Instant Pot Brown Rice (long grain or basmati) - The Recipe Rebel (2024)

The Recipe Rebel / Freezer Friendly

written by Ashley Fehr

4.92 from 25 votes

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 23 minutes mins

Servings 4 servings

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Last updated on March 24, 2021

A tried and true recipe for PERFECT Instant Pot Brown Rice, every time. Use long grain brown rice or brown basmati. Includes a variety of flavor options!

Instant Pot Brown Rice (long grain or basmati) - The Recipe Rebel (2)

Table of Contents

  • How to cook brown rice in the Instant Pot:
  • Can I cook brown basmati rice in the Instant Pot?
  • Variations on this Instant Pot Brown Rice:
  • What to serve with this Instant Pot Brown Rice:
  • How to store cooked rice:
  • Instant Pot Brown Rice Recipe

I’ll admit, I’ve used my Instant Pot for plenty of things, but it’s only recently that I started using it to cook plain rice to go along with our meals.

Normally, I use it for the same things I would use my slow cooker for.

Like making large cuts of meat incredibly tender, like thisInstant Pot Pot Roastor theseEasy Instant Pot Ribs.

I also love it for making one pot meals, where I can brown meat, cook pasta, and make sauce with only one dirty pot, like in thisInstant Pot Swedish Meatballs and Noodles, or thisInstant Pot Chili Mac, or thisInstant Pot Spaghetti.

But now that I started making this Instant Pot Brown Rice, I’m not sure I can go back.

What a relief it is to have perfectly cooked rice, completely hands off when the rest of your dinner is ready, especially for those like me who seem to have a hard time getting stovetop rice just perfect.

I’ve tested this recipe with long grain brown rice, brown basmati rice, and brown Jasmine rice and we love them all!

Instant Pot Brown Rice (long grain or basmati) - The Recipe Rebel (3)

This perfectly cooked brown rice is joining my list of perfect base recipes, along with thisJuicy Instant Pot Chicken Breast andInstant Pot Potatoes— some of our family favorite go-to’s!

How to cook brown rice in the Instant Pot:

Here are a few tips I learned along the way to help you see success the first time!

  1. Choose your rice. This recipe is for long grain brown rice or brown basmati rice. It may not work well with other types of brown rice.
  2. Rinse your rice: on my journey to Brown Rice Perfection I learned the importance of rinsing your rice, regardless of how you are cooking it! Rinsing the rice removes any starch that may be on the surface of the kernels, that would make the rice gummy during the cook process. I like to pour my dry rinse into a large strainer, and run it under water for a minute or two, using my fingers to stir the rice around and be sure every kernel is rinsed.
  3. Choose your liquid: almost any liquid will do! Water is an obvious choice, but chicken or vegetable broth will add a significant amount more flavor. If you don’t have any, you can also add a spoonful of chicken bouillon.
  4. The rice to water ratio: I’ve tested this recipe until perfect and found that a 1:1 ratio works best for rice that is not too soft and stuck together. Because we are rinsing our rice thoroughly, it will have extra moisture going into the pot. This is why we reduce the amount slightly that we are adding (compared to what your package will probably tell you)

Can I cook brown basmati rice in the Instant Pot?

You can absolutely use this recipe for brown basmati rice.

I’ve tested both using this method, and I have found that the rice to liquid ratio and the cook time both remain the same, regardless which of the two types of rice you choose.

Instant Pot Brown Rice (long grain or basmati) - The Recipe Rebel (4)

Variations on this Instant Pot Brown Rice:

I’m a big believer in adding flavor during the cooking process instead of after, as long as you are using the rice for the same purpose. Here are a few add ins for you to choose from to take this pressure cooker brown rice to the next level!

