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.
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2catmom says
I tried your instructions for Lundberg Wild Rice Blend and the rice came out perfectly chewy. I did 2 cups rice (rinsed) + 2 cups water, 28 min, and natural pressure release (around 20 minutes) in my 6qt instantpot. Do you have instructions for cooking millet in the instantpot?
Lorena says
I’m so happy you found the guide useful and were successful with my cooking times :) I have never cooked millet before and from what I read online there are basically two ways to cook it. More like rice and more like porridge. How do you usually cook it in a pot? I might be able to help you translate to Instant Pot cooking time once you tell me your favorite consistency and how you usually cook it in the Instant Pot. I cook Farro 1:1, 22 mins HP + full NPR for example. But I cook steel cut oats 1:2, 3 mins HP + full NPR for creamy oats.
Andrew says
Second try:
* 1 cup Lundberg Wild Blend
* 1 cup water
* 1/2 t salt
Cook on high pressure for 32 minutes with natural release.
Results: very chewy rice.
I’m going to try stove-top next. Maybe that’s just the way this rice is.
(The cooker remains the Costco Nova Instant Pot.)
Lorena says
Thank you for coming back and keeping me updated. Yes, please try on the stove-top as instructed on the packaging and let me know if you achieve any other results. Very curious.
Lorena says
Andrew, 2 catmom commented further up that she cooked the same brand rice and she also describes it as chewy (but as perfectly chewy) so I assume, that’s simply the consistency of this kind of rice. I’m not an English native speaker so I’m always a bit lost when consistencies are described.
Charles says
This is the first time I’ve ever made perfect rice! I’ve been using a rice cooker for years but can never seem to get the rice-to-water ratio right – it always comes out mushy.
The Instant Pot using these instructions made rice just like you would get at a Chinese restaurant. Thank you for doing all the research and testing!
Lorena says
You are very welcome Charles, I’m so happy you found my guide useful :)
Andrew says
I use the Costco version (Instant Pot Nova Plus 6 Qt.)
I cooked 2 cups of rice.
I live at sea level.
I can’t say for sure that I cooked at high pressure. I think it was high. I just checked to see what would come up if I selected pressure cook, and it was ‘high.’
I’ll try 32 minutes with my next attempt.
Thanks!
Lorena says
Hm, with the Instant Pot you used and at sea level, it should “in theory” have worked with the 28 minutes. Defo try 32 next time just in case. Please come back and report. I’m really bummed it didn’t work for you.
Kristin says
I’ve found a foolproof way of cooking brown rice. Boil it.
I don’t see any reason to use Instant Pot for rice since it does not save any time (in fact takes longer with time for it to heat up) and there is a high likelihood of failure judging from the comments.
Lorena says
Dear Kristin, did you really read the comments? About 99.8% of people commenting were successful with my method. Why do you say there is is a high likelihood of failure judging from the comments? The reason I (and many other people) like cooking their rice in the Instant Pot is not time-saving. It’s the fact that one achieves the perfect texture “every time”, it requires 0 attention and frees up space on the stovetop.
Cynthia says
Re Kristin boiling brown rice on stovetop….I am thinking she “boils” it and drains when soft? Food value gone down the drain.
Andrew says
I just cooked Lundberg’s Wild Blend. I cooked a double batch for 28 minutes (as directed.)
After waiting 30 more minutes, the pressure indicator still hadn’t fallen. I hit the steam release. There wasn’t much pressure left. It vented very quickly.
The rice was firm… a little too firm.
Should I try increasing the pressure cooking time and/ or water amount with my next try?
Thanks!
Lorena says
Hi Andrew, how many cups did you cook and what size instant pot did you use? Also, at what altitude do you live? Did you cook at high pressure? (Some people accidentally cook at low pressure, that doesn’t work). You do not have to increase the amount of water you just have to increase the amount of time if ever rice isn’t cooked through. If you live at high altitude your rice will take longer to cook but the same amount of water. Maybe try 32 minutes next time.
Kim says
I tried the Lundberg Wild Blend Rice in my Insta Pot tonight and your directions worked perfectly. Thank you, thank you from Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Lorena says
That’s exactly the one I used for my experiments :) Huge fan of Lundberg!
Lu says
Thank you !! Been trying for a long time to get jasmine rice to not stick all together. This worked perfectly(though will cut back most of salt as I make and use for breakfast also). It seemed just the teenest chewy when i opened the lid and fluffed, but by the time I added my sweet fire chicken, it was perfect. very little stuck to pot.
Linda Bessinger says
Thank you for all this wonderful info and answering questions promptly. I read through every post and comment and saw Arborio rice mentioned maybe 3 times? If I remember correctly, if I sauté it first (or not), then add equal parts liquid do I cook it about 7 minutes at HP, and let it natural release till the pin drops?
