Instant Pot Long Grain White Rice

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I started making Instant Pot Long Grain White Rice because I was tired of rice that turned out mushy or undercooked. The pressure cooker gives you perfectly fluffy grains that separate easily without clumping. It’s light, tender, and perfect every time. Once you try it this way, you’ll never go back to stovetop.

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I make this for weeknight dinners, meal prep, and anytime I need a quick side that pairs with everything from stir-fries to curries. It’s budget-friendly, kid-friendly, and so easy you can’t mess it up. Store it in the fridge for 3 to 5 days or freeze for up to 2 months. It reheats perfectly without drying out.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.

How to Make Instant Pot Long Grain White Rice with Step-by-Step Instructions

Scroll down for the full recipe card containing a full printable recipe and measurements in both US customary and metric units.

Keep aside your long-wait rice cooker because making this quick and foolproof Instant Pot rice recipe only takes about 15 minutes without fuss.

Rinse the Rice

Place your 2 cups of rice in a fine mesh strainer and rinse under cold running water until the water runs clear. This removes excess starches and helps prevent clumping.

Long-grain kinds of rice like Basmati or Jasmine are perfect for this recipe.

Add Ingredients

Add the rinsed rice to your electric pressure cooker along with the water. Stir in salt and oil or unsalted butter if using. The oil adds a subtle richness and helps keep the grains from sticking together.

Pressure Cook

Secure the lid and set the valve to Sealing. Select Pressure Cook or Manual and set the timer for 4 minutes on High Pressure.

The Instant Pot Duo is great for this because it heats evenly and maintains consistent pressure throughout cooking.

Natural Release

Once cooking’s complete, allow the pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes. The natural release lets the rice finish steaming gently so it doesn’t turn mushy.

Use a steam release diverter to keep your walls and cabinets safe. Then, carefully turn the valve to Venting to release any remaining pressure.

Fluff and Serve

Open the lid, fluff the rice gently with a rice paddle or fork, and serve warm as a side dish or base for your favorite meals. The grains should be light, separated, and perfectly tender.

Enjoy!

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Instant Pot Long Grain White Rice

Instant Pot Long Grain White Rice became my go-to method because it's hands-off and turns out perfect every time. It's perfectly fluffy white rice with separated grains that come out light and tender. I love it for meal prep, potlucks, and weekday lunches because it's budget-friendly, foolproof, and pairs with everything from stir-fries to curries. Store leftovers in the fridge for 3 to 5 days or freeze for up to 2 months.

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Prep Time: 2 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 4 minutes minutes

Releasing time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 16 minutes minutes

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Instant Pot Long Grain White Rice

Servings: 6

Calories: 231kcal

Equipment

• Instant Pot Duo

Ingredients

• 2 cups long grain white rice thoroughly rinsed
• 2 cups water
• ½ teaspoon salt optional
• 1 teaspoon neutral oil or unsalted butter optional

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

• Place the rice in a fine mesh strainer and rinse under cold running water until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch and helps prevent clumping. Add the rinsed rice to the Instant Pot along with the water. Stir in salt and oil or butter if using.
  2 cups long grain white rice, 2 cups water, 1 teaspoon neutral oil or unsalted butter, ½ teaspoon salt
• Secure the lid and set the valve to Sealing. Select Pressure Cook or Manual and set the timer for 4 minutes on High Pressure.
• Once cooking is complete, allow the pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes. Then carefully turn the valve to Venting to release any remaining pressure.
• Open the lid, fluff the rice gently with a fork, and serve warm as a side dish or base for your favorite meals.

Notes

Here are simple tips and tricks that work like a charm and make a big difference every time I’m cooking rice in my Instant Pot.

Use a 1:1 water ratio: Long-grain white rice cooks perfectly with equal parts rice and water in the Instant Pot, which is different from stovetop methods. Too much water, and your rice will get mushy and too sticky.

Choose your oil: Neutral oil like vegetable or canola keeps the grains separated without adding any flavor, while olive oil gives a subtle fruity note that works great with Mediterranean dishes.

Add flavor with broth: Swap the water for chicken or vegetable broth if you want more flavor in your rice without extra effort.

Don’t skip the natural release: Letting the pressure release naturally prevents the rice from turning mushy and lets it finish steaming gently.

Fluff gently: Stirring too aggressively can break the grains and make the rice sticky, so use a light hand when fluffing.

Store properly: Transfer cooled rice to airtight containers and refrigerate for 3 to 5 days or freeze for up to 2 months, then thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the microwave or on the stove, adding a splash of water if needed.

Nutrition

Calories: 231kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.003g | Sodium: 201mg | Potassium: 71mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.1g | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 0.5mg

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

How to Store Leftovers

Let the rice cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It stays fresh in the fridge for 3 to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months.

For freezing, you can portion it into a silicone freezer mold tray so you can grab just what you need, or freezer bags, removing as much air as possible.

Reheat refrigerated rice in the microwave or over the stove with a tablespoon of water and cover it loosely so it steams back to life. For frozen rice, thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating.

What to Serve With Instant Pot Long Grain White Rice

Serve it alongside stir-fries, curries, teriyaki chicken stir fry, grilled salmon, or beef and broccoli. It’s also great with beef chili, stews, pulled pork, or any saucy dish that needs something to soak up the flavor.

You can also use it as a base for burrito bowls, fried rice, poke bowls, or grain bowls with roasted vegetables and your favorite protein. It works great under grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu for quick weeknight dinners too.

More Easy Recipes for You to Try at Home

Here are more of my go-to Instant Pot recipes that make weeknight dinners so much easier.

• Instant Pot Chicken and Rice
• Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
• Instant Pot Chili
• Instant Pot Spaghetti
• Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup

About the Author

Hey there! I’m Mandy

Mandy Applegate is a home cook, food blogger, and writer who believes the best meals are the ones shared with the people you love.

She’s all about easy recipes that taste amazing, the kind that make ordinary days feel a little more special and remind you why cooking at home matters.

She has been published on NBC, the Daily News, the Boston Herald, and the Chicago Sun-Times, amongst many others.