How to Make Perfect Instant Pot Rice

How to cook rice in the instant pot PERFECTLY every single time is easy to do. This no-fail recipe works with white or brown rice and eliminates the possibility of mushy or under-cooked rice. Instant Pot Rice is the perfect side dish for any meal!

Why This Recipe Works

I love rice. I love it when served with a pat of butter, a few splashes of soy sauce or even completely on its own. It is so delicious when cooked to perfection. I’ve never been super consistent with the stove-top version of rice, but Instant Pot Rice is an entirely different story.

Both white and brown rice cook perfectly with this recipe EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. I have enjoyed knowing how to cook rice in the instant pot so rice perfection is attainable this winter. Make this yummy side dish with water or add beef or chicken broth for an added touch of flavor. Eliminate drippy lids on the stove top and being a slave to your kitchen timer. This recipe that shows you how to make cook rice in the instant pot eliminates all the hassle for you!

How To Make Perfect Instant Pot Rice

I love that the Instant Pot removes all hassle from making rice. Follow these simple steps to make a super simple and delicious side dish for tonight’s dinner!

Step 1

Add 2 cups white or brown rice to the Instant Pot.

Step 2

Pour 2 cups of water or broth (or a mixture of the two) over the top of the rice.

Step 3

Place the lid on the pot and make sure lid is in the sealed position. Set the timer to 5 minutes on high pressure (use the magical rice setting!). The amount of time it will take the Instant Pot to build up pressure before it begins cooking will be around 10 minutes.

Step 4

When cook time is up, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes then set to Quick Release. Let the float valve drop and remove the lid to reveal.. PERFECTION!

Instant Pot Rice:Water Ratio

In my Instant Pot rice experimenting, I have discovered that a 1:1 ratio of rice:liquid works perfectly every single dang time. It does not matter which liquid you use (water, chicken broth, vegetable broth or beef broth). It always turns out perfectly.

After you remove the cover after cooking time is up, you may see a bit of extra liquid in the pot. Give it a stir and let the rice sit for a minute and the liquid will quickly be absorbed.

Is Rinsing Rice Important

I don’t always take the time to rinse rice before cooking it, but it should definitely be a part of the rice-making process. Simply add the rice to a fine mesh strainer and run cold water over it, tossing it around a bit using your fingers to get a thorough rinse.

This process will ensure that there is no extra debris stuck to the rice. It also removes the starch, which will prevent your final product from being clumpy or sticky.

Delicious Uses For Rice

Rice is so versatile, making it one of the things I love most about it. It tastes great with so many different foods and prepared in a number of ways. Here are a few of my favorite ways to enjoy rice!

• Sprinkle in some chopped fresh cilantro and mix with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and juice from 1 lime. No need for Chipotle!
• Serve underneath a heaping scoop of Hoisin Chicken Rice Bowls, Orange Chicken or Mongolian Beef. DELISH!
• Serve alongside Instant Pot Chicken for the perfect complete meal.
• Add it to a skillet or wok, along with eggs, peas, carrots and soy sauce to create a delicious fried rice.
• Go simple and serve with a few pats of butter or olive oil. Stir until the butter has melted.
• Mix together with salsa, black beans, lime juice and chopped avocado. Add shredded chicken for a meaty dish!

What To Serve With Fried Rice – 19 ideas!

If you need ideas about what to serve with fried rice, read on for 19 delicious ideas so you can serve a complete meal to the entire family.

Healthy Side Dish Recipes

Don’t stop with Sauteed Cabbage. Check out a few of my other favorite easy, healthy sides!

• Roasted Parmesan Green Beans
• Vegetable Rice Summer Salad
• Roasted Sweet Potatoes
• Roasted Butternut Squash and Apples
• Cauliflower Mushroom Rice

Rice Cooker vs Instant Pot Rice

Both rice cookers and electric pressure cookers cook rice in the same way. Both use steam inside the pot to cook the rice. The main difference is that a pressure cooker has a sealing ring inside the lid that prevents any steam from escaping during the cooking process.

This allows the appliance to maintain pressure levels inside the pot with greater accuracy, therefore cooking it more quickly.

