Learn how to cook brown rice in the Instant Pot! The process is almost completely hands-off, and the rice turns out soft and fluffy every single time.
If there’s one recipe that made me fall in love with the Instant Pot, it was this Instant Pot brown rice. Let’s be honest—cooking brown rice on the stove is not fun. It takes more than 40 minutes, and you have to stay close by, adjusting the heat again and again to keep the pot gently simmering. But this Instant Pot brown rice recipe is different. It’s almost totally hands-off. Once you start it, you can move on to preparing the rest of your meal without worrying about the rice. You can relax, knowing it will come out tender, fluffy, and perfectly cooked. Try it once, and you’ll never want to make brown rice any other way.
How to Cook Brown Rice in the Instant Pot
To make this Instant Pot brown rice recipe, you only need two simple ingredients: short-grain or long-grain brown rice and water.
Before putting the rice into the Instant Pot, rinse it well. This step is very important because it removes extra starch from the surface of the rice. Too much starch can make the rice sticky and gummy after cooking. To rinse the rice, place it in a fine mesh strainer over a bowl. Run cold water over it and keep rinsing until the water in the bowl looks clear.
After rinsing, add the rice to the Instant Pot. Pour in 2 1/2 cups of water for every 2 cups of rice. You may notice that this water-to-rice ratio is lower than what you use when cooking on the stove. That’s because the Instant Pot keeps most of the steam inside, so less water evaporates. This means you don’t need as much water to get fluffy and tender rice.
Now it’s time to cook. Close and secure the lid on the Instant Pot, and set it to Pressure Cook on High for 20 minutes. Keep in mind that the full cooking time will be a bit longer because the Instant Pot needs a few minutes to build pressure before it starts counting down. When the cooking time ends, let the pressure release naturally. This will take about 20 more minutes. During this time, the rice continues to steam and soak up any remaining water in the pot.
When the float valve drops, carefully remove the lid. Fluff the rice gently with a fork, and it’s ready to serve.
Instant Pot Brown Rice Tips
Let the pressure release naturally. Think about cooking brown rice on the stove. After it finishes simmering, you usually remove it from the heat and let it sit, covered, for about 10 minutes before serving. In this Instant Pot brown rice recipe, natural pressure release works in a similar way. It allows the rice to fully absorb the liquid in the pot, making it fluffy and tender instead of mushy or watery. If you use a quick release, you might end up with extra water in the pot or rice that isn’t fully cooked.
Cook a bigger batch for better results. I use a 6-quart Instant Pot, and I’ve noticed that cooking at least 2 cups of rice at once helps it cook evenly and prevents burning. If you have a 6-quart Instant Pot or larger, you should do the same. If you’re using a smaller 3-quart Instant Pot, cooking 1 cup of rice may work well.
Freeze the leftovers. This Instant Pot brown rice freezes very well. If you don’t plan to eat it within a few days, spread it out in an even layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze it for about 2 hours. Then transfer the frozen rice to an airtight container or freezer bag and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. You can quickly reheat it in the microwave. I like to keep some ready in the freezer to add to grain bowls, salads, curries, and stir-fries.
More Favorite Cooking Basics
If you enjoy this Instant Pot brown rice recipe, try making one of these Instant Pot Recipe next:
Instant Pot Brown Rice
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Serves 8
Equipment
- Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 2 cups uncooked brown rice, well-rinsed
- 2½ cups water
Instructions
- Add the rinsed rice and water to a 6-quart Instant Pot. Close the lid tightly and set it to Pressure Cook on High for 20 minutes.
- Let the Instant Pot release the pressure naturally. This usually takes about 20 to 30 minutes. Once the float valve drops down, carefully open the lid.
- Gently fluff the rice with a fork and serve.