Making steamed rice in the Instant Pot is simple, hands-off, and consistently delivers perfect results.
If you own an Instant Pot, you may have noticed the many opinions about how to use it. Online groups and forums can be helpful but also overwhelming when everyone insists their way is best. Rice is a great example—there are countless ratios and timing suggestions. The easiest, most reliable approach for long-grain white rice is the one the pot was designed for: use the Rice button.
In short: equal parts long-grain white rice and water, and press the Rice button. That yields perfectly cooked rice every time. This method works well with regular long-grain, jasmine, and basmati rice. One important tip: rinse the rice. Rinsing removes excess surface starch so the grains stay separate, reduces stickiness, and helps prevent rice from clinging to the bottom of the pot.
Here’s how to make steamed rice in the Instant Pot:
The Rice button is calibrated for long-grain white rice. Because little water escapes during pressure cooking, use a 1:1 ratio of rice to water—one cup of rice to one cup of water.
Measure the dry rice and place it in the Instant Pot liner. Rinse the rice in the pot by filling it about halfway with water, stirring, and pouring off the cloudy water. You don’t need to remove every drop; stop before the rice pours out. Repeat the rinse two more times until the water runs much clearer. After rinsing, add water equal to the amount of rice (for example, 2 cups rice to 2 cups water).
Secure the lid, set the steam release valve to sealing, and press the Rice button. The display typically shows 12 minutes for the Rice setting. When cooking completes and the pot beeps, allow a natural pressure release (NPR) until the float valve drops on its own. Once the pin drops, open the valve to venting, remove the lid, and fluff the rice with a fork or spoon.
That’s it—fluffy, perfectly steamed rice. Use it as a side or as a base for fried rice, stir-fries, and other dishes.
Recipe
Instant Pot Steamed Rice
Katie Olesen
4
5 mins
10 mins
12 mins
27 mins
Ingredients
- 2 cups long-grain white rice (Jasmine)
- 2 cups water
Instructions
- Put 2 cups of dry rice in the Instant Pot liner.
- Fill the pot halfway with water, stir, and pour off the cloudy water carefully without losing rice.
- Repeat the rinse two more times until the water is much clearer.
- After rinsing, add 2 cups of water (equal to the rice amount).
- Secure the lid and set the valve to “sealing.”
- Press the “Rice” button (it should display about 12). Let the pot cook.
- When it beeps, allow a natural pressure release until the pin drops on its own.
- Turn the valve to venting, remove the lid, and fluff the rice with a fork. Serve.
Estimated Nutrition
* Nutritional information is an estimate and provided as a courtesy.
