Making Instant Pot Brown Rice Couldnt Be Easier Set It And Forget It Then Enjoy Your Perfect Brown Rice As A Quick Side Dish
Youll love this foolproof Instant Pot brown rice recipeits simple to make extra for meal prep or to freeze, and you can always have cooked rice on hand to reheat!
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Confession time: Ive always had trouble making rice.
After years of cooking most of our meals at home, I consider myself to be pretty decent in the kitchen. But making the perfect rice has never been my strong suit.
I have never owned a rice cooker, so Ive always gone the stove top route. And its always turned out okay, just not perfect.
Ive always followed the directions on the packagehow hard can it be, right?
Yet my attempts would inevitably end with a pot boiling over, and the rice itself often it seemed too gummy or too sticky and just not quite right.
Usually if Im making rice, its going to be served underneath of a meat and sauce. Sweet and sour chicken, beef and broccoli, sesame chicken, and so forth.
If Im making the rice as a stand-alone side dish, I typically go the route of an easy and delicious rice pilaf that is baked in the oven, or even a tasty veggie fried rice.
Rice is such a frugal addition to meals, and there are endless tasty possibilities of meal options to make with it.
Uncle Ben’s Rice Instant Pot
December 25, 2018Gran
For two people, our Aroma rice cooker does a great job with any kind of rice or grain. But when our family gets together, we need quantities of rice and the Instant Pot can deliver them.
Uncle Bens® Original Converted® Brand Rice has been a presence in kitchens throughout my life. The word Converted means that the rice is parboiled, a process that partially boils the rice in the husk. Parboiling drives thiamine and other B-vitamins from the bran to the endosperm where they stay even after the bran is removed later in the manufacturing process. So parboiled rice is more nutritionally similar to brown rice.
When we had 5 children living at home, we used to buy the 10-pound bag of Uncle Bens Rice. The bag stated that size was for large homes and small institutions. On some days, it did seem that our home resembled an institution, specifically the one that used to be in my home town.
Make sure you have Original Uncle Bens Rice. This recipe will not work for Uncle Bens Instant White Rice. And Uncle Bens website says that washing this rice is not necessary.
For 2 cups of rice, this sequence takes about 35 minutes.
For cooking rice, polenta, or anything sticky in an Instant Pot, the person in our family who washes pots and pans is a big fan of the nonstick inner pot manufactured by Instant Pot. It can be used for pressure cooking or any other Instant Pot cooking just like the original metal pot.
1 cup uncooked white rice1 cup water
About Gran
Use A Natural Pressure Release
No matter what kind of rice youre cooking, its a good idea to let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes before opening the pot. This allows the moisture to distribute evenly throughout the grains, and helps it unstick from the bottom of the pot, too.
You *can* open the pot with a quick pressure release if you like, but it really does benefit from a little resting time!
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Natural Release Vs Quick Release
When it comes to the Instant Pot, the question of how to release pressure from the Instant Pot lingers in everyones mind. For this brown rice recipe, you natural release for one type of rice and you quick release for the other.
Natural release You natural release the long grain brown rice to allow the pressure to come down slowly and to give the rice a little more time to soak up the liquid.
Quick release- You want to quick release the pressure from the short grain brown rice because it avoids making the rice mushy. Because brown rice is a bit more starchy, it has a higher chance of becoming mush.
Cook Brown Rice Faster With The Instant Pot
Need a quick and easy way of cooking brown rice? The Instant Pot has the power to soften the tough protective bran shell into a soft tender texture. The preparation is very similar to the stovetop method however, the precise ratio of water is important to prevent a mushy mess.
With very little hands-on time required, this recipe takes away any excuse for not making a big batch of these wholesome grains. Simply rinse, pour, seal, and let the electric pressure cooker do all of the work. Follow this step-by-step guide for perfect rice at the touch of a button.
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Do You Need To Rinse Rice Before Cooking
Ok, to be honest, I generally do not rinse my rice before cooking it in the instant pot and I have never had any issues with the texture or flavor of the rice. My rice turned out delicious without rinsing.
If you find that the rice is too gummy, then I recommend rinsing rice prior to cooking it in the instant pot. To rinse, place the rice in the strainer and then run water through the rice until the water comes out clear.
