Instant Pot Brown Rice

4.89 from 93 votes

Step by step instructions on how to make Brown Rice in the Instant Pot. This full proof recipe results in perfect brown rice every time!

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Instant Pot Brown Rice – step by step guide to make the perfect brown rice in your Instant Pot each time.

You won’t believe how easy it is! Perfect to enjoy with your favorite curries or stir-fry!

Instant Pot Brown Rice with a spoon

Is rice good for you?

This is like a never ending debate!

I  grew up in a family where rice was eaten every day. A meal would just not be complete until there was rice on the table. That’s because we belong to a region in India where rice was grown in abundance and my grand-father was a farmer, so we had rice farms! And since there was so much rice, it was obviously eaten all the time.

Growing up I never thought if rice was good or bad. However in spite of growing up in such an environment I never became a rice fan. I don’t know why! While no one in my family could finish their meals without rice, I chose to avoid it whenever I could.

I always preferred my roti (flatbread) and eating rice seemed like a chore. All the rice in my home was always white. I didn’t even know about brown rice until I grew up and it became a trend!

And hence came the debate that which rice is better for you – brown or white?

Both white rice and brown rice are high in carbohydrates. White rice is basically brown rice minus the germ and the bran. Because brown rice contains the whole grain it is said to be a healthier alternative. It has more fiber, minerals and vitamins than the white counterpart.

But according to some studies, white rice is more easily digestible and hence a better alternative for the gut.

brown rice served in a small wooden bowl

So which team are you? Brown or White?

I make white rice very often since Sarvesh would only eat that but ever since I got my Instant Pot, I have been making brown rice quite frequently too. Obviously I eat it all by myself!

Actually, I always prefer brown rice over white rice while eating out especially Asian food. Yes for my dal, I need white rice since I grew up eating it this way and it’s hard to change habits.

But for everything else, I do prefer the brown rice over the white rice. Like with this Thai Peanut Tofu Curry or this Sweet Potato Curry!

Even though I always liked brown rice, I never made it very often and the reason was that I could never get it right on the stove top. Also I didn’t like to baby sit and stand in front of the stove while it cooked. But not any more!

It’s just so easy to make brown rice in the Instant Pot! I thought it will be nice to share my full-proof recipe with you guys since I have been making it regularly. Hope you guys find it useful.

This Instant Pot Brown Rice

✓ is really easy to make in the IP!

✓ full-proof method which results in perfect brown rice every time

✓ no need to baby sit, just add everything to the IP and you’re done.

Ingredients

The recipe has only 4 ingredients.

Brown rice: you can use whichever brown rice you prefer here. I like the one from Trader Joe’s and that is what I have used in the recipe.

Olive oil: addition of oil helps flavor the rice and also improves the texture. You can use any oil here, I prefer olive oil.

bowl of brown rice, spoon with oil and salt all placed on a board

Salt: just like the oil, salt helps in flavoring the rice, so I do recommend adding some of it.

Water: and of course you need some water to cook the rice.

These are pretty much the basic ingredients you need for this recipe. You can of course add some spices to it like turmeric, paprika etc. if you want to add some flavor to the rice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I half this recipe?

Yes easily, use 1 cup brown rice (195 grams) , 1.25 cups water (10 oz), 1 teaspoon oil and 1/4 teaspoon salt.

The pressure cooking time remains same.

Does this recipe work with all kinds of brown rice?

I have made this recipe with brown jasmine rice, short brown rice and it works well with both. Haven’t tested with brown basmati rice but I am pretty sure it will work with the same ratios. 

Method

Rinse brown rice under running water. Drain the water and then add it to the inner steel container of your Instant Pot.

brown rice in instant pot

Then add water to the pot.

water being added to brown rice in an instant pot

Add olive oil and salt.

brown rice in the instant pot

Then give it a quick stir.

brown rice being stirred in the instant pot

Close the Instant Pot with its lid. Press the manual or pressure cook button and cook on high pressure for 24 minutes. Make sure the pressure valve is in the sealing position.

Once the 24 minutes are up, let the pressure release naturally. Open the pot and fluff the brown rice with a fork and enjoy!

What is your favorite way to eat brown rice?

instant pot brown rice being fluffed with a fork

If you’ve tried this Instant Pot Brown Rice Recipe then don’t forget to rate the recipe! You can also follow me on FacebookInstagramPinterest and Twitter to see what’s latest in my kitchen!

