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.Â
- I, personally, do NOT rinse or wash my rice.Â
- Cooking time stays the same no matter how many cups you cook.
Jenny says
Hello – so helpful! Has anyone tried a brown rice and white rice mixture? What is the recommended cooking time for that?
Lorena says
You will HAVE to cook any mix at least as long as the rice type that takes the longest to cook or else, that rice won’t be cooked through. Your white rice might overcook during that time though so I’m not sure I recommend it.
William Zaspel says
We tried rice as our third attempt with the Instant Pot; DISASTER! I used the programmed button and ran through two cycles and the rice was still inedible. I’m guessing that the program is for Instant Rice.
I’m so very glad to find your web site. BOOKMARKED! Thank you for your time in figuring out all these different types of rice. We love rice and now we can make it again and reheat. Wonderful!
Debbie says
The rice button is for white rice only. One to one ratio rice to water. No other kind of rice.
Toni Holguin says
Soaked brown rice for about 1/2 hour mix with white rice and wash til clear. Used rice button on Instant pot about 10 minutes npr about 10 minutes. Used 1 cup brown and 2 cups white both jasmine rice. First try brown still a little crunchy, but not bad. Thanks Toni
Susan Nystoriak says
Do you have a recipe for Arborio rice? We love that, and unless I missed it, I didn’t see it in your list! I am guessing it would be like sushi rice? Thank you!
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 Susan :)
Bob says
Your blog ads are a cancer, I literally am making an appt with a doctor after I type this.
MICHELLE says
What on earth do you mean by that comment??
Yvette Nazareth says
Do you a recipe for long grain sweet rice?
Lorena says
I’m sorry, I’m not familiar with sweet rice. Long Grain White Rice usually takes 5 minutes HP + full NPR though. I hope that helps.
Maria says
Hi! Love how the brown rice turned out! Only question is you said to take out rice to stop cooking. Where do you usually store the cooked rice? And do you cover it while hot or let it cool uncovered before putting it in fridge?
Also if you leave it there to keep warm, when you open it, the water that was stored in the cover, are you supposed to mix it with the rice or drain it in sink?
Thank you in advance!! :)
Lorena says
What I mean with taking rice out, it’s not because it’ll overcook (it won’t), it’s because once all the steam is out it starts sticking to the pot. So if you want to keep it warm, just leave it in there until your other things are done and serve it on plates warm when it’s time. If there is still some left over in the pot take it out right then. Don’t leave it in there while you’re eating because it will stick to the pot. Once it cooled down (20-ish minutes) I put it in the fridge.
Michelle says
THANK YOU SO MUCH !!!!! I wish I had found your recipe sooner. IF you are new to rice in your instant pot, look no further, do not waste your time elsewhere. My sister and I are always looking for the best recipes for our families and this is now how we make rice !!! I like to use chicken broth. 1st time I tried the 1:1 with brown rice. It was perfect! Thank you for your efforts in perfecting this method. Save money and buy the rice on the bottom shelf at the grocery store. Thanks.
Lorena says
You are very welcome!! I’m so happy to read my post was useful!
Jim Z says
Lorena,
I just got an instant pot and followed your guidelines, and the brown rice turned out perfectly. I could never get stovetop rice right, but this is great. thanks again!
Erin says
I have cooked every rice I can think of this way- it is PERFECT!!!! Thank you for the recipe!!!
Joanna says
This worked great! I made 4 cups of jasmine rice, the texture is good and it didn’t burn or stick. Thank you for doing all the research!
Bill says
Absolutely perfect! Best rice I have ever made. Followed directions exactly for 2 cups of jasmine rice in 8 quart Instant Pot, couldn’t be happier with the results.
Matthew Roseberry says
Are the ratios the same if using chicken or vegetable stock?
Lorena says
yes! Same ratio.
Anne says
Perfect rice—finally. I have made numerous attempts to cook rice in my instant pot. They have all been disastrous. Pot-in-pot, not PIP, rinsed, not rinsed and every variation on water and time. The rice has always been mushy or crunchy. Thank you for this simple yet perfect recipe. I didn’t have very high expectations but I was determined to find a way to cook rice in my IP because it seemed like everyone else was cooking rice with no problems if the number of recipes on the internet and comments were any indication. I followed your directions for jasmine rice to the letter. The result was my first perfect instant pot of rice. I’m sure the directions for other types of rice will be just as successful.
Lori Ayers says
I’m headed to high desert altitude and need to make a LOT of rice, entire 6 qt pot. I’ll only have generator so ideally make it at home the day before then reheat on generator power ? (how?) I don’t want to take it out of usual stainless pot inside, just reheat. Or am i better off to do it there – but what if it doesn’t work? . . . seems crazy that as much as i’ve researched i still can’t figure out how to do this.
Lorena says
I got back to your e-mail :)
Lorena says
I’m so happy to read you were successful and happy with the results :) I’ve cooked rice with my method for YEARS now and I won’t cook it any other way.
Jonny says
Wow! Just had the best basmati rice I’ve ever had. Seriously never knew rice could taste this good! The recipe was completely spot on. Thank you so so much!
Ruby says
This is great! Too many comments to see if you already addressed this. How would you treat a rice dish with more than just water in the IP, as in yellow rice? It’s a Puerto Rican dish that places sofrito, a can of tomato sauce, water, and seasoning in it. Since the tomato sauce is thick it might not evaporate well.
Lorena says
Hi Ruby, you have to consider that none of the liquid evaporates in the pressure cooker. That’s the whole point. Only at the very end when you natural release pressure “some” (very little) evaporates. So to use tomato sauce I recommend (never tried it myself though) you use 1/2 cups tomato sauce and 1/2 cup water per 1 cup rice. The sofrito you can make in the same instant pot with the sauté button before adding the rice. Just make sure, once your onion is nice and brown to shut off your instant pot, add about 1 tbsp of water to deglaze the bottom of the pot. Scrape all the bits and pieces off or else you’ll have the burn warning later. Add your rice and water/tomato mix and seasoning, mix well and then put on the lid and continues as instructed in this post.
Anna says
Hi Lorena! Just wanted to say that I love your blog!! Your methodology is positively scientific and it makes it so easy to extend and modify your recipes. Thanks for sharing!
Lorena says
I’m so happy you find them useful :D
Bryan says
I was wondering if you ever used chicken stock to infuse some additional flavor in the rice? Do you still use the 1:1 ratio?
Lorena says
Yes! It works perfectly well and yes you still use 1:1 ratio.