You can make perfect Instant Pot Rice every single time with this recipe! No rinsing needed. The rice is not sticky but perfectly fluffy. Use right away in any dish or portion out and freeze in ziploc bags.
Making rice in your Instant Pot is easy. I use it in my Teriyaki Shrimp and Easy Sesame Chicken recipes. It’s perfect and totally fail-proof!
The search for the perfect fluffy rice is over! I used my method of cooking perfect rice on the stove and made the best rice in my Instant Pot. The water amount for cooking rice in the pressure cooker is different than the standard 1:2 ratio or rice to water, so I tested this recipe with three different ratios. The recipe below will show you how to make the best rice, not sticky or gluey, but perfectly fluffy.
This Instant Pot Rice does not require rinsing. All you need to do is toast the rice in melted butter for a few minutes before cooking. It works every single time!
How to cook white rice in the Instant Pot?
- Make sure the stainless steel pot is in your Instant Pot (to know why I always mention this step, check out my Instant Pot Guide for Beginners). Press “saute” (on medium setting) setting and wait 2 minutes. Add butter and let melt.
- Add rice and toast, stirring often.
- Add water. Stir well. Close the lid, set valve to “Sealing” position and set timer to 4 minutes.
- Once the timer is done, press “cancel/off” and let the IP release pressure naturally for 10 minutes.
- Open the lid carefully away from your face. Fluff rice with a fork.
- Serve or cool completely, portion out and freeze in ziploc bags.
Water to rice ratio
Unlike cooking the rice on the stove, the ratio of water to rice while pressure cooking is 1 cup of rice to 1.25 cups of water. I tested it with equal ration, 1:1.5 ratio and 1:2 ratio and the 1:1.25 ratio produced the best, fluffy rice. What is the reason for less water? During cooking in the Instant Pot, the steam does not escape as it does during cooking in a pot on the stove.
Expert tips:
- Make sure your IP insert is clean of any cooked on spots. Sometimes my insert comes out of the dishwasher with a slight film or brown spots. They come off very easily with just a sponge and soapy water. You need a clean insert to prevent the burn message during cooking the rice.
- Set the IP to NORMAL level on SAUTE setting. If you use it on HIGH, the butter and rice might burn. It’s easier to control on a normal level. To adjust the level, use the ADJUST button, right after pressing the SAUTE setting.
- Toast the rice until you see quite a bit of rice lightly brown. Stir often.
- Add warm tap water. I always use warm tap water when cooking rice on the stove and it’s just another trick to make the perfect fluffy rice. Besides, you don’t want a temperature shock since you are adding water to already hot IP insert.
Cooking Time:
- White Long Grain Rice – set timer to 4 minutes and 10 minutes Natural Release
- Brown Rice – double the time of the white rice, set timer to 8 minutes and full Natural Release
- Jasmine Rice – set timer to 5 minutes and 10 minutes Natural Release
Can I freeze it?
Yes! I always make a double batch of rice and use half for my dish and the other, I portion out and place in ziploc bags. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months. To thaw, place in fridge the day before or place on a plate on the counter, to thaw faster.
More recipes with rice:
- Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup
- Fluffy Rice Ever
- Spanish Rice
- Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice
- Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli
- Instant Pot Chicken and Rice
To learn more about the Instant Pot, check out my Guide for Beginners. If you experienced the “burn” message while using your IP, check out my Instant Pot Burn Message post to learn how to fix the issue and prevent it in the first place.
If you like this recipe and make it, snap a photo and share it on INSTAGRAM! Tag me @crunchycreamysweet so I can check it out and leave a comment!
You can make perfect rice in your Instant Pot every single time! The rice is not sticky or gluey, but fluffy and ready to be used in any dish or frozen in ziploc bags.
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 cups white long grain rice
- 2.5 cups warm tap water
- Make sure the stainless steel pot is in your Instant Pot (to know why I always mention this step, check out my Instant Pot Guide for Beginners). Press "saute" (on medium setting) setting and wait 2 minutes, until the display shows HOT. Add butter and let melt.
- Add rice and toast, stirring often. When you see quite a bit of grain lightly brown, press "cancel/off" button.
- Add water. Stir well. Close the lid, set valve to "Sealing" position (newer models do it on its own). Set timer to 4 minutes, on HIGH pressure. The Instant Pot will take about 4 minutes to come to pressure.
- Once the timer is done, press "cancel/off" and let the IP release pressure naturally for 10 minutes. Switch valve to "venting" position to release any remaining pressure. There should not be much left.
- Open the lid carefully away from your face. Fluff rice with a fork. Serve or cool completely, portion out and freeze in ziploc bags.
- 2 cups of uncooked rice = 6 cups of cooked white rice
- 1 serving = 1/2 cup rice
- Please note, that the nutrition value can vary depending on what product you use. The information below is an estimate. Always use calorie counter you are familiar with.
