This is everything you need to know to make perfect Instant Pot Jasmine rice every single time. I am sharing all of my tips and tricks to make the perfectly cooked, fluffy, bowl of rice using the Instant Pot pressure cooker. You'll also learn how to cook it two different ways - the pot in pot method and how to make it directly in the inner pot.
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We love the plump satisfying textures of aromatic Jasmine rice. Served as a side dish with our favorite Thai food or cooking it especially to make quick fried rice, this is quintessential in my kitchen.
Have you ever wondered, "how do you cook Jasmine rice in the Instant Pot?" This is one of the easiest ways to make it! Keep reading this guide. You'll learn what Jasmine rice is and the different ways to cook it in your Instant Pot.
What Is Jasmine Rice?
Jasmine rice is grown mostly in Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos. It is a long-grain variety of Oryza sativa. Lots of people also refer to it as Asian rice because it is most widely eaten in Asia, India, and the Middle East.
What sets it apart from other types of rice is the aroma, flavor, and texture. It's also called "fragrant rice" because the fresher it is, the more aromatic it will be.
Jasmine Rice Vs. Basmati Rice
Jasmine and basmati rice are both long-grain varieties, but there are some important differences.
Basmati rice is mostly used in India and Pakistan. It also has a stronger flavor and a firmer texture than jasmine rice.
It has a stronger aroma as it cooks and finer grain. If you want to eat rice with a sweet flavor and a delicate consistency, this is the one for you.
Best Jasmine Rice Brands
Although I am not as picky with these brands as I am with basmati rice, here are some of the brands I have tried and liked:
How To Prep The Rice
Simply rinse the rice under cold water and then drain it well. There is no need to soak the rice. I prefer rinsing rice in a wire mesh strainer so it’s easy to drain out the water completely.
How To Cook Jasmine Rice In The Instant Pot
In this post, I am going to explain 2 ways to cook Jasmine rice in the Instant Pot! The Pot in pot method is perfect for cooking 1 to 1.5 cups of rice or the direct method where the rice is cooked in the main Instant Pot insert. I will go over the advantages of both methods too.
What Is The Pot In Pot Method?
Instant Pot Jasmine Rice with Pot in Pot method
Pot in Pot Instant Pot method is best when using less than 2 cups of rice. Since the Rice is not cooked directly in the main pot, this method is fail-proof. Plus a great way to cook the whole meal in one go especially when you are cooking another dish in the main pot at the same time.
In this method, rice is cooked in a separate pot inside of the main insert. The rice container is placed on top of a short trivet over water or on a tall trivet that is placed over a dish such as chicken curry or spinach dal that cooks at the same time in the main pot.
Pot in Pot Rice Steps
- Rinse the rice well and drain all the water out (photo 1)
- Use 1 to 1 rice to water ratio, and add salt (optional)
- Add 1 cup of water to the Instant Pot insert (photo 2)
- Place the rice pot on the trivet and put the trivet with the rice pot inside of the Instant Pot insert
- Close the Instant Pot with pressure release valve to sealing and Pressure cook (Hi) for 4 minutes followed by 5-minute natural pressure release (photo 3)
- Quick-release the remaining pressure and open the Instant Pot (photo 4)
NOTES
If you are cooking it with other dishes, the pressure cook time can vary from 4 to 10 minutes, with a 5 to 10-minute pressure cook release. For example, to cook PIP rice with Chicken Curry, the pressure cook time is 8 minutes followed by 10 minutes NPR. While for the easy spinach dal, the pressure cook time is 5 minutes followed by 5 minutes NPR.
Main Pot Method Of Cooking Rice
Instant Pot Jasmine Rice main Pot method
Another way to cook it in the Instant Pot is just by putting it directly in the main pot. This method works best when you are using more than 1.5 cups of rice.
Pot in Pot Rice Steps:
- Rinse the rice well and drain all the water out (photo 1)
- Add rice, water and salt (optional) to the Instant Pot (photo 2)
- Close the Instant Pot with pressure release valve to sealing and Pressure cook for 4 minutes followed by quick release (photo 3 and 4)
NOTES
When using a lesser amount of rice, make sure to take out the inner pot soon after it’s done cooking. If the pot sits longer in the stay warm mode, the rice may overcook, dry out or start sticking to the bottom of the pot.
1-Minute Rice Method
This is the newest method I have been using for cooking rice in the Instant Pot. The reason why I love this is that you do not have to remember to do quick release.
