Dump And Start Instant Pot Coconut Rice

You only need 4 ingredients and a few minutes to make this fragrant Instant Pot Coconut Rice. It is the perfect side dish for Asian dishes, curries and great for weekly meal prep.

Suitable for vegan, gluten free and dairy free diets.

This easy dump and go Instant Pot Coconut Rice recipe is a great recipe to have on hand. It is a fluffy and fragrant rice dish that make a great side to serve with Chinese, Thai, African, Hawaiian, Indian, takeout dishes and more.

Even better it is a fail proof rice recipe, that is quick and easy to whip up with no prep and only 4 everyday ingredients. Just as easy as this Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice, 10 minute Ramen Noodle Stir Fry and garlic butter Instant Pot Red Potatoes.

This is an affordable and effortless way to add some creamy tropical flavor to your lunch or dinner table and will be loved by your whole family.

Why Make This Recipe

• Fast – cooking coconut rice in Instant Pot takes under 30 minutes. 
• Budget-Friendly – rice is inexpensive as are the rest of the ingredients.
• One-Pot – this easy dump and start Instant Pot rice cooks in one pot for easy cleanup.
• Family-Friendly – rice+fragrant coconut milk = Happy families.
• Dietary – suitable for vegan, gluten free and dairy free diets.

Ingredients Notes

• Rice – I used good old plain basmati rice for this.
• Coconut milk– your favourite brand of full fat coconut milk works well. Feel free to use half fat coconut milk to reduce the calories. Plus this is unsweetened coconut milk from a tin (not from a cartoon).
• Water – you only need to use plain old water here since much flavor will be added via the coconut milk.
• Salt – your favorite salt will work well here and see below for some spice suggestions.

How To Cook Instant Pot Coconut Rice

Get full ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.

1. Add the water, coconut milk and salt into the Instant Pot insert, followed by the rice and mix well.
2. Close the Instant Pot and seal, select the pressure cook (or manual) button and select high pressure and set the timer to 5 minutes.
3. When done let the pressure release naturally for 8 minutes before quickly releasing the rest of the pressure.
4. Fluff the rice and let stand for another 5 minutes before serving.

Tips For Success

• Make sure to rinse the rice till it runs clear and drain before cooking.
• Fluff and let the rice sit for a few minutes before before serving.
• Be sure to mix the coconut milk well if it has separated. I find it easy to microwave it in a bowl before mixing if it has separated.

Delicious Variations

• Cook with stock – use stock instead of water for extra flavor.
• Add fragrant spices – add spices e.g. cinnamon stick, cloves cardamom pods etc.
• Add citrus – a squeeze of lemon juice and some zest make a huge difference.
• Add heat – some red pepper flakes or cayenne is an easy way to add heat.

Budget Friendly Tips

• Use any long grain rice you have on hand.
• You can easily use half the coconut milk and extra water.

Storage and Meal Prep

• Store – Store cooled leftover rice straight away in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Freeze – Allow to cool in an airtight container and freeze straight away for up to 6 weeks.
• Reheat – allow to thaw over night in a refrigerator and reheat in the microwave until it is pipping hot.

Meal Prep – This is a great recipe for meal prep. Cook once and eat for days.

• This recipe stores for 4 days so you can eat it on the day you cook it plus for more days.
• Separate leftover rice into eating size portions in airtight meal prep containers (microwave safe) and let cool completely with lids off, close them and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave.
• To vary it up through the week, feel free to add in other leftovers like cooked veggies, curries, stir fries, chicken and more.

Should You Wash The Rice Before Cooking?

You have probably seen the debate on various websites about using washed vs. unwashed rice. Should you rinse your rice before adding it to the Instant Pot? 

To reduce the amount of starch on this, and to reduce the possibility of the burn notice, I suggest you rinse it under a tap till the rice runs clear, before cooking. Make sure you drain it very well before cooking so you don’t add in any extra moisture (so no soggy rice).

More Side Dishes You Might Like

• Instant Pot Red Potatoes.
• Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice.
• Ramen Noodle Stir Fry.
• Smothered Green Beans.
• Smothered Cabbage.

Tools Needed

• Instant Pot.
• Measuring cups and spoons.
• Best ever sea salt flakes.
• A spatula for mixing and fluffing.