Rice ain’t just rice anymore. Not when you’ve got an Instant Pot sitting on your counter, all smug-like and ready to take basic white grains and transform them into magic. Forget boring stovetop simmering and burnt bottoms—this thing’s like a rice whisperer with a built-in time machine.
We’re not here to play it safe. This is rice, unleashed. Creamy, fluffy, spicy, sweet, chewy, sticky… sometimes all in the same dang bowl.
Let’s dive into 18 wild, warm, wonderful Instant Pot rice recipes that you’ll probably start dreaming about. Like, actual dreams. The weird good kind.
1. Coconut Ginger Jasmine Rice
This one smells like vacation. Like, seriously—close your eyes, and boom, you’re on a Thai beach wearing flip-flops and no regrets.
Dump jasmine rice, coconut milk (the fatty kinda thick stuff), fresh ginger slices, a lil’ lime zest, and some water in the pot. Pressure cook for 4 minutes. That’s it. The flavor? Smooth, rich, warm, and like, kinda flirty.
Pair it with grilled shrimp or just eat it with a spoon in your PJs. Zero judgment.
2. Garlic Butter Rice with Herbs
Don’t even think about skipping this one. It’s buttery, garlicky, and loaded with herbs like it’s trying to win an award for best supporting flavor.
Use long-grain white rice. Melt a scandalous amount of butter. Toss in smashed garlic cloves and let them toast a bit in the pot using sauté mode. Then toss in the rice. Cook with broth instead of water. Pressure time: 3 minutes. Natural release.
Sprinkle with parsley, thyme, or that half-dead rosemary sprig you’ve been ignoring in the fridge. Fancy without being fancy.
3. Instant Pot Risotto—Without All That Stirring Nonsense
Risotto, but without babysitting it like it’s a toddler with glitter glue. Sounds fake, but it’s so real.
Use Arborio rice. Add onions, garlic, broth, white wine (sip a lil’), and butter. Pressure cook for 6 minutes. Stir in Parmesan at the end and watch the whole thing melt into silky, rich heaven.
Optional: Mushrooms, peas, or that leftover rotisserie chicken you swore you’d eat yesterday.
4. Spicy Mexican Rice
This one’s got a little kick, a lotta flavor, and absolutely no shame.
Start with white rice. Add tomato paste, garlic, onions, cumin, chili powder, and a chopped jalapeño if you’re feelin’ wild. Use chicken or veggie broth to bump it up. Pressure cook for 4 minutes.
Toss in frozen corn or black beans after it’s cooked. Eat with tacos or straight out the pot with a fork and some bold attitude.
5. Sweet Sticky Rice with Mango
This one might wreck your whole dessert hierarchy.
Use glutinous (sticky) rice, soak it if you’ve got time. Pressure cook with coconut milk and sugar. Let it get sticky and dreamy. Serve with sliced ripe mango and drizzle some of that leftover coconut sauce on top like you know what you’re doing.
You will 100% feel like you’re in a dessert commercial. Smile optional.
6. Chicken and Rice… But Make It Next Level
Forget that soggy pan stuff. This is chicken and rice with muscle.
Brown some bone-in chicken thighs right in the pot using sauté mode. Set ‘em aside. Throw in rice, garlic, onion, chicken broth, and spices (smoked paprika, please). Lay the chicken back on top.
Pressure cook for 10 minutes. Let the flavors get cozy. It’s like a hug in a bowl, but meatier.
7. Cilantro Lime Rice That’ll Rival the Burrito Joint
You know the one. That place where they charge extra for guac.
Cook white rice with broth. After cooking, toss with a splash of lime juice, lime zest, and so much chopped cilantro you start to question your life decisions. But in a good way.
It’s fresh, zingy, and weirdly addictive. Like, three bowls deep and you’re still going.
8. Wild Rice and Mushroom Medley
This one’s earthy. Like forest-nymph vibes with a savory twist.
Use a wild rice blend (not quick-cook—don’t cheat). Sauté some mushrooms, onions, and garlic. Add the rice, a splash of soy sauce, and broth. Pressure cook for 28 minutes.
Yup, longer cook time, but worth every second. It’s chewy, woodsy, warm, and honestly kinda poetic.
9. Tomato Basil Rice
Pasta? Who needs pasta when rice tastes like pizza?