With this method, you place the rice and water in the main insert, pressure cook for 1 minute, and then allow natural pressure release. For the most part, the pin will drop in 10 mins. If not, after 10 mins release any remaining pressure. You will have perfectly cooked rice every single time!
Tips For Cooking Jasmine Rice In Instant Pot
To me, how you handle the rice before and more importantly after it’s done cooking is really important. Everyone will tell you about the cook times and water ratio but there is more to it than that:
- Jasmine Rice does not need soaking
- Once you open the Instant Pot lid, transfer the inner pot to a trivet on your counter. This stops the rice from cooking further and helps prevent the rice from overcooking
- If the rice looks uncooked, simply put the inside insert back in, close the Instant Pot and allow the rice to sit for 5 minutes. The remnant heat will further cook the rice.
- Do not mix the rice when it’s steaming hot, this will start breaking the grains. Allow the rice to cool a bit and then gently fluff up using a silicone spatula
- As the excess steam evaporates from the rice and the rice cools, it will get drier
- Gently run a soft silicone spatula on the sides of the pot and serve
- If you are making rice ahead for meal preps, simply allow the rice to cool. You can even take it out in a large tray, cool it down, feel free to use your hands to separate the grains gently. If the grain seems sticky simply wet your hands with cold water and it will allow separating the grains. Reheat in the microwave, oven, or chaffing dish when ready to serve
Recipes That Use Jasmine Rice
In addition to making Kimchi Fried rice and Thai Basil Fried rice, here are a few of our favorite dishes to serve with it:
How to Store Cooked Jasmine Rice
Once the rice has cooled down, refrigerate for up to 3 days. For extended shelf life, freeze the cooked rice in zip lock bags or freezer containers. To defrost, simply keep the rice container in the refrigerator overnight.
FAQs
It has a nutty, almost earthy taste, with a hint of sweetness to it. The most noticeable thing about it is the aroma. It smells almost like a fragrant flower as it cooks.
If you don't have jasmine rice, you can use basmati rice in its place.
The main reason to rinse your it is to remove the surface starch from the grains. If you leave the surface starch on them, it could make the rice gummy as it cooks.
Looking for more rice recipes? Here are my 20 favorite rice dishes that also make delicious one-pot meals.
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Recipe
How to cook Jasmine Rice in the Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 1½ cups Jasmine rice
- 1½ cups water see notes recipe instructions if cooking directly in the main pot
- 1½ teaspoon kosher salt optional
Instructions
Pot in Pot Method
- Rinse the rice well and drain all the water out. In a stainless steel bowl, add rice, water and salt.
- Add 1 cup of water to the Instant Pot insert. Place the rice bowl over the trivet and place the trivet in the Instant Pot.
- Pressure cook time for 4 minutes, followed by a 5 minutes natural pressure release. Release the remaining pressure manually and then open the Instant Pot.
Main Pot Method
- This method works best when you have more than 1.5 cups of rice
- Rinse the rice well and drain all the water out. Add rice, water and salt to the main pot.
- Pressure cook on Hi pressure mode for 4 minutes followed by quick release.
Video
Notes
- Jasmine Rice does not need soaking simply rinse well and drain
- Once you open the Instant Pot lid, transfer the inner pot to a trivet on your counter. This stops the rice from cooking further and helps prevent the rice from getting mushy
- If the rice looks uncooked, simply put the inside insert back in, close the Instant Pot and allow the rice to sit for 5 minutes. The remnant heat will further cook the rice
- Do not mix the rice when it's steaming hot, this will start breaking the grains. Allow the rice to cool a bit and then gently fluff up using a silicone spatula
- Gently run a soft silicone spatula on the sides of the pot and serve
- If you are making rice ahead for a party, simply allow the rice to cool. You can even take it out in a large tray, cool it down, feel free to use your hands to separate the grains gently. If the grain seems sticky simply wet your hands with cold water and it will allow to separate the grains. Reheat in the microwave, oven or chaffing dish when ready to serve
Rina Desai says
Hi! There is a picture of fried rice on this page, is that the Thai Basil Fried rice? Where can I find that recipe? It is not coming up when I search.
Archana says
Coming up next week on the blog 🙂
Ana says
Do you have a recipe for cooking brown jasmine rice in the instant pot?
Archana says
yes - https://ministryofcurry.com/instant-pot-brown-rice/