Learn to how make perfect Instant Pot brown rice with this easy to follow recipe and helpful cooking tips. Choose either brown basmati rice or brown jasmine rice, both will turn out fluffy and perfectly cooked. The best part is that it's so simple!
One of the many great things about an Instant Pot is that it can also be a rice cooker. An Instant Pot cooks with even, moist heat just like a rice cooker, so you don't have to worry about the rice being burnt or undercooked.
If you want perfectly cooked, fluffy brown basmati rice or brown jasmine rice, you're in the right place!
This informative guide will tell you everything you need to know about cooking Instant Pot long grain brown rice, including the best water-to-rice ratio and the correct cooking times. Plus, helpful tips, of course!
Looking for more brown rice recipes? Check out Instant Pot brown rice with quinoa (great for wholesome burritos!) or Instant Pot chicken and rice (made with brown rice).
If you'd like to make white rice, check out my recipe and guide for failproof Instant Pot white rice. More white rice recipes include Instant Pot turmeric coconut rice and Instant Pot basmati rice with chickpeas, herbs and spices.
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Types of Brown Rice
Brown rice has a chewy texture and earthy, nutty flavor. It is heartier than white rice and is considered a whole grain.
Two varieties of long grain rice commonly sold in grocery stores are basmati and jasmine.
Basmati brown rice: Brown basmati rice has extra long, thin grains. It has a lighter, drier texture and the grains stay separate when cooked. It can have an earthier flavor than jasmine rice.
Jasmine brown rice: Brown jasmine rice also has a thin shape, but the grains aren't quite as long as basmati. The texture is fluffy but also softer and more moist, as compared to basmati. The flavor can be sweeter and nuttier than basmati.
Medium grain brown rice: Medium grain brown rice is slightly shorter and wider than long grain. One example of medium grain brown rice is Calrose brown rice or Golden Rose from Lundberg family farms.
Short grain brown rice: Short grain brown rice is noticeably shorter and fatter than long or medium grain. And example of short grain rice is sushi rice.
Water to Rice Ratio
When using an Instant Pot, the best water-to-rice ratio for brown rice is 1 ¼ cups water for every 1 cup of rice.
This applies to both jasmine and basmati rice. It yields rice that is tender, moist and fluffy with a little bit of chewiness.
If you'd like a slightly drier and chewier texture, then use a 1:1 ratio (1 cup water for every 1 cup of rice.)
How to Cook Instant Pot Brown Basmati Rice and Brown Jasmine Rice (step-by-step photos)
Step 1: You only need two ingredients to make pressure cooker brown rice: brown rice and water. Salt is optional and can be added before or after the rice is cooked.
Step 2: Briefly rinsing brown rice under running water is a good idea to remove any dust or debris on the rice. However, rinsing brown rice longer (2 minutes or so) to remove starch from the rice is optional.
Step 3: Combine water and rice. Add salt if you want. Mix well to make sure rice isn't sticking to the bottom of the pot.
Step 4: Cook brown jasmine rice for 22 minutes. Cook brown basmati rice for 23 minutes. Use a natural release for both.
For ingredient measurements and detailed instructions, see the recipe card at the bottom at the bottom of this post.
Expert Tips
Cook at least 1 cup of rice: For the best texture and results, cook a minimum of 1 cup of rice. If you cook less than that, the rice might stick to the pot and it won't cook as evenly. One cup of rice will make about 3 cups, or slightly less, of cooked rice.
Fluff with a fork: Fluff the cooked rice gently with a fork, instead of mixing it with a spoon. A spoon can mush and flatten the grains.
Storage and Reheating
Brown rice is a better choice for meal prep than white rice because it stays moist and fluffy for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
To reheat brown rice, use a microwave in 25 second intervals. If the rice seems dry, add 1 tablespoon of water and heat the rice with a loose cover.
Brown rice also freezes well, either in a freezer-safe bag or container. To defrost frozen rice, simply leave it in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight.
FAQs
Yes, brown rice is a whole grain.
Brown and white rice are the same grain. The difference is that brown rice still has the outer layer of bran. White rice has been milled and processed to remove the bran and germ. When the bran and germ are removed and the grain is polished, the color becomes white.
In terms of flavor and texture, white rice is lighter and softer. Brown rice is heartier and chewier.
