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Want to learn how to make the best Instant Pot rice? Give this recipe a try! People will be asking for seconds. 

Instant Pot savory and creamy rice in an earthenware bowl close-up

True story: I sometimes eat this Instant Pot rice as a meal all by itself. This recipe all started when I made my Instant Pot chicken and rice but just wanted the rice all by itself.

I was in two minds about posting this recipe. On one hand, I’ve made it so many times that I can’t understand how it wouldn’t work. I do know that some people have had issues with a burn warning on that other recipe (rice is notoriously tricky), so I don’t want more comments from people saying this didn’t work for them. 

But… it’s just so tasty. Imagine a yummy risotto with lemony notes. The rice soaks up all the chicken broth and flavor, and it’s just so tender and creamy (no cream though) and ahhhh I’m not even a big rice person, but I love love love it. I kinda can’t not post it. In my opinion, it’s the best thing I’ve ever made in the electric pressure cooker. 

“I could eat the rice from this recipe with every meal!”  — Lovely reader Monica on the chicken & rice recipe that spawned this one

an Instant Pot with the best rice

How to make rice in the Instant Pot

Sauté the onion in your Instant Pot until soft; add the remaining ingredients (garlic, chicken broth, lemon juice, rice, Italian seasoning, & butter). Be sure to rinse the rice and drain it prior to adding it. Give it all a stir. Close the Instant Pot’s lid, set the valve on “sealing” and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. Do a quick release. Give it a stir. Eat.

***Note: There is a chance that a burn warning will occur. I have never seen a burn warning on my own Instant Pot (it’s a 6-quart model), so I am perplexed, but I’ve definitely heard of this happening. I recommend you follow the directions exactly. I’ve tested cooking this rice at various intervals, including 10 minutes, 15 minutes, and even 18 minutes (with chicken breasts in this recipe) and I have yet to get a burn warning or wreck the rice.

If you’re not a fan of soft and creamy rice, you may not like this recipe. It’s definitely not al dente.

Pro tip: You may use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth if this recipe needs to be vegetarian, but I do find chicken broth in general to be more flavorful.

bowl of the best Instant Pot rice garnished with pepper

I hope you’ll give this easy Instant Pot rice recipe a try!

Questions? Ask me in the comments below.

It's easy to make the most flavorful, tender, savory, and creamy (but no cream) rice in your Instant Pot! A quick and easy side dish the whole family will love.
4.79 from 19 votes

The Best Instant Pot Rice

Want to learn how to make the best Instant Pot rice? Give this recipe a try! People will be asking for seconds. 
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Inactive time: 10 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients 

  • 1/2 medium onion chopped
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2.5 cups chicken broth or veg broth
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 cup white jasmine rice (or basmati) rinsed
  • 4 dashes Italian seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon butter

Instructions 

  • Press the sauté button on your Instant Pot. Add the oil and onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes. Stir in the garlic, then add the chicken broth, lemon juice, rice (rinse it first), Italian seasoning, and butter. Leave the sauté button pressed so it heats up as you're adding the ingredients. 
  • Give the ingredients in the Instant Pot a good stir, and then close the lid, set the valve to "sealing", and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. It will take 5-10 minutes to get it up to pressure.
  • Do a quick pressure release once the countdown has completed. Give it a stir and then serve. The rice will be soft and creamy. Sort of like a faux risotto.

Notes

  • I have tested this recipe multiple times in my 6-quart Instant Pot, and it has worked every time without a burn warning (I've heard this can happen in some of the larger Instant Pots when cooking certain recipes - such as ones with rice). I suggest following my instructions exactly as written for best results.
  • If desired, use low-sodium chicken broth. I found this recipe to be perfectly seasoned with regular chicken broth, though.
  • Makes 4 generous servings, but it'll easily serve 6 as a side. 
  • Inactive time indicates the time it takes the Instant Pot to get up to pressure.
  • Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Salt & Lavender makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.

Nutrition

Calories: 244kcal, Carbohydrates: 41g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 8mg, Sodium: 566mg, Potassium: 203mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 104IU, Vitamin C: 15mg, Calcium: 44mg, Iron: 1mg

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

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Hi! I’m Natasha.

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4.79 from 19 votes (1 rating without comment)

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85 Comments

  1. Kristal says:

    Hello! Excited to try this! Trying tomorrow making rice for rice and bbq meatballs. Would you say this is sticky rice? Like that consistency or is it more soft/creamy. I don’t like al dente rice so I want to stay away from it but does this get tacky at all? That’s my favorite and I hope I’m not wording this crazy. Can’t wait to try it. Just got my first instant pot and I’m having fun!

    1. Natasha says:

      Hi! It’s fairly sticky!