After weeks of experimenting, I got it right. Here is your fail-proof guide for Instant Pot Rice. White rice, brown rice, wild rice, and many more, basically an encyclopedia about cooking rice in a pressure cooker.
If you’ve followed along for a while, you know I’m a huuuuge fan of pressure cooking. My Instant Pot Chicken and Rice recipe is not only a hit at my house but thousands of others now, too. YAY!
What Is The Best Rice To Water Ratio?
You’ll be surprised but it is always and for ALL sorts 1:1. Yes, you read that right.
Instant Pot Rice calls for a 1:1 rice to water ratio
You wonder why on the stove different ratios are called for. Well, the secret to rice cooking is that the darker or wilder the rice the longer it needs to cook and the longer something needs to cook, the more water evaporates during the process.
This leads us to the conclusion, that different kinds of rice do not necessarily need different kinds of amounts of water to “cook” but rather more water to evaporate.
Since the Instant Pot gives a tight seal and high pressure, no water evaporates at all.
So yes, brown rice and even wild rice need the exact same amount of water as white rice in an evaporation-proof environment. *mind-blown*
What If My Rice Is Too Hard With a 1:1 Ratio?
If your rice is hard or uncooked that doesn’t mean next time it needs more water, that means, next time it needs more TIME. Did you wait for FULL natural pressure release?
Unfortunately, you cannot “save” undercooked rice in the Instant Pot as putting the lid back on and turning the pot back on just leads to the dreaded burn warning. I recommend adding the undercooked rice to a soup or stew maybe 5 minutes before it’s done simmering.
What If My Rice Is Too Mushy?
You most likely used too much water. 1:1 water to rice ratio is essential for all rice types.
Use the exact same container to measure both rice and water. Some cups are standard American (236ml), others are metric (250ml) and the little plastic cup that comes with the Instant Pot is neither (160ml). So do not use different measuring cups to measure rice and water.
Does 1:1 Apply For 1 Cup Just As It Does For 4 Cups?
YES! When making Instant Pot Rice you need 1 cup of water for every cup of rice, regardless of if you cook just 1 cup or 4 cups.
This is different when you cook rice on the stovetop where evaporation happens. The more rice you cook the less water you need when using a regular pot on the stove.
How Many Cups Of Rice Can You Cook In An Instant Pot?
In theory: 2.5 cups in a 3-quart Instant Pot. 5 cups in a 6 quart Instant Pot. 6.5 cups in an 8-quart Instant Pot.
This is US standard measuring cups and raw dry rice.
So the mathematical thought for the theory is the following:
- 1 cup of raw white rice gives on average 3 cups cooked rice.
- Instant Pots should not be filled more than 2/3 of its full capacity at any time. So we have to take the expanded rice into consideration.
- A 6-quart Instant Pot’s capacity is 24 cups and two-thirds of that are 16 cups.
- There should not be more than 16 cups cooked rice in the Instant Pot and since 1 cup raw makes 3 cups cooked we have to divide the 16 by 3. That makes 5.3 cups.
The calculation is only theory though. I have not tried that many cups in my own 6-quart. 4 cups raw dry rice are the maximum I have cooked myself without any issues and with perfect results.
Natural Pressure Release (NPR) vs. Quick Pressure Release (QR)
What’s better? Hands down, no doubt >> natural pressure release. If you cook rice longer so you can do quick pressure release, with the hope to have the rice cooked faster overall, it gets sticky and mushy.
If you want fluffy rice, I encourage you to be patient and wait for natural pressure release. I timed all rice and there doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason to the timing. Even the same kind of rice in the same amount has had different natural pressure release times.
What Is The Rice Button For?
The rice button was designed only for white rice (regular long-grain, Jasmine, or Basmati rice). It works fine with those types of rice. The shorter high-pressure cooking times with natural pressure release work better though in my opinion.
Also, the Rice Button does not work for any other type of rice but white rice.
Do I Have To Rinse Rice Before Cooking?
Opinions vary widely and there seems to be no right or wrong answer. It’s all up to personal preference. However, thankfully it is irrelevant for the cooking times presented.