  • At the very least, a chicken or vegetable broth for cooking liquid will add a nice amount of flavor, while remaining neutral enough that you can serve the rice with almost anything.
  • Experiment with the herbs and spices in your spice rack. Have a favorite flavor combination or herb blend? Add a teaspoon before cooking.
  • For a fried rice base, I like to add 1 tablespoon of reduced sodium soy sauce and 1 tablespoon of honey during the cook time. Because it’s a small amount, I don’t bother reducing the cooking liquid.
  • Add a teaspoon of taco or fajita seasoning for extra flavor in burrito bowls!
  • After cooking (I know, I’m breaking my rule with this one but this is the exception!), add a squeeze of lime juice and/or zest, along with a sprinkling of fresh cilantro for cilantro lime rice.

What to serve with this Instant Pot Brown Rice:

  • Sweet and Sour Crockpot Meatballs
  • Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas
  • Baked Honey Lemon Chicken
  • Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef

How to store cooked rice:

You can store cooked rice in the refrigerator, in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Cooked rice is a great staple to add to your freezer as well, as it can last up to 6 months and no quality is lost by freezing it.

Instant Pot Brown Rice (long grain or basmati) - The Recipe Rebel (5)

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Instant Pot Brown Rice

written by Ashley Fehr

4.92 from 25 votes

A tried and true recipe for PERFECT Instant Pot Brown Rice, every time. Use long grain brown rice or brown basmati. Includes a variety of flavor options!

Instant Pot Brown Rice (long grain or basmati) - The Recipe Rebel (7)

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Review

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 18 minutes mins

Total Time 23 minutes mins

Cuisine American

Course Side Dish

Servings 4 servings

Calories 171cal

Ingredients

  • 1 cup long grain brown rice (or brown basmati or Jasmine)
  • 1 cup water or broth
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt *reduce if using broth

Instructions

  • Place dry rice in a large mesh strainer and rinse thoroughly under cold water for a couple of minutes, stirring the rice while rinsing to ensure all grains are clean.

  • Place rinsed rice in a 6 quart Instant Pot (*double the recipe if making in an 8 quart), and add water or liquid of choice and salt.

  • Spread rice into an even layer on the bottom of the Instant Pot.

  • Put the lid on, turn the valve to sealing, and select Manual or Pressure Cook for 18 minutes (perfectly al dente rice, or 20-22 minutes for softer rice).

  • It will take 5-10 minutes to come to pressure and begin counting down. When the cook time is up, turn the Instant Pot off (hit cancel or unplug) and let sit until pressure has completely naturally released (the silver pin will drop and the valve will move easily).

  • Remove the lid and serve.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 171cal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 294mg | Potassium: 103mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 1mg

Keywords brown rice, instant pot brown rice, instant pot rice

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Instant Pot Brown Rice (long grain or basmati) - The Recipe Rebel (8)

Meet Ashley

My name is Ashley Fehr and I love creating easy meals my family loves. I also like to do things my way, which means improvising and breaking the rules when necessary. Here you will find creative twists on old favorites and some of my favorite family recipes, passed down from generations!

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Comments

  1. Edie says

    Perfect every time! My go to recipe!!!!!

    Reply

    • The Recipe Rebel says

      Hi Edie! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!

      Reply

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Instant Pot Brown Rice (long grain or basmati) - The Recipe Rebel (2024)

FAQs

Is brown basmati rice better than brown long-grain rice? ›

Brown basmati rice is also comparable to other types of brown rice. While both white and brown versions of basmati rice provide vital nutrients, brown basmati rice contains more fiber, phosphorus, zinc, and B vitamins. Brown basmati rice is also lower on the glycemic index.

What is the formula for brown rice in Instant Pot? ›

For every 1 cup of brown rice, add 1 1/4 cups water. That's the formula for brown rice in the Instant Pot.

What is the difference between long-grain rice and basmati? ›

The differences between long-grain and basmati rice are obvious. The average size of basmati rice is 6.61 millimeters. On the other hand, the size of long grain rice stays between 7-9 millimeters. The Indian-origin basmati rice has the unique property of expanding to twice or three times its original size when cooked.

