20+ Instant Pot Indian Rice Recipes

Here is my collection of the best Indian rice recipes that are made in the Instant Pot. From basic steamed rice to pulao and biryani, you will also find vegan, vegetarian, and meat-based recipes, as well as desserts.

Instant Pot for Indian cooking

Is Instant Pot suitable for Indian cooking? The answer is YES!

The use of a stovetop pressure cooker is very common in Indian cooking. It is very common to cook dals, beans, and meat, as well as rice dishes like pulao, in a stovetop pressure cooker. Whether you're preparing dals, beans, meat, or rice dishes like pulao, the Instant Pot simplifies the process.

The Instant Pot does not require any monitoring (or minimal monitoring in some cases), whereas, in a stovetop pressure cooker, the food needs to be literally babysat to get the perfect taste and texture without burning it.

Plain Rice in Instant Pot

Here are the basic and most commonly made white rice recipes that you can make in the Instant Pot. Each of them has a different water ratio and cooking time.

Basmati Rice

Learn how to make perfect Instant Pot Basmati rice with this ultimate guide. This set-and-forget method gives you light and fluffy rice that won't clump together. Elevate your curries or stews with delicious, aromatic, and fluffy basmati every time.

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Red Rice

If you're looking for a delicious and convenient way to prepare red rice, this Instant Pot recipe is the perfect solution. With its easy-to-follow instructions and perfectly cooked grains, this recipe is a great addition to any meal.

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Sona Masoori Rice

With just water and a set-and-forget approach, you can achieve consistently soft and fluffy rice with ease. Whether you prefer using an Instant Pot or a stovetop, this guide will walk you through step-by-step instructions to ensure your Sona Masoori rice is cooked to perfection.

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Vegan Rice Recipes in Instant Pot

These recipes are perfect one-pot meals if you are following a vegan diet. Pair them with dal for a delicious and easy protein-balanced meal.

Coconut Milk Pulao

Coconut pulao is a wholesome and delicious rice-based dish. This vegetable and rice casserole is naturally gluten-free and vegan. Made without onion and garlic, this easy coconut pulao can be customized to add vegetables of your choice.

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Lemon Rice

Tangy, spicy, and flavorful, this South Indian lemon rice is very easy to make. As the name suggests, the main flavor of this dish is lemon juice.

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South Indian Cabbage Rice

Cabbage rice is a one-pot dish that combines the wholesome goodness of cabbage with the satisfying comfort of rice. Naturally gluten-free and vegan, this Instant Pot cabbage pulao is ready in less than 30 minutes, with less than 10 minutes of hands-on time.

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Tomato Rice

Instant Pot tomato rice is a flavorful dish made with rice, tomatoes, and aromatic spices. Tomato rice is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed in many different ways. It can be served plain or with your favorite Indian dishes, such as raita, chutney, dal, or sambar.

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Coconut Rice

Coconut rice is a fragrant and aromatic South Indian rice dish made with fresh coconut and minimal spices. When made in an Instant Pot, it is ready in 15 minutes, with less than 5 minutes of hands-on time.

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Jeera Rice

Jeera rice is a classic one-pot rice dish that is flavored with cumin seeds and aromatic spices. It is a simple yet flavorful recipe that is perfect as a side dish or base for your favorite Indian curries. The only essential spice needed for this dish is cumin seeds. Enjoy the fragrant aroma and delicious taste of this traditional dish with this easy jeera rice recipe.

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Vegetable Pulao

Vegetable pulao is rice and vegetables cooked together with flavorful and aromatic spices. This Karnataka style pulao is made using a masala base of spices, herbs, and coconut. Made this easy one-pot dish in an Instant Pot for a perfect weekday meal.

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Chickpea Pulao

Instant Pot Chickpea Pulao is a quick and flavorful one-pot dish that combines tender chickpeas with aromatic spices and fragrant basmati rice. With the convenience of the Instant Pot, this vegan and gluten-free recipe is ready in no time.

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Methi Rice

Methi rice or methi pulao is a flavorful one-pot dish made with fenugreek leaves, rice, and minimal spices. Prepared in an Instant Pot using frozen fenugreek leaves, it is ready in just 20 minutes, requiring only 5 minutes of hands-on time.

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Vegetarian Rice Recipes in Instant Pot

Here are some vegetarian recipes you can easily make in the Instant Pot. From the coveted biryani to the humble khichdi, make them all in the Instant Pot.

Vegetable Biryani

Experience the flavors of aromatic spices and perfectly cooked rice and vegetables with this delightful vegetable biryani recipe. Prepared in the Instant Pot, this convenient one-pot dish brings together the essence of traditional biryani with a simplified cooking method.

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Paneer Biryani

Easy paneer biryani made in the Instant Pot is an aromatic and delicious one-pot dish made with Basmati rice and Indian cottage cheese. This dish is wholesome, aromatic, and flavorful. Perfect for an indulgent weeknight dinner or for parties and gatherings.

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Paneer Peas Pulao

Easy and delicious paneer peas pulao is made with Indian cottage cheese, peas, and Basmati rice. This wholesome one-pot meal is great for picnics, potlucks, and lunch boxes. It is ready in 20 minutes and uses minimal spices.

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Ven Pongal

Ven pongal or khara pongal is a classic South Indian dish made with rice and moong dal (petite yellow lentils). This one-pot dish can be served for breakfast or lunch/dinner. It has a porridge-like consistency and is mildly spiced.

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Kitchari

Kitchari or khichdi is a hearty and nourishing dish that is rich in flavor and easy to prepare. Made with a blend of rice, lentils, and warming spices, this gluten-free meal can be cooked in just 30 minutes, making it a great option for busy weeknights.

