Cooking Rice And Veggies: Instant Pot, Quick And Easy!

Cooking rice and steaming veggies in an instant pot is a quick and easy way to make a healthy meal. The instant pot is a multi-cooker that can make yogurt, slow cook, bake, and pressure cook. It is a great option for cooking rice and steaming veggies because it helps retain nutrients and is super quick.

To cook rice in an instant pot, you will need a 1:1 rice-to-water ratio. You can cook any type of rice in the instant pot, including white rice, brown rice, and wild rice. Rinse the rice and then add it to the instant pot with water and salt. Lock the lid, set the valve to seal, and pressure cook on high for the recommended time: 4 minutes for white rice, 12 minutes for brown rice, and 15 minutes for wild rice. After pressure cooking, let the pressure naturally release for 10 minutes, then release any remaining pressure and fluff the rice with a fork.

To steam veggies in the instant pot, you will need a trivet or steamer basket to hold the veggies in place. Add water to the bottom of the instant pot, place the veggies in the steamer basket, and seal the lid. Set the instant pot to steam mode for 0 minutes on high pressure. When the instant pot beeps, manually release the pressure and remove the steamer basket. Season the veggies with salt and pepper, and enjoy!

How to cook rice and steam veggies in an instant pot

Ingredients:

• 1 cup white long-grain rice (Basmati or Jasmine rice)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 1/4 cups water or broth (chicken or vegetable)
• 1/4 cup chopped parsley (for garnish)
• 1/2 medium onion
• 1 medium to large carrot, peeled
• 1 pepper, any colour, seeded, ribs removed
• 8 ounces mushrooms, cleaned, stems removed (1/2 pound)
• 1 1/2 teaspoon curry powder (mild yellow curry powder)
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (can substitute regular paprika)
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt (use less if your liquid/broth contains salt)
• 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper

Optional:

Fresh Tomato Salad Topping: 1 1/2 cups grape or cherry tomatoes, quartered; a drizzle of olive oil; 1 green onion (the green part), chopped; and a squeeze of lemon juice (optional).

Method:

• Prepare the instant pot: Spray the bottom of the pot to avoid sticking and for easier clean-up. Press the 'SAUTE' function. Wait until the display says "hot".
• Prepare the rice: Place the rice in a strainer and rinse under running cold water until the water is clear (1-2 minutes). Drain.
• Prepare the veggies: Chop/dice the veggies into 1/2-inch pieces. Avoid making them too big, or they won't get soft enough. If they're too small, they may disintegrate. You should have about 4-5 cups of chopped vegetables.
• Saute the veggies: Add oil to the instant pot, then add the veggies. Saute for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add all seasonings and saute for another minute. Press CANCEL.
• Add the rice and liquid: Add the liquid and rice to the instant pot. Stir.
• Pressure cook: Close the lid and set the valve to 'SEALING'. Set on HIGH PRESSURE for 5 minutes (use the + or - buttons to adjust). The instant pot will take about 5 minutes to come to pressure before it starts the 5-minute cooking process.
• Release the pressure: Once the instant pot beeps, do a 5-minute natural pressure release. Then do a quick release for any remaining pressure by turning the valve to VENT.
• Stir and serve: When the button drops, carefully open the lid. Stir in the chopped parsley and any other optional add-ins. For added richness, stir in a tablespoon of butter.

Tips:

• Tomato salad topping: While the rice and veggies are cooking, prepare the tomato salad by combining the chopped tomatoes, a drizzle of olive oil, a pinch of salt and pepper, and green onions in a small bowl. You can also add a squeeze of lemon juice if desired. Serve the tomato salad over the cooked rice.
• Rice-to-liquid ratio: The key to getting the right texture is the rice-to-liquid ratio, not the cooking time. You need to account for the water retained from rinsing the rice and the water content of the vegetables. If you prefer your rice slightly less moist and more al dente, reduce the amount of liquid by 3 tablespoons.
• Experiment with seasonings: Try Mexican, taco, Mediterranean, or Indian seasoning blends. You can also add heat with chilli powder, hotter curry powder, sriracha sauce, or red pepper flakes.
• Add crunch: After cooking, add some crunch with chopped water chestnuts, nuts, or julienned jicama.
• Make-ahead: Cool the rice and store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat covered in the microwave with a tablespoon of water.

The best rice to water ratio

The best rice-to-water ratio depends on the type of rice you are using. For white rice, the ratio is 1:1, which means 1 cup of water for every cup of rice. This is because the Instant Pot is more "sealed" than a traditional cooking pot, meaning less evaporation of water during the cooking process.

For brown rice, the ratio is 1:1.25. This means 1 cup of water for every 0.75 cups of rice.

How to steam veggies in an instant pot

Steaming vegetables in an instant pot is a quick and easy way to cook veggies while retaining their nutritional value. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Prepare the Instant Pot

• Add water to the inner pot of your Instant Pot. The amount of water will depend on the type and quantity of vegetables you are cooking. As a general rule, add at least 1 cup of water to create enough steam.
• Place a trivet or steamer basket inside the Instant Pot. This will keep the veggies elevated above the water and prevent them from boiling. You can use the trivet that comes with your Instant Pot or a separate steamer basket, preferably made of stainless steel or silicone.

