When I was a child, we would usually just have plain white rice as a side dish, we would either have white rice or if my mother purchased a box of Near East, we would have a fancy dish and have rice pilaf. We didn’t have it often, because having plain rice was just a necessary side, nothing anyone was looking forward to.
When I got married, my husband lived in Japan for a while, during college, and in Japan as one can imagine, they had rice at every meal. In Asian countries having a rice cooker is seen as a necessary appliance.
When we registered for our wedding gifts, my husband wanted a rice cooker. So, we got one, and it quickly became one of my favorite kitchen appliances.
Fast forward 20 years and the new kitchen gadget for rice is the Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker) and using the Instant Pot, couldn’t be easier for making tasty and easy recipes. The mini (3 quarts) is also amazing for side dishes. So, wait for a sale and snag one, you will not be sorry.
You will soon be able to make foolproof and delicious side dishes with your Instant Pot. You can all sorts of rice dishes, from Pilafs, Risottos, Polenta, Porridge, Puddings and more.
Here are some tips for getting the best tasting rice dishes from your Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker)
- Always wash the rice (or at least rinse the rice)–In the United States we are never told to rinse the rice because in American the rice has been fortified with powdered vitamins, and when you rinse the rice, you also wash out the fortified vitamins. Washing or at least rinsing the rice removes the loose surface starch and in turn that will reduce the stickiness of the rice. The only kinds of rice you should not rinse are Arborio and other risotto styles rice because you need the starch to make the rice creamy.
- I have found that the Ceramic Instant Pot Bowl works better than the regular stainless steel bowl, that comes with it. I find that there is less burning or scorching. I think because with the thicker surface the Instant Pot Ceramic bowl controls the heat better.
- Sauteeing the rice in butter before cooking. This does two things for your dish, first, it increases the flavor of the rice dish and second the butter or oil coats the rice grain, which prevents them from sticking to each other.
- For the best rice, after it is cooked and it does a natural release, let it sit for a few minutes before opening the lid, this gives time for the moisture to evenly distribute through the rice.
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Now for the Mini–great set
3 Quart ONLY pressure cooker Accessories set, steamer basket, sealing rings, egg rack, egg bite mold, oven mitts, and a recipe booklet!
I used to hate making rice until I got the Instant Pot. Now, each rice dish is flavorful and well cooked. Not too dry or too hard.
Basic Brown Rice
Couscous
Chinese Fried Rice-Chicken
Kitchen Items Used: (Note: Affiliate links are included in this post)
Don’t Forget To Pin Instant Pot Broccoli and Rice
Instant Pot Broccoli and Rice
Description
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup onions, diced
- 2 1/2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup medium grain white rice, (brown will take longer, but can be used)
- 2 cups broccoli, fresh
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Start by adding olive oil to the Instant Pot Bowl. Then press the saute button, after about 30 seconds, add your diced onions, saute until they are soft. (Remember to mix them, as they saute, otherwise, they will burn)
- Then press the off button. Add the 2 cups of vegetable broth, and rice. Mix well. Add your lid, making sure it’s in the sealed position, then press manual high pressure and set the timer for 5 minutes.
- Once the timer is done, do a quick release. Once it’s safe to open your Instant Pot, open it up, stir the rice add another 1/2 cup of the vegetable broth, broccoli, salt and pepper and stir.
- Then add your lid, making sure that the valve is in the sealing position. Set the manual high pressure for 1 minute.
- Do a quick release, open your Instant Pot once the pin has dropped.
- Plate, serve and enjoy!
Equipment
- Instant Pot
Notes
Nutrition
Share this recipe
We can’t wait to see what you’ve made! Mention @forktospoon or tag #forktospoon!
Bill
Used parboiled rice after onions were sauteed. Then 2 cups of chicken broth – it’s all the same – then added last 1/2 cup after first 5 minutes and rice was somewhat soggy – broth not completely absorbed. Then for the final minute with broccoli, salt, and pepper.
Dslit813
Would like to know how much added time is needed for brown rice?
Laurie
Brown Rice usually takes between 22-24 minutes.
Caralee Woodson
This is delicious! First time using my Instant Pot and it was super easy and yummy!