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    Home » Cooking 101

    Instant Pot Brown Rice

    Published: Feb 15, 2019 · Modified: May 6, 2021 by Archana · This post may contain affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases · 5 Comments

    124 shares
    Jump to Recipe

    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.

    Cooked brown rice in a white bowl
    Jump to:
    • What is Brown Rice?
    • Cooking in the Instant Pot
    • Instructions
    • Pot in Pot Method
    • Main Pot Method
    • Serving
    • Storing
    • Recipe

    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 that has included basic recipes such as  Homemade Ghee, EASY 5-ingredient Garam Masala, Perfect Instant Pot Quinoa, Spicy Chutneys, and Indian Pulses.

    ★ Have you tried this recipe? We love your feedback, Please click on the stars in the recipe card below to rate.

    Recipe

    Tried this recipe? We love your feedback.Please click on the stars in the recipe card below
    Cooked Brown rice in a white bowl with a fork
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    5 from 3 votes

    Instant Pot Brown Rice

    Prep Time5 mins
    Cook Time35 mins
    Total Time40 mins
    Course: Meal Preparation, Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 171kcal
    Author: Archana Mundhe

    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

    Notes to add more flavor to cooked brown rice:
    • 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

    Calories: 171kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 588mg | Potassium: 103mg | Fiber: 1g | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 0.7mg
    Tried this recipe?Share your photo and tag @ministry_of_curry or tag #ministryofcurry

    ♥ We LOVE to hear from you! Did you try this recipe? Please share your food photo with hashtag #ministryofcurry on Facebook or Instagram, so we can see it and our followers can enjoy it too! Thank you and Happy Cooking ♥ Subscribe to our Youtube Channel for tasty and easy video recipes. Looking for more Instant Pot recipes? Check out our delicious Instant Pot Recipe board on Pinterest.

    Author: Archana

    Hey there! I am a techie turned recipe developer, cooking instructor, and food blogger. I love food and enjoy developing easy and healthy recipes for busy lifestyles. I live in New Jersey with my husband and two sons.
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    1. Mamata says

      April 15, 2019 at 9:55 am

      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.

      Reply
      • Archana says

        April 18, 2019 at 4:07 pm

        Very strange indeed. Try adding extra one min and also try using filtered water

        Reply
    2. Melina says

      August 16, 2019 at 11:08 pm

      Would you use the same water ratios and cook time for Jasmine or basmati brown rice?

      Reply
      • Archana says

        August 17, 2019 at 7:29 am

        Hi Melina, yes same water ratio.

        Reply
    3. Prathyusha says

      August 05, 2020 at 4:11 pm

      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

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Archana: a former software engineer, now a full-time blogger. I am a mother of two boys who share my love for food and cooking. Words I love to hear are, “Mom, what’s for dinner?” The same words I say to my mom every time we speak. I live in the greater New York City Area with my husband and sons.

    Learn More About Me!

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