This Instant Pot rice recipe takes the guesswork out of making rice!
Get fluffy, tender, and delicious white rice in just minutes with four ingredients! Here’s your go-to recipe to get perfect results every time!
Easy Instant Pot Rice
- The Instant Pot has replaced the rice cooker for its versatility and time-saving functions and rice is the easiest and fastest recipe to make using the automated rice setting.
- Make any style of rice and use it all week long or freeze portions for future recipes!
- One cup of rice equals 4 servings which makes it an economical staple to keep on hand anytime a filling and delicious side dish is called for! Serve it with beans which can be made in the Instant Pot with no overnight soaking or long cook times on the stovetop.
- Even jasmine, basmati, long-grain, brown, and wild rice come out perfect and ready to be served as a side dish or added to your favorite soups, stews, casseroles, and even salads!
Ingredients
Rice – White rice, whether it comes in a box or a bulk bag, should always be rinsed until the water runs clear before use to ensure any dirt or debris is removed, and also to rinse off excess starch that makes white rice sticky and gummy. Avoid mixing rice varieties together because they won’t cook at the same rate.
Seasonings – Feel free to add any fresh or dried herbs to the rice that complement the main dish, or any seasoning blend you like, or you can switch out the water for vegetable, beef, or chicken broth cup for cup with the water.
How to Cook Rice in the Instant Pot
Most instant pots have an automatic setting for making rice, but it should only be used for long grain white rice.
- Add rice, seasonings, and water to the Instant Pot.
- Use the setting as directed in the recipe below or refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for your model.
- Allow the pot to naturally release pressure for 15 minutes. Do not release early or the rice may not be cooked.
- Fluff-cooked rice with a fork and serve!
Rice to Water Ratio
The Instant Pot rice to water ratio is not the same as it is for stove top or what it shows on the package of rice. There is little evaporation in the IP, so you need less water.
For white rice in the Instant Pot, most recipes call for a 1:1 ratio, but I do find the rice needs just a tiny bit more in my IP so I add 1 cup rice, 1 cup water, plus a couple of tablespoons, and it comes out perfectly every time.
Brown rice, wild rice and other varieties need a bit more water than white rice.
| Rice | Rice & Water | Cooking Time |
|---|---|---|
| White Rice | 1 cup & 2 tablespoons water + 1 cup rice | 4 minutes |
| Brown Rice | 1 cup & 2 tablespoons water + 1 cup rice | 20-22 minutes |
| Wild Rice | 1 cup & ¼ cup water + 1 cup rice | 20-25 minutes |
Storing Leftover Rice
- Keep leftover Instant Pot rice in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat in the microwave.
- Use freshly cooked or leftover rice in a savory chicken and wild rice soup; a meatless entrée like broccoli rice casserole; in stuffed peppers, or as a fried rice side dish to a Chinese meal.
More Instant Pot Favorites
Did you make Instant Pot Rice? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!
Instant Pot Rice
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup white rice
- 1 cup water + 2 tablespoons water
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
-
Rinse rice and pour into Instant Pot with water, oil, and salt.
-
Lock lid and set Instant Pot to Manual High for 4 minutes.
-
Allow to naturally release for 15 minutes.
-
Release remaining pressure, fluff rice with a fork and serve.
Notes
- Long Grain White Rice: 4-6 minutes on high pressure + 15 minutes natural release
- Brown Rice: 22-25 minutes on high pressure + 15 minutes natural release (brown rice requires more water than white rice. Add 1 cup rice, 1 1/3cup water)
- Wild Rice (not a blend): 30 minutes on high pressure + 15 minutes natural release (wild rice requires more water than white rice. Add 1 cup rice and 1 2/3 cup water )
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
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I tried your Instant Pot rice recipe last night, and it turned out absolutely perfect. The rice was fluffy and had just the right texture. The best part was how little effort it required compared to traditional stovetop methods. Your advice on rinsing the rice and using the natural release method really made a difference.
So happy to hear that! Thank you for trying this recipe.
Hi,
Assuming that the instant pot and any other current electric pressure cookers cook at the same temperature and pressure, how does extending the cook time beyond say, 3 minutes, effect the finished product? I’ve been using 3 minutes and a 10 minute natural release for quite a while and the rice comes out fully cooked. Also, the recipe I use uses 1 and a quarter cups of water for 1 cup of rice. If I were to extend it to 4 or more, how would that turn out? If it would improve it, I’m all for it.
Thanks!
I can’t compare for certain as I’ve only used the method above. If you give it a try, let us know how it goes!
If I double to recipe, should I double the time or keep it at 4 min?
The cook time should remain the same.