This fail-proof recipe for Instant Pot Brown Rice results in perfectly cooked, fluffy, nutty brown rice every single time!
Making brown rice in the Instant Pot is a game-changer!
Instead of over-cooked or undercooked rice, every single grain of rice is cooked perfectly. Instant Pot Brown Rice is not mushy or gummy, instead, it turns out nutty, soft, chewy, and absolutely perfect. It is everything rice should be!
Much like using a rice cooker, this recipe is almost completely hands-off. Unlike a rice cooker, the Instant Pot is not only a master at perfectly cooked rice but handy for so many staples like Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs, Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats, and Instant Pot Baked Potatoes.
Trust me, once you try this recipe for Instant Pot Brown Rice, you will never make rice another way!
For Perfect Instant Pot Brown Rice
While I will break down the steps in more detail below, here are the important steps to remember when making Instant Pot Brown Rice.
- Always rinse your rice well before pressure cooking.
- Use a 1:1 ratio of rice to liquid.
- Cook on high pressure for 22 minutes for long-grain brown rice, and 24 minutes for short-grain brown rice.
- Allow for pressure to release naturally.
- Fluff with a fork.
How To Make Instant Pot Brown Rice
While this is an incredibly simple recipe, if you are unfamiliar with cooking in an Instant Pot or the functions of your Instant Pot, be sure to start with How to Use an Instant Pot for the best results on this and future recipes. You will find the full recipe in detail in the recipe card below.
Rinse the Rice
Place your rice in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse under running water for 1-2 minutes. This is CRUCIAL. Rinsing rice helps to remove the excess starch on the grains of rice, ensuring that the grains don't clump together when cooking.
Use a 1:1 Rice to Liquid Ratio
For every 1 cup of rice used, add 1 cup of liquid of choice (broth, stock, water, juice, etc.) into the inner pot and add the rinsed rice and a pinch of salt. Then gently push the rice down into the liquid, so that it is fully submerged in the liquid, to ensure ensure even cooking.
Don't Use the Rice Button
To pressure cook your rice, it is best to use the manual or pressure cook button rather than rely on the rice function, as that function can default to low pressure.
Let Pressure Release Naturally
Once the cooking time has elapsed, let the pressure release fully. This takes about 15-20 minutes, depending on how much rice you prepared. Do not be tempted to do a quick release of pressure. It will result in mushy rice and starchy liquid spewing all over your kitchen.
Fluff Rice with a Fork
Use a fork to fluff the rice. NEVER stir cooked rice with a spoon. A fork separates the rice grains without the rice breaking or crushing the grains up, as spoons tend to do.
Instant Pot Brown Rice Seasoning Options
This recipe for Instant Pot Brown Rice is a very basic recipe, making it the perfect base for endless dishes. However, you can also opt to add seasonings to the rice and liquid BEFORE pressure cooking if desired. Below are a few of my favorite seasoning options.
- Dried Onion Soup Mix: Add 1 tablespoon of Dried Onion Soup Mix to the rice before pressure cooking, for a rich oniony taste.
- Butter: For a rich, buttery taste you can opt to add 1 to 3 tablespoons of butter before or after pressure cooking. If adding your butter before pressure cooking, be sure to add the butter last, to prevent a burn notice. If adding after, simply add and let the butter melt while fluffy the rice with the fork.
- Taco Seasoning: Add 2-3 teaspoons of taco seasoning to the rice before pressure cooking for a simple, Tex-Mex style rice.
- Cajun Seasoning: Add 2-3 teaspoons of Cajun seasoning to your rice before pressure cooking and finish with 1-2 teaspoons of hot sauce for an additional kick after pressure cooking.
How to Store & Reheat Cooked Rice
It is crucial to cool the cooked brown rice before placing it into a storage container, as this will help prevent bacteria from growing. It is also important to not leave rice out at room temperature for longer than one hour, as it is very moist, making it a perfect breeding ground for bacteria to grow quickly.
- Refrigerate: Transfer the cooled rice to an airtight container and refrigerate for 3-4 days.
- Freeze: Place cooled rice into a freezer-safe container and freeze it for up to 3 months. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight and use within 3 days or defrosting.
- Reheat: Place the rice in a heat-safe container. Sprinkle rice with 1-2 teaspoons of water. Reheat in the microwave, in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until the rice is hot. Or, reheat the rice in the Instant Pot by using the pot-in-pot cooking method and heating for 1 minute on high pressure.
Serving Suggestions
Instant Pot Brown Rice makes a great side dish or base for casseroles or stir-fries.
- Serve Instant Pot Brown Rice alongside Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken, Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli, Chicken Asparagus Stir Fry, or Stir-Fried Chicken and Bok Choy to soak up all the delicious sauce from the dish.
- Use cold or frozen rice to make Homemade Fried Rice in minutes.
- Add cooked brown rice to casseroles such as Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole or Creamy and Cheesy Chicken and Rice.
- Add the rice to burritos or enchiladas to cut back on the amount of meat needed.
FAQs about Instant Pot Brown Rice
Yes! As long as you do not fill your instant pot more than ½ full when cooking rice. You need to leave room for the rice to expand when pressure cooking.
For an 8-quart Instant Pot, you need to use a minimum of 1-½ cups of dried rice. For a 3 or 6-quart Instant Pot, you need to use a minimum of 1 cup of rice.
Do NOT use the rice button or function when cooking brown rice, or any rice, in your pressure cooker. The rice function typically defaults to low pressure, and the cooking time is inaccurate.
More Instant Pot Rice Recipes
- Instant Pot Jasmine Rice
- Instant Pot Rice and Beans
- Instant Pot Chicken and Rice
- Instant Pot Rice Pilaf
- Instant Pot Spanish Rice
- Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice
I would love to hear from you in the comments if you made this recipe for Instant Pot Brown Rice! Please share your experience!
Instant Pot Brown Rice
Ingredients
- 2 cups long-grain brown rice see notes for short-grain brown rice
- 2 cups liquid broth or water
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt optional
Instructions
- Measure out the dried rice and place it into a fine mesh colander. Rinse under cold water for 1-2 minutes and shake to remove excess liquid. Place the rinsed rice into the inner pot of the pressure cooker.
- Pour the liquid over the rice and add in the salt if using. Gently push the rice down so that it is fully and evenly submerged in the liquid.
- Place the lid on the Instant Pot and be sure the vent knob is sealed. Hit the manual or pressure cook button and cook on High Pressure for 22 minutes for long-grain brown rice or 24 minutes for short-grain brown rice. Do not use the rice function!
- Once the cooking time has elapsed, allow the pressure to release naturally. This takes about 15-20 minutes, depending on how much rice you prepared.
- Once the pressure is fully released, remove the lid from the pressure cooker and gently fluff the rice with a fork. Serve as desired.
Matt
This came out perfect compared to the other high rated ones I’ve already tried
Kristen Chidsey
Fabulous! Thanks for sharing, Matt!
Carol
I hardly ever feel compelled to leave a recipe review, but this recipe is awesome. My stovetop brown rice always comes out mushy and split and this is nothing like that. Each rice kernel is full, nutty, separate, tender--amazing. I thought this would be too long to cook rice, but it's perfect. My husband and I both love white rice, but we both agreed we'd eat more brown rice if it comes out like this.
Kristen Chidsey
Yay! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review. I am honored you felt compelled and of course, thrilled you enjoyed the rice.