Instant Pot White Rice
Posted: July 8, 2022 Updated: October 3, 2023
White rice goes with juuuuust about everything. Yet for some of us, ahem me, it will take a lifetime to perfect absorption method rice on the stove. So I’ve been spending my time recently figuring out how to perfectly cook white rice in my Instant Pot.
Cooking a different kind of rice? Check out my method for perfectly cooked red rice in the Instant Pot.
Benefits of cooking white rice in the Instant Pot
There are two clear benefits for me when I cook rice in the Instant Pot.
- It frees up space in the kitchen. I get back an extra space on the stove to cook.
- The Instant Pot is kind of my husband’s toy. It’s got enough science going on to interest him. When we bought it I deliberately didn’t use it. This way, it’s his realm and I can take a break for at least one part of cooking!
But of course the biggest benefit is that it’s perfectly cooked. Every time.
Uses for white rice
I don’t think I need to tell anyone how to eat rice or what it goes with. But I can tell you that using this method is a great way to prep rice when you need it for a recipe the next day. Dishes like Chinese fried rice or Indonesian nasi goreng (like with the AYAM Nasi Goreng paste) benefit from day old rice. This is because day old rice has had a chance to dry out. This drier rice then fries much more effectively, producing a more authentic dish.
Method
Measure out one cup of rice. Using a large bowl or a sieve, rinse your rice under the water is clear. This usually takes three rinses.
Put the rinsed rice into the pressure cooker and add one cup of water. If you are making multiple serves or scaling ensure the ratio is 1:1.
Set your Instant Pot to cook for 4 minutes.
Allow the Instant Pot to naturally release for 10 minutes.
After ten minutes carefully open the vent to release any remaining steam.
Remove the lid, fluff the rice with a spoon and serve.
Things to note when making white rice in the Instant Pot
Note this recipe makes three modest servings of white rice. If you eat a lot of rice or you’re an athlete this would be more like two servings.
I encourage you to use three servings as this works better with the Instant Pot. Two servings (2/3 cup of water and rice) may result in too little water in the pot. This makes it difficult for the Instant Pot to pressurise and may lead to an error message during cooking.
Error message during cooking
If an error does occur during cooking indicating there isn’t enough water / steam don’t panic. We’ve had this happen before. If time permits, allow the rice to sit for ten minutes naturally releasing. Open the Instant Pot and check the rice to see if it is adequately cooked.
In the two times this happened for us the rice was absolutely fine and cooked perfectly.
Scaling to make more white rice
If you are scaling up this recipe ensure the ratio is kept at 1:1. The cooking and release time will be the same regardless of the amount of rice you’re making.
White Rice in Instant Pot / Pressure Cooker
Equipment
- Pressure cooker
Ingredients
- 1 cup white rice jasmine, long grain, basmati
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Rinse your rice under running water until the water is clear. This is usually about three rinses.
- Put your rice into the pressure cooker and add one cup of water. If you are making multiple serves or scaling ensure the ratio is 1:1.
- Set your Instant Pot to cook for 4 minutes.
- Allow the Instant Pot to naturally release for 10 minutes. After ten minutes carefully open the vent to release any remaining steam.
- Fluff the rice with a spoon and serve.
Notes
Wondering what to serve your perfect rice with? What about a honey soy salmon bowl?