Bev says
Thank you so much for this perfect recipe for rice. I prepared brown rice this morning only my 2nd pressured item. We loved it!
I have reviewed your instant pot recipes and I am excited to get started this week with chicken masala, mash potatoes and cabbage. I will let you know how your recipe turns out for me…if I read carefully and stick to the recipe it will be perfect!
K says
Perfect. Thanks.
Anna says
Thank you!
Moni says
Woww this recipe is perfect!
I tried a few but I was a little sad that they were not good recipes (hard and sticky).. thank you so much
Carolyn says
I am going to try this recipe. Any salt needed ?
Anna says
Hi Carolyn! I do not add salt until after it’s cooked but if you can add it along with the water. Hope this helps!
joey says
can you use chicken broth instead of the water?
Anna says
Hi Joey! You can, however, some people notice a slight metallic taste from it. If you have a good quality one, maybe even homemade, you can try it. Or use a mix of water and broth. Hope this helps!
Brooke says
Do you think this could be doubled in a 6qt instant pot? Just double all the ingredients and keep the cooking time at 4 minutes?
Sheila B says
THANK YOU for a common sense recipe that WORKS!!! Rinsing rice is a complete waste of time & the multiple rice recipes I tried just didn’t work as good as my very basic rice cooker. It’s been frustrating trying to find a recipe that produced good results and yours did. Using the saute feature for the rice & butter at the beginning just added more flavor. I can now plan on donating my rice cooker!
Tara says
So this is only the 3rd thing I’ve ever made in my new instant pot. The first was rice and I failed miserably. This rice recipe tho, is amazing!! Browning it first brings out the pegao flavor. My family loves it!
Anna says
Hi Tara! That’s fantastic! I am so glad it was helpful! Thank you for trying the recipe.
Linda says
Would I need to make any adjustments for using brown rice?
Thanks!
Anna says
Hi Linda! Everything stays the same but set the timer to 10 minutes. I hope this helps!
KALI says
I know this might sound like I’m brand new. .Lol But I kinda am.. I’ve got a Bella 6 Qt. Pressure Cooker, everything I keep looking up says it’s an instant pot every recipe I’ve done from other websites has worked for the most part but the rice is an issue. I’ve got 10 different settings & I’m hoping you could give me some advice in doing your rice recipe in this. I would be extremely greatful.. Thank You
Anna says
Hi Kali! I am always happy to help! I looked up the Bella pressure cooker and there are a few different models. Does the one you have have the “pressure cook/slow cook” setting? If so, choose “pressure cook” and set timer to 4 minutes. If it doesn’t have that setting, I would test it on the “rice” setting, with 4-minute cook time. I hope this helps! Let me know how it goes!
Brooke says
This rice is our new FAVORITE! It is the best rice we’ve had. Perfect texture and flavor. Thank you!
If I wanted to make less, would you just halve the ingredients and keep cooking time the same?
Anna says
Hi Brook! Yay! I am so glad it was a hit! Yep, cooking time stays the same regardless of the amount of rice you want to make. Have a beautiful day!
Sue says
Can you use Jasmine rice for this recipe? If so, is the water ratio the same?
Thanks, Sue
[email protected] says
Hi Sue! Yes, jasmine rice should be fine too. Let me know how it goes!
Erin says
What a delicious idea. It looks so delicious!
Krista says
I love what you can do in the instant pot! Making rice in it is genius!
Melanie says
Sounds amazing! Love everything about it and I’d love to try this recipe!
Taylor says
Love making rice in the instant pot! Comes out perfect every time!
[email protected] says
That’s awesome, Taylor!
Katerina says
I can’t wait to try this! It’s a great addition to so many meals!
[email protected] says
Absolutely! Thanks, Katerina!
Lora says
I’ve got to make it this weekend for some meal prepping…fantastic!
[email protected] says
Thanks, Lora!
Dana says
This recipe was just shared in one of the FB groups so of course, I had to try it. The rice is PERFECT!! I will be using this recipe from now on. Thank you!!
[email protected] says
Yay! That’s fantastic! Thank you so much, Dana!
Monica says
I just tried this recipe with just 1 cup of rice to see how fluffy it is and boy, do I love it! It’s perfect! So glad I don’t have to rinse the rice anymore! Thank you so much!
[email protected] says
I am so happy that you love it! Thank you for giving it a try, Monica!
Sabrina says
We serve rice a lot as a side dish for dinner! Love the idea of freezing it for meal prep.
[email protected] says
I am so glad it’s helpful! Thanks, Sabrina!
Julie Blanner says
Such a great addition to lots of meals!
[email protected] says
Absolutely! Thank you, Julie!
Sommer says
Love that I can have rice made in no time!
[email protected] says
Me too! It’s just so easy! 😀
Courtney says
Bookmarking this! So so helpful as a meal starter!
[email protected] says
Thanks, Courtney!