Why Is Brown Rice Less Sticky
The tough outer bran keeps the sticky amylose starches trapped in the grain for longer than ordinary milled white rice. Since it takes water a longer time to penetrate into the center endosperm, this means there are less clingy starch molecules floating in the cooking water which prevents the rice from sticking together.
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Why This Recipe For Brown Rice In Instant Pot Works
- Hands off, no babysitting, super easy, and fuss free.
- One batch makes a lot, but you can also adjust the amount to suit your needs.
- Meal prep magic! Batch cooking, portioning and make ahead meals made easy.
- Leftovers can be kept in the fridge for up to a week or frozen for months.
- Brown rice is naturally gluten-free and high in vitamins and minerals.
- A healthier alternative to white rice.
- Takes the guess work out of making rice with this simple, easy to follow, guide.
Do You Have To Rinse Brown Rice First
Technically, no, you dont have to rinse your brown rice before cooking it, but I highly recommend it.
Rinsing rice before cooking removes some of the starch that can cause the rice to turn out gummy. And I personally like a little more definition between the rice grains, which you only get by straining it.
The easiest way to rinse rice is by putting it in a fine mesh strainer and running cold water over it for a minute or two.
If you dont have a fine mesh strainer, you could always line a regular colander with cheesecloth or a coffee filter to keep the rice grains from falling through.
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Can You Freeze Instant Pot Brown Rice
Yes, you can absolutely freeze cooked brown rice! The best way Ive found to do this is to let it cool completely first, then place it in quart-size freezer-safe ziploc bags and stick them in the fridge where it will keep for up to 3 months.
When you are ready to use the rice, you dont even need to thaw first. Just transfer the frozen, cooked rice to a microwave-safe bowl and heat in the microwave covered with a damp paper towel until hot.
Making Rice In An Instant Pot
An Instant Pot is one of the most popular brands of electric pressure cookers. They are easy to use and your Instant Pot can help you create this delicious Rice! You can double or half this recipe without needing to change the cook time.
Though you can cook brown rice easily on the stove, using your Instant Pot means that you dont need to even keep an eye on it. You will also save 20 plus minutes in the process!
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Is Brown Rice Low Carb
Brown rice is not low carb – in fact, it contains just as many carbs as white rice. However, white rice is essentially brown rice stripped of its bran & germ, which in turn removes most of its nutrients. While brown rice may not be a recommended food for a lower carb lifestyle, it’s a heart-healthy, nutrient rich grain that is a fantastic addition to a balanced diet.
Making Instant Pot Brown Rice In Advance
Cooling: Cool rice quicker by spreading it in a wide and shallow dish. Placing outside, if its cooler and no animals around, helps too.
Storing: Cook and cool. Store rice in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Freezing: Freeze rice in airtight containers or in a resealable plastic bag for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, take it out of the freezer in the morning and thaw on a counter.
Reheating: To reheat rice, add to a small pot with a splash of water and cook on low covered, stirring every few minutes. Add more water if necessary. Cold or frozen rice can be added to soups, casseroles and salads without the need to thaw first.
Also Check: Instapot Says Burn
How To Make Instant Pot Jasmine Rice
This recipe is a fool-proof, hands-off way to cook jasmine rice in under 30 minutes!
- Rinse rice well in a strainer
- Add rice and water to Instant Pot
- Open up the lid to perfectly cooked rice!
How To Cook Brown Rice In The Instant Pot
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Do you want to learn how to cook brown rice in the Instant Pot? Of course you do! This simple method will give you perfect fluffy and sticky rice every time!
This post explains:
- how to store brown rice for meal prep
- which rice is the healthiest
- the benefits of brown rice
- what glycemic index is and why you should care about it
The Instant Pot is such a great tool in the kitchen. Not only does it simplify cooking, it helps you cook delicious meals that are perfectly suited for nutrition programs like 21 Day Fix, Weight Watchers, and even just traditional healthy recipes.
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How To Make Brown Rice In The Instant Pot
Published on Modified: Sep 15, 2020 by The Foreign Fork This post may contain affiliate links which wont change your price but will share some commission.
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Im about to change your life. How? By showing you how easy it is to cook brown rice in the Instant Pot! Goodbye 40 minute long cook times! This recipe will provide a fast, simple, and perfect-every-time recipe to make your weeknight dinners that much easier.
