This fail-proof recipe for Instant Pot Brown Rice results in perfectly cooked, fluffy, nutty brown rice every single time!
![Instant Pot Brown Rice Bowl of brown rice next to Instant Pot.](https://amindfullmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Instant-Pot-Brown-Rice-Recipe.jpg)
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.
![Brown Rice Instant Pot Brown rice in fine mesh strainer over instant pot.](https://amindfullmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Instant-Pot-Rice.jpg)
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.
![How to Make Brown Rice in Instant Pot Brown Rice Fluffed with a fork in the Instant Pot.](https://amindfullmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/The-Best-Brown-Rice.jpg)
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!
![Bowl of Brown Rice in blue bowl.](https://amindfullmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Instant-Pot-Brown-Rice-360x360.jpg)
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.
Phil
I usually prefer Basmati white rice because it tastes better. (It cooks great in the Instant Pot in 6 minutes.) My wife would like me to eat brown rice because it is healthier. This recipe rinses the raw rice. Everything that I have ever read claims that rinsing the rice will wash away nutrients. At that point, the brown rice might not be a healthier choice. ????
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Phil! Some varieties of white rice have been sprayed with nutrients. So technically, that will rinse away those vitamins. However, rinsing rice will not remove rice's natural nutrients and benefits. So in terms of nutrition and fiber, brown rice is better for you overall.
Ed Jordan
We prefer brown to white rice nowadays. Do you have a recipe for chicken and rice (or other meats and rice) that uses brown rice?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Ed! I fully understand you would prefer to eat brown rice. To use brown rice for this recipe, follow the recipe as stated, omitting the chicken and using brown rice instead of white rice. Cook for 22 minutes on HIGH pressure. Once the cooking time has elapsed, allow pressure to release naturally and stir in precooked chicken AFTER pressure cooking.
Lisa
I always avoided brown rice before I found this recipe. The cook time was too long, it often didn't actually cook, or it burned. Now brown rice is my go to. This method has never failed, is quick and easy, and the rice turns out perfect every time.
Kristen Chidsey
Wonderful Lisa! Thank you so much for sharing!
Toni
Thanks so much for this! So easy to make!
Julia
I love brown rice for its texture and health benefits but always struggle to get it right. Instant Pot is definitely the way to go. Thank for the instructions!
Allyssa
Thank you so much for sharing this very helpful brown rice recipe! It tasted really good and super easy to make! Will surely have this again! Highly recommended!
Tori Rice
With this work with quick cooking brown rice?
Kristen Chidsey
No unfortunately, quick cooking brown rice is precooked and cooks different. I have had others share with me that they have had success cooking for 5 minutes on high pressure with natural release. You still want to use a 1:1 ratio.
Mifflin
Wow! This was fabulously delicious! Just a bag of generic long grain brown rice and your directions. Thank you so much!
Kristen Chidsey
You are so welcome! Makes making rice super easy!
Xochitl Naraine
Useful information. Lucky me I found your web site by chance, and I'm surprised why this twist of fate did not happened in advance! I bookmarked it.
Carolina
I’ve tried so many brown rice recipes for my IP and this was the the one!, others were okay but often too hard. My girlfriend and I loved it!
Kristen Chidsey
So happy this was a hit Carolina!
Maryla Gallagher
Thanks for the tip on refrigerating or freezing rice. I don't like leftovers to sit out as it dries out, but I didn't know about the risk of bacteria.
Don
Maybe a stupid question but do I keep the rice in the fine mesh basket for cooking or dump it directly into the cooking pot without the basket?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Don, dump it into the inner pot without the strainer! Enjoy!
Des
Do I do quick release or natural release?
Kristen Chidsey
Natural release is always best for rice.
Joe
I am always a little skeptical when I see the words perfect, and fail proof in a recipe, but this method really worked. I made a combination of black rice and brown rice, and it turned out perfect. Thanks.
Kristen Chidsey
I understand your hesitation Joe, I am glad you found this recipe lived up to the claims I made.
Marcia
Short grain method worked perfectly, neither too hard nor mushy. Used some of my instant pot bone broth for the liquid. Really tasty.
Kristen Chidsey
Awesome! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review Marcia 🙂
Ashley
So easy and perfect every time!
Kristen Chidsey
I am so glad you have had success with this recipe Ashley!
Gina Matsoukas
This brown rice really was PERFECT! Thank you for the recipe!
Kristen Chidsey
YAY!!! I love to hear you had success Gina! Thanks for taking the time to review.