It’s never been quicker or easier to make this tender and fluffy Instant Pot White Rice recipe. Simply combine rice, water, butter or oil, and salt in a pressure cooker, then set it and forget it! This easy method takes half the time of a rice cooker, so you can focus on the rest of dinner.
Table of Contents
Growing up we always made our white rice in the rice cooker. It was quick, easy, and pretty much foolproof.
If you’d asked me up until about a year ago, I’d say this was the only way.
That is, until I discovered the magical powers of the Instant Pot.
This method opens up a whole array of rice options. Learn how to make Instant Pot Basmati Rice and Instant Pot Brown Rice. You might also enjoy this Instant Pot Quinoa, too!
Ingredients
For the exact measurements and detailed instructions, you can jump to the recipe.
- Rice. This recipe is for white rice. Jasmine is a type of long-grain white rice that will work with this method. The process will be different for other types of rice, like brown, wild, basmati, or even short-grain.
- Liquid. Traditionally, water is used. However, you can sub chicken or vegetable broth for extra flavor.
- Butter. Salted is a nice touch, but unsalted butter works fine, too. You can swap in your favorite cooking oil if you’re dairy-free.
- Salt. This is important and gives the dish more flavor.
Pro tip: Use chicken or vegetable broth instead of water for added flavor. Mix in butter or olive oil for a bit of fat. Sprinkle in salt, pepper, or other seasonings.
How to Cook White Rice in an Instant Pot
Jump to the recipe for the full instructions, ingredient amounts, and a printable recipe.
- Rinse the rice. Rinse white rice under cold running water for 1-2 minutes, or until the water runs clear. This removes the starchy coating that forms a glue-like substance and makes the grains stick together.
- Combine the ingredients. Add the rice, water, butter or oil, and salt to a 6-quart Instant Pot. Chicken or vegetable broth can be substituted for water using the same grain-to-liquid ratio.
- Cook in Instant Pot. Note, the cooking time will vary based on the pressure setting. Cook at high pressure for 3-4 minutes and allow a 10-minute natural pressure release (NPR). Use the shorter amount of time if you like your grains more al dente and longer if you prefer them tender. You can also cook at low pressure, for 12-13 minutes with a quick pressure release. If your cooker has a rice setting, be sure the time matches up with these instructions.
Mistakes to Avoid
There are a few common mistakes you can easily avoid when using the Instant Pot:
- Soupy and watery. If you get mushy rice, then your rice-to-water ratio was likely off. Next time, try using less liquid for the same type of grain.
- Hard and undercooked. Tough grains of rice on the bottom of the pot after cooking mean there was not enough liquid. To prevent this from happening, use more water for that same type of rice.
- Clumped together. Rice sticking together is the result of excess starch. Make sure you rinse it before cooking to avoid clumps.
Meal Prep and Storage
- Prep-Ahead: Make up a bunch of rice to add to easy meal prep dishes.
- Storage: Seal leftover rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: Keep in an airtight freezer-safe container for up to 4-6 months.
- Reheating: Warm in the microwave with a little bit of water sprinkled over the top.
FAQs
In a standard 6-quart Instant Pot, you can cook up to 4 cups of uncooked rice at a time. Remember, pressure cookers should never be more than ⅔ full.
There is a starchy outer coating on rice that acts as a glue and causes the grains to stick together. By rinsing the rice before cooking you remove the excess and get perfectly fluffy grains every time!
One cup of dried rice will result in approximately 3 cups of cooked.
What to Serve with Instant Pot White Rice
White rice goes with SO many dishes. A few of the best meals to serve it with include Shrimp Creole, Easy Pineapple Chicken, Thai Yellow Chicken Curry with Potatoes, and Slow Cooker Chicken Curry.
Of course, it’s delicious with Asian favorites like Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry or General Tso’s Chicken.
Or you can use the cooked rice as the star of the show in Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya, Shrimp Fried Rice, or Chicken Fried Rice.
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Instant Pot White Rice Recipe
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Ingredients
- 2 cups long-grain white rice
- 2 cups water or broth
- 1 tablespoon butter or oil, optional
- ½ teaspoon salt to taste, optional
Instructions
- Place rice in a fine mesh strainer. Rinse under cold water for 1 minute, or until liquid almost runs clear.2 cups long-grain white rice
- Add rice, water, butter, or oil, and salt to a 6-quart Instant Pot. Cover the Instant Pot with the lid and move the pressure release valve to sealed.2 cups water, 1 tablespoon butter, ½ teaspoon salt
- Turn the pressure cooker to the manual mode:If cooking at high pressure, set the timer to 3-4 minutes. Naturally release the pressure for 10 minutes. If cooking at low pressure, set the timer for 12-13 minutes and quick release the pressure when done.
- Move the pressure release handle to the venting position to let any remaining steam escape. Open the lid once the float valve goes down. Use a fork to fluff up the rice and serve immediately.
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Notes
- Ratio: 1 cup of dried rice equals 3 cups of cooked rice.
- Serving: One serving equals ½ cup cooked rice.
- Rice: Be sure to rinse the rice before cooking.
- Prep-ahead: Make up a bunch of rice to add to easy meal prep dishes.
- Storage: Seal in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: Keep in an airtight freezer-safe container for up to 4-6 months.
- Reheating: Warm in the microwave with a little bit of water sprinkled over the top.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
