Name: Perfect Instant Pot Brown Rice
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 6 cups
Ingredients: 2 cups brown rice; 2 cups water to cook rice; 2 cups water for inner pot of Instant Pot

A step by step guide on how to cook brown rice in the Instant Pot using the Pot in Pot (PIP) method. The PIP method allows you to cook brown rice in smaller quantities, with minimal cleanup. Perfectly cooked Instant Pot brown rice every time, quick and easy.

Instant Pot Brown Rice P1 turquoise bowl with brown rice with flowered napkin in background - Paint the Kitchen Red

I get frequent questions through email or blog comments asking how to make Instant Pot brown rice so I thought it’s time to post my recipe for brown rice.

Brown rice takes so long to cook on the stovetop, and it can end up imperfect: partly cooked, overcooked, or undercooked. But now you can use the Instant Pot to make perfectly cooked brown rice every time. And it’s so easy.

I really like using the Pot-in-Pot (PIP) method when I’m cooking smaller quantities of rice and I want to serve the rice in the bowl I cooked it in. Cleanup is minimal with the PIP method!

If you’d like to make a larger quantity, you can cook the rice directly in the inner pot using the same timings and ratio. See my Instant Pot Jasmine Rice recipe for more details on the method.

Brown rice is a great choice if, like me, you love rice and are trying to reduce carbs or when you’re looking to add fiber and whole grains to your diet. I like to use brown rice in a rice bowl, topped with Korean Beef, Carne Asada, Carnitas, Chicken Tikka Masala, or Chicken Shawarma.

Tips and Substitutions

Letting the rice sit for about 10 minutes after cooking is complete reduces stickiness and gumminess.

I like brown rice to be tender but a bit on the chewy side rather than well done. If you like your brown rice well done, allow for a full natural pressure release (NPR).

[Also Read: Instant Pot Jasmine Rice and Pot in Pot (PIP) Cooking Method]

If you’re new to the Instant Pot and aren’t familiar with how to use it, please read the Instant Pot DUO Beginner’s Quick Start Guide or the Instant Pot ULTRA Beginner’s Quick Start Guide first and then come back here to learn how to make this Perfect Instant Pot Brown Rice

GO DIRECTLY TO RECIPE

How to Make Instant Pot Brown Rice (Step-by-Step Instructions)

Rinse the brown rice thoroughly.
Add brown rice to the bowl.
Add water to the rice.

Add 2 cups water to the Instant Pot inner pot.
Place trivet in the inner pot.
Place the bowl of rice on the trivet.

Instant Pot DUO Pressure Cook:

Close the lid and make sure steam release handle is in ‘Sealing’ position
Press ‘Manual’ (or ‘Pressure Cook’) and ‘+’ or ‘-‘ until display reads ‘22′ (22 minutes).

Instant Pot ULTRA Pressure Cook:

Close the lid.
Select Pressure Cook mode and adjust time to 22 minutes (00:22).
Press ‘Start’.

Instant Pot display will change to ‘On’.
Once the Instant Pot is pressurized, the float valve will go up.
The display will count down from 22 to 0; it will then switch to ‘Keep Warm’ mode and display ‘L0:00’ or ’00 00′ and begin to count up.

Wait for 10 minutes after cooking is complete, and release any remaining pressure (see below).

Instant Pot Duo release steam and open collage - move steam release handle to venting with help of a towel, float valve is down, Instant Pot Duo is open - Paint the Kitchen Red Instant Pot DUO 10-minute Natural Pressure Release (NPR):

Move the steam release handle to ‘Venting’. I like to place a folded towel over the steam release handle and move it to the venting position. Remove the towel after turning the knob.
When your Instant Pot is depressurized, the float valve will be in the down position.
Press ‘Cancel’ and open the Instant Pot.

Instant Pot Ultra Release Steam and Open collage - press steam release button, float valve in down position, Instant Pot Ultra is open - Paint the Kitchen Red Instant Pot ULTRA 10-minute Natural Pressure Release (NPR):

Press down on the Steam Release Button until it locks into place, and steam begins to come out of the Steam Release Valve.
When your Instant Pot is depressurized, the float valve will be in the down position.
Press ‘Cancel’ and open the Instant Pot.

Carefully remove cooked rice from Instant Pot.
Fluff the rice with a fork.

Perfect Instant Pot Brown Rice

A step by step guide on how to cook brown rice in the Instant Pot using the PIP (Pot in Pot) method. The PIP method allows you to cook brown rice in smaller quantities, with minimal cleanup. Perfectly cooked Instant Pot brown rice every time, quick and easy.

Course Side

Cuisine International

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes

Total Time 50 minutes

Servings 6 cups

Calories 200 kcal

Author Paint the Kitchen Red

Ingredients

2 cups brown rice
2 cups water to cook rice
2 cups water for inner pot of Instant Pot

Instructions

Rinse the brown rice thoroughly.
Add brown rice to an oven safe medium bowl.
Add water to the rice.
Add 2 cups water to the Instant Pot inner pot.
Place trivet in the inner pot.
Place bowl on the trivet.
Close the lid and pressure cook for 22 minutes (on high pressure).
Do 10-minutes natural pressure release (NPR 10 minutes).
Press Cancel and open the Instant Pot.
Carefully remove bowl of cooked rice from Instant Pot using silicone gloves.
Fluff the rice with a fork.

Recipe Notes

Allow the rice to sit for about 10 minutes after fluffing with fork.
If you like your rice well done, do a full natural pressure release (NPR).

Nutrition Facts

Perfect Instant Pot Brown Rice

Amount Per Serving (1 cup)

Calories 200 Calories from Fat 9

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 1g 2%

Total Carbohydrates 43g 14%

Dietary Fiber 1g 4%

Protein 4g 8%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

I am not a certified nutritionist. I provide my best estimate of nutritional information merely as a courtesy to my readers. If you depend on nutritional information for dietary or health reasons, I suggest using your favorite online nutrition calculator to confirm the nutritional value of this recipe based on the actual ingredients that you use.