Why Instant Pot Jasmine Rice Has Become a Staple in My Kitchen

The secret is out, and it’s a game-changer! Preparing jasmine rice in the Instant Pot is not only incredibly quick and entirely foolproof, but it also consistently delivers exceptionally fluffy and wonderfully fragrant rice, every single time. It truly simplifies meal prep and elevates weeknight dinners.

• Effortless, Hands-Off Cooking: One of the biggest advantages of using the Instant Pot is the set-it-and-forget-it nature of the cooking process. There’s absolutely no need to hover over the stove, constantly monitoring water levels, or fretting about the pot boiling over. The Instant Pot takes complete control, maintaining precise temperature and pressure. This invaluable feature frees up your time and attention, allowing you to focus on preparing other components of your meal, chopping vegetables, or simply relaxing. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you need a reliable side dish without the stress.
• Fragrant and Delicious Aroma & Flavor: Jasmine rice is renowned for its distinctive and appealing qualities. It boasts a naturally wonderful floral aroma and a subtly nutty flavor profile that beautifully sets it apart from more neutral white rice varieties. When cooked in the Instant Pot, these delicate fragrances and flavors are perfectly preserved and even enhanced, creating a truly aromatic and satisfying side dish that complements a wide array of cuisines, particularly Asian-inspired meals.
• Consistently Perfect Texture: If you’ve ever struggled with cooking rice on the stovetop, you know the frustration of ending up with soggy, mushy grains or, even worse, rice burnt onto the bottom of the pan. The Instant Pot eliminates these common culinary woes. It consistently produces perfectly fluffy, individual grains of jasmine rice that are tender yet never sticky or clumpy. The precise pressure cooking environment ensures even cooking and absorption of water, resulting in that ideal, airy texture you crave.

Essential Ingredients for Instant Pot Jasmine Rice

You’ll be delighted to discover that the ingredient list for this perfect Instant Pot jasmine rice is incredibly straightforward and minimal. With just a few pantry staples, you can achieve restaurant-quality results at home. For precise ingredient quantities and detailed step-by-step instructions, please scroll down to the full recipe card below.

• Jasmine Rice: This is the star of our dish! Jasmine rice is a long-grain variety of fragrant rice, known for its distinctive floral aroma and slightly sticky, tender texture when cooked. It’s a staple in Southeast Asian cuisine, particularly in Thailand, and is widely available in most grocery stores in the international or rice aisle. Look for a good quality brand for the best flavor and texture.
• Water or Vegetable Broth: While water is perfectly fine for cooking jasmine rice, using vegetable broth can significantly enhance the depth of flavor. Broth adds a savory undertone that complements the natural fragrance of the rice beautifully. Ensure your broth is low-sodium if you’re concerned about salt intake, as we’ll be adding additional salt.
• Salt: Don’t underestimate the power of a pinch of salt, even if you typically prefer to cook with minimal added sodium. Salt is crucial here not just for seasoning, but to truly bring out the natural sweetness and complex flavors of the jasmine rice. It brightens the overall taste and prevents the rice from tasting bland.
• Vegan Butter: A small amount of vegan butter, added to the Instant Pot before cooking, contributes a lovely richness and a subtle, creamy flavor to the finished rice. It helps to keep the grains separate and adds a luxurious mouthfeel. I personally love using my homemade Vegan Butter for this, but any good quality store-bought vegan butter will work perfectly. If you don’t have vegan butter, a neutral oil like a light olive oil or avocado oil can be substituted for a similar effect, though it won’t impart the same creamy richness.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Cook Jasmine Rice in the Instant Pot

You are truly going to adore how incredibly simple and straightforward this process is! In just a few easy steps, you’ll have perfectly cooked, aromatic jasmine rice ready to enjoy.

• Thoroughly Rinse the Rice. This initial step is absolutely crucial for achieving perfectly fluffy, non-gummy jasmine rice. Place your measured jasmine rice in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse it under cold, running water. Continue rinsing, stirring the rice gently with your fingers, until the water running off appears completely clear. This process effectively removes excess starch from the surface of the grains, which is the primary culprit behind sticky or clumpy rice.
• Add Ingredients to the Instant Pot. Once rinsed, transfer the clean jasmine rice directly into the inner pot of your Instant Pot. Next, add the measured water (or vegetable broth), a pinch of salt, and the vegan butter. Give all the ingredients a gentle stir with a spoon or spatula to ensure everything is evenly distributed. This ensures that the salt and butter infuse throughout the rice as it cooks.

• Pressure Cook. Secure the lid onto your Instant Pot, making sure it’s properly sealed. Rotate the steam release valve to the “Sealing” position. Select the “Pressure Cook” (or “Manual”) setting and set the cooking time for 5 minutes on high pressure. The Instant Pot will take a few minutes to come to pressure before the 5-minute cooking countdown begins.
• Perform a Natural Release. Once the 5-minute cooking cycle is complete, do NOT immediately open the lid or force a quick release. Instead, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes. This “Natural Pressure Release” (NPR) phase is critical as it allows the rice to continue steaming gently, absorbing any remaining moisture, and ensuring the grains are fully cooked, evenly textured, and perfectly fluffy. After 10 minutes of NPR, carefully switch the steam release valve from “Sealing” to “Venting” to release any remaining residual steam. Stand clear of the valve as the steam can be hot.
• Fluff and Serve. Once the float valve has dropped, indicating all pressure has been released, carefully open the lid. Using a fork, gently fluff the jasmine rice, separating the grains. The steam trapped inside will be released, and you’ll see beautifully fluffy, fragrant rice. Serve your perfectly cooked Instant Pot jasmine rice immediately and enjoy!