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Sweet/Dessert Recipes in Instant Pot

Making Indian desserts in Instant Pot is a great way of saving time and energy. It gives you the perfect result that tastes just like authentic versions.

Instant Pot Kheer

Indulge in a bowl of creamy and decadent Indian rice pudding, also known as kheer, made with three main ingredients - rice, milk, and sugar. Making it in an Instant Pot electric pressure cooker is incredibly easy and saves time. In just 20 minutes (with less than 5 minutes of hands-on time), you will have a rich and luscious kheer that's sure to impress your family and friends.

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Chana Dal Payasam

Easy and delicious chana dal payasam is made using Bengal gram, rice, and jaggery. This refined sugar-free sweet is perfect for festivals and celebrations. Making it in the Instant Pot saves time and gives perfect taste and texture.

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Sweet Pongal

Sweet Pongal is a refined-sugar-free dessert made using rice, moong dal, and jaggery as the main ingredients.

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Non-vegetarian Rice Recipes in Instant Pot

Non-vegetarian food is a term commonly used in India for food that has meat, fish, or eggs in it. It is more commonly called non-veg food. Not just for food, it can be used for a person too. A person eating meat is a non-vegetarian in Indian English. Egg too is not classified as vegetarian for Indians. Well, they are called "eggitarians".

Here are some easy meat dishes that are great for weeknight meals, parties, or feeding a crowd.

Chicken Pulao

Instant Pot chicken pulao is a delicious one-pot meal that combines tender chicken with fragrant rice and aromatic spices. Made with moist chicken pieces, this Indian-style chicken and rice casserole is a flavorful and satisfying dish that can be prepared in 20 minutes. The rice is cooked to perfection, and the subtle flavors from the whole spices perfectly complement the tender chicken, making it a hit with the whole family.

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Check my other recipe collections here:
1. Instant Pot paneer recipes.
2. Instant Pot lentil recipes.
3. Instant Pot desserts.
4. Instant Pot curries.
5. Instant Pot chicken recipes.
6. Instant Pot soups.

Recipe card

Instant Pot Vegetable Biryani

Experience the flavors of aromatic spices and perfectly cooked rice and vegetables with this delightful vegetable biryani recipe. Prepared in the Instant Pot, this convenient one-pot dish brings together the essence of traditional biryani with a simplified cooking method.

5 from 54 votes

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Author: Shilpa Kerur

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Indian

Servings: 6

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Equipment

• ▢
  Instant Pot

Ingredients

• ▢ 2 cup basmati rice
• ▢ 3 tablespoon ghee (use store-bought or homemade ghee)
• ▢ 1 large onion thinly sliced
• ▢ 2-3 cloves garlic grated or ½ tablespoon garlic paste
• ▢ 2 inch ginger grated or 1 tablespoon ginger paste
• ▢ ½ cup yogurt whisked
• ▢ 2 tablespoon cashew optional
• ▢ 1 tablespoon almonds optional
• ▢ 1-1½ teaspoon salt adjust as per taste
• ▢ ½ cup cilantro chopped
• ▢ ½ cup mint leaves chopped
• ▢ 2-3 tablespoon milk
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon saffron

Vegetables:

• ▢ 1 small potato chopped
• ▢ 1 small carrot chopped
• ▢ 6-8 green beans cut into 1 inch pieces
• ▢ ¼ cup peas
• ▢ 8-10 florets cauliflower

Spices:

• ▢ 1 teaspoon black cumin shah jeera
• ▢ 6 green cardamom
• ▢ 2 small pieces cinnamon
• ▢ 6 cloves
• ▢ 2 bay leaf
• ▢ 1 star anise
• ▢ 1 black cardamom optional
• ▢ ½ teaspoon ground pepper
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
• ▢ ½ teaspoon chili powder or as per taste

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Instructions

• Wash the rice thoroughly and soak in sufficient water for 30 minutes.
• Soak the saffron strands in warm milk. Set aside.
• Set Instant Pot in saute mode and add ghee.
• Add whole spices (black cumin, clove, green cardamom, black cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, pepper, star anise, and bay leaf) and saute for a few seconds.
• Add onions and saute until golden brown. Add ginger and garlic and saute for one minute. Add cashews and almonds and mix well.
• Add salt, turmeric, and chili powder and mix well. Add chopped vegetables and saute for 1-2 minutes.
• Add whisked yogurt. Mix well. Spread the vegetables to cover the IP. After this stage, do not mix.
• Add cilantro and mint leaves. Spread them over the vegetables.
• Drain water from the soaked rice and add to the IP. Spread evenly. Next, add the saffron milk.
• Add 2 cups of water gradually. It is important not to add all the water in one go as this may mix up the layering.
• Close the IP lid and seal the vent. Set the Instant Pot to pressure cook mode and cook for 5 minutes. Do a quick release of the pressure.
• Veg biryani is ready to be served.

Video

Notes

Use long grain Basmati rice. It has a great aroma and long grains that when cooked correctly, are separate, non-lumpy, and do not stick to each other. Before using the rice, rinse it well under running water to remove excess starch. This will help prevent the rice from becoming sticky when cooked.

For an authentic tasting biryani, use all the spices I used in this recipe. But if you do not have access to any of the spices, you may skip them. You can also sprinkle garam masala or biryani masala when layering the vegetables for added flavor.

When layering the rice and vegetables in the Instant Pot, make sure to distribute them evenly. Avoid mixing them together. This will help ensure that the rice cooks properly and remains fluffy. When adding water, make sure you add it gradually and slowly. We do not want to mix up the layering.

Calories: 395kcal | Carbohydrates: 65g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 612mg | Potassium: 445mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1814IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 102mg | Iron: 2mg

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