leave it undisturbed for 3-4 minutes to release some of the pressure naturally.
Step 5. Then perform quick release to let off the remaining pressure and steam. Simply press the Quick Release knob button on the lid to let the steam and pressure escape from the steam release valve. On older models, point the handle to Venting.
Once the pressure is completely released, the float valve will go back down and you will be able to open the lid. Fluff the rice with a spatula or a spoon and serve while hot. Press Cancel to stop the Keep Warm cycle at this stage unless you want to keep the rice for a little longer. Please note, that the rice will continue to very slow cook this way and may get a little stuck to the bottom.
SMART PROGRAM COOKING OPTION
You can also choose to select the RICE smart program button. This program cooks on low pressure and is best used for white rice. For rice with a firmer texture or thinner rice like Jasmine or Basmati, use the Less mode; for rice with a normal texture or regular long-grain or medium-grain white rice, use the Normal mode; for rice with a softer texture, use the More mode. You can change the modes by pressing the RICE button again. Use quick release at the end.
HOW TO COOK BROWN RICE IN INSTANT POT
Unlike white rice, the brown rice has its grain husk intact, which takes longer to cook. Using the Instant Pot to cook brown rice really speeds up the process.
Rinse 1 cup of brown rice once under cold water (this rice doesn’t have as much starch as white rice). Add brown rice to the pot together with 1 cup water and 1/2 teaspoon of salt or the same amount of stock without salt. If cooking 2 cups of rice, add 2.25 cups of water and or stock.
Set to Manual/Pressure Cook for 22 minutes on HIGH with 10 minutes natural pressure release (NPR), and then use the quick release. Total time is about 35 minutes.
Try our Brown Rice Salad With Peanut Butter Dressing.
HOW TO COOK WILD RICE IN INSTANT POT
The ratio of wild rice blend to liquid is 1 to 1.5 cups. Rinse the rice briefly and drain.
Cook 1 cup (6.8 ounces = ~ 193 grams) of Lundberg Wild Rice Blend in 1.5 cups (375 ml) of water or stock for 25 minutes at HIGH pressure with natural release all the way. Total time is about 45 minutes.
Check out all the delicious recipes you can make with wild rice here.
MORE INSTANT POT RICE RECIPES TO TRY
- Instant Pot Turmeric Jasmine Rice
- Spinach Rice (Indian Palak Pulao)
- Instant Pot Yellow Rice With Corn & Peas
- Instant Pot Dirty Rice – A Delicious One-Pot Dish
- Mexican Beef Rice Casserole (For Nachos Lovers!)
- Instant Pot Chicken Souvlaki Rice
MORE FROM INSTANT POT FOR BEGINNERS SERIES
- Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes (Instant Pot Step-By-Step Recipe)
- Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken Pasta (Step-By-Step)
- Easy Instant Pot Pork Shoulder & Gravy (Step-By-Step)
- Instant Pot Blueberry Oatmeal With Maple Peanut Butter
This is great info, I will have to try these. What are the temperature differences between: high pressure vs. rice button? What is the temperature for the cake button? Most recipes I’ve seen just use high pressure button…I’ve not used any of the other buttons I would find that temperature info useful for all the buttons ( I have IP 6.0 Duo Plus, 9 in – 1 which says there are 15 one touch cooking programs. How is this possible?) Thank you for the information.
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I ALWAYS have trouble with the bottom burning before it reaches pressure and shutting down.
any advice?
Sounds like maybe you need a little more water in the pot. Which model do you have?
Do you have directions for short grain white rice.
Pretty much the same as long grain. The kernels are shorter but fatter so cooking time is the same.
I finally found a rice recipe that can deliver the end result of properly cooked rice without it all clumping up and sticking together. Thank you.
★★★★★
So glad it worked out for you Dorian!
If I double the amount in the recipe, do I also have to double the amount of cook time? (For white rice, cooking 3 cups instead of 1.5 cups). I’m new to using the instant pot and all I’ve cooked so far is this rice recipe and it turned out perfect every time!
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I usually do the same amount of time, but you can leave it on Natural Release for a few minutes longer as it will keep cooking on residual heat.
Is there a printable chart for different rices/grains and legumes available? Like to print charts to place on fridge. Thanks
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We are definitely working on something like that to include to our guide.