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    Home » Recipes » Side Dish

    Instant Pot Black Rice

    Published: Jul 15, 2019 · Updated: Apr 7, 2020 by Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC · 19 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    A bowl of black rice cooked in the Instant Pot.

    Learn how to make perfectly tender, nutrient-rich black rice in 30 minutes with the Instant Pot.

    A bowl of black rice with a spoon in it

    Have you ever tried cooking black rice in your Instant Pot? If not, it's time to give it a try and add this naturally gluten-free grain into your cooking.

    Rice is one of the most convenient things to cook in the Instant Pot, whether it's brown rice, Basmati rice, or jasmine rice. Use this hand-off method to set it and forget it until it’s done.

    Perfectly cooked forbidden rice

    Black rice, also known as forbidden rice, usually has a chewier texture and a nutty flavor. While it looks very similar to white rice, it's black in color and turns a deep, dark purple when cooked. It tastes similar to brown rice, but with a mild nutty flavor.

    Perfect for a side dish, base for the main dish, and excellent for meal prep. Make a batch to use in meals throughout the week.

    Perfect black rice results in a combination of factors: the correct cooking time, rice-to-water ratio, and the cooking method used. 

    Qualities of perfectly cooked forbidden rice include:

    • A little chewy
    • Tender
    • Nutty in flavor
    • Fragrant

    Black rice should not be mushy, sticky, crunchy, burnt, or soggy.

    The best part: there is no need to soak the black rice before cooking it in the Instant Pot.

    Fork in pot of cooked forbidden rice

    Rice-to-water ratio

    To make a batch of black rice, the ratio between water and black rice is very important to achieve a tender texture. I use this simple formula when I’m cooking it in the pressure cooker:

    For 1 cup of black rice, use 1 cup of water.

    Ingredients you'll need

    You'll need the following ingredients to get started:

    • Black Rice / Forbidden Rice
    • Water
    • An Instant Pot (I use both the Instant Pot Duo Mini 3-Quart and Instant Pot DUO 6-Quart with great results)
    • Measuring cup (1 cup)

    Pro tip: Try using broth or stock instead of water for added flavor.

    How to cook black rice in the Instant Pot

    1. Rinse and drain rice: Pour the rice in a mesh sieve and rinse under cool water until it runs clear. Drain well.

    Mesh sieve filled with black rice

    2. Add ingredients: Combine the black rice and water in the stainless steel insert.

    Hand pouring water into the Instant Pot with black rice

    3. Pressure cook: Close the lid of the pressure cooker. Set the valve to “sealing” and start the pressure cooker on “High” for 17 minutes. Once completed, let the pressure naturally release for another 10 minutes before quick-releasing the remaining pressure. Carefully open the lid.

    Hand closing the Instant Pot lid

    4. Fluff and serve: Using a fork, fluff the rice. Scoop out and serve or store for later.

    An Instant Pot filled with cooked black rice

    Storing and reheating

    To store: Store the rice in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.

    To reheat: When ready to enjoy, simply warm it up in the microwave or in a saucepan.

    Top tips and suggestions

    • Use good-quality black rice. I use this brand.
    • Unless you prefer, there's no need to soak the black rice beforehand if you're using the Instant Pot.
    • Be sure to rinse and drain the rice well before adding it to the Instant Pot.
    • Measure the quantity of rice and water carefully. Be sure to use the correct rice to water ratio, as described in the recipe.
    • For added flavor, use ¼ teaspoon salt or replace the water with vegetable broth.
    • Allow the rice to naturally release pressure for 10 minutes, allowing it to finish cooking.

    Serving suggestions

    Black rice can be served with cooked veggies, lentils, beans, and more. Here are some ways to enjoy it:

    • Serve with vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, or beets.
    • Serve with pinto beans or any other kind of bean.
    • Use the rice to make a quick stir-fry.
    • Add it to your next vegan power bowl.
    • Serve it with Indian chickpea curry or lentils.
    A bowl of cooked forbidden rice

    More Instant Pot recipes

    Looking for more easy pressure cooker recipes? Check out these:

    • Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup
    • Perfect Quinoa in the Instant Pot
    • Instant Pot Carrots
    • Instant Pot Beets
    • How to Make Chickpeasin the Instant Pot

    Looking for other rice recipes to make in the Instant Pot? Check out brown rice, sushi rice, Basmati rice, and jasmine rice.

    I hope you love this Instant Pot black rice recipe as much as I do. Sign up for email updates to get delicious recipes delivered straight to your inbox. You can also follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook.

    A bowl of black rice with a spoon in it

    Instant Pot Black Rice

    5 from 9 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep time: 2 minutes
    Cook time: 17 minutes
    Total time: 30 minutes
    Servings: 3 servings
    Calories: 228kcal
    Author: Sapana Chandra
    Learn how to make perfectly tender black rice in the Instant Pot every single time with this quick, easy, fail-proof recipe.

