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.
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
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 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 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
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.
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
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.
If you loved this recipe, please give it a 5 Star rating in the comment section below and please share it on social media using the social media share buttons at the top and bottom of this post. Thank you so much!
You might also like to try these Instant Pot Recipes:
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| Instant Pot Brown Fried Rice | Instant Pot Basmati Rice Pot in Pot | Instant Pot Fried Rice |
Madonna
My first PIP attempt, and it was perfect. I would never have believed that simple brown rice could be so delicious!! So much tastier than on the stove top! Thanks for sharing!
Paint the Kitchen Red
I agree with you – I was never a big fan of brown rice and now I make it all the time. So easy! I have a wild rice recipe coming up soon that you might want to check out!
Mary
can this method be used on rice that’s been soaked overnight? I like to pre-soak my rice for digestibility and to reduce phytic acid.
Paint the Kitchen Red
Mary, you should be able to cook pre-soaked rice the same way but I think you’ll want to reduce the cooking time.
Heide
This was my first attempt at cooking brown rice in the IP and it was a total success! Plus I had the IP ready to cook my next item, no need to wash since the rice was in a separate glass container. Thank you!
Paint the Kitchen Red
Thanks for your comment, Heide! You might want to try out the brown “fried” rice too.
Suzanne
I would like to try Bryani in IP. would you advise it? thank you.
Paint the Kitchen Red
Suzanne – yes, you can cook biryani in the Instant Pot but you won’t have the layering that traditional biryani has. I have a lamb biryani recipe that you can look at to get an idea about technique in case you already have a biryani recipe you use. Good luck!
Carl Medgaus
If I want to substitute brown rice for the white rice in your Jambalaya recipe, how would you adjust the amount of liquid and time to account for the brown rice? Thanks in advance.
Paint the Kitchen Red
Carl, the only concern would be the vegetables being overcooked. Brown rice cooks in 22 minutes with the same amount of liquid. If you look at previous comments I have mentioned to others that they could par-cook the brown rice, drain, and proceed with the recipe. But this might be a pain….
Bergandi
What type of bowls do you use when doing the PIP method? Just wanting sure what I use is pressure cooker safe!
Paint the Kitchen Red
Bergandi, I use oven-safe (thick) Pyrex, ceramic and stainless steel bowls. But I urge you to follow manufacturer’s directions for the glass bowls because some people have had issues with them cracking. I have had no issues myself.
Carol
Super easy and less cleanup, nice
Linda Foster
I would have never eaten brown rice before using your PIP instructions, I actually had a big bow very good. Usually cook only for dogs meals…
THANKS
Paint the Kitchen Red
You’re welcome Linda – your comment made me chuckle 🙂
Linda Foster
OMG, for the first time cooking brown rice PIP and I previously wouldn’t have had a bowl of brown rice ever (make for the dogs) WELL drum roll, it is fluffy and delicious, SHOCKED, my white rice which I love Jasmine never comes out good (for me). will look at your directions. THANK YOU FOR A DELICIOUS BROWN RICE.
AGAIN THANK YOU
Paint the Kitchen Red
Linda, thank you for your review! You’ll be pleasantly surprised by the Jasmine – I make it every week, perfect every time. And you’re pretty funny, btw 🙂
Raj
May I know what brand of brown rice you use? Thanks!
Paint the Kitchen Red
Raj, I’ve used different brands including Indian brown basmati (e.g. Royal brand) and Mahatma brand
Rose
if we want to make rice in some large quantity than?
Paint the Kitchen Red
Rose, if you want to make a larger quantity, you should cook it directly in the inner pot. I use the same proportions and timings, maybe slightly more water.