How To Cook Rice in an Instant Pot

Say goodbye to your rice cooker and say hello to your Instant Pot! If you’ve ever wondered how to cook rice in an Instant Pot, then this is for you! This is the best of set-it-and-forget it cooking, and when you’re done, you’ll have plenty of fluffy, perfectly cooked fluffy rice to enjoy with your meal.

This post may contain affiliate link(s). As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See Disclosure.

If you’ve ever struggled to get perfectly fluffy and tender rice, then this is for you! When you make the rice in an Instant Pot, it uses high heat and pressure to cook the rice in a way that a rice cooker or pan on the stove just can’t do. The results are simply amazing, and you’ll be wondering why it took you this long to make rice in your Instant Pot!

What You Need To Cook Rice in an Instant Pot

• An Instant Pot – I use a big 8 quart Instant Pot, but most sizes will work well to make rice.
• White rice – Your favorite brand is fine.
• Salt – Rice needs salt. Don’t forget to salt the water!
• Water – Cold tap water is what you need.

How To Make Rice in An Instant Pot

For a full list of ingredients and instructions to make Instant Pot rice, please scroll down to the recipe at the end of this page.

1. Combine the rice, salt, and water in the insert of your Instant Pot.
2. Secure the lid on the Instant Pot and set it to high-pressure/manual for 3 minutes.
3. Natural release for 10 minutes.
4. Fluff with a fork and enjoy!

Chef Jenn’s Tips To Cooking Rice in an Instant Pot

• We all know that Instant Pots aren’t quite instant, but this pressure cooker recipe comes close! It’ll take your pot about 7 minutes (depending on the temperature of the water you used) to come up to pressure.
• Don’t rinse your rice first! This will add extra water and could result in mushy rice.
• Long grain white rice works best in this Instant Pot white rice recipe.
• You can easily double or triple this recipe, but do NOT adjust the cooking time! It will pressure cook the rice regardless of the quantity.
• Don’t adjust the cooking time if your pot is smaller; you’ll still get perfectly cooked rice.

Variations on Instant Pot Rice Recipes

White rice is the perfect side to many dishes, but if you want to jazz your rice up a bit, here are some of my tastiest suggestions.

• Add 1/4 cup of sliced green onions to hot rice before serving.
• Add 2 finely minced cloves of garlic to the water before cooking your rice, for garlic rice.
• Onion flakes, dried garlic, and swapping the water for chicken broth will give you a lovely and simple rice pilaf recipe.
• Add your favorite herbs and spices (Italian blend, Greek, Cajun and more!) to change the flavor of the fluffy rice.

What To Serve With White Rice

Rice goes soooo well with so many dishes. Here are just a few of my favorites: Chicken Paprikash, Italian Chicken, and Chicken Marsala Meatballs. I also love this Chicken Vindaloo recipe, and the rice helps soak up all that yummy sauce!

How To Store Rice

Cooked rice will keep well in the fridge if tightly covered. Add a teaspoon or two of water to reheat it, cover it with plastic wrap, and pop it into the microwave. Rice needs to steam to reheat – so always make sure there’s some liquid in with it. You can also heat leftover rice in the oven. Again, make sure you add a bit of water to the rice and cover it tightly.

Can I Cook Brown Rice in the Instant Pot?

You can, but this recipe is designed for white rice. Brown rice will take longer to cook.

How Much Rice Per Person?

You’ll need about 1/3 cup of raw rice per person.

Can I cook Basmati Rice or Jasmine Rice in the Instant Pot?

You can, but the timing in this recipe is designed for long-grain white rice.

Frequently Asked Questions About Rice in the Instant Pot

Like This? Also Try:

Step By Step Process To Make Rice In Your Instant Pot

WANT MORE DELICIOUS AND EASY RECIPES?

• Smoked Cream Cheese
• Smoked Lamb Chops
• The Best Traeger Recipes
• Smoked Brussels Sprouts