Making perfect rice in the Instant Pot is quick and easy. Learn expert tips & tricks to ensure your Instant Pot rice comes out perfect every time.
Your Instant Pot is an easy, hands-off way to make fluffy, flavorful, fragrant rice. You really don't need a rice cooker and an Instant Pot if you don't have room in your kitchen. Instead, just use the pressure cooker to cook both white and brown rice. Then, just set it and forget it!
This particular recipe is written for long grain white rice. Other types of rice might have a different water-to-rice ratio and a different cooking time.
The most common type of rice found in American supermarkets is long-grain white rice. Two of the most well-known varieties of long-grain rice are Jasmine and Basmati.
If you'd like to cook brown rice, try my helpful guide for Instant Pot brown rice.
Looking for more Instant Pot rice recipes? Try Instant Pot turmeric coconut rice, or colorful Instant Pot basmati rice with chickpeas, herbs and spices, and Instant Pot brown rice with quinoa (great for healthy burritos!)
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How To Make Perfect Rice In The Instant Pot
Making a pot of Instant Pot white rice takes just a few simple steps.
Step 1: Rinse the rice (recommended but optional).
Step 2: Combine rice and water in the pressure cooker. Salt is optional.
Step 3: The cooking time depends on the variety of white rice that you are using.
Jasmine rice: 3 minutes, high pressure (natural pressure release)
Basmati rice: 5 minutes, high pressure (natural pressure release)
Of course, there are tips and tricks that will make your rice perfectly cooked, every time. There are also ways to add more flavor to the rice. Just keep reading for more details and helpful information.
Exact measurements and cooking times are included in the recipe card at the end of this post.
Step 1: Rinse the rice. This is optional, but removes starch that makes rice sticky instead of fluffy.
Step 2: Combine rice & water. The water to rice ratio is 1:1. Salt is optional.
Step 3: The cooking time for Jasmine and Basmati rice is slightly different. You can also use the "rice" button which works pretty well for both.
Rinse the Rice
Rinsing rice removes starch. This make the rice less sticky when it is cooked and you'll get fluffy, individual grains instead of clumps of rice.
The most thorough method for rinsing rice is the bowl method. Put the white rice in a big bowl and cover with water. Swish the rice around to release the starch. Drain the water off and then continue to rinse the rice until the water in the bowl runs clear and is not cloudy.
Another method that is slightly less thorough is the strainer method. Put the rice into a fine-mesh strainer and rinse under cool running water for a minute or two or until the water runs clear. While rinsing, move the rice around with your fingers.
Note: Skipping the rinsing step is not a crime. Your rice will still be good, it just won't be quite as fluffy and the grains might stick together a little more. But if you're in a hurry, it's okay to skip this step.
If you're cooking brown rice, you can rinse it to remove dust or debris but it's not necessary to remove starch. Brown rice still has its outer coating, which isn't starchy.
Water to Rice Ratio
The water to rice ratio for Instant Pot white rice is 1:1, meaning 1 cup of water for every 1 cup of uncooked rice. If you're cooking 2 cups of rice, then use 2 cups of water, and so on.
For the most accurate measurement, use the same measuring cup to measure the water and rice.
For more flavor, you can use broth instead of water.
Pressure Cook and Cooking Times
There are two ways to program the Instant Pot to cook white rice:
- Manually program a cooking time: This is the faster method. Program the pressure cooker to cook for 3 minutes on high pressure for Jasmine rice and 5 minutes on high pressure for Basmati rice. When the cooking time is done, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes.
- Press the "rice" button: The Instant Pot rice setting cooks for 12 minutes at low pressure. This is meant only for white rice (not brown rice). When the cooking time is done, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes.
There isn't a lot of difference between the two methods. It's mostly personal preference.
Manually programming a cooking time is faster (3 to 5 minute cook time vs 12 minute). Also, manually programming the cook time tends to make the rice slightly firmer and fluffier. A longer cooking time at low pressure makes it slightly softer and less fluffy.
Natural Release
It's best to let the steam release naturally when cooking rice, rather than using a quick release. Usually, this takes about 10 minutes. If it takes longer than that, you can turn the steam release valve and release any remaining steam before opening the lid.
Fluff and Serve
It's best to use a fork to lightly fluff rice after it has cooked. Using a spoon or rubber spatula can smash the grains of rice and the texture won't be as fluffy.
After gently fluffing the rice, you can add salt or butter and then serve.
FAQs
If the rice is mushy, you've added too much liquid. Other reasons the rice is mushy include cooking it too long, or not rinsing the rice before cooking which can give rice a stickier, sometimes mushier, texture.
You can if you want, it's a matter of personal preference. It takes slightly longer (12 minute cooking time instead of 3 to 5 minutes) and the rice might be slightly less fluffy.
Rinsing white rice removes starch from the outside of the grain. When there is less starch, the cooked rice is more likely to have fluffy, individual grains rather than clump together.
However, if you're in a hurry and value convenience more than you value fluffy rice, you can skip rinsing the rice. Don't worry, the rice will still taste good!
There are several reasons that rice might stick or burn. The two main reasons are not adding enough water or cooking the rice for too long.
