Instant Pot White Rice – Easily Cook Perfect White Rice

Use your Instant Pot to cook light and fluffy, delicious white rice in about 30 minutes to enjoy as a simple side dish or to add to other recipes. No babysitting a stove required!

Sure, there are devices specifically made for cooking white rice. However, not everyone has room in their pantry or homes for a device dedicated to only white rice. (Let alone the money to spend on one!)

Then there’s the stovetop method for cooking rice. Most people have a saucepan, but then you are left babysitting the pan, waiting for the water to boil, and then stirring constantly.

That’s where using the Instant Pot comes into play. The same device that you use to speed up the cooking of some of your favorite meals can also be used to cook white rice. In fact, it’s one of the ingredients I make the most often in my Instant Pot.

When you use your Instant Pot, you simply add your ingredients, program it, and let it do the work of cooking the rice while you are free to prep and cook your other ingredients.

I’ll provide you with the instructions on how to use your “Rice” setting on your Instant Pot or how to use a Manual/Pressure Cook mode. Whichever method you use, you can have a delicious, hands-off side dish on your table in around 30 minutes.

To Rinse Or Not To Rinse Rice?

Most people suggest that you rinse your white rice before cooking. Rinsing helps to remove any excess starch that can make the rice gummy and sticky. However, I normally don’t mess with it. I actually like the rice to stick together slightly for recipes like Fried Rice or Beef Stir Fry.

If you want your rice to be looser and not clump together, then rinse it before adding it to the Instant Pot. Simply add the correct amount of rice to a bowl filled with cold water. (You can also use a fine mesh strainer and running water.)

Use your fingers or a spoon to swish the rice around until the water becomes cloudy. Carefully drain the water. Repeat the process two to four times until the water is mostly clear. Then add the drained rice to the Instant Pot.

Ingredients For Instant Pot White Rice

• White Rice – I normally use white rice, so these instructions are based on cooking that. However, these same directions should work just fine for jasmine and basmati rice.
• Water – You need water in order to cook the rice at a ratio of 1:1. Use cold water because it allows the rice to heat up evenly along with the Instant Pot, allowing for a better, more evenly cooked texture.
• Salt – You don’t have to use salt, but just like you salt and flavor pasta when cooking it, I like to add salt to the rice. What you do might depend on how you plan to eat the cooked rice (e.g., in recipes, as a side dish, etc).
• Cooking Oil – The cooking oil is completely optional as well, but it helps to keep the rice from sticking to the bottom of the Instant Pot. I usually use vegetable or olive oil, but coconut oil is another great option. Instead of just mixing it in (like I normally do), you can add the oil first and coat the bottom before adding the rice and water.

Instructions For Instant Pot White Rice

I am going to provide you with both instructions for using your Instant Pot if it has a “Rice” setting, as well as directions in case yours doesn’t have that button. I have an older version of the Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 Multicooker (Product Link), and it features a “Rice” setting that I can use if I prefer.

For both methods, start by rinsing your rice if you choose to go that route. Again, I normally don’t rinse white rice, but if you prefer looser grains of rice, then go ahead and do this process now. (See above for step-by-step directions.)

For “Rice” Mode

Add all of the ingredients to the pressure cooker. Close and lock the lid according to your pressure cooker’s directions. Press the “Rice” setting and cook it on Low for 12 minutes. Once the time is up, Naturally Release for 10 minutes. (This means that you don’t touch the pressure cooker and let the pressure come down naturally.)

After the 10 minutes are up, do a Quick Release to let out the rest of the steam. Don’t open the lid of your pressure cooker unless the pressure gauge has dropped down. Fluff the rice with a fork and enjoy!

For Manual/Pressure Cook Mode

If you prefer to use the Manual or Pressure Cook setting, start by adding all of the ingredients to the pressure cooker. Close and lock the lid according to your pressure cooker’s directions.

Set the Manual Mode or Pressure Cook on High for 3 minutes. Once the time is up, Naturally Release for 10 minutes. (This means that you don’t touch the pressure cooker and let the pressure come down naturally.)

When the 10 minutes are up, do a Quick Release to let out the rest of the steam. Don’t open the lid of your pressure cooker unless the pressure gauge has dropped down. Fluff the rice with a fork and enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions With Instant Pot White Rice

How much cooked rice does this make? When it comes to white rice, every 1 cup of dry rice equals about 3 cups of cooked rice. This recipe uses 2 cups of dry rice, so you will end up with about 6 cups of cooked rice.

Can the recipe be scaled up or down? You can scale the recipe however you want, but use a ratio of 1:1 of rice and water. Keep in mind that 1 cup of dry rice equals 3 cups cooked, so don’t make more than your Instant Pot can handle. Also, cooking less than 2 cups of dry rice can burn in the bottom of a 6-quart Instant Pot, so consider that as well.

How do I store the rice after cooking? Spread out any extra rice to cool quickly, then place it in an airtight container. Keep in your refrigerator for 3 to 5 days or in your freezer for around 6 months. When reheating, sprinkle the rice with a little bit of water and cover with a paper towel. Microwave until the rice is reheated to at least 165º Fahrenheit. Day-old rice works great for most Chinese recipes!

What are some recipes I can use this rice in? Two of my favorite ways to use Instant Pot White Rice are in my Easy Fried Rice and in Simple Beef Stir Fry. However, you can use it anywhere that cooked rice is an ingredient.

What Went Wrong?

• Why is my rice watery after cooking? Most likely, your rice is undercooked, or you added too much water.
• Why is my rice hard or burnt? The rice is either overcooked or you didn’t add enough water.
• Why is my rice mushy or sticky? Either you added too much water, or you didn’t rinse your rice before cooking. (Again, I don’t rinse it because I like it to be sticky.)

Until next time, thanks for stopping by!
– Chelsea

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