Everyone will admit that cooking brown rice on the stove is not their favourite task. To keep the pot at a brisk simmer, it takes hovering close for at least for half an hour and adjusting the heat up and down. That is where instant pot comes in handy. Brown rice can be prepared in an instant pot and served in under 20 minutes. In this write-up, we will discuss how to cook brown rice in instant pot with 4 different recipes.
How To Cook Brown Rice In Instant pot?
Recipe 1 – Basic Brown Rice
Ingredients:
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1 cup brown rice
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1 1/2 cups water
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1 tsp olive oil or butter (optional)
Steps:
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Rinse the brown rice in a mesh strainer until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch.
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Add the rinsed rice, water, and oil/butter (if using) to the instant pot. Stir to combine.
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Secure the lid and ensure the pressure valve is sealed.
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Select the Rice or Multigrain setting and set to high pressure for 22 minutes.
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Keep it for ten to twelve minutes to release the pressure naturally. Then you need to release pressure manually.
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Carefully remove the lid, fluff the rice with a fork and serve.
By knowing how to cook brown rice in instant pot in the basic way, you can make fluffy, chewy and perfectly cooked brown rice every time. The natural pressure release ensures the grains stay intact.
Recipe 2 – Coconut Brown Rice
Ingredients:
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1 cup brown rice
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1 cup coconut milk
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1 cup water
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1/4 tsp salt
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1 tbsp brown sugar
Steps:
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Rinse the brown rice. Add to instant pot along with coconut milk, water, salt and brown sugar.
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Secure the lid, ensure the valve is sealed and cook on high pressure for 22 minutes.
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Keep it for 10 minutes to release pressure and then release pressure manually.
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The last step involves removing the lid and fluffing the rice. Stir in 1/4 cup toasted coconut flakes.
The coconut milk gives this rice a slightly sweet, tropical flair. Toasting the coconut flakes adds texture and deeper flavour.
Recipe 3 – Mexican Brown Rice
If you are wondering how to cook brown rice in instant pot, Mexican brown rice is a great recipe to try out.
Ingredients:
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1 cup brown rice
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1 cup salsa
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1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
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1 tbsp taco seasoning
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1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
Steps:
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Rinse the rice and add to instant pot with salsa, broth and taco seasoning.
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Secure lid, ensure valve is sealed and select Rice setting on high for 22 minutes.
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Allow natural pressure release for 10 minutes. Release remaining pressure.
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Use a fork to fluff the rice. Stir in shredded cheese before serving.
The salsa gives this rice tons of Mexican flavour. Top with extra salsa, avocado or hot sauce once plated.
Recipe 4 – Curried Brown Rice
Curried brown rice is best for those who want to know how to cook brown rice in instant pot in a spicy way.
Ingredients:
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1 cup brown rice
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1 1/2 cups chicken broth
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1/2 cup raisins
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1 tsp curry powder
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1/2 tsp turmeric
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1/4 tsp garlic powder
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1 bay leaf
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1 tbsp butter (optional)
Steps:
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Rinse the rice and add to the instant pot with remaining ingredients.
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Secure the lid, ensure the valve is sealed and select Rice setting on high for 22 minutes.
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Allow natural pressure release for 10 minutes. Release any remaining pressure.
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Remove the lid and discard the bay leaf. Fluff the rice with a fork and stir in butter for added richness.
The blend of curry powder, turmeric and garlic give this rice a robust flavour. Raisins add a touch of sweetness and pair nicely with the spices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much water do I need for brown rice in an instant pot?
A: Use 1 1/2 cups of water for every 1 cup of brown rice. The water to rice ratio is important for pressure cooking.
Q: How long should I pressure cook brown rice?
A: Cook for 22 minutes on high pressure, followed by 10 minute natural pressure release.
Q: Can I cook brown rice from frozen in an instant pot?
A: Yes, just increase the cooking time by 5-10 minutes if starting from frozen rice.
Q: Should I rinse the brown rice before cooking?
A: It’s recommended to rinse brown rice to remove excess starch and prevent sticking.
Q: How do I prevent brown rice from sticking while pressure cooking?
A: Rinsing the rice, adding a bit of oil and not overfilling the pot will prevent sticking.
Q: My brown rice came out undercooked, what should I do?
A: Increase cooking time by 5 minutes and ensure pot reaches pressure. Check your water amount.
Q: My brown rice is mushy and overcooked, what happened?
A: Use less water next time and lower cook time by 2-3 minutes. Release pressure immediately after cooking.
Q: Can I use bone broth instead of water for more flavour?
A: Yes, swap the water for bone, vegetable or chicken broth for extra flavour.
Q: How do I add flavour to brown rice in the instant pot?
A: If you know how to cook brown rice in instant pot, you can try adding spices, herbs, coconut milk, broths or stir in fresh ingredients after cooking.
Q: How long does cooked brown rice last in the fridge?
A: Cooked brown rice will keep 3-5 days in the fridge. Freeze any leftovers you won’t eat within that time.
Overview
Knowing how to cook brown rice in instant pot
allows you to cut the cook time in half compared to stove-top methods. This also allows the nutty, chewy grains to retain more nutrients. The rice comes out light and fluffy with a pleasing texture. Instant pots also allow you to conveniently cook the rice directly in the pot and walk away, with no need to monitor it. Prep and cleanup are quick and easy. The end result is reliable, fool-proof rice with minimal effort.