Brown rice has more protein and nutrients than refined white rice. This is because brown rice still has the outer layer of bran that contains most of the fiber, vitamins, minerals and amino acids that are found in rice.
Rice is categorized by color and size. The main rice colors are white brown, black and red. The sizes are long grain, medium grain and short grain. Within these categories there are hundreds of varieties of rice.
Long grain rice is longer, thinner and has a lighter, drier texture. The rice usually separates easily and is less likely to be mushy or sticky.
Medium grain rice is a little bit shorter and wider than long grain. It's a little more more moist and tender than long grain rice.
Short grain rice is noticeably shorter and wider. The starch content of short grain rice is higher so when it's cooked the texture is more likely to be sticky or clump together.
Both varieties of rice are now grown in various spots around the world. However, basmati rice is originally from the Himalayas and is common in Indian and Middle Eastern cooking. Jasmine rice is originally from Thailand and is commonly used in Southeast Asian cooking.
Briefly rinsing rice (30 seconds) is a good idea, simple to remove any dust or debris on the rice.
It is generally recommended that rice is rinsed even longer under running water for 1 to 2 minutes. This removes excess starch, which prevents the rice from having a sticky, gummy texture. However, this mostly applies to white rice. White rice is starchier because the bran and germ have been removed.
I almost always rinse white rice, but I have not found that rinsing brown rice for 1 to 2 minutes makes too much of a difference - it's optional.
To make rice pilaf, rice is first sautéd in oil or butter with onion then cooked in broth instead of water.
You can make rice pilaf in your Instant Pot by sautéing onion in 2 tablespoon of oil or butter, then adding the rice and sautéing a minute more. Add broth instead of water then cook for the same amount of time as regular Instant Pot brown rice.
What to Serve with Brown Rice
Brown rice is a filling side dish that pairs well with meat, seafood and vegetables. It can be a go-to grain to serve as a side dish for dinner.
- Rice bowls (salmon sushi rice bowls)
- Ground chicken stir-fry
- Easy ground chicken
- Turkey teriyaki
- Tofu (serve crispy tofu crumbles over the rice)
- Chicken (try Instant Pot chicken adobo)
- Shrimp (try pan-seared shrimp)
- Roasted vegetables (try sheet-pan vegetarian fajitas)
📖 Recipe
Instant Pot Brown Rice Recipe (Basmati and Jasmine)
Learn to how make perfectly cooked Instant Pot brown rice with this easy to follow recipe and helpful cooking tips. Choose either brown basmati rice or brown jasmine rice, both will turn out fluffy and perfectly cooked
Total Instant Pot Cooking Time: 8 minutes to reach pressure + 22-23 minutes cooking time + 10 minute natural release = 40 minutes
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 6 cups cooked rice
- Category: Side Dishes
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 2 cups brown basmati rice or brown jasmine rice (or any variety of long grain brown rice)
- 2 ½ cups water
- ½ teaspoon salt (optional)
Instructions
- Rinse the rice briefly under running water.
- Combine brown rice, water and salt in the Instant Pot.
- Mix well to make sure the rice isn't sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- Secure the lid and choose a cooking time.
Brown jasmine rice: 22 minutes
Brown basmati rice: 23 minutes - Let the pressure release naturally (about 10 minutes)
- Gently fluff the cooked rice with a fork and serve.
Notes
When using an Instant Pot, the best water-to-rice ratio for brown rice is 1 ¼ cups water for every 1 cup of rice. This ratio yields rice that is tender, moist and fluffy with a little bit of chewiness. If you'd like a slightly drier and chewier texture, then use a 1:1 ratio (1 cup water for every 1 cup of rice.)
You can halve this recipe (1 cup rice + 1 ¼ cup water) but don't cook any less than 1 cup. The rice won't turn out as well.
You can also double this recipe (4 cups rice + 5 cups water) but don't cook any more than that, or the rice won't turn out as well.
One cup of rice makes about 3 cups of cooked brown rice.
Brown rice stays moist and fluffy for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. To reheat brown rice, use a microwave in 25 second intervals. If the rice seems dry, add 1 tablespoon of water and heat the rice with a loose cover.
Brown rice also freezes well, either in a freezer-safe bag or container. To defrost frozen rice, simply leave it in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight.
This recipe was tested in a 6-quart Instant Pot
Jenny Meier says
I always cook brown rice in my Instant Pot. It's so easy and I know it will always turn out perfectly.