Instant Pot Brown Rice

I love making Instant Pot Brown Rice for my family. It’s a healthier option than white rice and my kids seem to enjoy it just the same. Making it in the Instant Pot is so easy and fast when compared to making it on the stove. Plus, the brown rice comes out perfect every single time!

In this post, I will tell you everything you need to know for making brown rice in the Instant Pot. I’ll go over the few simple ingredients, answer some common questions you may have, and walk you step by step through the process of making it. When we’re done, you’ll be a pro at making Instant Pot Brown Rice! And if you’re wanting to become an expert on white rice, then make sure to check out my Instant Pot Jasmine Rice post.

Table of Contents

1. Pro Tips For Instant Pot Brown Rice
2. Recipe Card
3. Ingredients Needed
4. How To Make Brown Rice In The Instant Pot
5. Recipe Substitutions
6. Common Questions

Pro Tips for Making Perfect Instant Pot Brown Rice

• Rinse the Rice: While it is not as necessary to rinse brown rice as it is white rice, I still like to rinse the rice before cooking it. This removes any dirt or debris that may be on the rice. Just make sure to drain it really well before adding it to the pot.
• Use a 1:1 Ratio: In my testing, I found that a 1:1 ratio of water to rice works perfectly every time.
• Fluff the Rice With a Fork: You’ll want to fluff the rice with a fork when it’s finished cooking. Don’t mix it too much or it can become mushy.

More Rice Recipes

Looking for more easy rice recipes? Here are a few that I know you’ll love:

For a full list of all the Instant Pot Rice recipes on this blog, check out my roundup of Instant Pot Rice Recipes post.

Need a main dish for your Brown Rice? If you’re looking for a perfect complement for this recipe, then try one of the following:

Ingredients for Instant Pot Brown Rice

This recipe for brown rice is super easy and only requires 3 ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Brown Rice: You’ll need medium or long-grain brown rice for this recipe. I buy Mahatma brand brown rice when possible, but have used other brands successfully.
• Water: You’ll need a 1:1 ratio of water to rice.
• Kosher Salt: You will add one teaspoon of salt to your 2 cups of rice.

How to Make Brown Rice in the Instant Pot

Cooking brown rice can be a daunting task, but with the Instant Pot it becomes a breeze. Here, I will walk you step-by-step through how to make brown rice using your Instant Pot. You’ll have a pot of perfect fluffy brown rice ready in a little over 30 minutes with very little effort. Let’s get to it!

Substitutions for Instant Pot Brown Rice

I always get questions about substituting ingredients in my recipes. Below are the questions you’re probably going to ask me, so I’ve answered them for you. If you have any questions I haven’t listed below, please leave them in the comments section at the bottom of this post.

can I use broth instead of water?

You can replace the water with chicken stock or broth to add more flavor to the rice. I’d recommend using an unsalted chicken stock so that the rice doesn’t end up being too salty. I usually use Kitchen Basics Unsalted Chicken Stock. To me, it has the best flavor and I love that they offer an unsalted version. That way I can control exactly how much salt is going into my dishes.

can I leave out the salt?

For the most flavorful rice, use the full 1 teaspoon of salt. For a low sodium version of this rice, cut the salt in half. Or, you can use water and completely omit the salt for sodium-free brown rice. You can also use unsalted chicken stock for a bit of flavor, and omit the salt.

can I add more spices or flavor to brown rice?

Adding herbs and spices is a great way to enhance the flavor of this rice. Aromatics like garlic and shallots make a great addition to brown rice. Spices such as cumin and chili powder or herbs like cilantro and chives can really make this brown rice extra special.

Common Questions About Making Brown Rice in the Instant Pot

There are a number of questions that I’ve been asked repeatedly about making brown rice in the Instant Pot. I’m listing them here so that you can easily see my answers to the most common questions about this recipe.

how long do I cook brown rice in the instant pot?

After several attempts, I found my perfect time to be 22 minutes high-pressure with an added 10 minutes of Natural Pressure Release (NPR). This cooking time gave me a perfectly cooked and fluffy Instant Pot Brown Rice.

Can I Use The ‘Rice’ Button To Make Brown Rice In the Instant Pot?

No, the ‘Rice’ button is used for making white rice. It will not work for brown rice. Brown rice requires a longer cooking time than white rice, so you’ll need to use the ‘Manual’ or ‘Pressure Cook’ button instead.

how much water do I need to cook brown rice In My Pressure Cooker?

You will use a 1:1 water to rice ratio for this recipe. I’ve made a chart below for easy doubling and halving to suit your needs.

Brown Rice	Water	Salt
1 cup	1 cup	½ teaspoon
2 cups	2 cups	1 teaspoon
3 cups	3 cups	1 ½ teaspoon
4 cups	4 cups	2 teaspoons

what does brown rice taste like?

Brown rice is delicious! I think it has gotten a bad rap simply because it’s a healthier option than white rice. When cooked right, brown rice is a perfect addition to any meal and tastes just as delicious as white rice!

what can I serve with brown rice?

You can serve this brown rice as a side to just about any meat or fish dish. You can also add this brown rice to tacos, burritos, beans, soups, stir-fry, casseroles, salads, and much, much more. It’s a perfect way to bulk up any food. I linked some of my favorite main meals for brown rice below for you.

is brown rice healthier than white rice?

Brown rice is generally considered to be a much healthier substitute for white rice. It is less processed than white rice, therefore it’s a whole grain that retains the fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that white rice lacks.

It’s Your Turn to Make brown rice!

Did you make this Instant Pot Brown Rice recipe yet? Let me know in the comments section below when you make this recipe and how much you enjoyed it.

5-Star Rating: If you loved your Instant Pot Brown Rice, I’d appreciate it if you could give this recipe a 5-star rating to show how much you loved it.