Name: Instant Pot Rice Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 3 min
Total time: 18 min
Cuisine: Various
Ingredients: 1 cup white rice; 1 ½ cups water; ½ teaspoon salt

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If you’ve ever craved truly fluffy, restaurant-quality rice but wanted it on the table with minimal effort, this Instant Pot Rice Recipe is about to become your new weeknight go-to. Thanks to the magic of pressure cooking, every grain turns out perfectly tender in just minutes, no watching or stirring required. Whether you’re building a quick rice bowl, pairing it with your favorite curry, or just serving it as a simple side, this is one basic recipe you’ll reach for time and time again.

Ingredients You’ll Need

With just a handful of staple ingredients, this recipe is wonderfully straightforward but surprisingly impactful. Each individual element makes a difference, from the variety of rice you choose to the amount of water and seasonings that round everything out. Here’s why you need each one:

White rice: The heart of this Instant Pot Rice Recipe, white rice yields consistently fluffy, tender grains in just minutes.
Water: The precise ratio of water to rice is key for plump, separated grains—no mushiness in sight.
Salt: Just half a teaspoon, but it makes a world of difference, drawing out the natural flavor of the rice itself.

How to Make Instant Pot Rice Recipe

Step 1: Rinse the Rice

You’ll start by giving the rice a good rinse under cold running water. This often-overlooked step helps wash away extra starch so that the cooked rice is fluffy instead of sticky or clumpy. Just swish it around in a fine-mesh strainer until the water runs clear—your rice will thank you.

Step 2: Add Everything to the Pot

Once rinsed, add the rice to your Instant Pot along with the measured water and salt. Stir everything gently to combine so the seasoning disperses evenly throughout the rice, setting the foundation for a perfectly seasoned bite in every forkful.

Step 3: Pressure Cook

Seal the Instant Pot lid, make sure the valve is set to “Sealing,” and choose the manual or pressure cook function. For the classic white rice in this Instant Pot Rice Recipe, set the timer for just 3 minutes. It goes fast!

Step 4: Let the Pressure Release Naturally

Let the Instant Pot do its thing—after the cook timer beeps, don’t rush to open it! Set a timer for a crucial 10 minutes of natural pressure release. This allows the rice to gently finish steaming and ensures every grain is just right, without becoming sticky.

Step 5: Quick Release Any Remaining Pressure

Now carefully move the valve to “Venting” to release any leftover steam. Always be cautious—use a towel or utensil to protect your hands from the hot steam that will escape.

Step 6: Fluff and Serve

Open the lid and grab a fork! Gently fluff the rice, which helps separate the grains and lets any extra steam escape. At this point, you’ll see just how perfect this Instant Pot Rice Recipe turns out—steam rising, grains glistening, and not a mushy spot in sight.

Step 7: Keep Warm

If you’re not quite ready to serve, simply switch the Instant Pot to its handy “Keep Warm” function. This keeps your rice at the perfect serving temperature until the whole meal comes together.

How to Serve Instant Pot Rice Recipe

Garnishes

This rice is a blank canvas, so have fun! Try chopped fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley for brightness, a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for nutty crunch, or stir in a bit of butter for richness. A squeeze of lime or lemon right before serving can wake up all the flavors beautifully!

Side Dishes

The beauty of this Instant Pot Rice Recipe lies in its versatility. Serve it alongside curries, stir-fries, roasted vegetables, grilled chicken, or saucy beans—it plays well with bold flavors and acts as the perfect base for soak-up-the-sauce suppers. Seriously, it’s your ultimate sidekick for nearly any meal.

Creative Ways to Present

Turn a simple bowl of rice into a star side: shape it into neat domes using a small ramekin, layer it at the base of a vibrant rice bowl with colorful toppings, or fill lettuce cups for a fun twist. You can also stir in peas, corn, or even saffron for a pop of color and aroma.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Any leftover rice from your Instant Pot Rice Recipe will keep beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Let it cool to room temperature before storing to prevent excess condensation, which can make rice soggy.

Freezing

Rice freezes surprisingly well! Divide cooled rice into portioned bags, press flat for space-saving storage, and freeze for up to 2 months. This is a great trick for quick-fix weeknight meals or meal prep heroes.

Reheating

Reheat your rice with a splash of water (just a tablespoon or two per cup of rice) in a covered microwave-safe dish, or in a saucepan over low heat. This helps re-steam the grains, restoring that fluffy texture from your original Instant Pot Rice Recipe.

FAQs

Can I use brown rice in this Instant Pot Rice Recipe?

Absolutely! Brown rice requires a longer cooking time—typically 22 to 24 minutes at high pressure, with the same 10-minute natural release. You’ll also need to use 1 1/4 cups water for each cup of brown rice. The results are perfectly chewy and wholesome!

Will this recipe work for jasmine or basmati rice?

Yes, this method is fantastic for either variety. Use a 1:1 ratio of rice to water for basmati, and 1 1/4 cups water for jasmine, cooking both for 3 to 4 minutes. The aroma and flavor will shine thanks to the quick-cooking process.

Do I need to soak the rice before cooking?

No soaking is required for white rice in the Instant Pot Rice Recipe. A thorough rinse is all you need. Soaking is only necessary for certain specialty rice varieties or to speed up brown rice cooking, but it’s not essential here.

Why did my rice turn out mushy?

If your rice is mushy, you may have added too much water or let it sit too long after cooking. Measuring carefully and following the time cues will give you fluffy, perfect rice every time. Every Instant Pot model can vary a bit, so don’t be afraid to adjust by a tablespoon or two if needed in future batches.

Can I double the recipe?

Definitely! This Instant Pot Rice Recipe scales up effortlessly as long as you maintain the same water-to-rice ratio. Just ensure your Instant Pot isn’t filled past the halfway mark so the rice cooks and steams properly without overflowing.

Final Thoughts

I can’t say enough about how life-changing this Instant Pot Rice Recipe is for simple dinners or special feasts. It takes the guesswork out of making rice and frees you up for everything else on your plate. Give it a try—you might just find yourself making extra on purpose!

Instant Pot Rice Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 6 reviews

Author: Sophie
Total Time: 18 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This Instant Pot Rice recipe is a quick and easy way to make perfectly cooked rice in your Instant Pot. With just a few simple ingredients, you can have fluffy, delicious rice in no time.

Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients:

1 cup white rice
1 ½ cups water
½ teaspoon salt

Instructions

Rinse the rice: Rinse the rice in a fine-mesh strainer until the water runs clear.
Add ingredients to Instant Pot: Add rice, salt, and water to Instant Pot and stir.
Cook in Manual Mode: Close the lid and set it to manual mode for 3 minutes for white rice.
Natural Pressure Release: When cooking is complete, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes.
Quick Release: Quick release any remaining pressure.
Fluff the rice: Fluff the rice with a fork.
Serve or Keep Warm: Serve immediately or keep the rice warm using the ‘Keep Warm’ function.