Tips for Achieving Perfect Instant Pot Jasmine Rice Every Time

While cooking jasmine rice in the Instant Pot is incredibly simple, a few key tips can elevate your results from good to absolutely perfect. Follow these guidelines to ensure consistently fluffy and fragrant rice without any fuss.

• Rinse Thoroughly – Don’t Skip This Step! This is perhaps the most critical tip for achieving perfectly textured jasmine rice. Rinsing the rice under cold running water until the water runs completely clear is essential. This crucial step washes away excess surface starch, which is the primary culprit behind gummy, sticky, or clumpy rice. Neglecting to rinse can drastically alter the final texture, so make sure to take the extra minute for this important preparation.
• Adhere to the Right Water-to-Rice Ratio. For jasmine rice in the Instant Pot, a simple 1:1 ratio of rice to water (or broth) is generally ideal for achieving that desirable fluffy texture. This differs from stovetop methods where more water is typically needed. Using too much water can lead to soggy rice, while too little will result in undercooked, hard grains. Always use dry measuring cups for rice and liquid measuring cups for water to ensure accuracy. If you are doubling or tripling the recipe, maintain this 1:1 ratio, and the cooking time will remain the same.
• Avoid Opening the Instant Pot Early. Patience is a virtue when it comes to pressure cooking rice! Once the cooking cycle is complete, it’s vital to allow the natural pressure release (NPR) for the recommended 10 minutes. This period is not just for safety; it’s an integral part of the cooking process. During NPR, the residual heat inside the Instant Pot continues to gently steam the rice, ensuring that the grains are fully cooked through, absorb all remaining moisture evenly, and become beautifully plump and fluffy. Opening the pot too early can result in undercooked rice with an inconsistent texture.
• Fluff with a Fork. Once the pressure has fully released, open the lid and use a fork (not a spoon or spatula) to gently fluff the rice. This action separates the grains and releases any trapped steam, giving the rice its signature light and airy texture. Avoid stirring vigorously, which can break the delicate grains.
• Consider Using Broth for Enhanced Flavor. While water yields great results, substituting it with vegetable broth adds an extra layer of savory depth to your jasmine rice, making it even more delicious, especially when served as a side dish to milder main courses.

Delicious Serving Suggestions for Jasmine Rice

This perfectly cooked Instant Pot jasmine rice is incredibly versatile and makes an exquisite base or side for a vast array of global cuisines. Its delicate fragrance and fluffy texture complement so many dishes.

I absolutely love pairing this fragrant Instant Pot jasmine rice with my personal favorite Tempeh Stir Fry with Peanut Ginger Sauce. The nutty notes of the rice beautifully echo the peanut, creating a harmonious balance of flavors and textures. It’s also an exceptional partner for the sweet and savory glaze of General Tso Tofu, where it can soak up all the delicious sauce, and a fantastic accompaniment to the rich and creamy flavors of Thai Red Curry. While Indian food is more traditionally served with basmati rice, I personally find that jasmine rice works wonderfully too—don’t hesitate to try it with my comforting Vegetable Korma recipe and see what you think!

Beyond these, consider serving your fluffy jasmine rice with grilled vegetables, baked tofu, black beans and plantains, or as the base for a nourishing Buddha bowl. The possibilities are truly endless!

Storage and Reheating Instructions for Cooked Jasmine Rice

Having leftover Instant Pot jasmine rice is a wonderful thing, as it can be easily stored and reheated for quick meals later in the week. Proper storage is key to maintaining its freshness and preventing it from drying out.

• Refrigerator Storage: To keep your cooked jasmine rice fresh, allow it to cool completely to room temperature as quickly as possible (within one hour) after cooking. Then, transfer any leftover rice to an airtight container. It will keep beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Always ensure it’s properly sealed to prevent it from absorbing other food odors or drying out.
• Freezer Storage: For longer-term storage, jasmine rice freezes exceptionally well. Once cooled, transfer the rice into freezer-safe containers or sturdy zip-top freezer bags. For convenience, consider portioning the rice into individual serving sizes before freezing. This makes it easy to thaw just what you need. It will maintain its quality in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to use it, simply thaw the frozen rice in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
• Reheating Cooked Rice: When reheating, the goal is to restore moisture and achieve a fluffy texture without drying it out.
  • Microwave Method: For quick reheating, place your desired portion of rice in a microwave-safe bowl. Sprinkle a tablespoon or two of water over the top of the rice, then cover the bowl (either with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel). Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, or until thoroughly heated through, stirring halfway. The added water creates steam, preventing the rice from becoming dry.
  • Stovetop Method: Alternatively, for a stovetop reheat, add the rice to a pan with a splash of water (about 1-2 tablespoons per cup of rice). Cover the pan tightly and heat over low to medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the rice is warmed through and fluffy. The lid helps to trap steam and rehydrate the grains.

  Always ensure rice is piping hot (above 165°F / 74°C) before serving.

Explore More Delicious Rice Recipes

If you love the versatility and comfort of rice, be sure to check out these other fantastic rice-based recipes that are sure to become family favorites!

• Vegan Fried Rice
• Dirty Rice Recipe
• Jamaican Rice and Peas
• Pineapple Fried Rice
• Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole