How to cook rice in your multi cooker or instant pot. Hands off, quick and perfect rice every time!
Out of all the things I use my multi cooker for, rice is one of my favourites (right up there with the best soup recipe!) Back in the day I had a rice cooker that I could never get the hang of so I stuck with my tried and true way of cooking it on the stove.
Once I got my multi cooker, I thought I'd give rice another try and I'm SO happy I did! Perfect rice everytime that can be put on and ignored.
No more gluggy overcooked rice, no more boiling the pot dry, just the perfect rice to go along side your dinner.
The trick to cooking perfect rice in the multi cooker or instant pot is rinsing the rice first. This is essential! It removes some of the starch from the rice which is what makes it go gluggy. I just place the rice in a sieve and rinse it under the tap for 30 seconds or so, then place the rinsed rice in the pot.
Once you've rinsed the rice, add the water and a pinch of salt and you're away! Set the valve to the sealed position, use the rice/risotto setting set for 6 minutes on low pressure and it's done! Once cooked, the cooker will keep the rice warm until you are ready to eat which is one of my favorite things about it.
Other multi cooker/instant pot recipes to try:
- Multi cooker hard boiled eggs
- Multi cooker shredded chipotle chicken
- How to cook a whole pumpkin in the multi cooker
- Multi cooker stewed apples
SHOP THE RECIPE
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Here are some items I used to make this recipe:
CrockPot Multi Cooker| Strainer | Measuring cups
Multi Cooker Rice
Equipment
- Multi Cooker/Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked white rice
- 1 ½ cups water
- Pinch salt
Instructions
- Pour the rice into a mesh strainer/sieve and rinse under the cold tap for a minute or so or until the water starts to run clear.
- Add the rinsed rice, water and a pinch of salt in the multi cooker, close the lid, set the valve to sealed position and select "rice/risotto" setting.
- Set the time for 6 minutes on low pressure and press start.
- Once cooking time is finished, allow the pressure to naturally release. Stir and serve
If you tried and loved this recipe, please leave a comment and a rating below!
Jason says
Hi! Does natural pressure release mean you just leave it alone? How long does it take? Does the cooker notify me somehow when the pressure is released?
Thanks so much this is very helpful! Sorry I’m a rookie with this pressure cooker!
Laura says
Hi Jason, yes natural release means to leave it until you can open the lid with no resistance. It will take under 10 minutes for rice - usually around the 8 minute mark for me. And unfortunately it doesn't really notify you - if you are right next to it, it will usually make a small sound kind of like a sigh as it releases the last bit of pressure, but just keep trying it!
Stevo says
Will it be OK without a strainer/sieve
Laura says
Yes, I actually don't rinse my rice anymore and it turns out great!
Kaye says
I've moved to a house where I can't rely on the gas cooktop, so this method is such a life saver! And to boot, it's even easier! Thank you!
Anne-Marie says
The only way I cook rice now!!!
Thanks for this advice.
Love how it stays warm, set and forget!
Lisa says
Hi! Does the cook time change if you double the amount?
Laura says
Hi! No, keep the same cook time!
Sandra says
So if I have 3 cups of rice (white and jasmine) with 4 1/2 cups of chicken broth, how long should that be in the crockpot express? I know 1 cup is 6 minutes...is it no matter the amount, 6 minutes, or?
Laura says
Hi Sandra, yes stick with the 6 minutes for any quantity!
Lynda says
Hi
Can you cook 2 or 3 cups of rice this way?
What would be the water amount please?
And would the cooking time increase?
Thank you
Laura says
Hi Lynda. You sure can, just keep the ratio the same so for 2 cups of rice, use 3 cups of water and so on! No need to adjust the cooking time either.
Michelle says
Hi, have you tried brown rice? Thanks!
Laura says
Hi Michelle, I have cooked brown rice in the multi cooker once and I think I did 1 cup rice to 1 cup water and cooked for 20 minutes.
Lila says
The crock pot that I have is putting the time automatically. For the rice, it gives 12 mnts not 6 mnts. So, what shall I do in that case. Shall I keep it 12 or i change the time to 6?
Laura says
Hi Lila, mine does that too, I just adjust it to 6 🙂 Laura
Esther USA Tennessee says
Hello,
I have a batch in the instant pot right now. I had 4-1/2 cups of homemade chicken broth that HAD TO be used or else chucked, so I tripled the recipe. My rice setting is 8 minutes and I can't lower it. I suppose once the button pops up, I'll start my phone timer to 6 minutes. 🤞
I'm guessing that next time I could use the regular pressure cook option, and set to 6?? Thanks!
Laura says
Hello! Yes, that's exactly what I would do, some of the preset functions can't be altered, so I would just use the manual or pressure cook setting!
Niki says
Thank you. Trying your method now. The pot I bought doesn't give quantities or say what the cooking times are, which makes the automatic settings pointless and annoying. Have managed most things ok but rice just cooks to mush.