Can you substitute basmati for long-grain rice? ›

Both jasmine and basmati rice are aromatic varieties that make a great alternative to plain long grain white rice. You'll find these rices commonly used in a variety of Middle Eastern and Indian dishes.

Does brown basmati rice cook faster than brown rice? ›

30 minutes – medium grain and long grain brown rice. 12 – 14 minutes – brown basmati rice.

Does brown rice take longer to cook than basmati? ›

I decided to try Basmati rice because it's supposed to have a lower glycemic index. Now, looking at the cooking-time chart in the IP recipe book, I see that basmati is supposed to cook for 4-8 minutes, while the brown rice cooks for 22 minutes.

How much water do I use for 2 cups of brown rice in a rice cooker? ›

Let drain. Transfer rice to rice cooker. Add 2 cups water for every 1 cup brown rice. Cook 50 minutes or until rice is fluffy and tender.

How much water do I need for 1 cup of long-grain brown rice? ›

To cook brown rice on the stovetop, a good rule of thumb is to follow a 2 to 1 ratio of water to rice; so, for 1 cup of rice, you would use 2 cups of liquid. When in doubt, check the package directions for the optimal ratio for short-, medium-, and long-grain.

How long do you cook instant brown rice for? ›

Ready in 10 minutes. Between work, kids, and making it to that 6 AM yoga class, finding time to prepare a quick and tasty meal can be a real challenge. But, with Minute® Brown Rice, you can enjoy its nutty taste and slightly chewy texture in just 10 minutes! That's one-fourth the time of long cook brown rice.

Does basmati rice need more water than long-grain? ›

Does basmati rice require more water? Yes, this basmati rice recipe does require more water to cook compared to other types of rice like jasmine rice or short-grain rice. Especially for brown basmati rice, you will need to pre-soak the rice before cooking to get plump grains.

What is so special about basmati rice? ›

Basmati Is A Taste Sensation

Unlike ordinary long-grain rice, the light, fluffy texture of Basmati's long, slender grains offers the palate a totally different experience in terms of mouth-feel and taste—distinctive, unique, and slightly “nu*tty.”

Is long-grain rice the same as brown rice? ›

True to its name, long-grain rice is slim and lengthy, nearly four to five times longer than it is wide. This type of rice includes American long-grain white and brown rices, Basmati rice, and Jasmine rice, and produces distinct firm grains that stay fluffy and separate after cooking.

Is long grain or basmati better for sticky rice? ›

Short-grain rice tends to have a higher starch content than medium or long-grain rice, which makes it slightly more sticky. Both jasmine and basmati are considered to be medium-grain.

What is the difference between brown basmati rice and white basmati rice? ›

Like all rice, basmati rice is available in brown and white, with the white version produced by removing the bran (which is the outer husk or covering of each grain) from the brown version, as well as the germ, which is the seed that causes the rice plant to grow, leaving the white starchy portion.

Which brown rice is healthiest? ›

What's the top-rated brown rice brand in the US for healthy eating? I've found that Lundberg Family Farms is often rated highly for healthy eating. They focus on organic farming and offer a variety of brown rice options.

Which is better, brown basmati or brown jasmine rice? ›

Nutrition-wise, both jasmine and basmati contain just trace amounts of fat and will give you a little protein boost, but basmati has a lower glycemic index (around 57-67 to jasmine's 68-80 range), meaning it raises blood sugar more slowly and creates a better effect of fullness.

Is long-grain brown rice the healthiest? ›

Brown rice provides similar amounts of calories and carbs to white rice, which has had the bran and germ removed. However, the brown variety is slightly higher in fiber and protein ( 4 , 5 ). Both fiber and protein promote feelings of fullness and can help you maintain a moderate weight.

What is the healthiest rice to eat? ›

Whole grain rice such as brown rice is less processed and refined than white rice. As a result, brown rice contains more nutrients such as fiber and minerals such as magnesium, iron, and zinc.

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