Lorena says
I haven’t tested arborio myself but someone in the comments mentioned they sautée mushrooms, then remove and sautée arborio rice, then put mushrooms back and cook 1:1.5 rice to water ratio, 8 minutes on high pressure + full NPR. I hope that helps Linda :)
Debra Gaetano says
Ok. I cook in my instapot at least 3x a week. I’d say semi-pro. But, I’ve cooked rice at least 10 times and it is always crunchy! This time. I did Your 1:1 and did 30 minutes with a full natural release and L14. Grrrr. We are in Chicago and I use Riceland extra long grain brown rice.
Lorena says
Hey Debra, I’m a bit confused. What do you mean by L14? That’s what the display says? That’s simply the time of the natural pressure release. Once the Instant Pot beeps the L-Timer starts counting upwards. It’s not an error message. Was the rice cooked through or still crunchy? 30 minutes should REALLY be enough to cook rice. All your other recipes you cook throughout the week turn out great? I’m wondering if your Instant Pot is faulty? 30 minutes for brown rice should absolutely not leave you with crunchy rice. You did cook it on “HIGH” Pressure, right?
Julie says
I don’t understand the “high pressure” part of the cooking method. I’m new to the insta pot and I don’t have a button that says “high pressure”. I have: soup/broth, meat/stew, cake, egg, sauté, rice (which is what I used but it only cooked for 10 min), multigrain, porridge, steam, and slow cook) (also: adjust, delay, manual, keep warm). Let me know which buttons I should be pushing. Thanks!
heth says
just use the manual button!
Rene Briggs says
Hi. I just put rice and water in on a 1:1 ratio and push rice button. Once it starts counting, it only takes 10 minutes and turns out perfect
Lorena says
You use the manual button and then you choose high or low pressure. For rice you use “high”. The problem with the “rice” button is it only works for white rice no other types of rice and in my opinion 3 mins on high + NPR gives better texture than the rice button.
caroline says
Hi – I have the same instantpot as julie – when I select manual I don’t get the option of high or low pressure, only to adjust the time. Should I just set in on manual?
Lorena says
Hi Caroline, you use the “manual” button and then you can adjust pressure by pressing the orange “pressure” button to adjust to “high” if even necessary. Most Instant Pots are set to high pressure by default when pressing manual.
Linda Brincks says
I tried long grain white at 3 minutes with 1:1 ratio and it worked perfectly. Pressure on high with natural release. I do have this question: has anyone tried arborio rice, and if so, how long? (Sorry if it’s in the comments; there were too many to sort through.) Thanks!
Lorena says
I haven’t tested arborio myself but someone in the comments mentioned they sautée mushrooms, then remove and sautée arborio rice, then put mushrooms back and cook 1:1.5 rice to water ratio, 8 minutes on high pressure + full NPR. I hope that helps Linda :)
Cindy says
This is a great post but I’m still having trouble with my brown basmati rice. I really want to wash my rice so I drain it really well. I have the Instant Pot Mini, use 1 cup brown basmati rice, 1 cup water, 1/2 tsp salt, Pressure Cook button, high pressure, 22 minutes and then natural release. My rice is cooked okay but wet. Since I’m rinsing my rice, maybe I should decrease my water or should I increase my time. Three times and I still have wet rice!
Lorena says
Hm. I would try with maybe 2 Tbsp less water + very important when you lift off the lid once it’s done make sure the condensation water doesn’t fall back into the pot. Try to lift and immediately turn it so the condensation water stays in the lid. Next time I make brown rice I will test with washed rice for you.
Cindy says
Thank you! Yes, lots of condensation so that could be contributing to the problem. I’ll try the 2 Tbsp less water next time and watch and tilt the lid carefully. I appreciate your response 😊
Melody says
I had to make a larger batch of rice than my little rice cooker could handle, so I thought I’d give the Instapot a try. I did the 1:1 with 3 cups jasmine rice and 3 cups water, but after reading some of the comments, I added another half cup of water. After adding the water, I did stir the rice around to make sure it was evenly spread out. I cooked for 3 minutes and did natural release for 19 minutes. Then released pressure (not much left) and fluffed the rice with a fork. PERFECT! It did not burn or even stick to the bottom of the pot. Definitely going to try this with the longer cooking brown rice. Thank you!
Lorena says
I’m so happy it worked Melody and I really think 3:3 would still have worked perfectly well :) I do it all the time.
Heather says
I use Calrose brand white rice. For Koreans, we eat slightly sticky rice, but not sushi rice. I’ve used a combination of grains to make my husband brown rice and use 4 cups grain (mixture of white rice, brown rice, sweet brown rice, whole barley, pressed barley, quinoa, and mixed 7 grains), and I put in 5 cups water, 15min high pressure and 15min natural release and it turns out great. I’m worried about the 1:1 ratio for plain white rice but I’ll give it a try!
Lorena says
Thank you for sharing your method. I’ve had a couple of people ask how to cook brown and white rice together. I thought it wouldn’t work. Clearly, it does.
Keith Fullerton says
I have cooked Calrose rice for 1:1 for 6 minutes, natural pressure release and it turned out perfect.
Heather says
So I did 3min HP, 17NPR, and rice was not cooked enough… kinda hard, but sticky so I’ll up it to 4mins next time. I’m at sea level!
(Recipe for white rice was 3min and 11-18npr)