Instant Pot Long Grain White Rice

Name: Instant Pot Long Grain White Rice
Prep time: 2 min
Cook time: 8 min
Ingredients: 1 cup long grain white rice; 1 1/4 cup water

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Instant pot long grain white rice is a game changer. Simply add the rice and water, cover, and cook for 8 minutes! Perfect fluffy rice to serve as is or use in your favorite recipes.

Use this fool proof method that next time you are looking to get rice on the table quicker. It decreases the time it takes to make rice by half. You will be amazed!

If you make rice on the stovetop, you are not alone. For years, it was our go-to cooking method. Then came along the instant pot and now there is no turning back!

Learning how to cook rice in the instant pot has eliminated the need to boil water and stand over the stove as the rice cooks. Plus, there is no need to worry about overcooked or burnt rice.

White rice is a great option to accompany meals, especially if you have picky eaters at home. The rice can soak up any flavor or be served plain to accommodate food preferences.

Similar to our No Boil Pasta Bake, Gluten Free Alfredo and Instant Pot Chili Mac this recipe will quicky become a staple family recipe.

To get started, gather the equipment and ingredients then follow the written instructions or printable recipe card. Enjoy!

Table of Contents

Ingredients

1 cup long grain white rice
1 1/4 cup water

Gluten-Free Guide: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten.

top down view of white rice in instant pot

water poured into instant pot with white rice

How To Make

Add the rice and the water to the instant pot. Stir and place the lid onto the instant pot. Turn the valve to sealing.

Cook: Use the rice setting and turn to the low-pressure 8-minute setting. Once the time is up do a quick release.

Serve: Serve rice as is or use in your favorite recipe.

top down shot of white rice in instant pot with wooden spoon

Serving Suggestions

Long grain white rice is such a versatile grain that you can pair with almost any main entree. It can also be used to make casseroles, soups, rice pudding, chilled salads, or glorified rice.

If looking to serve with a lunch or dinner meal, consider any of these popular recipes:

Tips and Substitutions

Use chicken, beef or vegetable broth instead of water for cooking.
Add seasoning such as garlic powder, onion powder, or your favorite spices to the rice before or after cooking.
Do not turn on the “Keep Warm” function with rice, immediately remove from heat once pressure is released to prevent mushy rice.
Fluff the rice with a fork instead of stirring.
If there is extra moisture in the Instant pot after cooking, remove the insert and let sit uncovered for 5-10 minutes to allow the liquid to evaporate.
Drizzle with olive oil (dairy-free option) or add in butter for a flavor boost.
Top with shredded cheese or mix in salsa before serving.

wooden spoon scooping rice from instant pot

Frequently Asked Questions

How long to cook rice in Instant Pot?

Long grain rice takes 8 minutes under low pressure before you do a quick release and fluff.

Do you need to soak the rice?

If desired, you can soak for up to 10 minutes then proceed with the recipe. However, soaking the rice is not required.

How to make fluffy rice?

Rinse the rice prior to cooking, which removes any excess starch from the grain. This means the grains are less likely to stick together resulting in light and fluffy rice.

Rice to water ratio

For every 1 cup of rice, you will need 1 1/4 cup of water for an instant pot rice recipe. Keep this ratio in mind when making a double batch.

Can I use minute rice?

Save the minute rice for the microwave or stovetop. When added to an instant pot, minute rice turns to mush.

Why is the rice still hard?

If the rice is still hard after cooking, there was likely not enough liquid in the instant pot. You can troubleshoot by finishing the rice on the stovetop or adding additional water and putting back under pressure for a minute or two.

Do you adjust the cooking time if making a double batch?

Nope! Simply adjust the rice to water ratio and keep the cooking time as written. This is another reason we love using the instant pot as it makes meal prep even easier.

How To Cook Different Kinds of Rice in Instant Pot

There are multiple rice varieties that can be cooked in the Instant Pot either on the manual or Instant Pot rice setting. Learn how to make rice in an Instant pot to then use as side dish or in a recipe.

Sushi Rice : The instant pot makes it quick and simple to prep rice for sushi. It is made with 3 ingredients in under 25 minutes then can be used to make homemade sushi, poke bowls, buddha bowls and more.

Wild Rice: Typically known for its long cooking time, this is a pressure cooker rice that can now be made quickly and easily.

Jasmine Rice: Similar to this basmati rice recipe, jasmine rice can be made in a few steps. Turns out light and fluffy too.

Basmati Rice: Basmati rice is a long grain aromatic rice that can be made with no soaking required in half the time in the Instant Pot.

Mexican Rice: A traditional fluffy white rice that adds seasoning to upgrade flavor and is yet another rice option for meals.

Kids In The Kitchen

Cooking tips and suggestions for kids making this recipe.

Kids In The Kitchen

Cooking tips and suggestions for kids making this recipe.

Rinse the rice prior to cooking for more fluffy rice.
Think of your favorite spice (onion, garlic, chili, paprika, cumin) then add a teaspoon at a time to cooked rice for flavor. The more you add, the more flavorful it will be. Make sure to taste test after each addition.
Read the instant pot to ensure it is set on a low setting and reads 0:08 before pressing start.
Use a fork to fluff the rice after cooking. Stirring with a spoon can cause the rice to become mushy.

Storage Instructions

In the fridge: Store rice for up to 5 days in the fridge in a covered container.

In the freezer: Place cooled rice onto a baking sheet to freeze for at least 30 minutes. Once frozen, the rice can be added to a container, Ziploc bag or stasher bag to freeze for up to 3 months.

For best results, thaw rice in the fridge overnight and reheat the next day.

In the pantry (dry): Store dry rice in a cool dark place for a few months or up to a year if sealed tightly. Dry rice can be added to an airtight container once the seal is broken to extend its shelf life.

Reheating Instructions

Microwave: Add thawed rice to a microwave safe bowl with a splash of water to rehydrate the rice. Cover with a damp paper towel to retain the moisture and microwave in 30-second increments. Stir in-between until rice is hot.

Stovetop: Place rice in a covered pot over low to medium heat to reheat until hot (approximately 3-5 minutes for thawed and 7-10 minutes for frozen). Add a splash of water to the bottom of the pot to prevent the rice from burning. Stir occasionally.

Skillet: Turn leftover white rice into a stir fry or toss into any of these 50 Leftover Rice Recipes. Simply add to a preheated skillet with other stir fry ingredients to quickly reheat into a delicious lunch or dinner meal.

More Instant Pot Recipes

CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.

The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.

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