Use white or jasmine rice. Stir in crushed tomatoes, minced garlic, oregano, basil, and a lil sugar to balance the tang. Cook it with broth or even a bit of tomato juice if you’ve got some hanging around.
Top with fresh basil leaves and maybe, maybe some grated mozzarella. Chef’s kiss.
10. Instant Pot Sushi Rice
Sushi lovers, rejoice. You don’t need a bamboo mat or a samurai sword to make this work.
Use short-grain rice. Rinse it like your life depends on it—seriously, 3 to 4 times until the water runs almost clear. Cook with a 1:1 ratio of water.
After cooking, stir in a mix of rice vinegar, sugar, and salt. Let it cool a bit. It’s sticky, slightly sweet, and ready to wrap or bowl-up.
11. Cajun Dirty Rice
This one’s messy in the best way.
Use white rice, browned ground beef or sausage (or both), diced bell peppers, onion, celery, and loads of Cajun spices. Don’t hold back. Pressure cook for 5 minutes.
It’s got that smoky spice punch with a meaty backbone. Feels like Mardi Gras in a rice bowl.
12. Lemon Dill Rice with Chickpeas
Fresh. Tangy. Clean. Almost feels like it should be wearing white linen pants.
Use basmati or long-grain white rice. After pressure cooking (4 mins is golden), stir in lemon juice, lemon zest, chopped dill, and drained chickpeas.
Optional: Feta crumbles, kalamata olives, or roasted cherry tomatoes. It’s Greek-ish and glorious.
13. Pineapple Fried Rice Remix
Yeah, fried rice. But not really fried. Still tastes legit, though.
Use day-old cooked rice (Instant Pot hack: make fresh, cool it fast in fridge). Sauté onions, garlic, peas, carrots, and chopped pineapple in the pot. Add the rice back with soy sauce, sesame oil, and a scrambled egg.
Sweet, salty, savory. With pops of pineapple like surprise party confetti.
14. Rice Pudding That’ll Make Grandma Jealous
Creamy, warm, and just sweet enough to make your toes curl.
Use Arborio or short-grain rice. Cook with whole milk, cinnamon, a bit of sugar, and a dash of salt. Pressure cook for 10 minutes, stir in vanilla after.
Optional: raisins, chopped dates, or orange zest. Eat warm or chilled, alone or while hiding from the world.
15. Turmeric Rice with Peas and Almonds
Golden. Crunchy. Kinda healing? Definitely delish.
Cook basmati rice with turmeric, garlic, and a pinch of cumin. After release, stir in green peas and sliced toasted almonds. Add ghee if you’re feeling extra.
It’s warm and sunshine-y. Good for the soul and lunchboxes.
16. Kimchi Fried Rice (Without the Frying)
Bold. Funky. Spicy in all the right places.
Use cooked rice. Sauté chopped kimchi with garlic and gochujang (Korean chili paste). Add rice, soy sauce, and toasted sesame oil. Pressure cook for just 1 minute on warm to reheat and meld.
Top with a fried egg if you wanna make it gourmet-level lazy. No regrets.
17. Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Rice
This one’s for cheese lovers and busy weeknights.
Cook white rice with broth. After pressure cooking, stir in steamed broccoli (or toss frozen in before cooking) and a heap of shredded cheddar.
Melty. Gooey. Slightly sinful. Feels like comfort food should.
18. Moroccan Spiced Rice with Apricots and Almonds
This one hits different.
Use long-grain rice, cinnamon, cumin, paprika, and turmeric. Toss in chopped dried apricots and slivered almonds. Add broth and maybe a squeeze of orange juice if you’re feeling bold.
Cook it all together. It’s sweet, savory, spiced, and smells like a market in Marrakech. You’ll feel cultured without even leaving the kitchen.
Last Spoonful Thoughts
Rice might just be the most underappreciated food on the planet. But not anymore.
With an Instant Pot? It becomes an actual chameleon of taste, vibe, and personality. Some days it’s sweet and silky, other times it’s bold and peppery and basically doing the salsa in your mouth.
Whether you’re chasing comfort, spice, or something that makes your kitchen smell like you’ve got secrets, these 18 rice recipes are your ticket. They’re fast. They’re forgiving. And they don’t need your constant attention, unlike that sourdough starter you gave up on.
So go ahead. Push that pressure cook button and let rice do what rice was born to do—be amazing without asking for much in return.