Both rinsed and dry rice work with my cooking times and method. Nothing has to be adjusted or changed either way. Just make sure you drain your rice well in a fine mesh strainer if you rinse it. Then use 1:1 ratio.
Instant Pot Rice Cooking Times
Now let’s get to the individual kinds of rice:
White Rice
I’ve tried both Basmati and Jasmin and both cook in the exact same time, 3 minutes high pressure + NPR. The thicker regular long-grain white rice cooks better with 4 minutes high pressure + NPR.
Brown Rice
I’ve experimented with Basmati brown rice and with short grain brown rice and the Basmati cooked faster than the short grain. From all my experiments it seems like the thicker the individual grains, the longer they need. With the exception of wild rice, that one needs long regardless of being a skinny dude. 22 minutes high pressure + NPR for the thin Basmati and 24 minutes for the thick short grain.
Wild Rice
Some people swear the grain HAS to burst open, others swear, it’s best when “just about to burst” and others like it completely unburst. Guess what, you can achieve any consistency you like when you cook Instant Pot Wild Rice. Here are the times for whole unbroken wild rice: 28 minutes (unburst), 30 minutes (some burst some unburst), 32 minutes (burst).
Red Rice and Black Rice
Red rice and black rice is pretty thick and needs quite some time to break down so give it tiiime. It’s round and thick and it takes quite a bit for it to absorb all the water. It’s like a new towel that needs time to get soaking wet ;) 30 minutes high pressure + NPR.
Sushi Rice
I was actually pretty sure this would take just as long as regular white rice but surprise surprise. It’s not as sticky if you cook it or only 3 minutes and this is the only rice you really want to be sticky, right? So increasing the cooking time actually made it stickier and better to work with for sushi. Cooke it 5 minutes on high pressure + NPR.
Wild Rice Blend
Soooo, this one is the trickiest because it has several different kinds of rice that individually cook in different times. I found it cooks best in an in-between time. The wild rice in the mix will be completely unburst but the brown rice won’t be all mushy. Usually, that’ll be 28 minutes high-pressure + NPR. Of course, it will depend widely on what grains exactly are in your blend.
How to Reheat Rice in the Instant Pot
So, I’ve seen a couple of people recommend adding water or oil and stir it in the inner pot and pretty much making a mess, haha.
Um, not my favorite method.
I like things simple. I basically want the same convenience as a microwave but without the waves.
I store my leftover rice in a heat-proof glass container and then place the trivet in the Instant Pot, add a cup of water and place the rice uncovered on the trivet. Put the lid on, knob to sealing and press steam for 5 minutes. Quick pressure release, done!
So here you have it. The longest post in the history of Green Healthy Cooking.
Burn Warning Trouble Shooting
The wicked burn warning, it’s the Instant Pot user’s nemesis! For starters, some Instant Pots are a lot more temperamental than others. You most likely did nothing wrong, however, you are dealing with what we could compare with a toddler with a temper tantrum.
If your Instant Pot is generally one to scream “burn” easily and quickly I recommend you stay close in the beginning phase while it gets the water boiling and trying to get to pressure. When the pot is trying to push up the safety pin but seems to not be able to, that’s the critical moment. Push down on the handle of the lid a little to help it get to pressure.
If the pot tries and tries to get to pressure but can’t too much water evaporates through the valve and thus leaves too little inside the pot and the rice starts to burn.
If even with a little push on the lid, it cannot get to pressure, the sealing ring might not be positioned properly inside the lid. You will have to abort the mission and start over, making sure the sealing ring is still in great condition and placed correctly.
If the Instant Pot was able to pressure cook for most of the time and only showed the burn warning at the end of the cooking time, then just unplug it and wait for natural pressure release. Often times it still manages to cook the rice and just a tiny corner got burnt.
Instant Pot Rice
Equipment
- Pressure Cooker
Ingredients
- 1 cup rice - (Basmati white, Jasmin white, Basmati brown, short-grain brown, red, black, wild, wild blend, sushi)
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
Instructions
- Add all ingredients into the Instant Pot. You can double, triple or quadruple all ingredients in same amounts.