Using a quick release, instead of a slow, natural release can also cause rice to stick to the bottom of the pot.
Rice might also stick and burn if you leave it in the pressure cooker for too long. Don't let cooked rice sit in the pot on the warm setting for too long.
Also, if you're using a 6-quart (or larger) Instant Pot, then cooking only 1 cup of rice might make it scorch to the bottom. You'll have better luck cooking at least 2 cups of rice at a time.
When using a 6-quart Instant Pot I don't recommend cooking more than 4 cups of rice (+ 4 cups water) at a time.
It depends on how much you need. Cooking 2 cups of rice will yield about 6 cups of cooked rice.
White rice is just brown rice with the outer layer (husk, bran and germ) milled off. Brown rice requires a different water ratio and a different cooking time.
Expert Tips
- After rinsing the rice, make sure to drain the rice really well so you're not adding extra water to the Instant Pot.
- For the best results, don't cook less than 2 cups of dry rice or the rice will be more likely to stick to the bottom of the pot.
- If rice is too moist and not fluffy enough, try draping a dish towel over the pot of hot rice and setting a lid on top. Let the rice sit for 10 minutes like this. The towel will absorb some of the moisture in the rice.
- You can add salt to the water before cooking the rice for more flavor.
- It's best to use a fork to lightly fluff rice after it has cooked. Using a spoon or rubber spatula can smash the grains of rice and the texture won't be as fluffy.
- For softer rice that is less chewy, add an extra ¼ cup water.
- Rice cooked on the stove top will have a different water to rice ratio and a different cooking time.
Storage and Reheating
According to the USDA, do not leave rice sitting out for more than one hour and always store cooked rice in the refrigerator at 40 F or below.
Cooked rice will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. It can be frozen for up to 3 to 4 months. To defrost frozen rice, leave it in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight.
My favorite way to use up leftover rice is making fried rice. Partly because fried rice is delicious, but also because reheated plain rice rarely has the fluffy texture of freshly cooked rice.
But if you want to heat up leftover rice, then add moisture so that the rice isn't as dry. The easiest way is in the microwave. Add 1 tablespoon of water for every 1 cup of rice. Cover loosely, so the rice will steam as it heats up. Cook for 2 to 4 minutes, until completely heated through to a temperature of 165F.
On the stovetop, you can gently reheat rice with a tablespoon or two of water in a skillet with a lid. Adding butter also helps add flavor and a softer texture.
What to Serve with Instant Pot Rice
You can serve almost anything with Instant Pot rice. It's really versatile!
- Easy weeknight tofu or broiled tofu
- Ground chicken stir fry
- Easy ground chicken and rice
- Turkey teriyaki
- Boiled chicken thighs
- Mediterranean grilled chicken
- Pan seared shrimp
- Sautéed oyster mushrooms
- Slow cooker beef and broccoli
More Rice Recipes You'll Love
📖 Recipe
Instant Pot Rice Recipe
Making perfect rice in the Instant Pot is quick and easy. Read the blog post above to learn expert tips & tricks to ensure your Instant Pot rice comes out perfect every time. This recipe is for long grain white rice (such as Jasmine and Basmati).
These cooking times should yield rice that is tender but still slightly chewy with individual, fluffy grains.
Total Instant Pot Cooking Time: 10 minutes to reach pressure + 3 to 5 minute cooking time + 10 minute natural release = 25 minutes
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 cups of cooked rice 1x
- Category: Side Dishes
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Many
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 2 cups long grain white rice (Jasmine or Basmati)
- 2 cups water
- Optional: ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
Rinse the Rice: For the best results, rinse the rice to remove the starch. You can do this by covering the rice with water in a bowl or by putting the rice in a fine mesh strainer and running water over the top. Move the rice with your fingers as you rinse it. Keep changing the water in the bowl until it is clear, not cloudy or run the water over the rice for about 1 minute.
After rinsing the rice, proceed with the recipe:
- Combine the rinsed rice and water in the Instant Pot (salt is optional).
- Secure the lid and cook according to the variety of rice.
Jasmine: 3 minutes, high pressure
Basmati: 5 minutes, high pressureThe other option is to simply press the rice button on the Instant Pot. Using the rice setting takes slightly longer because it cooks at lower pressure, but it works well for white rice.
- Let the pressure release naturally for at least 10 minutes before removing the lid.
- Fluff the rice with a fork. Immediately remove from the Instant Pot.
Notes
This recipe was tested in a 6-quart Instant Pot.
The water ratio and cooking time stays the same no matter how much rice you are cooking. In a 6-quart Instant Pot, I don't recommend cooking less than 2 cups of rice (it's more likely to stick to the pot) or more than 4 cups of rice.
The cooking time for Basmati rice ranges from 4 to 6 minutes, depending on the texture you like. It might take a couple batches to find the perfect cooking time for you. Some recipes for basmati rice also add an additional ¼ cup water. You can do this if you like softer, moister rice.
Cooked rice will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
Jenny
Helpful tips to make sure rice always turns out. I always cook rice in my Instant Pot now.