This post has been updated from the recipe archives, first published in June 2018.

Instant Pot Brown Rice

4.89 from 93 votes
Prep: 2 minutes
Cook: 35 minutes
Total: 37 minutes
Servings: 4
Step by step instructions on how to make Brown Rice in the Instant Pot. This full proof recipe results in perfect brown rice every time!

Ingredients 

  • 2 cups brown rice 390 grams
  • 2.5 cups water 20 oz
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions 

  • Rinse brown rice under running water. Drain the water and then add it to the inner steel container of your Instant Pot.
  • Then add water to the pot along with olive oil and salt. Give a quick stir.
  • Close the Instant Pot with its lid. Press the manual or pressure cook button and cook on high pressure for 24 minutes. Make sure the pressure valve is in the sealing position.
  • Once the 24 minutes are up, let the pressure release naturally. Open the pot and fluff the brown rice with a fork. Enjoy with any curry or your choice!

Video

Notes

You may skip the oil and salt. I like the texture and flavor more with the salt and oil and hence add it to mine.

Nutrition

Calories: 361kcal, Carbohydrates: 72g, Protein: 7g, Fat: 4g, Sodium: 302mg, Potassium: 254mg, Fiber: 3g, Calcium: 36mg, Iron: 1.7mg

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

Additional Info

Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
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Hi, I’m Manali!

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Recipe Rating




230 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I am so impressed with your recipe. I like the fact that you add olive oil. The texture was perfect. I just need to remember to allow extra time for the pressure to drop while preparing a meal.

  2. 5 stars
    I’ve tried a few different brown rice instant pot recipes and this was the best by far!! Rice was perfect texture and tasted great! I doubled the recipe and all ingredients for my prep cooking. I thought at first look the rice was gonna be too mushy, it still looked wet but it was perfect! Thank you for this! Made my night!

    1. it will remain the same since pressure cooking time depends on the size of the ingredients and not the quantity.

    1. honestly I have not made brown rice in stove-top pressure cooker. I always use my IP. You you may try 1 cup rice, 2 cups water. 2-3 whistles probably, then low heat for 20 minutes?

      1. Isn’t an InstantPot actually a pressure cooker with more settings? I transitioned from a pressure cooker to an InstantPot, used the pressure cooker recipes as a test and the exact same result happened.

        Go on and don’t be afraid.

  3. 5 stars
    I will use my instant pot forever for brown rice. I used vegetable broth. Rice was so tender and not mushy at all

  4. I cooked a 4 lb pork roast. Added red wine vinegar, beef broth, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon Ground Allspice, 1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon. After cooked in the IP for 85 minutes, I reserved 2 1/2 cups of the liquid (poured into my fat seperater cup first) pour back into IP and then added the 2cups of brown rice to cook for 24 minutes.
    (My version of a Portuguese Pork Roast with Brown Rice🙂).

  5. Followed the basic recipe, then added green onions , fire roasted diced tomatoes, celery, garlic, half a cucumber, diced, curry powder and scoop of dry chicken bouillon. When done, added pack of refried beans, habanero sauce and topped with grated parmesano.. Delicious!

  6. 5 stars
    I live at high altitude & have had a terrible time with rice. This recipe has turned out great.

  7. Thanks so much for this easy recipe. Comes out perfectly and it’s a great ingredient to have on hand in advance for healthier eating. Beans or veggies or other leftovers pair with brown rice to save mealtime from the Takeout Monster.

  8. Hi Manali,
    It would be so helpful if you could spell out time for natural release . How long does it take once the 22 to 24 minutes are up for NR? Seems like it could be 10 minutes or 25 minutes. Can you explain? The Insta pot manual says natural release is completed when the little valve drops down. Do you have a sense for how long the natural release process takes for your perfect rice? Thanks so much.

    1. yes natural release is when the valve drops down on it’s own. It depends on the quantity of food inside the pot so it can definitely vary a lot. for 1 cup brown rice, it will be less than 10 minutes or around 10 minutes (I have never noted it down since I add everything and walk away doing my other stuff). But 2 cups brown rice it would be around 15 mins.

  9. 5 stars
    This is my go to brown rice recipe! Turns out PERFECT every time! Thank you for this because I am usually a rice destroyer ?