Cook rice PERFECTLY every single time by making it in an Instant Pot. 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!
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 many a batch of rice perfection since dusting off my Instant Pot 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 eliminates all the hassle for you!
WATCH THIS QUICK VIDEO TUTORIAL TO SEE HOW EASY IT IS TO MAKE RICE IN AN INSTANT POT!
HOW TO MAKE PERFECTLY COOKED RICE IN A PRESSURE COOKER!
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!
WHAT RICE TO WATER RATIO TO USE IN AN INSTANT POT
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!
DELICIOUS HEALTHY SIDE DISH OPTIONS
Don’t stop with Sauteed Cabbage. Check out a few of my other favorite easy, healthy sides!
RICE COOKER VS. INSTANT POT FOR MAKING 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.
HOW TO AVOID SEEING THE DREADED BURN NOTICE ON THE INSTANT POT
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 RECIPES TO MAKE IN AN INSTANT POT
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:
WHAT TO SERVE AT A PARTY
Rice is the PERFECT side dish to serve at a party because it literally goes great with everything. Here are a few savory party food ideas that will be easy, delicious and crowd-pleasing!
Taco Ranch Pasta Salad – This delicious pasta salad gets totally devoured at gatherings, no matter the season.
Sausage Cheese Dip – Sausage Cheese Dip is easy to make (let your crockpot do the work for you!), cheesy, flavorful and totally irresistible! Serve as an appetizer at your next party and it won’t last long. Only 6 ingredients required for this delicious party food!
7-Layer Taco Dip – This is the best 7-Layer Taco Dip you’ll ever meet! It’s the perfect appetizer and party food and it is always the first thing to get devoured.
Crockpot Meatballs – These require only a few ingredients with only a few minutes of prep. They are SO EASY to make, totally packed with delicious flavor and great for game-day parties or holidays. Let your slow cooker do all of the work for you!
Spinach Artichoke Dip – This hot Spinach Artichoke Dip is a party staple! People always get excited about this dip and its so easy to make! It’s a filling, cheesy snack or appetizer that you can put on pita squares, crackers or chips. Let your slow cooker do all of the work for you!
Perfect Instant Pot Rice
Ingredients
- 2 cups white or brown rice
- 2 cups water or chicken broth, or a combination of the two
Instructions
- Add rice to the Instant Pot and pour water or broth (or mixture of both) over the top.
- Place the lid on the pot and set timer to 5 minutes on high pressure (rice setting). It will take the IP around 10 minutes to build up pressure before it begins cooking.
- When cooking time is done, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes then set to Quick Release. Let the float valve drop and remove the lid.
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