How to Cook Perfect, Fluffy Rice in an Instant Pot

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Nailing perfect, fluffy rice might not be the hardest thing to do in a kitchen, but it’s not without its challenges. The Instant Pot, a popular brand of high-pressure cooker, has made things drastically easier. While making rice on a stovetop can take about a half hour, Instant Pot rice can be cooked in a fraction of that.

Want to know just what you need to do to make the perfect Instant Pot rice? Here’s our guide to cooking rice perfectly in an Instant Pot, every time.

What is the ratio of water to rice in an Instant Pot?

There is a different rice-to-water ratio for every type of rice, but for white jasmine rice, you can generally use a 1-to-1 ratio. With brown, black, or wild rice, use more than just a cup of water for every cup of rice; you can use 2 ¼ cups for brown, and 3 cups for wild or black rice. Extra water can always be drained, so it’s better to have more moisture than less.

How long should you cook rice in an Instant Pot?

The cooking times for rice in an Instant Pot vary depending on the type of rice you’re pressure cooking. For white jasmine or basmati rice, you really only need about 3 minutes. For short-grain brown rice, 10 minutes is ideal. And for black or wild rice, 15 minutes will do the trick.

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Should you rinse the rice first?

Rinsing rice in a fine mesh strainer is always worth the time. After thorough rinsing and the water runs clear, you’ve cleansed your rice of excess starches, dirt, and clumping that can get in the way of building flavor and cooking properly.

Another flavor tip: any good rice recipe will be made better with the addition of a little bit of butter and salt. And don't forget about using leftover rice for other delicious recipes.