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The Instant Pot rice cooker is superior to any other rice cooker you’ve used. There, I said it and I won’t take it back. Rice cookers are great, don’t get me wrong, but Instant Pot is the best in this arena. Just a single push of that Instant Pot rice button and it makes all the cooking decisions for you.
You don’t have to worry about Instant Pot rice time, nor do you have to worry about the rice boiling over. It takes over and corrects the time, senses where the rice is, and ensures it’s done perfectly each and every time. Let’s go over how to make the best rice and show you why it’s so easy.
Don’t forget to check our guide on the best pressure cookers for rice. Instant Pot is there along with some other great brands.
Soaking and Washing Rice
This is a common step whether you’re cooking rice over a stovetop, with a rice cooker, or anything else. Debates rage about how long you should soak and wash your rice, but few argue about how important this step is.
Soaking your rice removes the thin layer of starch present on each grain. This keeps the grains separate and prevents clumping. It’s also perfect for aromatic rice like jasmine and basmati because it preserves their natural flavor. That’s because soaking reduces cooking time by about 20%, and less heat means more flavor.
Soaking rice is simple. Just place it in a bowl with water for at least 30 minutes (some prefer longer, but 30 minutes should be fine). Wash until the water runs clear and you’re all finished.
Instant Pot Rice Instructions
This will be the same whether you’re cooking Instant Pot white rice or brown. Add a touch of oil into the pot and then place in your rice, water, and salt (and any other spices you like). Regardless of which rice you’re cooking, a 1:1 ratio of water and rice is perfect. I know it sounds crazy, but ignore the bag if it says different and use this. The tight seal prevents too much water from evaporating, so your rice will be fine.
Lock the lid on your Instant Pot rice cooker and seal the steam valve. Push the “Rice” button and wait until the timer is finished. When finished, allow the pressure to release for at least 10 minutes before opening the pressure cooker.
Fluff the rice and serve immediately or use in any other recipes you’d like.
Suggested Products
The rice function is very common among Instant Pot pressure cookers. That being said, the models we suggest are:
How Many Cups of Rice can you Cook in Instant Pot?
Rice expands about three times its size when fully cooked. Filling your unit to capacity is dangerous because the pressure of the rice might damage the lid. Depending on your unit’s size, you can cook:
- 3 Quart Units: 2 cups of rice
- 6 Quart Units: 4 cups of rice
- 8 Quart Units: 6 cups of rice
Instant Pot Versus Ninja Foodi
Many of the Ninja Foodi pressure cookers have rice functions and other features that you might prefer. Be sure to check out our guide on Instant Pot Vs Ninja Foodi vs Crock Pot pressure cookers to see which is right for you.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking to make the fluffiest, tastiest rice ever, then Instant Pot is the way to go. Plus, it can also slow cook, pressure cook, make yogurt, and so much more. Give it a try today and see how much better your rice is.