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Make Perfect Instant Pot Brown Rice every time with this easy brown rice recipe for the electric pressure cooker. Perfect for meal prep and a great way to get delicious fluffy brown rice without a rice cooker!

bowl of instant pot brown rice with parsley

I love cooking rice in my Instant Pot. One of the very first Instant Pot recipes I ever made was Instant Pot jasmine rice, and it turned out so well that I knew my electric pressure cooker was a keeper!

Several of you wonderful people have asked me for a recipe for cooking brown rice in the Instant Pot. So, here’s my brown rice recipe with a video included!

I tested this Instant Pot rice recipe several times using my 6 quart Instant Pot and 8 quart Instant Pot. You get perfect Instant Pot brown rice every time!

Ingredients

You only need a few simple ingredients to make brown rice in the Instant Pot. If you don’t have them at home, you can find them in your grocery store or online:

  • Brown rice — long grain brown rice, not Minute Rice
  • Sea salt
  • Olive oil
  • Water

How to Cook Perfect Instant Pot Brown Rice Every Time

Making brown rice is basically the same as making white rice. The main difference is brown rice requires a longer cook time. The rest of the steps remain the same.

First, you want to rinse the rice thoroughly before cooking. Measure the rice, using a dry measuring cup, and dump it into a large fine mesh strainer.

Then, rinse it under cold water for a few minutes. After rinsing, shake the strainer to remove as much water as possible.

rinse brown rice under water in mesh strainer

Next, add the rinsed rice to the inner stainless steel pot. When I make jasmine rice, I always season it, and the same goes for brown rice.

Add a little sea salt and olive oil to the rice. This adds flavor and the oil also helps keep it from sticking. You can also try a little garlic powder for extra flavor.

We usually mix the sea salt and oil directly into the rice. You can also add it after the water if you forget.

add sea salt and olive oil to rice in pressure cooker

The perfect ratio of water to rice is 1 cup water for every 1 cup rice. So, add a cup of water if you’re only making a cup of rice.

I usually make 2 cups of rice, so I use 2 cups water to 2 cups rice. If you want to make 3 cups of brown rice, use 3 cups water and 3 cups rice.

Pro tip — I highly recommend using a liquid measuring cup for the liquid and a standard dry measuring cup for the rice.

Don’t use the cup that comes with the Instant Pot.

add water to rice in pressure cooker

Just pour in the water and add the lid. Now, you’re ready to pressure cook the rice!

Cook Time

Pressure cook the rice for 22 minutes on high pressure. After it’s done cooking, allow a 10 minute natural pressure release.

Then, do a quick release for the remaining pressure. Open the pot, stir it, and you’re good to go!

perfectly cooked brown rice on a wooden spoon over the instant pot

The brown rice is perfectly cooked using this tried and true method. It’s tender, with just enough bite that it’s not too soft or mushy.

The rice is slightly sticky, which makes it perfect for using as a side dish with your favorite Asian-style recipes or any recipe, really.

We like to serve brown rice with Instant Pot Korean Ground Beef, Baked Honey Lime Chicken or Instant Pot Honey Lime Chicken.

brown rice in white serving bowl in front of instant pot pressure cooker

Variations

This basic recipe is just an easy way to cook the perfect brown rice–there are so many ways to customize and enjoy this delicious grain!

When cooking the rice, use broth instead of water, or a mixture of broth and water for a little extra flavor. Vegetable broth and chicken broth will both work.

You can cook any kind of brown rice in the Instant Pot. I usually make regular brown rice or brown basmati rice.

Add whatever spices you want to make this plain brown rice the perfect side dish for your desired flavor profile.

Of course, rice can also be part of a main dish: my favorite thing to do with rice is add some black beans and spicy seasoning for a tasty burrito filling!

How to Store

Store any leftover rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where it’ll last for 4 to 5 days.

Reheat individual portions in the microwave.

This recipe is also great for meal prep! Just cook a large batch of brown rice, either don’t season it or keep the seasoning simple, and refrigerate it.

