How to Cook Perfect Instant Pot White Rice

It’s never been easier to cook white rice. Learn to make perfect, buttery, and fluffy white rice in the instant pot or pressure cooker in 20 minutes or less.

I have been cooking for the majority of my life, but making rice has always been something that has driven me crazy. I hate that different-sized pots, different materials, or different stoves make cooking rice so variable. That all changes when you cook rice in the Instant Pot.

With this easy Instant Pot White Rice Recipe, you can make perfect rice in an instant pot that requires no stirring or babysitting – you just need to sit back and let the rice cook.

🥘 Ingredients Needed

• White Rice – I use Mahatma Long Grain White Rice. (These instructions will NOT work for basmati rice or jasmine rice.)
• Ghee or Butter
• Kosher Salt
• Water

Equipment Needed to Make Fluffy Rice

• An Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker
• Measuring Cups
• A Fine Mesh Strainer

🥣 How to Make White Rice in an Instant Pot

Cooking white rice in the Instant Pot could not be easier. Plus, you get perfectly cooked rice every time.

If you want to make fluffy white rice, the first step is to rinse your rice. I like to rinse the rice in a fine mesh strainer and rinse the rice with cold water until the water runs clear.

Why Do I Have to Rinse Rice Before Cooking?

Rice needs to be washed to remove any debris and to rinse off the excess starch.

Here’s how I make long-grain white rice in the Instant Pot:

Just add your ghee (or butter), rinsed rice, salt, and water to the Instant Pot. (Pictures 1 – 5)

Next, put the lid on and make sure the vent is closed. (Picture 6) 

Using the Instant Pot Rice Button

Press the “Rice” button and let your Instant Pot do all the work. (Picture 7) If your Instant Pot does not have a “Rice” button, you can choose “Pressure Cook” or “Manual” mode and set the time to 12 minutes at Low Pressure.

When the cooking cycle is complete, let the pressure reduce naturally for about 5 minutes, then fluff your rice and serve. (Picture 8 – 10)

How Much Rice to Cook

Half a cup of rice and one cup of water is enough rice for two people for one meal, but if you want leftovers, 1 cup of rice with 2 cups of water will be perfect. 1 cup of dry rice will make 2 cups of cooked rice.

✏️ Tips for Cooking Fluffy Rice in a Pressure Cooker

• This is my favorite way to make perfect rice in the Instant Pot. There are a few other ways, including cooking your rice in a separate dish inside your Instant Pot, but this way works well for us every time.
• I use Mahatma Long Grain White rice, so the rice to water ratio is 2 cups of water for 1 cup of rice. Use the recommended ratio for the type of rice that you use. (It should say the water to rice ratio on the bag.)
• This recipe is very easy to double, triple, or quadruple, depending on how many people you are feeding. Just double (or triple) your rice, ghee, salt, and water, and keep the ratio the same. I use a 3-quart Instant Pot to make a small batch but to make a huge batch, I like to use my 6-quart Instant Pot.
• To reheat leftover rice, microwave it with a damp towel over the bowl. The rice will absorb some moisture and be less crunchy. 

How Much Water Do I Need for 2 Cups of Rice?

I use Mahatma Long Grain White rice, so the ratio of rice to water is 2 cups of water per 1 cup of rice, so for two cups of rice, you would want four cups of water. (1 cup of dry rice makes about two cups of cooked rice.)

What to Serve with Instant Pot White Rice

Fluff your rice with a fork and serve immediately. Try serving your rice with:

• Chicken and Sausage Gumbo
• White Beans and Ham
• Red Beans and Rice
• Easy Jambalaya Rice

More Instant Pot Rice Recipes

• Instant Pot Rice Pilaf
• Instant Pot Green Onion Rice