Instant Pot Brown Rice

Learn how to cook brown rice in the instant pot. This recipe is great for stir fry, seafood, and more. Brown rice is a simple side for busy weeknights. Use vegetable stock to make it vegetarian.

Brown rice bulks up the whole grains in any meal. If you’re hunting for a pain-free way to get more dietary fiber and complex carbohydrates in your diet, look no further than this humble grain.

Why You’ll Love Instant Pot Brown Rice

Who doesn’t love a long-lasting feeling of fullness after a meal? Brown rice’s lower glycemic index than white rice is beneficial to your blood sugar levels and feelings of satiation — which will help prevent the dreaded post-meal crashes and urge to snack a couple few hours later.

Besides the nutritional benefits, this brown rice recipe comes together in minutes and you’re almost guaranteed to always have the ingredients on hand. You can use whatever stock you want if you don't like chicken. As if it couldn’t get any easier, you can use water if you don’t have any stock on hand (the stock gives the rice an enhanced flavor but isn’t necessary). All it takes is brown rice (basmati is a great option), some chicken stock, and a dash of salt. And your Instant Pot, of course — then bam, you’ve got rice.

Using the Instant Pot for Brown Rice

Counter space is precious, so you want every appliance in your kitchen to be as versatile as possible. Rice cookers are another gadget to find storage space for, aren't they? There are other ways to cook rice without a rice cooker, but you don’t need the hassle of the stove if you’ve got an Instant Pot. 

So how do you cook brown rice in an Instant Pot?

What do I Need to Make Instant Pot Rice?

Great question. For equipment, all you need besides your Instant Pot is your basic cooking and measuring utensils. The ingredient list is even shorter. If you’ve got rice, you’re already a third of the way there. The ingredient list for this recipe is:

• 1 cup brown rice
• 1 cup chicken stock (or any other stock, or water)
• ½ teaspoon salt

How to Cook Brown Rice in the Instant Pot

1. Wash your rice under cold water until the water runs almost clear. Drain. 
2. Add all ingredients to your Instant Pot and stir until well combined. 
3. Close your Instant Pot lid and make sure it is secure. 
4. Cook rice on high pressure for 15 minutes. 
5. Let your Instant Pot release pressure for five minutes — don't touch or maneuver your pressure cooker at all during this time. Follow this up with a quick release until all the Pot’s pressure releases. Once the valve has dropped completely, you’re good to unseal and open your lid. 
6. Gently fluff the rice with a fork and serve warm.

Notes

• Washing rice before you cook is optional but recommended.

• Be sure that you are familiar with Instant Pot safety before operating your pressure cooker. 
• Serve the rice immediately or store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. Even if you’ve got rice left before five days but aren’t sure what to do with it, don’t throw it out. There are a thousand ways to use leftover rice: chicken and rice soup, rice kheer, or crispy rice, to name a few popular options.

What to Serve with Brown Rice

• Garlic Cilantro Salmon
• Easy Sesame Ginger Beef and Beans
• Easy Grilled Miso Chicken

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