What is the rice setting on Instant Pot?

Q: Should I use the rice button on my Instant Pot?

Most Instant Pot models will have a RICE” button – This is the perfect button to use if youre cooking white rice. If youre cooking any other type of rice, be sure to follow the timing chart below – The water to rice ratio will remain the same.

One of the most common things people want to figure out how to cook in their Instant Pot is rice. And it’s just as fast and easy as you would hope.

Table of Contents Show

Rinsing Rice
Setting the Instant Pot for Rice
Rice Setting
Manual Settings for Instant Pot Rice
Instant Pot Rice Times and Liquid to Rice Ratios:
Big Batch Instant Pot Rice:
Other Ways to Cook Rice:
How to Cook Perfect Rice in an Instant Pot
Ingredients
Nutrition Information
How do I use the rice setting on my Instant Pot?
Should I use the rice button on my Instant Pot?
Why does my Instant Pot say auto on rice setting?
Should Instapot be on sealing or venting for rice?

This method is for long grain white rice, sometimes labeled “parboiled” on the package. This method works in an Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker, or any multipurpose cooker that has a pressure cooker function.

Rinsing Rice

First you have to rinse the rice (a step I always skip when cooking rice on the stove, but it helps prevents clumping and stickiness here, and takes all of 60 seconds).

Setting the Instant Pot for Rice

There are two ways to set your Instant Pot to cook perfect rice.

Rice Setting

If you have a newer Instant Pot, you may see a setting on the machine that says “Rice.” If so, you are halfway there. Just fill the machine with rinsed white rice and water at a 1 1/4:1 ratio, 1 ¼ cups of water to 1 cup of rice. Add a bit of butter or olive oil, season with salt.

I know it seems like there should be more water, as there is when cooking rice in a pot on the stove. The reason there is less water using the stovetop method is because in a pot evaporation occurs as the lid usually isn’t airtight. In the Instant Pot, when the pressure valve is sealed there is hardly any evaporation.

Press the “Rice” setting and that’s it. All done. Depending on the amount of rice, it might take anywhere from 5 to 12 minutes. The machine detects the amount of rice in the pot and adjusts the time accordingly. Unlike the manual setting option, below, with the “Rice” setting once the machine beeps, you can open the valve, release the pressure, and when it stop releasing air, you can open the pot and fluff the rice with a fork.

Manual Settings for Instant Pot Rice

Otherwise, rinse the rice and add it to the pot. Add the water (again, 1 ¼ cup of water to 1 cup of rice, and feel free to double or triple it). Add a bit of butter or olive oil if desired. It’s not necessary but it adds nice flavor. You can also use diluted chicken or vegetable broth instead of the water for even more flavor.

Season with salt.

Place the lid on the Instant Pot and lock it. Make sure the valve is sealed. Press “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” depending on your machine, select HIGH, and use the + or – buttons to adjust the cooking time to 5 minutes. Turn off the “Keep Warm” button, if possible, which would cause the rice to overcook.

When the time is up, allow the pressure to naturally release (eg, don’t open the steam release valve). When the valve has dropped after the pressure has naturally released (this should take at least 10 minutes), open the Instant Pot (you may still see a bit of steam).

Fluff the rice with a fork and serve hot.

Instant Pot Rice Times and Liquid to Rice Ratios:

White Parboiled Rice: 5 minutes, 2 ½ cups water to 2 cups rice
Basmati Rice: 5 minutes, 2 ½ cups water to 2 cups rice
Jasmine Rice: 5 minutes, 2 ½ cups water to 2 cups rice
Brown Rice: 10 minutes, 2 ½ cups of water to 2 cups rice
Wild Rice: 15 minutes, 3 cups water to 2 cups rice

Big Batch Instant Pot Rice:

You can double or even triple if you have a bigger pot, but never fill past the halfway line.

Other Ways to Cook Rice:

How to Cook Perfect Rice on the Stove
How to Cook Perfect Brown Rice on the Stove
How to Perfectly Reheat Rice

Also Read: 10 Ways to Use Leftover Rice.

Print Recipe Rate Recipe

How to Cook Perfect Rice in an Instant Pot

Cooking rice in an Instant Pot is just as fast and easy as you would hope.

Yield: 8 people

Prep Time: 2 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Time for Pressure to Come Down 10 minutes

Total Time: 17 minutes

Equipment

Instant Pot

Ingredients

2 cups rice
2 ½ cups water
Kosher salt to taste
2 teaspoons unsalted butter optional

Directions

Rinse the rice in a strainer until the water is fairly clear.
Place the rice, water, salt and butter (if using) into the Instant Pot.
Close the lid, and set the steam release valve to the “seal” position.
Either press the “Rice” button if your machine has one, of press with “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” depending on your machine, select HIGH, and use the + or – buttons to adjust the cooking time. Turn off the “Keep Warm” button, if possible, which would cause the rice to overcook.
When the time is up, all the pressure to naturally release (eg, don’t open the steam release valve). Make sure the “Keep Warm” setting is turned off. When the valve has dropped after the pressure has naturally released (this should take at least 10 minutes), open the Instant Pot, fluff the rice with a fork and serve hot.

Nutrition Information

The nutrition values are provided as an estimate. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a qualified healthcare professional.

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How do I use the rice setting on my Instant Pot?

Add wet rice, water, oil, and salt to your Instant Pot and stir once to combine. Step 2Lock lid and set the steam valve to “sealing” position. Press the “rice” button or set on manual for 5 minutes. When the timer goes off, let rice sit for 10 minutes, then quick release pressure.

Should I use the rice button on my Instant Pot?

Most Instant Pot models will have a “RICE” button – This is the perfect button to use if you're cooking white rice. If you're cooking any other type of rice, be sure to follow the timing chart below – The water to rice ratio will remain the same.

Why does my Instant Pot say auto on rice setting?

Your pot will say Auto since the Rice button is an Automated feature. Also, don't forget to set the valve to Sealing if your model requires that as well. Depends on which model you have. You may also notice your pot is on Low pressure.

Should Instapot be on sealing or venting for rice?

Make sure you move the steam release valve to sealing. This is a common mistake, and will result in hard, under-cooked rice that will eventually stick to the bottom of your pot. You need to seal the pot so that the steam will be locked in and will cook the rice properly.