- Make sure sealing ring is placed properly in lid, add lid, turn shut and turn knob to sealing position.
- Cook on high pressure for the number of minutes instructed below depending on the type of rice:White Rice (Basmati or Jasmin): 3 minutesWhite Sushi Rice: 5 minutesBrown Rice (Basmati): 22 minutesShort Grain Brown Rice: 24 minutesRed Rice: 30 minutesWild Rice Blend: 28 minutesWild Rice: 30 minutesBlack Pearl Rice: 30 minutes
- Natural Pressure Release until pin drops. Takes on average 9-12 minutes (max. 18 minutes for 1 cup and max 30 mins for 4 cups).
- Remove all rice from pot immediately to avoid it sticking to the bottom. If needing to keep warm, leave rice in pot after natural pressure release without opening the lid to avoid steam being released and drying out the rice > making it stick to the bottom.
Notes
- I use a US standard cup. 236ml in volume.
- I, personally, do NOT rinse or wash my rice.
- Cooking time stays the same no matter how many cups you cook.
Jerry says
It’s me again. Have you played around with sweet rice and brown sweet rice? Also, is plain long grain the same as “white rice” on cooking instructions?
Lorena says
No, I’ve never tried sweet rice. Sorry. And I’m pretty certain most white rices cook in 3-5 minutes. The thinner ones in 3 the thicker ones in 5.
Jerry says
So this is manual setting and high pressure, right? And, how many minutes would you add for 2K feet elevation? BTW, thanks for the terrific article, I got rid of all my stove top pressure cookers and now I want to find a new home for two rice cookers! AKA downsizing.
Lorena says
Yes, “manual” is “pressure cook” in some of the newer models. For 2,000 feet I wouldn’t add anything to be honest. It’s still pretty low. Mayyybe 1 minute.
Dayna says
Thank you, thank you! I’m saving this. Great questions above too. In addition to those, I’d also like to know what size Instant Pot you’re using. Thanks!
Lorena says
You are very welcome. I use a 6 quart.
Carmen says
I have a 3 qt and an 8 qt Instant Pot. Will your tips on all rice types still work in either one???
Lorena says
Hi Carmen, yes all tips apply. The only thing you have to pay attention to is the minimum liquid requirements. I believe the 8 qt calls for a minimum of 2 cups liquid to come to pressure so you’d have to cook 2 cups of rice with 2 cups water at least. It won’t work with just 1 cup. The ratios stay the same though one:one.
Judy says
I’m wondering if I can cook glutinous rice (sweet rice) the way water ratio and how long should I be cooking it? Thanks in advance!
Lorena says
How long do you usually cook it and how? Or what does the package instructions say?
Tara says
What is the case cookinh time for long grain rice?
Thank you!
Lorena says
White you mean? I’d have to test. I had to draw the line at some point but I’m hoping to add more varieties over time.
Bren says
I just did 22 minutes for long grain brown and it turned out fine.
Mary says
Thank you so much for this. All your effort is greatly appreciated.
Lorena says
You are very welcome :)
Katie says
I’m excited to use this reference! Thank you so much.
Lorena says
You are very welcome :)
Irene says
Excellent information! Thanks! Do you cook the rice and water in the inner pot or do you place another container on the trivet to cook it?
Lorena says
I always cook everything directly in the inner pot of the Instant Pot. I’ve never tried the pot in pot method.
Laura says
first THANK YOU and i have a couple of questions
1- are you using regular pressure cook function or multi grain function
2- what measuring cups are you using ? lm assuming a dry measuring cup for rice and a liquid measuring cup for water, but then im thinking maybe you are using the measurer that cam with the IP…
so happy you posted this,
Lorena says
Hi Laura, you are very welcome. I use the “manual” button (in some Instant Pots that’s the “pressure cook” button) and adjust timing and make sure the “high pressure” light is on. I use a US Standard measuring cup. 236ml in volume. It doesn’t really matter what container you use simply use the same container for rice and water to make sure you are using a 1:1 ratio plus make sure you use the minimum volume required by instruction manual of your Instant Pot model. If you pot says 2 cups liquid minimum you need to make at least 2 cups rice with 2 cups water.
