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.
Quick and Easy Instant Pot White Rice
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.
Not only do the long grains of white rice cook until perfectly tender and ultra fluffy, but it’s also ready in a fraction of the time.
I’m talking HALF the time it takes for a rice cooker or a stovetop method.
Instant Pot white rice is ready in only 20 minutes. Cooking it in a rice cooker takes closer to 40 minutes!
And the process is so simple to follow, you might even end up tossing that ol’ rice cooker away! (Okay, I haven’t gone this far, but I’m definitely considering it!)
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
To make this fluffy white rice recipe you need:
- Rice. This recipe is for white rice. Jasmine rice 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 rice.
- 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 rice 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
The basic steps for making this Instant Pot recipe are simple to follow:
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.
Make the Rice
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.
Note, the cooking time will vary based on the pressure setting.
Cook rice 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 the rice 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 cooking rice in 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
- How to prep ahead of time and store: Make up a bunch of rice to add to easy meal prep dishes. Seal leftover rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- How to freeze: Keep in an airtight freezer-safe container for up to 4-6 months.
- How to reheat: Warm in the microwave with a little bit of water sprinkled over the top.
How much rice can you cook in an Instant Pot?
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.
Why do I have to rinse rice before cooking?
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!
How much cooked rice does 1 cup of dried rice make?
One cup of dried rice will result in approximately 3 cups of cooked rice.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Rinse before cooking. You want the water to run clear, which makes the rice super fluffy and prevents it from clumping together.
- A bit of butter. It gives great flavor and also helps to separate the grains. Oil also works.
- Use the right ratio. Unlike traditional stovetop methods of cooking rice, you’ll only need a 1:1 water to rice ratio when cooking long-grain white rice in the Instant Pot.
- High or low. If you are changing the pressure, make sure to adjust the cook time accordingly.
- Add flavor. Swap out the water for your favorite chicken, beef, or vegetable broth.
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.
Instant Pot White Rice Recipe
For a tender and fluffy side dish, Instant Pot White Rice will quickly become your new go-to recipe. Simply combine rice, water, butter or oil, and salt in a pressure cooker, then set it and forget it!
Ingredients
- 2 cups long-grain white rice
- 2 cups water or broth
- 1 tbsp. butter or oil, optional
- ½ tsp. salt to taste, optional
Instructions
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Place rice in a fine mesh strainer. Rinse under cold water for 1 minute, or until liquid almost runs clear.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Recipe Notes
- 1 cup of dried rice equals 3 cups of cooked rice.
- One serving equals ½ cup cooked rice.
Meal Prep and Storage
-
- How to prep ahead of time: Make up a bunch of rice to add to easy meal prep dishes.
-
- How to store: Seal in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
-
- How to freeze: Keep in an airtight freezer-safe container for up to 4-6 months.
-
- How to reheat: Warm in the microwave with a little bit of water sprinkled over the top.
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