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.
Cynthia says
I’d like to make chicken and rice (arroz con pollo). Do I use the same cooking time and same 1:1 ratio? Yes
Lorena says
In the third paragraph of the blog post is the link to the post for Chicken and Rice :)
Charlaine says
I just tried 1 cup long grain brown rice in the IP (1 cup water). Rinsed, 22 min high pressure, 10 minutes full natural release. It came out dry, crunchy, uncooked.
What went wrong?
(The condensation cup was nearly full at a the end of the pressure cycle, if that makes a difference.)
Please help if you can.
Happy new year, and thank you!
Lorena says
Hi Charlaine, your Instant Pot took only 10 minutes to release pressure naturally and your condensation cup was full? That sounds like something went wrong. Did you leave the pot on “keep warm” meaning you did not touch it at all? Long grain brown rice is thicker than Basmati. It’s more like short-grain brown rice. I would pressure cook on high for 24 minutes, make sure the sealing ring is properly placed in the lid, even when the safety pin dropped naturally, make sure to leave the rice in there for a minimum of 15 minutes after high-pressure cooking time. Happy New Year to you, too :)
Doris says
Can you cook rice for 50 people or more in the instant pot? How would you do it?
Lorena says
You can definitely cook that much rice, only not in one go of course. You first have to determine if the rice will be an essential part of the meal or just one of many side dishes. If it’s the main or only side dish I would count 1/3-1/2 cup uncooked rice per person. If it’s one of many side dishes I would count 1/4 cup uncooked rice per person. You would have to cook all the rice in advance and then to heat up I would use the oven. Place it all in a large baking dish, sprinkle with some water (not much, a couple teaspoons well distributed) cover with aluminum foil and put in the 350F oven for about 10 minutes to reheat.
Evonne says
I’m sad! Both times I’ve tried it with a 1:1 water ratio, my brown rice has come out slightly crunchy. I didn’t get a burn warning either time but after a full NPR (more like, I forgot to come check it until 30+ mins later) all the water was absorbed. Does it sound like a matter of not enough cook time or not enough water?
Lorena says
Hm, that’s weird. Are you using the same container to measure rice and water? Some “cups” are metric, others imperial, and some jugs with measuring lines are metric or imperial and if you’re using different measuring containers the ratio isn’t 1:1 exactly. Did you use the same? If you left the rice for up to 30 minutes of natural pressure release, it should most definitely be cooked through. Is the brand of your brown rice super super thick in diameter? It could need more pressure cooking time then. I would try adding a couple more minutes. Did you cook 24 minutes? Is it short-grain brown or 22 minutes for Basmati brown? Maybe try 26 minutes high pressure next time. The water quantity wouldn’t really make much of a difference. The rice can’t absorb much more than 1:1
Janice Smith says
How long do I cook the regular white rice ? 1 cup rice /1 cup of water , sea salt ! Cook in the bottom of the IP Pot ??? I’m ready ! NR
Lorena says
It depends on the thickness. If it’s thin like Basmati then 3 minutes. If it’s very thick then try 5 minutes on high pressure + full natural pressure release. In the video you can see the complete process of how to cook it :)
Heather Campbell says
I just recieved my instant pot from my mother-in-law for Christmas. I waa intimidated by it but also super excited to try it out! I have now tried your recipe, EXACTLY as written, twice. First was the rice button feature for white rice, and second was your recommended way for long grain white. I’m pleased to say they BOTH came out PERFECTLY! Your recipe really is failproof. It’s the best rice I’ve EVER made. Thank you so much!! I will excitingly checking out the rest of your recipes to try soon! #Hooked
Lorena says
Heather, I’m so so so happy to read this! Welcome to the club of IP obsessed people :P
Federico says
What about the pot in pot method for doing one cup? Does cooking time change?
Lorena says
Yes, you can use the pot in pot method. Works perfectly fine and no, the time doesn’t change. 1-2 cups water at the bottom, trivet, pot and 1:1 ratio inside the pot. Keep the pot uncovered. Then proceed as instructed.
Denise says
Glad I found this today. Just to be sure. One cup of basmati rice will cook in 3 mins. So do I multiply the time if I want to cook 4 cups, ( 4 cups rice 4 cups of water)to 12 minutes?
Lorena says
No!! The time is 3 minutes for 1 cup. 3 minutes for 2 cups. 3 minutes for 4 cups. Basmati always cooks in 3 minutes regardless of the amount. The ratio is always the same, too. 1:1 or 2:2 or 4:4. Don’t forget the natural pressure release though. That’s the steaming time so to speak. You cannot quick-release pressure.
Lynn says
I’m making Forbidden Rice. Any good recipes for the instant pot?
Lorena says
I’m sorry. I’m not familiar with that recipe :(
JoAnn M Lakes says
Forbidden rice is black rice.
Joan says
Thank you, Lorena! This was so helpful and thorough. I do regularly soak my rice as it is said to remove some of the residual arsenic that is absorbed from the soil. I’m glad to hear this does not affect the cooking time.
Jim R says
like the videos. Can you cook wild rice and lentils together in an Instant Pot.
Lorena says
Yes! Use overnight soaked, drained and rinsed green lentils (not red) because they need about the same amount of time as wild rice to cook. It will be delicious. I’m not 100% sure about the water ratio though because I’ve never cooked both at the same time. I would assume, 1:1 for the lentils should be fine. Make sure everything is submerged in water.
Cindy Marlow says
I was concerned about doing 1 cup of rice in my 8-quart so I did 2 and had way more rice than I needed. Is it OK to do only 1 cup? It just looked so thin and spread out on the bottom that I panicked!
Lorena says
According to the manual, the 8-quart required 2 cups of liquid to get to pressure. So the minimum amount of rice you can “in theory” cook in an 8-quart is 2 cups I’m afraid. I don’t own an 8-quart so I cannot confirm. I’m sorry.
Margaret says
What about Brown Jasmine rice? Would it be the same as brown rice?
Lorena says
Yes!
Maria says
It seems like it’s so easy to use but I’m still intimidated by it. I have decided to learn how to use this instant pot correctly and found this article on cooking rice extremely helpful.
Lorena says
I’m so happy you found my post about rice, it’s the perfect first thing to cook in your Instant Pot and lose fear over it :) Over time you’ll feel more and more comfortable using it and start loving it.
Mystella says
Hi, I am wondering how would you make spanish or Mexican rice I am trying to find a good recipe. I should have tomatoes but not tomato sauce. I would use petite diced tomatoes and traditionally they stir fry onion and rice until lightly browned then pour in tomates and broth.
Lorena says
You can press the sauté button, wait for the pot to heat up and then sauteé your onion in a little oil first, then add your rice and stir fry, scrape the bottom well, from then on you have to work fast as else you risk getting the burn warning. Add broth, then tomatoes (do NOT stir > tomatoes often cause the burn warning in the intsant pot you want them to lay on TOP of your rice), then immediately put on the lid and seal. Turn off the pot and then turn on again and set to 3 minutes on high pressure (if using white rice). Full natural pressure release. Once you open, stir everything together and remove from the pot to avoid from sticking.
Tina L Tetuan says
I’m making spanish rice, 1:1 ratio. How long should I cook 6 cups of white rice in my 8 quart instantpot?
Lorena says
white rice if thin like basmati needs 3 minutes on HP + full natural pressure release. If thick like the long grain one maybe 4 minutes high pressure.
Mike says
Do you keep the “Keep Warm” button on or off? No one ever includes that in their directions. Lol
Thanks!
Lorena says
I keep it on but I’ve tried both ways and it works both ways.