Follow this Instant Pot brown rice recipe for perfectly cooked rice in less than 30 minutes. All you need is the right cooking time, method, and water-to-rice ratio. You’ll never have to worry about crunchy, gummy, burned, mushy, or otherwise lackluster brown rice again. Though I’ve already shared a method for my foolproof stovetop brown rice, cooking brown rice in an Instant Pot is even quicker, simpler, and requires even less fuss! Just add the ingredients to the IP, set it, and forget it for just 15 minutes of cooking, then 5 minutes to naturally release steam. There’s no hovering or monitoring required at all to achieve perfectly fluffy rice. It will be ready to enjoy as a side dish with curries, casserole, stews like pea stew(Bazella), stir-fries like beef and broccoli , burrito bowls, bibimbap, or alongside your favorite proteins and veggies, like oven baked salmon, baked chicken breast, roasted green beans, roasted asparagus, Instant pot corn, and more.
What Is Brown Rice?
Brown rice is whole grain rice with only the inedible outer hull removed, while the bran and germ layers remain intact (and provide the brown color). In comparison, white rice removes the hull, bran layer, and cereal germ. Because of these extra layers, brown rice has a chewier texture and a more robust, nuttier flavor. It also contains more nutrients, including antioxidants, several vitamins and minerals, and far more fiber, to keep you full for longer. The benefits are a reduced risk of several chronic diseases as well as lower blood sugar, blood pressure, and harmful LDL cholesterol levels.
How to Cook Brown Rice in Instant Pot
This pressure cooker brown rice recipe works well with long-grain brown rice, short-grain brown rice, and brown jasmine and basmati rice. However, it may help to leave long-grain brown rice types an extra 5 minutes to pressure natural release.
Brown Rice to Water Ratio in Instant Pot
When cooking brown rice in Instant Pot, you’ll need to use a 1:1 ratio of rice to water. This is less than when cooking it on the stove since less water evaporates in an Instant Pot. So, for example, you’ll need 1 cup of brown rice + 1 cup of water (or broth). It’s important to note that the Instant Pot measuring cup is 180ml, not a standard US 250ml cup.
How Long to Cook Brown Rice in Instant Pot
First, thoroughly rinse the rice until the water runs almost clear, then drain it well. If you don’t drain it well, the water-to-rice ratio will be slightly off, and you may end up with an extra 2-3 Tbsp of water after cooking. Then, add the rice, cold water (or vegetable/chicken broth), and salt to the Instant Pot. For more flavor, first, toast the rice using the sauté function until aromatic and toasty. Close the lid and turn the venting knob to the sealing position. Cook on manual HIGH pressure for 15 minutes, then allow it to naturally release steam for 5 minutes. Then, carefully use the quick release (turn the venting knob to the venting position), and open the lid.
Fluff the Cooked Rice and Serve
Use a fork or rice paddle/soft silicone spatula (for less breakage) to fluff up the rice. If the rice still seems a little wet, allow it to sit for 10-15 minutes further for the steam to dissipate, then fluff up the rice.
How Long Does Cooked Brown Rice Last in the Fridge?
You can store leftover fully cooled brown rice in airtight containers in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. However, for food hygiene reasons, it’s important to transfer it to the fridge within 2 hours of cooking it.
Can You Freeze Cooked Brown Rice?
Rice freezes well and can be done in freezer-safe containers or Ziplock bags/freezer bags for up to 4 months. Allow it to thaw in the fridge overnight.
How to Reheat Cooked Brown Rice?
You can reheat rice in the microwave (1-2 minutes) or on the stovetop (over medium heat). Adding a splash of water or broth and covering the rice while heating is best. The liquid will steam and ensure you don’t end up with dry rice.
More Easy Rice Recipes
Egg Fried Rice Recipe Garlic Fried Rice Kimchi Fried Rice Coconut Milk Rice Cilantro Lime Rice Instant Pot Jasmine Rice
If you try this easy Instant Pot brown rice recipe, let me know how it goes in the comments below. I’d appreciate a recipe card rating and would love to see your recipe recreations – tag me on Instagram @Alphafoodie!