Rice is such a common food in households across the world. After cooking one meal from every country in the world, I can definitely tell you that there are so many recipes on the planet for Rice and Beans and theyre all delicious!
Rice is popular for so many reasons, some of which are how cheap it is, how versatile it is, and how easy it is to make!
Of course, it takes far longer to make Brown Rice than it does to make a long grain white rice. In fact, making brown rice on the stove can take up to an hour! Luckily for you, this article is about to make that process a whole lot easier for you.
Follow the instructions below and have dinner time changed forever.
Is Brown Rice Better Than White Rice
There is a big debate over which rice it better. All rice consists almost entirely of carbs, with small amounts of protein and practically no fat. Brown rice is a whole grain, which means it contains all parts of the grain including the fibrous bran, the nutritious germ and the carb-rich endosperm. Brown rice has more fiber and antioxidants, as well as a lot more important vitamins and minerals.
White rice has had the bran and germ removed, which are the most nutritious parts of the grain. This leaves white rice with very few essential nutrients, which is why brown rice is usually considered much healthier than white.
On the other hand, brown rice contains the anti-nutrient phytic acid which reduce our body’s ability to absorb certain nutrients such as iron and zinc. Brown rice may also contain higher amounts of arsenic, a toxic chemical. However this is only a concern if you eat a lot of rice.
With the above facts, I am not recommending either one is better. You make the choice! I prefer to include both brown and white rice in our diet.
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Which Pot Should I Use To Make Rice
I use the Instant Pot 6 quart Duo for my recipes however, I always make long grain white rice in the 3 quart Instant Pot.
Since Im usually making the main dish in the larger Instant Pot, I like making the sides in the 3 quart.
This recipe is compatible in a 6 or 3 quart Instant Pot.
If I make Japanese sticky rice which is short grain white rice, I always use my Japanese rice cooker.
If you want to know which Instant Pot to buy, youll want to check out this post on Which Instant Pot to Buy or this Youtube video!
What Ingredients Are In This Recipe
Read Also: How Long To Cook Frozen Pork Loin In Instant Pot
What Pressure Setting To Use & Pressure Release
You can use an Instant Pot model or any other brand electric pressure cooker if you follow the pressure settings here and pressure release time for similar and perfect results. Its important to note that I did NOT use the rice setting, but Manual Pressure Cooking setting on high for 20 minutes with the natural release on. I also turned off the keep warm setting. The level of pressure and timing works well for both short grain and long grain rice that I tested.
White Rice Vs Brown Rice
With white rice being so much quicker to cook than brown rice, why would you want to eat it? Turns out, brown rice has a lot of nutritional benefits. Brown rice has an impressive amount of vitamins, minerals and beneficial compounds because it is less processed than white rice. If you want to get technical
- White rice has its hull, bran and germ removed.
- Brown rice keeps the nutrient-packed bran and germ and only has the hull removed. So it retains the nutrients that white rice lacks such as vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It also has more fiber.
In summary: Brown rice is packed with more nutrients than white rice! So when you can find time to cook it, brown rice is a great choice.
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How Much Rice Can You Cook In The Instant Pot
The most rice Ive ever cooked at one time is 3 cups of dry rice with 3 cups of water. I think you could probably go up to 5 cups of dry rice, as long as you dont fill the pot more than halfway full for safety.
Rice creates foamy, starchy water as it cooks, so you wouldnt want it to rise too high during the cooking cycle and damage your pot.
When doubling or tripling a recipe in the Instant Pot, the cooking time doesnt change. However, the overall time will be longer when you cook a larger quantity, because it will take longer for the pot to come to pressure when compared to a smaller quantity of rice.
- 1cupbrown rice, rinsed
- 1 cupwater
Water To Brown Rice Ratios To Use
Here is a breakdown of the measurements I used for each variety:
- 1 dry measuring cup short-grain brown rice : 8 fluid ounces water
- 2 dry measuring cup short-grain brown rice : 16 fluid ounces water
- 1 dry measuring cup long-grain brown rice : 8 fluid ounces water
- 2 dry measuring cup long-grain brown rice : 16 fluid ounces water
Please note that I only tested 1 and 2 cup recipes for both of these varieties. If you want to make more brown rice at a time, I would suggest starting with the same 1:1 ratio and adding or removing water in the future depending on the final texture of the rice.
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