Shortened cook time is an advantage when using an Instant Pot and typically it requires a bit less liquid than when using a rice cooker. However, if you are planning to cook a variety of different types such as wild, black or basmati rice frequently, a rice cooker might be the better option for you. Plus, rice cookers are more affordable and will take up less valuable counter space.

Instant Pot Burn Notice

If you see that dreaded burn notice flash on your Instant Pot, do not fret! Know that your pressure cooker is keeping a good eye on your food. It has sensed that the temperature toward the bottom of the pot is too high and has therefore turned it off temporarily.

It is giving you a chance to fix the problem! This can happen especially with thick sauces or chilis because of the heaviness of the contents inside the pot. It can also happen if there is not enough liquid inside the pot.

I have never seen the burn notice when making rice, but I have heard other people have this issue. If you see the burn notice, press CANCEL as soon as possible. Do an immediate quick release and wait for the silver float valve to drop. Transfer the inner pot to a hot pad holder. Scrape any bits of rice that may have adhered to the bottom of the pot using a spoon.

If there is no sign of burned bits on the spoon or in the mixture:

• Add 1/4 cup of either broth or water to the pot in order to thin out the consistency.
• Stir the contents of the pot thoroughly and resume cooking.

If you see burned pieces in the mixture or on the spoon:

• Pour the contents into a saucepan and clean out the pot using soap and water, making sure any charred pieces of food are removed from the bottom of the pan. Remove visible pieces of burnt food and pour it back into the pot.
• Stir the contents of the pot thoroughly. Add 1/4 cup of either broth or water, stir and resume cooking.

Avoid The Instant Pot Burn Notice

• Stir heavy sauces or soups just before placing the cover on the pot for cooking. You will want the heaviest ingredients toward the top in order to ensure they don’t stick to the bottom and burn.
• Make sure your pot contains enough liquid! Add extra beef broth or chicken broth if it is already an ingredient in the recipe. If the recipe does not contain a thin liquid (e.g., a recipe that requires a trivet), add 1 1/2 cups of liquid to the bottom of the Instant Pot before cooking.
• I do not use an 8-quart IP, but from what I have read this size is much quicker to burn than the 6-quart version. The 8-quart Instant Pot may require more liquid than the 6-quart does.

How To Clean an Instant Pot

Keep your Instant Pot shiny, clean and scent-free by following these simple steps:

• EXTERIOR – Use a clean, damp cloth to wipe down any grease or gunk on the outside of the Instant Pot. Use a brush or the edge of a clean cloth to reach inside the rim to remove food that may have gotten stuck in the grooves. The exterior “housing” should never ever be immersed in liquid or run underwater.
• INNER POT – The stainless steel inner pot can be hand-washed OR run through a dishwasher. See below tips for deep cleaning when needed.
• COVER – The inside of the IP cover can usually just be wiped down with a clean cloth after use. If there is food stuck to the inside of the cover, remove the sealing ring and run the cover under hot water and scrub with a brush or cloth.
• SEALING RING – The sealing ring can be easily removed from the Instant Pot and hand-washed with warm, soapy water OR run through a dishwasher when needed.
• TRIVET – The trivet that is inserted into the Instant Pot can be scrubbed with a brush, hand-washed with warm, soapy water or run through a dishwasher.
• DEEP CLEAN – If the inner pot starts to show signs that it needs a deep cleaning (cloudiness or discoloration), pour either 2 cups of white vinegar OR 2 cups of water plus 1 tablespoon of lemon juice into the pot. Place the cover on the pot and set to STEAM for 3 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally and remove the cover. Remove sealing ring and inner pot and allow to air dry.

Best Instant Pot Recipes

The list of recipes you can make in an Instant Pot is endless! It can act as a slow cooker, saute pan, steamer, rice maker, yogurt maker and pressure cooker. It can cook soup, chili, pasta, meat, potatoes, veggies, cake, beans and so much more. Here are a few of my favorite Instant Pot recipes:

• Instant Pot Chicken
• Perfect Hard-Boiled Eggs
• Steamed Artichokes
• Instant Pot Goulash

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