Without a doubt, the best way to cook Brown Rice is using the Instant Pot or a pressure cooker. The rice is cooked to perfection with a fluffy, soft texture and nutty flavors. This no-fail brown rice recipe is great for busy weeknights as well as meal preps.
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What is Brown Rice?
- Brown rice is unpolished whole grain rice with the inedible outer hull of the grain removed. While white rice more processed by removing the outer hull, bran layer, and cereal germ.
- Brown rice comes in 3 different varieties - short grain, medium grain, and long grain. I like cooking medium grain brown rice that cooks plump, moist, and tender, and also the long-grain brown basmati rice which has a more chewy texture and nutty flavors.
- Brown rice is low in calories and is packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
We love incorporating brown rice in our meals in different ways. In addition to my popular white rice Chicken Biryani, we also enjoy the Instant Pot Brown Rice Chicken Biryani. My Vegetarian Chickpea Biryani recipe also includes instructions to make it using brown rice.
Cooking in the Instant Pot
I love cooking brown rice in the Instant Pot for several reasons:
- Easy hands-off recipe
- Consistent results with fluffy, perfectly cooked rice
- Unlike the stovetop recipe, this is mess-free with easy cleanup
- This recipe works with most varieties of brown rice including basmati and jasmine rice
- Perfect for meal prepping
Instructions
There are two ways to cook Brown Rice in the Instant Pot depending on the amount of rice you are cooking. The water ratio for brown rice will vary slightly depending on the method you choose.
Pot in Pot Method
This method works best when cooking less than 1.5 cups of brown rice:
- Rinse 1 cup of brown rice 2 to 3 times under running water. Drain well and add to a stainless steel bowl along with 1 ¼ cup of water and salt.
- Add 1 cup of water to the main Instant Pot insert. Place the bowl with rice on the trivet and then carefully place the trivet in the Instant Pot.
- Close the Instant Pot lid with pressure release handle to sealing. Set the Instant Pot to Pressure Cook (Hi) for 22 minutes.
- Allow 10 minutes of natural pressure release. Release any remaining pressure by moving the pressure release handle to Venting and open the Instant Pot. Take the inner stainless pot and the trivet out using heat-resistant mitts. Gently fluff the rice with a fork or silicone spatula.
Main Pot Method
Works best when cooking more than 1.5 cups of brown rice:
- Place 2 cups rice in a wire mesh strianer and rinse 2 to 3 times. Drain the rice.
- Add drained rice to the Instant Pot insert. Add 2.5 cups of water, salt and make sure all the rice is evenly submerged underwater.
- Close the Instant Pot lid with pressure release handle to sealing. Set the Instant Pot to Pressure Cook (Hi) for 20 minutes.
- Allow 10 minutes of natural pressure release. Release any remaining pressure by moving the pressure release handle to Venting and open the Instant Pot. Gently fluff the rice with a fork or silicone spatula.
Serving
Here are some of my favorite curries to serve along with brown rice for a delicious gluten-free Indian meal:
- Easy Chana Masala - the best chickpea curry
- Healthy Butter Chicken - chicken cooked in a buttery tomato sauce
- Chicken Tikka Masala - slow-cooked chicken in a flavorful bursting sauce
- Daal Makhani - lightly spiced creamy lentils
- Spinach Daal - easy dump and done Instant Pot lentils
Storing
Cooked brown rice can be refrigerated for up to 5 days. To store it longer freeze single portions in zip-lock bags. To thaw simply take out the bag from the freezer and keep it overnight in the refrigerator or keep it on the counter for half an hour.
Have you checked out my Cooking 101 which has included basic recipes such as Homemade Ghee, EASY 5-ingredient Garam Masala, Perfect Instant Pot Quinoa, Spicy Chutneys, and Indian Pulses.
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Recipe
Instant Pot Brown Rice
Ingredients
- 1 to 2 cups brown rice
- 1¼ to 2½ cups water
- 1 to 2 teaspoons kosher salt optional
Instructions
Pot in Pot Method – Works best when cooking less than 1½ cups of brown rice:
- Rinse 1 cup of brown rice 2 to 3 times under running water. Drain well and add to a stainless steel bowlalong with 1¼ cup of water and salt.
- Add 1 cup of water to the main Instant Pot insert. Place the stainless steel bowl with rice on the trivet and then carefully place the trivet in the Instant Pot.
- Close the Instant Pot lid with pressure release handle to sealing. Set the Instant Pot to Pressure Cook (Hi) for 22 minutes.
- Allow 10 minutes of natural pressure release. Release any remaining pressure by moving the pressure release handle to Venting and open the Instant Pot. Take the inner stainless pot and the trivet out using heat resistant mitts. Gently fluff the brown rice with a fork or silicone spatula.
Main Pot Method – Works best when cooking more than 1½ cups of brown rice:
- Place 2 cups brown rice in a wire mesh strianer and rinse 2 to 3 times. Drain the brown rice.
- Add drained rice to the Instant Pot insert. Add 2½ cups of water, salt and make sure all the brown rice is evenly submerged under water.
- Close the Instant Pot lid with pressure release handle to sealing. Set the Instant Pot to Pressure Cook (Hi) for 20 minutes.
- Allow 10 minutes of natural pressure release. Release any remaining pressure by moving the pressure release handle to Venting and open the Instant Pot. Gently fluff the brown rice with a fork or silicone spatula.
Video
Notes
- Use broth instead of salt and water to cook the rice
- Saute a small onion in some oil and then add the rice, water, and salt
- Toast the rice in oil on saute mode for 1 to 2 minutes
Nutrition
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Mamata says
Tried your brown rice pip method. For some bizarre reason, the bottom layer of rice in the pip remains uncoooked.
Having same experience with quinoa pip... 1:2 quinoa-water 4 mins high pressure, npr
Could this b because I’m using a 3 qt duo IP? I am so confused why bottom layer in pip remains uncooked vs everything else is well cooked. Please suggest.
Archana says
Very strange indeed. Try adding extra one min and also try using filtered water
Melina says
Would you use the same water ratios and cook time for Jasmine or basmati brown rice?
Archana says
Hi Melina, yes same water ratio.
Prathyusha says
I have been using the measurements to cook perfect quinoa, brown rice from your site - very helpful
. only difference I saw that Costco's organic short grain brown rice isn't requiring that much cook time, Reduced the time and rice always came out perfect - thanks again for the tips