Instant Pot Brown Rice

This fail-proof recipe for Instant Pot Brown Rice results in perfectly cooked, fluffy, nutty brown rice every single time!

Looking for a recipe for white rice? Check out my directions for Instant Pot Jasmine Rice.

Making 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!

Notes on Ingredients & Equipment

• Brown Rice: I have included cooking times for short-grain and long-grain brown rice. Long-grain brown rice is the most commonly found in grocery stores.
• Liquid: For every cup of dried rice, you need a cup of liquid when cooking in the Instant Pot, for a 1:1 ratio of rice to liquid. As far as what liquid to use, water, store-bought or homemade vegetable broth, or Instant Pot chicken stock all work.
• Instant Pot: This recipe will work using any model of electric pressure cooker you own, including 3-quart, 6-quart, and 8-quart models.
• Fine-Mesh Strainer: One crucial step to making perfect brown rice, is to rinse the rice really well under running water. It is best to use a fine-mesh strainer to do this.

How To Make Brown Rice in the Instant Pot

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.

• Add the rinsed rice to the inner pot and pour the liquid of your choice over the rice. Season with salt if desired.
• Use a spoon or spatula to gently push the rice down so that it is evenly submerged in the liquid.
• Place the lid on the pressure cooker and be sure the venting knob is sealed.
• To set the cooking time, hit the manual or pressure cook button (not the rice button) and set it to cook on high pressure.
  • Long-Grain Brown Rice: 22 Minutes
  • Short-Grain Brown Rice: 24 minutes
• 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.
• Once the pressure has been released fully, open the lid of your pressure cooker.
• Use a fork to fluff the rice. NEVER EVER 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.

For Perfect Instant Pot Brown Rice

In order to ensure you have perfectly cooked brown rice every single time, remember the following tips.

• Use a 1:1 ratio of rice to liquid.
• Always rinse your rice well before pressure cooking.
• 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.

Instant Pot Brown Rice Video

If you learn best by watching others cook, check out my video below which shows my step-by-step process for making perfect brown rice using the Instant Pot.

Options for Seasoning

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.

To quickly cool the rice, spread it out on a sheet pan and place it in the refrigerator to cool quickly or cool at room temperature for 15-30 minutes.

Transfer the cooled rice to an airtight container and refrigerate for 3-4 days. Alternatively, place the rice into a freezer-safe container and freeze it for up to 3 months.

To reheat refrigerated or frozen rice, 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

More Instant Pot Rice Recipes

• Instant Pot Rice and Beans
• Instant Pot Chicken and Rice
• Instant Pot Rice Pilaf
• Instant Pot Spanish Rice
• Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice
• Instant Pot Jasmine Rice

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I would love to hear from you in the comments if you made this recipe for Instant Pot Brown Rice! Please share your experience!