Step 2: Prepare the Vegetables

• Choose your vegetables. Almost any vegetable can be steamed in an Instant Pot, including carrots, asparagus, green beans, broccoli, cauliflower, potatoes, corn, and more.
• Cut the vegetables into equal-sized pieces to ensure even cooking. You can also leave some vegetables whole, such as baby potatoes or corn on the cob.
• If desired, season the vegetables with salt, pepper, or other spices of your choice.

Step 3: Steam the Vegetables

• Place the prepared vegetables in the steamer basket or on the trivet inside the Instant Pot. Make sure they are not touching the water.
• Close the lid of the Instant Pot and set the valve to the sealing position.
• Set the Instant Pot to Steam mode and adjust the time according to the type of vegetables you are cooking. Most vegetables will take between 0 and 5 minutes to steam. For softer vegetables, increase the cooking time to 1 minute.
• When the Instant Pot beeps, manually release the pressure by moving the valve to the venting position. Be careful of the escaping steam.
• Remove the steamer basket or trivet from the Instant Pot and season the vegetables with salt and pepper, if desired.
• Serve the steamed vegetables as a side dish or use them in your favourite recipes.

Tips for Perfectly Steamed Veggies:

• Use the trivet or steamer basket to keep the veggies elevated and prevent them from boiling.
• Cut the veggies into equal-sized pieces to ensure even cooking.
• Always add water to the bottom of the pot to create steam.
• Quick release the pressure as soon as the Instant Pot beeps to prevent overcooking.
• For best results, steam vegetables with similar cooking times together. Avoid steaming vegetables with different cooking times, such as broccoli and potatoes, at the same time.
• You can use fresh or frozen vegetables, but keep in mind that frozen veggies may take a bit longer to cook as the Instant Pot will take longer to come to pressure.

Instant pot rice cooking times

The Instant Pot is a great way to cook rice, and it's super easy! You can cook any type of rice in the Instant Pot, including white rice, brown rice, and wild rice. The general rice-to-water ratio is 1:1, but this may vary depending on the type of rice and your personal preferences for rice texture. It's important to note that the Instant Pot's "Rice" button is specifically calibrated for white rice, so if you're cooking other types of rice, it's best to use the manual setting to control the timing. Now, let's get into the specific cooking times for each type of rice.

White Rice

For white rice, you'll want to use a 1:1 rice-to-water ratio. This means using 2 cups of water for every cup of rice. Set your Instant Pot to high pressure and cook the rice for 4 minutes. After the cooking time is up, let the pressure naturally release for about 10 minutes. Then, quick-release any remaining pressure, fluff the rice with a fork, and serve!

Brown Rice

Brown rice requires a bit more time than white rice. Again, use a 1:1 rice-to-water ratio, with 2 cups of water for every cup of rice. Set your Instant Pot to high pressure and cook the rice for 12 minutes. After the cooking time, let the pressure naturally release for about 10 minutes. Then, quick-release any remaining pressure, fluff your rice, and it's ready to serve!

Wild Rice

Wild rice also takes a bit longer to cook. The rice-to-water ratio is the same as for white and brown rice, with 2 cups of water for every cup of rice. Set your Instant Pot to high pressure and cook the wild rice for 15 minutes. After the cooking time, let the pressure naturally release for about 10 minutes. Then, quick-release any remaining pressure, fluff your rice, and enjoy!

Tips for Perfect Rice

• Rinse your rice before cooking. This helps remove any excess starch and results in fluffier rice.
• Use the manual setting instead of the "Rice" button, especially when cooking rice other than white rice.
• Be patient with the natural pressure release. It's an important step to ensure your rice is cooked evenly.
• If you're making a large batch of rice, don't fill your Instant Pot more than 2/3 full to avoid overfilling.
• For reheating rice, avoid adding water or oil directly to the rice. Instead, place the rice in a heat-proof container on a trivet inside the Instant Pot, add a cup of water, and steam for 5 minutes.

How to reheat rice in an instant pot

The Instant Pot is a great way to reheat rice, keeping it moist and fluffy. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Prepare the Rice

Before reheating the rice, it is important to break up any clumps to ensure even heating. If the rice is straight from the fridge, let it come to room temperature first.

Step 2: Choose a Reheating Method

There are several ways to reheat rice in an Instant Pot:

• Steam: This method works well for foods with moisture, such as rice. Add water to the Instant Pot, place the rice in a heat-proof dish on a trivet, and use the Steam function for around 5 minutes.
• Slow Cook: This method takes longer but is ideal for reheating casseroles or baked dishes. Place the rice in the insert pot or a heat-proof dish and use the regular lid or glass lid. Reheat for the same duration as you would in a slow cooker.
• Sauté: Similar to stovetop reheating, add some water, liquid, oil, or butter to the Instant Pot, along with the rice. Close the lid and use the Sauté function for a few minutes until the rice is heated through.
• Keep Warm: This function is useful if you want to reheat the rice slowly or keep it warm until you are ready to eat. Simply place the rice in the Instant Pot and cover it with a lid.

Step 3: Reheat the Rice

Follow the chosen reheating method and adjust the time as needed, depending on the amount of rice and its temperature. For example, start with 5 minutes for the Steam function and add more time if needed.

Tips:

• Use the pot-in-pot method to avoid a messy clean-up. Place a trivet in the insert pot, add water, and lower a heat-proof dish containing the rice onto the trivet.
• Cover the dish with foil to prevent condensation from dripping into the rice.
• Reheating rice in the Instant Pot can also be combined with cooking other foods simultaneously, making use of the space and time efficiency of the appliance.

Frequently asked questions