This Instant Pot rice is fluffy, tender, and one of the easiest side dishes you can make in your pressure cooker. For white rice, use a simple 1:1 ratio of rice to water and let the Instant Pot do the rest.
If you love this recipe, try my Instant Pot Venison Roast or Instant Pot Frozen Chicken Breast next!
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Editor's Note: This recipe was originally published on March 27, 2021. It was updated in September 2026 with clearer instructions, cooking times, and troubleshooting tips.
I've been cooking rice this way in my Instant Pot for over 9 years. No pot to watch on the stove, and once I figured out the right amount of water and cooking time, it became my go-to method for quick dinners. It makes the perfect side and pairs well with Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala or a Salmon Poke Bowl.
And if you have leftovers, use them to make homemade Rice Pudding or Creamy Coconut Chicken Curry.
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Instant Pot Rice-to-Water Ratio
For white rice in the Instant Pot, use 1 cup of water for every 1 cup of rice. That means 2 cups of rice need 2 cups of water, 3 cups of rice need 3 cups of water, and so on.
Cooking times vary depending on the type of rice you're using, so use the guide below for jasmine, basmati, long-grain white, brown, and wild rice.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Great for meal prep. Make a batch to serve with chicken, beef, pork, stir-fries, or curries throughout the week.
- Fluffy rice every time. Rinsing the rice and using the right water ratio keeps it from turning mushy or gummy.
- Easy 1:1 ratio. For white rice, use equal amounts of rice and water.
- No watching the stove. Once the lid is locked, the Instant Pot does the work.
Recipe Ingredients
You only need three simple ingredients to make this Instant Pot rice.
- White rice. I usually use jasmine or basmati rice. Long-grain white rice also works well with this method. Brown and wild rice require longer pressure cooking times, which I've included in the cooking chart below.
- Water. Use cold water. You can also use chicken broth for extra flavor.
- Salt. Optional, but a pinch of salt adds flavor.
See the printable recipe card for exact measurements and a full list of ingredients.
How to Make Instant Pot Rice
- Rinse the rice. Place 2 cups of rice in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse under cold running water until the water runs mostly clear. Drain well.
- Add to the Instant Pot. Add the rinsed rice, 2 cups of cold water, and a pinch of salt, if using, to the Instant Pot insert.
- Pressure cook. Secure the lid and set the valve to Sealing. Pressure Cook on High for 5 minutes.
- Natural release. When the cooking time ends, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes. Release any remaining pressure, then carefully open the lid.
- Fluff and serve. Fluff the rice gently with a fork and serve.
Instant Pot Rice Cooking Times
| Type of rice | Pressure cook | Release |
| Jasmine rice | 5 minutes | 10-minute natural release |
| Basmati rice | 5 minutes | 10-minute natural release |
| White long-grain rice | 5 minutes | 10-minute natural release |
| Sushi rice | 5 minutes | 10-minute natural release |
| Brown rice | 25 minutes | Natural release |
| Wild rice | 30 minutes | Natural release |
Jeri's Top Tips
- Always rinse: This removes excess starch for fluffier rice.
- Natural release: Don't quick release - patience makes perfect rice.
- Don't overfill: Rice expands considerably as it cooks, so always follow the maximum capacity recommendations for your Instant Pot model.
What to Serve with Instant Pot Rice
I love to serve this rice with Instant Pot Black Beans, Smoked Pork Butt Burnt Ends, Air Fryer Broccoli and Cauliflower, or this Chop Suey recipe.
It also goes perfectly with Boneless Skinless Air Fryer Chicken Thighs, Air Fryer Boneless Pork Chops, Pellet Grill Smoked Whole Chicken, and Creamy Coconut Shrimp.
And don't forget Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon, Food Court Bourbon Chicken, Oven-Baked Cod Fillet in Shrimp Sauce, Oven-Baked Maple Soy Glazed Salmon, and Classic Meatloaf With Oats.
Storage and Reheating
- Fridge: Cool leftover rice promptly and refrigerate it in an airtight container. Use within 3-4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooled rice in airtight freezer-safe containers or bags for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: Add a splash of water before reheating to help restore moisture. Reheat until steaming hot throughout.
Troubleshooting Instant Pot Rice
Too much liquid is usually the culprit. For white rice, start with a 1:1 ratio of rice to water and drain the rice well after rinsing.
Make sure the Instant Pot came to pressure and that you allowed the rice to rest during the natural release. If it's only slightly firm, replace the lid and let it sit for another few minutes.
A little sticking can happen, especially if the rice wasn't rinsed well. Rinse off the excess starch, use the correct amount of liquid, and let the rice naturally release for 10 minutes before opening the lid.
Yes, provided you stay within the safe capacity of your Instant Pot. Keep the rice-to-water ratio the same; pressure cooking time doesn't need to double just because you're making more rice.
More Instant Pot recipes
Try these tested Instant Pot favorites:
- Instant Pot Chicken Gnocchi Soup - Better than Olive Garden
- Instant Pot Scalloped Potatoes - Creamy side dish
- Two-Ingredient BBQ Chicken - Quick weeknight dinner
- Instant Pot Lazy Lasagna - Easy one-pot meal
- Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs - Perfect every time
- Instant Pot Chicken Legs - Quick and juicy
- Instant Pot Ham and Potato Soup - Creamy comfort food
- Easy Instant Pot Salmon Chowder - Rich and flavorful
Printable Recipe
Perfect Instant Pot Rice (1:1 Ratio)
Ingredients
- 2 cups white rice such as jasmine or basmati
- 2 cups cold water
- pinch of salt optional
Instructions
- Place the rice in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse under cold running water until the water is mostly clear. Drain well.
- Add the rinsed rice, cold water, and salt, if using, to the Instant Pot.
- Secure the lid and turn the valve to the Sealing position. Select Pressure Cook (or Manual) on High Pressure for 5 minutes.
- When the cooking time is complete, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes. Carefully release any remaining pressure, then open the lid.
- Fluff the rice gently with a fork and serve.
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Notes
- Rice-to-water ratio: For jasmine, basmati, and other long-grain white rice, use a 1:1 ratio of rice to water. For example, use 1 cup water for 1 cup rice or 2 cups water for 2 cups rice.
- Rinse the rice: Rinse under cold running water until the water is mostly clear, then drain well. This removes excess starch and helps keep the rice fluffy instead of gummy.
- For more flavor: You can replace the water with chicken broth.
- Natural release: After pressure cooking, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then release any remaining pressure before opening the lid.
- Brown rice: Pressure cook on High for 25 minutes, followed by a natural pressure release.
- Wild rice: Use 1½ cups liquid for every 1 cup wild rice. Pressure cook on High for 30 minutes, followed by a natural pressure release.
- Cooking larger batches: Keep the same rice-to-water ratio when increasing the amount of white rice. The pressure cooking time stays the same; the Instant Pot will simply take longer to come to pressure.
- Storage: Cool leftovers promptly and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
The provided nutrition information is automatically calculated. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
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Genevieve says
I love that you can make this recipe in the instant pot! Rice is my favorite side dish.
Jamie says
This is such a handy recipe to have on hand! It's so convenient making this in an instant pot and I love how fluffy it is!
Ramona says
I have never tried cooking my rice it in the Instant pot before. Definitely worth the try- it was so good! I am a convert now. Easy and cooked to perfection.
Jessica Formicola says
I love how quickly rice can be made in the Instant Pot! And this recipe comes out fluffy every single time!
Jill says
Seems simple enough, but you won't believe how much I need this sometimes! Thanks!