Brown Rice In The Instant Pot

Many people shy away from cooking brown rice because it can be more temperamental than white rice. Brown rice is considered to be a “whole grain” as it contains the bran and the germ of the rice. White rice is lighter and softer than brown rice because the bran and germ are removed, making it easier and faster to cook. However, that doesn’t mean brown rice needs to be more difficult to cook. It is actually really easy if you follow the right steps!With this simple recipe, you will find just how easy it is to make brown rice in an instant pot. The texture of the rice is light and fluffy with all the nutrients from being whole grain rice. Making brown rice in the instant pot is so much easier than the stovetop. There is no waiting or watching, the instant pot does all the work for you!

Why Use An Instant Pot?

By cooking the rice in the Instant Pot, the rice cooks evenly and comes out perfectly light and fluffy. I have tried many times to cook brown rice on the stovetop and it just doesn’t come out as nicely as when I do it in the Instant Pot. Even cooking brown rice in the rice cooker doesn’t get a perfect consistency. Follow the easy Instant Pot Brown Rice recipe below to get perfectly cooked brown rice every time.

Ingredients Needed for Fluffy Instant Pot Brown Rice

Make the perfect instant pot brown rice with just a few ingredients and an instant pot appliance. It is super easy to add it all into the instant pot and press a few buttons. Let the instant pot do all the work!

Brown rice – Long-grain brown rice can be bought in a bag. We like the long grain because it is easier to use in other recipes as well as getting the extra texture and filling from it. Brown jasmine rice or brown basmati rice are great options. Water – This is to make sure it cooks, steams, and adds that liquid to help fluff up the water. Too much water can lead to a mushy type of rice though. The rice and water ratio have to be balanced. Salt – The salt will balance out the minerals and give it some flavor. Be careful not to add too much sodium when using salt or other seasonings.

Types of Brown Rice

The main types of brown rice are short-grain brown rice, medium-grain, and long-grain. There is also a “light brown” rice that has half of the bran removed, making it more of a cross between white rice and brown rice than full-blown brown rice. For this recipe, you can use any kind of brown rice. Long-grain brown rice is typically the most common, but you can use any of these types using the same method below.

How to Make the Perfect Brown Rice in the Instant Pot

Get ready to enjoy the best brown rice in the instant pot! It is easy to make and comes together in minutes. Make sure to follow these steps for the fluffy brown rice. It is a simple rice recipe that is perfect for adding as a side dish! You can’t go wrong with this brown rice recipe.

Don’t Use the “Rice” Button

Don’t be tempted to use the “rice” button on your Instant Pot or pressure cooker. Usually, the “rice” function is programmed to “low” pressure and only cooks for 12 to 15 minutes which is not long enough for brown rice. The rice function works best for white rice varieties only. Set your cooking time manually when working with brown rice.

Add Flavor to Your Brown Rice Cooked in the IP

The easiest thing to do to add more flavor to your rice is to switch up the liquid. Try adding chicken broth or vegetable broth for starters. You can also sauté your rice with some garlic, onion, or peppers in some oil before adding the water to cook. This will make for a more fragrant, flavorful rice. You can also season your rice to make Spanish Rice, Yellow Rice, or Rice Pilaf.

Recipes Using Cooked Brown Rice

Brown rice is so versatile and can be used in SO many different ways. Add it to stir-fry recipes, casseroles, and/or soups. You can also serve it as a side dish with chicken, beef, fish, or any other protein. Here are a few more ideas: Read Next: 27 BEST Instant Pot Recipes

Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowl

Chicken Massaman Curry

Skillet Sausage and Rice

Chicken and Rice Soup

More Delicious Rice Recipes

Try some of these flavorful rice dishes or check out ALL of our rice recipes for more great ways to enjoy rice! Rice is a great side dish or a simple meal with more ingredients added like fried rice. These family-favorite recipes are perfect for any meal!