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    Home » Recipes » Side Dish

    Instant Pot Brown Rice

    Published: Oct 2, 2019 · Updated: Apr 7, 2020 by Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC · 27 Comments

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    Pin for brown rice recipe.

    Cook fluffy brown rice in the Instant Pot with this easy step-by-step recipe. Perfect as a side dish, base for a main dish, and meal prep.

    A bowl of Instant Pot Brown Rice with a linen napkin next to it.

    While brown rice normally takes about an hour to cook on the stovetop, the Instant Pot makes it easier than ever to get perfect results every single time - in half the time! 

    Qualities of perfectly cooked brown rice include:

    • Fluffy
    • A little chewy
    • Perfectly tender

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

    Use this hand-off method to set it and forget it until it’s done. Make a batch to use in meals as a side dish or base for the main dish.

    Brown rice-to-water ratio

    To make a batch of brown rice, the ratio between water and brown rice is very important to achieve a fluffy texture. I use this formula:

    For 1 cup of brown rice, use 1 ¼ cup of water. Therefore, for 2 cups of brown rice, I use 2 ½ cups of water.

    Pro-Tip: try using vegetable broth instead of water for added flavor.

    A pot of cooked brown rice with the Instant Pot next to it.

    What you'll need

    To make the brown rice in your Instant Pot, you'll need the following:

    • Brown rice
    • Water
    • Instant Pot
    • Measuring cups (1 cup and ½ cup)

    How to cook brown rice in the Instant Pot

    You can cook and enjoy brown rice in less than 35 minutes. Just follow these steps:

    1. Rinse and drain rice: Rinse the brown rice in a mesh sieve under cool running water for a few minutes. Drain well.

    Brown rice in strainer

    2. Add ingredients to pressure cooker: Add the rinsed brown rice and water to the stainless-steel insert that's included with the Instant Pot

    Pro tip: To add a deeper flavor to the rice, sautee the rice with 1 tablespoon of oil or butter before adding the water. Press the "Sautee" mode, add rice and oil, and stir for 3-5 minutes. Turn off and add water.

    Hand pouring a cup of water into the instant pot

    3. Pressure cook: Close the Instant Pot lid, set the valve on “sealing”, and cook on high pressure for 20 minutes. Once completed, wait 10 minutes to naturally release the pressure. Quick-release any remaining pressure and carefully remove the lid.

    4. Fluff and serve: Using a fork, fluff the perfectly cooked brown rice. Serve immediately or cool down before storing for later.

    Cooked brown rice in the Instant Pot

    Storing and reheating

    To store: 7 days if stored in a sealed container in the fridge.

    To freeze: Make a bigger batch of Instant Pot brown rice and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw before reheating.

    Serving suggestions

    Prepared brown rice can be used in many ways and make a tasty addition to meals throughout the week. Here are some ways to enjoy them:

    • Pair with my Instant Pot Pinto Beans
    • Serve as a side to Indian Chickpea Curry
    • Enjoy it with Cauliflower Tikka Masala
    • Use it in place of quinoa to make a Vegan Power Bowl
    • Add it to your next stir-fry

    Frequently asked questions

    How do you quick-release pressure? Quick-release by carefully turning the steam valve to the “Venting” position (I do this with a long handle). Once the steam has completely escaped, the pin will down. Carefully open the Instant Pot lid.

    Do you need to rinse the rice before cooking it? Yes, rinse under cool water to remove any unwanted debris.

    How do I add more flavor? To add more flavor, add chopped fresh herbs, finely diced red onion, or freshly squeezed lemon juice. Or toss with massaged kale or other cooked veggies, including carrots, broccoli, or green peas. For a boost of protein, mix with chickpeas or pair with black beans.

    What size Instant Pot did you use?  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 brown rice based on preference, the size, model, and brand of your pressure cooker.

    A bowl of brown rice, a mason jar of uncooked brown rice, and the Instant Pot in the corner.

    More Instant Pot recipes

    • How to Cook Quinoa in the Instant Pot
    • Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup
    • How to Cook Hard-Boiled Eggs in the Instant Pot
    • Instant Pot Mac and Cheese

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

    Did you make this Instant Pot brown rice recipe? Leave a comment below and rate the recipe to let us know how it turned out! Be sure to tag me on Real + Vibrant’s Instagram to show me what you made!

    A bowl of brown rice

    Instant Pot Brown Rice

    5 from 21 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep time: 5 minutes
    Cook time: 20 minutes
    Total time: 35 minutes
    Servings: 6 cups cooked rice
    Calories: 172kcal
    Author: Sapana Chandra
    Learn how to cook fluffy brown rice in the Instant Pot with this simple step-by-step foolproof recipe. Make a batch and use it in meals throughout the week! 

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups brown rice
    • 2 ½ cups water

    Instructions

    • Rinse rice under cold water in a fine-mesh strainer. Drain well.
    • Pour rice and water into the stainless steel insert of the Instant Pot.
    • Close the Instant Pot lid, set the valve on “sealing”, and cook on high pressure for 20 minutes. Once completed, turn off the Instant Pot and wait 10 minutes to naturally release the pressure. Quick-release any remaining pressure* and carefully remove the lid. 
    • Using a fork, fluff the cooked brown rice and serve.

