Perfect Instant Pot® Rice Recipe – Totally Foolproof and Easy to Make!

Why Make Rice in a Pressure Cooker?

In my opinion, there are four good reasons to make your rice in a pressure cooker.

01 | You don’t have or like microwaves

For years I’ve made rice in the Pampered Chef Rice Cooker Plus in the microwave.

It’s fast and easy and comes out perfectly almost every time.

However, if you’re not a fan of the microwave, or you don’t have one, this Instant Pot® rice recipe is awesome! And it’s a perfect beginner Instant Pot® recipe too!

02 | It’s faster

Making rice in an Instant Pot® or other pressure cooker is much faster than stovetop rice or even traditional rice cookers. 

In a pressure cooker, rice will be ready in about 20 minutes total, by the time it builds pressure, cooks, and then releases pressure. Whereas on the stove or in a traditional rice cooker that’s more like 40 minutes. 

03 | It’s not as messy as the stovetop

I don’t know about you, but every time I’ve ever tried to make rice on the stovetop, I make a huge mess. 

Now, I am a bit clumsier than your average person, so I make a bigger mess than most whilst cooking. 

But still. I know LOTS of people find making stovetop rice very messy. 

04 | It’s hands-off

Because the pressure cooker rice is hands-off, you can do other things while it’s cooking. No more babysitting rice the entire time it’s cooking!

How to Make Instant Pot® Rice/Pressure Cooker White Rice

White rice is VERY quick and easy to make in a pressure cooker. And this recipe will work with any brand of pressure cooker, including Instant Pot® and Ninja® Foodi™. 

Ingredients

• 1 ¼ cup water (plus extra for rinsing)
• 1 cup white rice
• butter, salt, or other seasonings to taste (optional)

Kitchen Tools Needed: 

• an Instant Pot® (or other new model pressure cooker)
• measuring cups
• fine mesh strainer

Instructions

Rinse the rice

Place the rice in a fine-mesh strainer. Rinse it under cold water, swirling it around in the strainer with a spoon or your hand, until the water runs clear. 

Then let the water drain off or dry the rice with a towel/paper towel. You don’t want excess water in your pressure cooker. 

Pressure cook the rice

Combine the ingredients in the insert of your instant pot. 

Place the lid/cover on and set to high pressure/manual for 3 minutes. 

It will take about 7 minutes to pressurize before the 3 minutes will start counting down.

Release the steam

Let the steam naturally release for 10 minutes.

Serve fluffy rice

Fluff the rice with a fork or a spoon. Serve the rice and enjoy.

Please note that this recipe is specifically for white rice. Other types of rice, like brown rice, will require different cooking times. 

Meal Prep and Storage Tips

To prep ahead: Make the recipe as directed. Cool and store the rice on its own or as the base for other meals or bowls. 

To store: Seal rice in an air-tight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. 

To freeze: Seal rice in an air-tight container in the freezer for 4-6 months or longer. Just watch for freezer burn. 

To reheat: Warm in the microwave with a bit of water and a cover. 

Instant Pot® Rice FAQs

Should I use the “rice” button on my Instant Pot®?

You can if you’d like. But it was only designed for white, long-grain rice like basmati rice or jasmine rice. It won’t work so well for any other type of rice.  

What is the ratio of water to rice in an Instant Pot®?

The correct rice to water ratio for cooking rice in a pressure cooker is 1:1. That means for every 1 cup of rice you also need 1 cup of water for cooking. 

Less water is needed for cooking rice in a pressure cooker than on the stovetop because less water evaporates as the rice cooks in a pressure cooker. 

Tip: Be sure to use the same measuring cup for both the rice and the water so that your ratio is definitely 1:1. 

How much rice can you cook in an Instant Pot®?

A standard 6-quart Instant Pot® can cook up to 4 cups of uncooked rice at a time. Remember never to fill your Instant Pot® or any other pressure cooker more than 3/4 full. 

Why do I have to rinse rice before cooking?

Rice has a starchy outer layer, which can make it sticky when cooking. Which can lead to the grains sticking together like glue. Rinsing the rice before cooking makes for nice fluffy rice. 

Some also say that it’s best to rinse your rice before cooking to remove any potential toxins. 

How long do I cook white rice in the Instant Pot®?

White rice only needs to cook for about 3-4 minutes in an Instant Pot®. BUT you will also need 7-10 minutes for the pressure to build before and another 10-12 minutes to release the pressure afterward for a total of 20-26 minutes or so. 

That’s still way faster than the stovetop rice cooking method that takes about 40 minutes or more. 

How much cooked rice does 1 cup of dried rice make?

One cup of dry rice makes approximately 3 cups of cooked rice. 

Should I use the natural release valve or the quick-release valve?

When cooking rice in an Instant Pot® use a Natural Pressure Release. If you try to force it, or cook the rice longer in order to do a Quick Pressure Release, the rice will get sticky and mushy and otherwise be ruined. 

Serving Ideas

This Instant Pot® rice makes a great side dish and goes so well with many dishes. Here are a few ideas: 

• Rotisserie chicken
• Korean Beef
• Keto Chicken Thigh Roll-Ups
• Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry with Broccoli & Carrots

Expert Tips and Tricks

• Thoroughly rinse your rice before cooking. This will allow the sticky starch to wash off and make nice fluffy rice. 
• Use the right ratio. Equal parts of water to rice will make the best pressure cooker rice. 
• Add flavor. Consider swapping out the water for chicken, beef, or vegetable broth.