Instant Pot White Rice (Perfect and Fluffy Every Time)

Why you will like this rice.

Rice is a versatile side dish that pairs well with everything from chicken and beef to vegetables, stir-fries, and your favorite saucy main dishes.

Here is what else you will like about this recipe.

• Simple ingredients. You only need rice and water, plus optional salt and butter or oil for added flavor.
• Easy and Quick preparation. Once everything is in the Instant Pot, the pressure cooker does most of the work for you.
• No stovetop monitoring. Using an Instant Pot makes cooking rice basically fool-proof. Unlike cooking on a stove, there is no need to adjust the heat or keep checking the pot while the rice cooks.
• Versatile side dish especially for leftovers. This mild, simple rice works with a wide variety of cuisines, proteins, vegetables, and sauces. Leftovers can be easily served throughout the week with your favorite meals.

Long Grain White Rice was used to make the rice in this recipe. You can find Long Grain White Rice here.

Ingredient Notes.

• Long-grain white rice Use regular long-grain white rice (rinsed) for this recipe.
• Water Room temperature.
• Salt This is optional but, can really enhance the flavor of your rice.
• Canola Oil. This helps keep the grains nicely separated instead of sticking together. Another neutral oil or butter can be substituted.

How to Make Rice in an Instant Pot.

• Prep Time 2 minutes .
• Pressure Cook Time 4 minutes (on high pressure) Natural Release: 10 minutes
• Servings 6, depending on how it is served. .
• How to serve : Serve on the side or with a main course that has gravy or a sauce.
• Notes: You will need an Instant Pot (or pressure cooker), a fine-mesh strainer, wooden spoon and a rice paddle or fork .

1. Prepare the Rice. Place the rice in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse it thoroughly under cool running water, gently stirring the grains with your hand. Continue rinsing until the water runs mostly clear. Drain well. Then place the rinsed and drained rice into your Instant Pot.
2. Add Ingredients. Pour the water over the rice that is in the Instant Pot. Then add the salt and oil. Gently stir once to distribute the ingredients and make sure the rice is submerged.
3. Pressure cook. Secure the lid and set the steam release valve to the Sealing position, if your model requires it. Select Pressure Cook/Manual on High Pressure for three minutes. The Instant Pot will take several minutes to come to pressure before the cooking time begins.
4. Allow a natural release. When the cooking cycle is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, carefully release any remaining pressure according to your Instant Pot manufacturer's instructions.
5. Fluff the rice. Once the pressure has fully released, carefully open the lid. Use a fork or rice paddle to gently fluff the rice, separating the grains rather than stirring vigorously.
6. Rest and serve. Let the rice sit uncovered for two to three minutes to allow excess steam to escape. Taste and adjust the salt if needed, then serve warm.

Tips for making the best Instant Pot rice.

Rinse the rice thoroughly under cool running water until the water is mostly clear. This removes excess surface starch and helps keep the cooked rice fluffy rather than overly sticky.

More helpful tips for you.

1. Very little moisture evaporates during pressure cooking rice. For slightly softer rice, you can increase the water to 2¼ cups.
2. Salt is optional but recommended for enhancing the flavor of the rice. You can adjust the amount according to taste, especially if you plan to serve the rice with a salty or highly seasoned dish.
3. The oil can be omitted or substituted with another neutral oil or butter. While optional, a tablespoon of butter adds flavor and richness, while neutral oil can help keep the grains nicely separated. Avocado, canola, or vegetable oil are neutral oil choices.

FAQ

• Do I need to rinse rice before cooking it in the Instant Pot?
  Yes, rinsing is recommended. I would rinse the rice under cool running water until the water runs mostly clear, then drain it well. This removes excess surface starch and helps the rice cook up fluffy rather than gummy.
  
• What is the best rice-to-water ratio for Instant Pot white rice?
  For regular long-grain white rice, a 1:1 ratio is a good starting point. For this recipe, use two cups of rice and two cups of water. Since very little water evaporates during pressure cooking, you generally need less water than with stovetop rice
  
• Can I use chicken or vegetable broth instead of water?
  Yes. Replace the water with an equal amount of broth for more flavorful rice. If your broth contains salt, you may want to reduce or omit the additional salt in the recipe.
  
• Why did my Instant Pot rice turn out sticky or mushy?
  Too much water, insufficient rinsing, or over-stirring can make the rice sticky or mushy. Measure the water carefully, rinse and drain the rice thoroughly, and fluff the cooked rice gently with a fork or rice paddle.
  
• Why is my Instant Pot rice too firm?
  If the rice is slightly firmer than you prefer, try adding two to four more tablespoons of water the next time you make this recipe. Also, be sure to allow the full 10-minute natural release before releasing the remaining pressure.

Variations.

• Make this into Herbed Rice. Add ½–1 teaspoon dried herbs, such as parsley, thyme, oregano, or Italian seasoning. Fresh herbs are best stirred into the rice after cooking.
• Use broth instead of water. Replace the water with an equal amount of low-sodium chicken broth for a more savory flavor. Reduce or omit the added salt as needed. Or, you can substitute two cups of vegetable broth for the water to add flavor while keeping the rice vegetarian.
• Add some peas! Simply stir in a half to a whole cup of thawed frozen peas into the hot rice after cooking. Close the lid loosely for a few minutes so the residual heat warms the peas without overcooking them.

How to store cooked rice.

Once your rice has cooled (within two hours of cooking) it can be stored in an airtight container (preferable shallow). When properly stored it should keep for up to four days when refrigerated or frozen for up to a few months. To reheat, add a splash of water to the rice and cover loosely to help create steam. Microwave until steaming hot throughout, stirring partway through if needed. You can also reheat rice in a covered saucepan over low heat with a tablespoon or two of water.

Serve your Cooked Rice with one of these Dishes!

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