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.
J Powers says
Is there any difference in measurement or time when using broth vs. water?
Lorena Grater says
No, no change at all.
Jan says
I really like your video. There is just me so could I use the same method for half a cup of rice?
Lorena Grater says
Unfortunately, a 6-quart pressure cooker needs at least 1 cup of liquid to get to pressure. Rice freezes wonderfully though. You could make one cup and freeze half of it for another day :)
Alyse says
Terrific guidance and recommendations. Found this post on a google search and have tried brown, white, and wild rice, all which turned out perfectly on first attempt. Thank you!
Cookinmom says
Hello Lorena, I’ve looked through you chart as well as some comments but can’t seem to find how long to cook Orzo. Normal, it says to simmer for 9 min. Any idea how long in the IP 6qt?
Cookinmom says
I’m guessing 5 min with a NR!??
Lorena Grater says
Orzo is pasta so you have to cook it like pasta I assume. It’s not rice. I’m sorry, I don’t know how long pasta needs to be cooked.
Mackenzie says
Thank you so much for this guide! I have actually had great results using the ‘rice’ button for sushi rice, with a 1:1 ratio, but I’m going to gives yours a try!
I was wondering if you have any advice on if you wanted to make the short grain brown rice sticky? Like if I wanted to try making sushi with brown rice so in that case it would be good sticky. Thank you in advance!
Lorena Grater says
Unfortunately, I have never tried so I don’t know for sure but I think I would try adding more water. Maybe 1 to 1.5 ratio for sticky brown rice.
Tomi-Rae says
Amazing guide. I use it for all my rice. It turns out perfect every time. I was wondering if you have a recipe for rice pilaf
Lorena Grater says
No, unfortunately, I don’t yet.
Pam says
Do you have to add salt or is that just for flavor? I have sodium restrictions and would prefer not having to use the salt, but want to know if it is essential :) thank you
Lorena Grater says
Oh no, it’s not essential at all. You can cook the rice without salt.
Adrine Yaghmourian says
I gave a question so for every cup uou add four minutes And have you tried rice pudding in the pot
Lorena Grater says
I’m not sure I understood your question I’m sorry. And no, I haven’t made rice pudding. You can’t pressure cook dairy.
Mea says
You can absolutely pressure cook dairy how absurd – what do you think the yogurt BUTTON on the Instant Pot orders it from the local grocery?
Lorena Grater says
The yogurt button is to make yogurt NOT under pressure in the pot. Never pressure cook the milk to make yogurt, it’s just brought to a boil first and later it’s kept at a warm temperature but it’s never pressure cooked.
Bada says
Yes I have made rice pudding in my Instant pot. Check out recipes on Pinterest. I prefer the recipes that don’t require cooking rice ahead of time. It was excellent.
CJ says
I consider myself a really good and inventive cook but I have always struggled making good rice and your method works perfectly for me. Today I made black rice (my new favorite) and it was perfect even though I totally forgot it after I unplugged my IP when the timer went off! My only question is…is it normal to only get 1.5 cups of cooked black rice from 1 cup dry? Thx!
Lorena Grater says
Yes, it’s normal. Whole grains don’t swell as much as shelled. 1 cup white rice can sweel to more than double, brown usually less than double, red and black more to like 1.5 times the volume.
Velta says
Thank you for posting these instructions for cooking rice in the Instant Pot. I successfully cooked short grain brown rice today for the first time without being stressed.
The only issue is that I think the amount of salt should be reduced from 1/2 teaspoon to 1/4 teaspoon.
Lorena Grater says
Did you use sea salt or table salt? Sea salt tends to be less salty than table salt so yes, absolutely reduce if using a different kind :)
Cathy says
I’ve been using your recipe to make Lundberg’s wild rice blend, and it works perfectly! The maximum I’ve made is 4 cups (dry) in the 6 qt Instant Pot. Have you tested your recipes in an 8 qt? I recently got an 8 qt and I’m wondering if it would be the same cooking times and water ratio. Thanks!
Lorena Grater says
Yes, my method works in the 8-quart as well. The only thing is that the minimum rice you have to cook is 2 cups because the 8-quart needs 2 cups liquid to get to pressure.
Mary says
Do you have a recommendation for long grain brown rice? Thank you!
Lorena Grater says
24 mins + full NPR
Michelle says
This is the best rice I’ve ever made, hands down. I’ve tried different methods on the stovetop and microwave, as well as a rice cooker. This is perfect. I followed the instructions for brown basmati rice, 1.5 cups rice and 1.5 cups water, plus 1tsp salt and 1.5 Tbsp butter. I did rinse and soak the rice first, drained well. 22 min high pressure, full natural release. I was making it for tomorrow, and it tasted so good, I ate a small bowl for dessert tonight!
Yasmin says
Hi, do you need to soak the rice for sometime before cooking ? While cooking in microwave, I usually soak rice for 1/2 hour
Lorena Grater says
I don’t rinse or soak my rice ever but my method works with rinsed and drained rice as well if you wish to do so.
Daphne says
This is such a helpful guide! Thank you for clear instructions & a great visual chart. We occasionally cook sweet brown rice. It’s typically short-grain. Do you have a recommendation on time for sweet rice (white or brown)? Thanks
Lorena Grater says
I’m happy to read you found the guide helpful. I’m sorry I’m not familiar with that type of rice. If you mean simply rice pudding, remember you can’t add milk to the pot. It will burn.
Peggy says
I assume you mean glutinous rice when you say ‘sweet’ rice. For white glutinous/sweet rice you would use the time given for sushi rice. There is no time given for that type of brown rice, but I would try the time given for short grain brown rice.
Kay says
Hi, I just got my Instant Pot and would like to find out how much cook time you would recommend for cooking a blend of white, brown and red rice?
Lorena Grater says
You have to cook it for as long as the grain that takes the longest or else it won’t be cooked through. That being said, the white rice will totally overcook in that time. Mixing brown and red will work fine but I don’t recommend white rice in the mixture because of the massive difference in cooking time.