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Instant Pot Rice Recipe

Name: Instant Pot Rice Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Ingredients: 2 cups basmati rice; 2 cups water (or broth); 2 tablespoons olive oil (or unsalted butter); 1/4 teaspoon salt; Trivet; Insert Pan

ByCatalina Castravet January 10, 2026

Recipe Video Print

My Instant Pot rice recipe is a foolproof method I have perfected over the years, and it always delivers fluffy and tender rice. I am happy to show you how I cook different rice types like white, brown and wild using only water, olive oil, and salt. I love serving it as a simple side dish or using it in comforting main meals my family always asks for.

I know you will agree with me when I say rice is one of the best grains to cook with and one of the most universal ingredients. It works in the simplest meals and also in elevated dishes served by Michelin chefs around the world. As a food blogger and recipe developer, I have been cooking with rice for over a decade, and it was one of the first meals my mom taught me to make. Some of the rice dishes I cook often are my coconut rice, which I love serving with Asian meals, and also this lemon chicken and rice casserole or my one pan honey garlic chicken and rice, since they are both complete meals that work well for a big family dinner.

Why you will love this recipe
What you will need
How to make
Expert tip
Recipe variations and add-ins:
Serving suggestions:
How to store leftovers:
Frequently asked questions
More Instant Pot side dishes:

But today I am making the most classic of all, I am cooking simple rice in my Instant Pot, and I am going to show you each step and my pro tips so it cooks perfectly in the pressure cooker. I also share the best measurements for different rice types, including white rice, brown rice, and wild rice. I love using the pressure cooker since it cuts the cooking time down and gets dinner on the table faster than traditional methods. Now I want to show you exactly how I cook perfect rice with it.

White rice made in the Instant Pot served with sweet potatoes.

Why you will love this recipe

Simple pantry ingredients: I use basmati rice, water, olive oil, and salt, so I can make this side dish any day of the week.
Hands off cooking: I rinse and drain the rice, then I let the Instant Pot do the work while I prep the rest of dinner.
Works for many rice types: I use this same pressure cooker method for white rice, brown rice, and wild rice by adjusting the measurements and cook time. That makes meal planning easier when my family wants different rice styles. See details for each in content below.
Great with family dinners: I serve this rice as a side dish, or I use it as a base for main meals. I fluff it with a fork at the end and it is ready for stir fry, curry, casseroles, or simple chicken and rice dinners.

What you will need

Overhead shot of rice in the Instant Pot ingredients in bowls on a white surface.

Rice: I use basmati rice for this recipe, but it also works well with brown rice and wild rice.
Cooking basics: I use water, salt, and olive oil to cook the rice so it comes out tender and fluffy.

How to make

Rinse the rice: I rinse and drain the rice well until the water runs mostly clear.

Add the ingredients: I pour about 2 cups of water into the inner pot of the pressure cooker, then I add the rice, salt, 2 cups of water, and olive oil or butter to an Instant Pot safe dish and stir to combine.

White rice in with water and oil in a stainless steel pan in the Instant Pot.

Pressure cook: I close the lid and cook on High Pressure for 5 minutes, then I let it naturally release for 10 minutes. After that, I turn off the heat, release any remaining pressure, and open the lid.

Rest and fluff: I remove the pot with the rice and let it rest, for 5 to 10 minutes. Before serving, I fluff the rice with a fork.

Fluffy white rice cooked in the Instant Pot.

Below, I share the different rice variations and their cooking times. I also recommend watching the recipe video on the recipe card so you can see how I prepare it quickly and easily in the pressure cooker, and I attached an infographic below the recipe card for everyone to save and share.

White rice (including Basmati rice and Jasmine rice)

High-pressure cook time – 4-5 minutes
Rice to water ratio – 1:1
Natural Pressure Release (10 to 15 minutes)

Brown rice (including Basmati rice and Short Grain rice)

High-pressure cook time – 22-24 minutes
Rice to water ratio – 1:1
Natural Pressure Release (11 to 20 minutes)

Wild rice (including wild rice blend)

High-pressure cook time – 28-32 minutes
Rice to water ratio – 1:1
Natural Pressure Release (11 to 20 minutes)

Homemade white rice made in the Instant Pot.

Expert tip

Best rice to water ratio

My best tip for Instant Pot rice is to keep the rice to water ratio at 1 to 1. For every 1 cup of rice, I use 1 cup of water, and it really is that simple. On the stovetop, you might use 1 cup rice to 1 and 1 quarter cups water, but the Instant Pot does not lose water while cooking since the lid seals tightly. That means the rice absorbs the water as it cooks and comes out fluffy and tender.

More tips to consider:

Once the rice finishes cooking, I let it rest covered for 5 to 10 minutes. Then I fluff it with a fork instead of stirring.
I let it naturally release for 10 minutes before releasing the rest. This helps the rice finish cooking and prevents foam from bubbling up.
Whether you are cooking the rice in the pressure cooker or stovetop, it is best to quickly rinse it to remove any dirt from it.
Also, rinsing the rice also makes up for the small amount of moisture lost in evaporation during the cooking process. Therefore, I highly recommend this step.
If I want a richer taste, I swap the water for broth. I still keep the same 1 to 1 ratio.

A spoonful of white rice cooked in the Instant Pot.

Recipe variations and add-ins:

Lemon finish: I stir in 1 teaspoon lemon zest after cooking and fluff it with a fork. I serve it with chicken or seafood.
Herby touch: I mix in 1 teaspoon dried parsley after the rice rests. It works well with vegetables and simple dinners at home.
Coconut style: I use 2 cups coconut milk instead of water and keep the 1 to 1 ratio. I add the same salt and cook it the same way. This one is so far my favorite one.
Golden rice: I stir in 1/4 teaspoon turmeric after cooking, then fluff it with a fork. It adds warm color and mild flavor for the kids.
Pilaf style: I stir in 1 tablespoon butter after cooking and fluff it well. I like serving it with roasted meat or stew.

Serving suggestions:

In my house we eat rice with almost everything. If I am serving it next to a protein, I love pairing it with wine roasted beef tenderloin or my slow cooker pineapple pork loin, especially during winter when hearty dinners are on repeat.

On weekdays, I often use this rice with meals I already have ready, like my Panda Express orange chicken copycat, since it makes dinner simple and filling. My kids also love it as a base for ginger crispy sesame chicken, and I make that one often since everyone asks for it. I am a big fan of rice with Asian recipes, so I always recommend exploring more of those meals on my blog for easy dinner ideas.

How to store leftovers:

Refrigerate: I store leftover rice in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. I let it cool first so it does not get soggy.
Freezing: I freeze cooled rice in freezer bags for up to 3 months. I press the bags flat so they stack easily and thaw faster.
Reheating: I reheat rice in the microwave with 1 to 2 tablespoons water, then I cover it and heat until hot. I fluff it with a fork before serving. Or I reheat in the IP by following the steps below:
- First, you will need a long legged trivet. Next, you will need a heat-proof container. Place the container on top of the trivet in the Instant Pot.
- Finally, add a cup of water beneath the trivet (not inside the container where the rice will be placed). Add the rice to the container, put the lid on, and press steam for 5 minutes. Wait for pressure release, and you have leftover rice that tastes like freshly cooked.

Frequently asked questions

Can I cook more than 1 cup of rice in the Instant Pot?

Of course. The ratio stays the same. For every 1 cup of rice, I use 1 cup of water, no matter how much I cook. So if I cook 3 cups of rice in the Instant Pot, I use 3 cups of water for fluffy, tender rice.

What if my rice is undercooked?

The main reason rice comes out hard or undercooked in the pressure cooker is that the cooking time was too short. Since the cooking time changes depending on the type of rice, I always pay close attention to that part. The rice to water ratio stays the same though, and I always keep it at 1 to 1.

My rice is too mushy, what went wrong?

Rice can end up mushy if you use more water than the 1 to 1 ratio. That is why I stick to that ratio and measure carefully. I also use the same measuring cup or container for both the rice and the water so the amounts match.

Best rice made in the Instant Pot served with sweet potatoes.

More Instant Pot side dishes:

Loved this recipe? I’d love to hear from you! 💛 Leave a 5-star rating ⭐️ in the recipe card below and share your thoughts in the comments – I read and appreciate every single one!

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