    Notes

    This recipe has been tested using the Instant Pot Duo Mini 3-Quart and Instant Pot DUO 6-Quart with great results. However, you may need to make adjustments based on the size, model, and brand of your pressure cooker.
    TO STORE: Let the rice completely and store in an air-tight container in the fridge for 7 days.
    TO REHEAT:
    Stovetop - Add rice to a saucepan with a splash of water. Use a fork to break apart any large clumps of rice. Cook on low heat, stirring occasionally, until the rice is heated through.
    Microwave - Combine the rice and a small splash of water in a microwave-safe dish. Cook on high heat for 2-3 minutes, or until hot throughout. 
    TO FREEZE: Make a bigger batch of brown rice and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw and reheat when you need to use it.

    Video

    Nutrition

    Calories: 172kcal, Carbohydrates: 36g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 5mg, Potassium: 127mg, Fiber: 2g, Calcium: 16mg, Iron: 1mg
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Tried this recipe?Mention @realandvibrant and hashtag #realandvibrant!
    « Instant Pot Hard-Boiled Eggs
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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. Kelley says

      January 08, 2020 at 7:38 am

      This turned out perfect! Thank you for the easy to follow recipe.5 stars

      Reply
    2. SHANIKA says

      January 07, 2020 at 7:31 pm

      I so need to get an Instant Pot! This Brown Rice looks like it's cooked perfectly!5 stars

      Reply
    3. Sara Welch says

      January 07, 2020 at 6:33 pm

      Love that I can cook rice in my Instant Pot! Makes it so much easier! Looking forward to making this with our chicken teriyaki dinner tomorrow night!5 stars

      Reply
    4. Neha says

      January 07, 2020 at 6:13 pm

      Such an easy brown rice recipe! Love that texture and the fact that this is such a time saving recipe.5 stars

      Reply
    5. Jeannette says

      January 07, 2020 at 6:05 pm

      Brown rice is staple for our family now and this method makes it seem all the more easy to prepare! Thanks for sharing!5 stars

      Reply
    6. Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says

      November 27, 2019 at 3:15 am

      I love cooking rice in the Instant Pot, comes out so fluffy and delicious! I really should use brown rice more often.5 stars

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says

        December 07, 2019 at 2:31 pm

        So happy to hear, Bintu!

        Reply
    7. Romina says

      November 27, 2019 at 3:10 am

      This looks so fluffy and easy. I love the texture of brown rice!5 stars

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says

        December 07, 2019 at 2:31 pm

        Thanks, Romina!

        Reply
    8. Dannii says

      November 27, 2019 at 12:57 am

      We love making rice in our instant pot. It's always so fluffy.

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says

        December 07, 2019 at 2:32 pm

        It's the best method!

        Reply
    9. Pina Bresciani says

      November 26, 2019 at 11:51 pm

      I LOVE the instant pot, and I'm going to be adding this to my regular rotation of instant pot recipes.5 stars

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says

        December 07, 2019 at 2:33 pm

        It's such a great tool to have in the kitchen!

        Reply
    10. Irina says

      November 26, 2019 at 9:46 pm

      I have recently started using an Instant Pot a lot! It saves time during busy working days. Your step by step recipe of fluffy brown rice in the Instant Pot is what I was looking for! Thanks for sharing.5 stars

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says

        December 07, 2019 at 2:34 pm

        Thank you, Irina! It really helps save time, especially since you can set it and do other stuff in the meantime.

        Reply
    11. Erica Schwarz says

      October 02, 2019 at 9:06 pm

      So I have a trick to make brown rice by boiling, but your recipe using the Instant Pot shaves off a 10 minutes from that. I will totally be doing this on weeknights now!5 stars

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says

        October 25, 2019 at 3:07 pm

        It's all about saving time with the Instant Pot!

        Reply
    12. Jamie says

      October 02, 2019 at 8:46 pm

      I love how you can make this in the instant pot! Such an informative post!5 stars

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says

        October 25, 2019 at 3:08 pm

        Thank you - so glad it was helpful, Jamie!

        Reply
    13. Suzy says

      October 02, 2019 at 8:38 pm

      Don't you just love how quickly you can make rice in the instant pot? Tried this and it was perfect!5 stars

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says

        October 25, 2019 at 3:08 pm

        Sog glad to hear, Suzy!

        Reply
    14. Veena Azmanov says

      October 02, 2019 at 7:55 pm

      This is so helpful and informative and an healthy option too.5 stars

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says

        October 25, 2019 at 3:08 pm

        Thank you, Veena!

        Reply
    15. Ilona says

      October 02, 2019 at 5:16 pm

      I always cook my rice on stove but I need to try in my Instant Pot, everyone says it comes out fluffy.5 stars

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says

        October 25, 2019 at 3:08 pm

        I love using the IP for rice!

        Reply
    16. Dave says

      October 02, 2019 at 3:52 pm

      I've been trying to switch from white rice to brown rice. I tried this, and it was great. Thanks!5 stars

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says

        October 25, 2019 at 3:09 pm

        So glad to hear, Dave - thank you for your feedback!

        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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