Instant Pot Coconut Rice
What makes this recipe special? First, it’s incredibly easy to make in the Instant Pot—just dump, stir, and let the magic happen. The result is perfectly cooked, fluffy rice that absorbs the coconut milk's richness without being too heavy.
Equipment
- Instant Pot
- Fine-Mesh Strainer
- Measuring Cups & Spoons
- Wooden Spoon or Silicone Spatula
- Serving bowl & spoon
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups jasmine rice – Jasmine rice works best because it’s fragrant and stays fluffy. You can also use basmati or long-grain white rice.
- 1 can 13.5 oz coconut milk – Use full-fat coconut milk for the creamiest texture. Light coconut milk works too, but the flavor won’t be as rich.
- 1 cup water – You can also use broth for extra flavor.
- ½ teaspoon salt
Optional Add-Ins for Extra Flavor:
- 1 teaspoon sugar – If you like your coconut rice slightly sweet a touch of sugar enhances the flavor beautifully.
- 1 tablespoon butter or coconut oil
- 1 pandan leaf or 1-2 bay leaves – Pandan leaves give the rice an aromatic floral-like fragrance. Bay leaves add a subtle earthiness.
- Toasted coconut flakes
Instructions
Step 1: Rinse the Rice (2 minutes)
- Place the jasmine rice in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse under cold water until the water runs clear.
- This step removes excess starch, preventing the rice from becoming too sticky. Don’t skip it!
- Pro Tip: Give the rice a gentle shake in the strainer to remove excess water—this helps keep the liquid ratio accurate.
Step 2: Add Everything to the Instant Pot (2 minutes)
- Transfer the rinsed rice to the Instant Pot.
- Pour in 1 can of coconut milk and 1 cup of water. Stir gently to combine.
- Add salt and any optional ingredients like sugar, butter, or pandan leaves.
- Pro Tip: Stir the coconut milk well before adding—it naturally separates in the can!
Step 3: Pressure Cook the Rice (10 minutes total)
- Close the lid and set the vent to sealing.
- Select the "Pressure Cook" or "Manual" setting and set the time to 5 minutes on high pressure.
- Once the cooking time is up, let the Instant Pot naturally release pressure for 10 minutes before manually releasing any remaining steam.
- Pro Tip: Don’t rush the pressure release! Letting it sit for 10 minutes helps the rice absorb the remaining steam, making it extra fluffy.
Step 4: Fluff and Serve (2 minutes)
- Open the lid and use a wooden spoon or silicone spatula to gently fluff the rice.
- Remove any pandan or bay leaves if used.
- Transfer to a serving bowl and sprinkle with toasted coconut flakes if you like extra crunch.
- Pro Tip: If the rice looks a little wet when you open the lid, let it sit uncovered for a couple of minutes—it will continue to absorb moisture!
Notes
Nutritional Value (Per Serving - Approximate for 1 Cup of Cooked Rice)
- Calories: 500-600 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 80-90g
- Protein: 8-10g
- Fat: 16-24g
- Saturated Fat: 12-18g
- Fiber: 2-4g
The nutritional information on this website is only an estimate and is provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed. It should not be used as a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.