You might think cooking rice is a simple task, but for many, achieving perfectly fluffy grains can be a challenge. If you’re new to the Instant Pot or have struggled with inconsistent results from traditional methods, this comprehensive guide to making rice in the Instant Pot is exactly what you need. Even experienced cooks can benefit from these tried-and-true tips to elevate their rice game.

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Why the Instant Pot is Your Best Friend for Rice

Our family consumes a significant amount of rice. My wife, being Filipino, eats rice with almost every meal, so a reliable rice cooker was a necessity in our household. In fact, acquiring an Instant Pot was primarily driven by the need for a better way to cook rice. Our old rice cooker was slow, taking an hour or more, and its non-stick coating was starting to flake off, raising concerns about safety and food quality. The Instant Pot offered a superior solution with its stainless-steel inner pot, eliminating any worries about ingesting harmful coatings.

While its initial appeal was purely as a high-tech rice cooker, the Instant Pot quickly proved its versatility, with its other functions becoming an added bonus. Now, I find myself using this remarkable appliance at least four to five times a week, solely for cooking rice. It consistently delivers perfectly cooked rice with minimal effort, transforming a daily chore into a seamless experience. Whether you prefer fragrant Jasmine rice or nutty Basmati rice, the Instant Pot handles both beautifully. Below, I’ll share my go-to recipe for two cups of rice, along with my top three essential tips for achieving flawless results every time.

Tip Number 1: Designate a Silicone Ring Exclusively for Rice!

One of the most surprising quirks of the Instant Pot is that its silicone sealing ring readily absorbs the odors of whatever you cook. The more pungent the dish – think rich curries, hearty chilis, or potent stews – the more intensely that smell will embed itself in the silicone. Despite thorough cleaning, even after multiple dishwasher cycles, these strong odors can stubbornly linger.

The unfortunate consequence? Those lingering aromas from your previous meals can subtly, or sometimes not so subtly, transfer into your pristine white rice. Imagine serving a delicate chicken dish with rice that carries hints of last night’s beef stew! To prevent this culinary crossover and ensure your rice tastes exactly as it should, investing in an additional sealing ring and dedicating it solely to rice cooking is a game-changer. This simple hack ensures your rice always tastes pure and clean, free from any unwanted savory or spicy undertones. For more invaluable Instant Pot insights, check out my Top 5 Instant Pot Tips and Hacks.

Tip Number 2: A Touch More Water for Superior Rice Texture

The standard Instant Pot instructions for rice typically recommend a 1:1 ratio of rice to water, using the measuring cup provided with the appliance. For instance, two cups of rice would call for two cups of water. However, in our experience, this ratio often results in white rice that’s a bit too dry for our liking. My secret to achieving perfectly cooked, semi-sticky rice lies in adjusting this water ratio slightly.

In my recipe for two cups of rice, I add an extra ¼ cup of water. So, for two cups of dry Jasmine rice, you would use 2 ¼ cups of water. This minor adjustment makes a remarkable difference, yielding rice that is wonderfully tender and holds together just enough without being overly sticky. An added advantage of this extra water is increased forgiveness. If your rice happens to stay on the “Keep Warm” setting in the Instant Pot a little longer than intended, the added moisture helps prevent it from drying out as quickly, maintaining its ideal texture.

Interestingly, I’ve conducted tests and found that this ¼ cup of extra water is sufficient regardless of the larger quantity of rice you’re cooking. Even if you double the rice to four cups, you only need to add that same ¼ cup of extra water, not ½ cup. The precise reason for this phenomenon might be related to the physics of pressure cooking and the smaller surface area exposed to evaporation, but the consistent result speaks for itself: just a little extra water beyond the conventional 1:1 ratio is the key to consistently excellent Instant Pot rice.

Tip Number 3: Rinse Your Rice Three Times!

Many people question the necessity of rinsing rice, especially since it’s ultimately cooked in water. Some skip it entirely, while others give it only a cursory single rinse. However, this seemingly small extra step makes a colossal difference in the final texture and appearance of your cooked rice. The primary reason for rinsing rice is to remove the excess surface starch.

This powdery starch, coating each grain, is the main culprit behind mushy, clumpy rice. When cooked, this starch acts like a glue, causing the grains to stick together rather than remaining distinct and fluffy. Rinsing effectively washes away this superficial starch, allowing the rice to cook into separate, tender grains. It’s a simple process that takes merely a minute or two, yet the impact on the quality of your Instant Pot rice is profound, transforming an ordinary side dish into a culinary delight. Don’t underestimate the power of a proper rinse for achieving perfectly fluffy, non-sticky rice every time.

How to Properly Rinse Rice for Your Instant Pot: A Step-by-Step Guide

My method for rinsing rice comes from an old Asian grandma, and I’ve learned that when it comes to cooking, grandmas always know best! You don’t need any fancy equipment like a sieve or colander; your Instant Pot’s inner pot is all you require.

1. Add Rice: Place your measured rice directly into the stainless steel inner pot of your Instant Pot.
2. Cover with Water: Fill the pot with enough cold water to fully submerge the rice.
3. Swirl and Agitate: Gently swirl the water and rice around the pot in a circular motion. This action helps to dislodge and dissolve the excess surface starch. You’ll notice the water immediately turn cloudy. For a visual demonstration, be sure to watch the accompanying video!
4. Carefully Drain: Slowly and carefully tip the inner pot over the sink, allowing the cloudy water to pour out. The rinsed rice grains will naturally cling to the bottom and back of the pot as long as you maintain a slow, steady pour. Stop draining once the water has almost completely run out and the rice is just about to reach the edge of the pot.
5. Repeat: Repeat this fill, swirl, and pour process two more times. By the third rinse, you should observe the water becoming significantly clearer than when you started, indicating that most of the excess starch has been removed.

Now that your rice is perfectly prepped, you are ready to use my recipe to make the best, fluffiest rice you’ve ever tasted in your Instant Pot!

Dealing with Stuck Rice: A Quick Cleaning Hack

Have you ever left your rice in the Instant Pot a little too long, only to find razor-sharp, hardened grains fused to the bottom of the inner pot? It’s a frustrating experience trying to scrape them off. But don’t worry, Dad has a brilliant hack for that!

This simple trick will make cleaning your Instant Pot inner pot a breeze, even after the most stubborn rice incidents. Watch the video above for a full demonstration.

2 Cups of Jasmine Rice in the Instant Pot

This recipe is perfectly scaled for making 2 cups of rice in the Instant Pot, providing an ideal amount for a small family. With the Instant Pot, your rice cooks in under 20 minutes and consistently comes out perfect every single time.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars (based on 2 votes)

• Course: Side Dish
• Cuisine: All
• Keyword: how to make instant pot rice, instant pot rice recipe, tips for instant pot rice
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Servings: 4
• Author: James Bennett aka “Dad”

Equipment

• Instant Pot

Ingredients

• 2 cups Jasmine Rice (or any white rice you prefer)
• 2 ¼ cups water

Instructions

1. Remove the lid from your Instant Pot.
2. Ensure your dedicated “rice only” silicone sealing ring is properly seated in the lid of the Instant Pot. This prevents flavor transfer.
3. Remove the inner pot from the Instant Pot base.
4. Add 2 cups of Jasmine rice (or your preferred white rice) to the inner pot. Use the measuring cup that came with your Instant Pot for accuracy.
5. Cover the rice with cold water and gently swirl it around in a circular motion to agitate it, helping to release excess surface starch.
6. Carefully tip the inner pot over the sink, slowly pouring out the cloudy water. The rice will stick to itself and remain at the back of the pot as long as you pour slowly. Stop when the water has almost completely drained and the rice is about to reach the edge of the pot.
7. Repeat the fill, swirl, and pour process two more times. By the third rinse, the water should appear much clearer.
8. Add 2 ¼ cups of fresh water to the inner pot, again using the Instant Pot measuring cup.
9. Place the inner pot back into the Instant Pot base and plug in the appliance.
10. Place the lid on the Instant Pot and turn it clockwise until you hear the locking sound or music.
11. Ensure the steam release valve on top of the lid is set to the “Sealing” position.
12. Press the “Rice” button. On many Instant Pot models, this automatically sets the cooking time. Verify that it is set to 10 minutes. If your Instant Pot offers pressure settings (high/low), select “High Pressure.”
13. Once the Instant Pot beeps to signal that cooking is complete, carefully turn the steam release valve to the “Venting” position for a Quick Release. Be cautious of the hot steam.
14. Wait until all the steam has fully vented and the float valve has dropped down. Then, turn the lid counter-clockwise to unlock and open it.
15. Use a rice paddle or fork to gently “fluff” and stir the cooked rice before serving. Enjoy your perfectly cooked, fluffy Instant Pot rice!

Video Tutorial: Top 3 Tips for Making Rice in Instant Pot

Nutrition

Calories: 338kcal | Carbohydrates: 74g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 12mg | Potassium: 106mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 1mg

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