Dawn says
Hi I’m New and still learning the IP. Your rice and liquid measurements call for 1 cup, are you using a standard measure cup or the cup that came with the instant pot ? Thank you dawn coco
Jerry says
My assumption is that if it is one to one it wouldn’t matter the measuring devise.
Lorena says
I use US Standard American. It’s 236ml in volume. It doesn’t really matter though. The important thing is that you use the same ratio. Whatever container you use, fill with rice and then fill with water to the same level. Also, make sure you add the minimum amount of volume per instruction manual of your pot model.
Jeri says
Awesome post! I’ve yet to master rice in the IP. I’ve been cooking with a sprouted blonde rice by Planet Rice. I think it’s somewhere between white and brown so I’ll have to play w the timing on that.
Lorena says
Yes, play around. Usually sprouted cooks faster than unsprouted so maybe something in between. What does the package instruction say in terms of timing?
Jeri says
The package states 1 cup rice/ 2 1/2 cups water / 20-25 minutes
Ann says
I use sprouted brown rice. 1:1-ish. PIP (it doesn’t stick). IP timer 30 mins soak. 12 mins high pressure. NR
Lorena says
Great!! Thanks for the info :D
Charlotte says
Thank you!
Lorena says
You are very welcome :D
Cindy says
Are you rinsing the white rice? I read for IP rice to rinse it for 2 minutes first.
Lauri says
I would like to know this also, actually shouldn’t you rinse all types of rice. I always rinse my rice.
Lorena says
I never rinse rice. In my opinion rinsing rice is a matter of personal preference in terms of texture. Rinsing removes starch and thus the consistency changes. It’s not a matter of hygiene. #1 rices in North America are all pre-washed and re-dried before packaging and on top you’re boiling your rice so all bacteria should basically die during that process.
Cyndi says
When I rinse my rice, a lot of “dust” is removed. I can’t imagine consuming that debris, whatever it is. I’m in California and get my rice at TJs or Whole Foods.
Thanks for the experiment!!
Crystal says
The dust is essentially rice starch from the grains rubbing together.
Lorena says
Yes, exactly!
April says
At the very bottom of the article she says she never rinses the rice. It goes into the pot dry, dry, dry.
Lorena says
I don’t rinse it. I never rinse my rice regardless of the cooking device. I like the texture of rice better when adding it dry dry dry to the pot/instant pot/rice cooker.
Douglas Brown says
Your calling for a ratio of 1:1 and 3 min high pressure. Does the high pressure time remain constant (3 min) regardless of how many cups your cooking?
Lorena says
yes! 1:1 2:2 3:3 and always 3 minutes high pressure and natural pressure release. The more rice you cook, the longer the pot takes to come to pressure and to release pressure so that’s how the timing changes automatically.
Lisa says
I’m at 2,350 altitude. Can you please provide adjustments. Do you have a quinoa recipe?
Lorena says
Is that feet or meters? If it’s feet I would add anything. Maaaaybe a minute. It’s still fairly low so it shouldn’t make a difference. If it’s meters I can’t tell for sure of course because I haven’t tested it but from the info I have from a friend at that altitude and our different spaghetti squash cooking times (3 minutes difference) I want to assume you’d have to add 3 minutes high pressure to each type of rice. Please let me know how that turns out when you try so I can add that info to the post. Oh and yes, I have a quinoa recipe >> https://greenhealthycooking.com/instant-pot-quinoa/
Vicki says
Great info! I haven’t cooked rice yet; however, will now give it a try!
The instructions on my ULTRA 60 states a 2 cup liquid MINIMUM is required. Do you have a different IP?
Thanks for your hard work!
Vicki
Lorena says
Yes, I have 6 qt 7-in-1. If yours states 2 cups minimum use 2 cups. The ratio is still 1:1 so basically 2 cups rice to 2 cups water.
CJ says
Hi Vicki. I have the ultra60 also and had the same question. I have cooked only 1c jasmine rice (236g) using 1c water. 3min. high pressure and NPR. I had rinced and drained the rice first (instructions from Amy/Jacky). Worked beautifully. :)