You now have a ready side dish for future meals, and all you have to do is reheat and add flavor!

Rice Cooking Tips

  • Use dry measuring cup for rice and liquid measuring cup for water
  • Rinse rice before cooking
  • Use
  • Add sea salt or kosher salt and olive oil for flavor and texture
  • Remove rice immediately after cooking is complete for easy clean-up

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5 from 5 votes

Instant Pot Brown Rice

By: Dee
Make Perfect Instant Pot Brown Rice every time with this easy brown rice recipe for the electric pressure cooker. Perfect for meal prep and a great way to get delicious fluffy brown rice without a rice cooker!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 22 minutes
release time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 37 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients  

  • 2 cups brown rice
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 cups cold water
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Instructions 

  • Measure rice in a dry measuring cup, and rinse rice thoroughly under cold running water in a mesh strainer
  • Add rice to Instant Pot, and season with sea salt and olive oil
  • Measure out 2 cups of cold water in a liquid measuring cup, and pour over rice
  • Place lid on Instant Pot, make sure vent is sealed, and PRESSURE COOK for 22 minutes. When Pot beeps, allow 10 minute release, and quick release remaining pressure. Carefully remove lid, and stir rice, and serve

Video

Notes

Recipe was tested in both 6 quart and 8 quart Instant Pot pressure cookers. 
Use 1 cup water for every 1 cup of rice. Cook time remains the same.
Serve immediately or spoon rice into serving bowl. Don’t leave on keep warm setting. This prevents rice from sticking to stainless steel pot and makes clean-up easier!

Nutrition

Calories: 250kcal, Carbohydrates: 48g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 390mg, Potassium: 170mg, Fiber: 2g, Calcium: 21mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Asian
Like this? Leave a comment below!

Recipe published in 2020 and updated in 2022

bowl of instant pot brown rice with parsley

This Instant Pot brown rice recipe has just a few easy steps, and yields delicious, perfect results! The cooking process is much simpler than stove top rice, in my opinion!

For more side dish recipes, rice recipes, and some of my favorite ways to make cooking quick and easy, be sure to subscribe to the newsletter and follow my on social media!

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Recipe Rating




16 Comments

  1. LaKesha says:

    If I double the recipe, should I make any adjustments to the cooking time to get the same outcome of fluffy brown Jasmine rice?

    1. Dee says:

      The cook time stays the same even when doubled.

  2. Rob says:

    What’s wrong with using the measuring cup that comes with the IP? Level scoop of each would be true 1 to 1.

    1. Dee says:

      The problem with the IP cup is it isn’t an 8-ounce cup. So, while it would be a true 1 to 1 ratio, if someone uses that cup for rice and an 8-ounce measuring cup for water, the results won’t be the same. Also, many people lose that cup or throw it out. That’s why I recommend a standard measuring cup.

  3. Cathy says:

    Thanks for the great tips!!

  4. Sara Welch says:

    Another quick and easy recipe for my Instant Pot! Going to make this tonight with dinner; looks too easy to pass up!5 stars

    1. Dee says:

      Thank you so much, Sara. Hope you like it!

  5. Jacque Hastert says:

    This recipe has been saved and will be getting made very soon. We love to have rice as a side due to it being delicious and budget-friendly. However, I had no idea I would be able to make it in my pressure cooker.5 stars

    1. Dee says:

      Thanks, Jacque! I hope you like the rice!

  6. Beti says:

    I love that I can make this in the instant pot!! SO delicious!5 stars

    1. Dee says:

      Thanks, Beti. I’m glad you liked it!

  7. katerina says:

    Such a fantastic idea! Can’t wait to try this!5 stars

  8. Catalina says:

    We eat very often brown rice. Next time I will use your recipe!

    1. Dee says:

      Hope you enjoy it, Catalina.

  9. Patricia says:

    Pretty sure I shouldn’t have gotten rid of my IP! This is amazing – I love an easy way to make brown rice!5 stars

    1. Dee says:

      This is my favorite way to make rice!