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup black rice
    • 1 cup water

    Instructions

    • Rinse the rice in a mesh sieve under cool water until it runs clear, running your fingers through the rice. Drain well.
    • Combine the black rice and water in the stainless steel insert of the Instant Pot.
    • Close the lid of the pressure cooker. Set the valve to “sealing” and start the pressure cooker on “High” for 17 minutes. Once completed, let the pressure naturally release for another 10 minutes before quick-releasing the remaining pressure. Carefully open the lid.
    • Using a fork, fluff the rice. Scoop out and serve or store for later.

    Notes

    I’ve tested this recipe on both my Instant Pot Duo Mini 3-Quart and Instant Pot DUO 6-Quart with great results. However, you may need to tweak how long you cook the black rice based on the size, model, and brand of your pressure cooker.
    Use good-quality black rice.
    Unless you prefer, there's no need to soak the black rice beforehand if you're using the Instant Pot.
    Be sure to rinse and drain the rice well before adding it to the Instant Pot.
    Measure the quantity of rice and water carefully. Be sure to use the correct rice to water ratio, as described in the recipe.
    For added flavor, use ¼ teaspoon salt or replace the water with vegetable broth.
    Allow the rice to naturally release pressure for 10 minutes, allowing it to finish cooking.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 228kcal, Carbohydrates: 48g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 2g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 8mg, Potassium: 138mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 1g, Calcium: 14mg, Iron: 1mg
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Tried this recipe?Mention @realandvibrant and hashtag #realandvibrant!
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    About Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC

    Sapana Chandra is a certified health coach, author of Plant Power Bowls, and founder of Real +Vibrant. Here you’ll find simply delicious vegetarian recipes with step-by-step photo instructions – recipes you’ll be excited to enjoy and share with your loved ones.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. M D LeVar says

      April 20, 2022 at 1:56 pm

      Perfect recipe, thank you! Made 1 1/2 cups rice to 1 1/2 cups water in my 6 qt. Instant Pot Ultra using your recipe. Turned out just right. Love the nutty, slightly chewy favor of black rice. Thanks for the the recipe.5 stars

      Reply
    2. Lynzy says

      July 27, 2021 at 8:29 pm

      Experimenting with different types of rice. So easy to make for such a beautiful and intriguing rice. Thank you for sharing!

      Reply
    3. oliveann says

      December 31, 2020 at 2:31 pm

      i used this recipe for a rice mix of black, red and brown. it worked perfectly. thank you!5 stars

      Reply
    4. Judy says

      January 23, 2020 at 12:27 pm

      Have you tried doubling?

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says

        January 24, 2020 at 10:31 am

        I haven't tried doubling but it should work just as well. The amount of time you'll be cooking it should stay the same.

        Reply
        • Melly says

          July 21, 2021 at 1:41 pm

          wonderful recipe! I did double it and works amazing!5 stars

          Reply
    5. Sienna Raymond says

      December 28, 2019 at 7:34 pm

      First time cooking forbidden rice and they turned out perfect!5 stars

      Reply
    6. Caroline says

      December 11, 2019 at 11:14 am

      I made this recipe step by step and it turned out perfect. I've never been able to cook black rice this well. Thank you!5 stars

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra says

        December 11, 2019 at 11:16 am

        So happy to hear, Caroline! Thanks for sharing.

        Reply
    7. Tristin Rieken says

      October 26, 2019 at 7:11 am

      Forbidden rice is my FAVORITE!! But can be somewhat difficult on the stovetop. Thanks so much for this super easy instant pot version.5 stars

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says

        December 07, 2019 at 8:37 pm

        You're so welcome and I completely understand -- the IP takes the work out of making perfect rice!

        Reply
    8. Gloria says

      October 26, 2019 at 6:17 am

      I LOVE forbidden rice. It has such a nice "meaty" texture. A little hard to find sometimes. The perfect side for entertaining.5 stars

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says

        December 07, 2019 at 8:38 pm

        Thanks, Gloria!

        Reply
    9. David says

      October 26, 2019 at 5:55 am

      have been meaning to try forbidding rice-- this easy to follow recipe is just what I needed!5 stars

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says

        December 07, 2019 at 8:38 pm

        So glad to hear, David!

        Reply
    10. Elizabeth says

      October 26, 2019 at 5:41 am

      I've never heard of this rice before, and it sounds fabulous! Perfect for a Halloween themed meal too!5 stars

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says

        December 07, 2019 at 8:39 pm

        It's one of my favorites!

        Reply
    11. Patty at Spoonabilities says

      October 25, 2019 at 8:57 pm

      This rice looks amazing! I've never tried black rice before and am so intrigued to try it!5 stars

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says

        December 07, 2019 at 8:39 pm

        Thanks, Patty! I'd love to hear what you think.

        Reply

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    Sapana Chandra

    Hi, I'm Sapana! I’m a recipe developer and author of the cookbook Plant Power Bowls. Here you'll find simple, delicious, vegetarian recipes made with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Learn more about me

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