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Home » Sides » Perfectly Cooked Red Rice in Instant Pot

Perfectly Cooked Red Rice in Instant Pot

by Shilpa · 17 Comments

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Whole grain red rice is a variety of rice that is colored by a component called anthocyanin. Healthier when compared to white rice, it has a slightly chewy texture with an earthy and nutty flavor. Making it in an Instant Pot saves time and gives you perfectly cooked grains.
red rice in instant pot

Red rice step-by-step recipe with video and photos.

Jump to:
  • About this recipe
  • Ingredients
  • Step-by-step instructions
  • Useful tips
  • Serving suggestions
  • FAQs
  • Bonus
  • Recipe card
  • Comments

About this recipe

Whole grain red rice is a variety of rice that gets it color from anthocyanins. It has a red/maroon bran, giving it a distinctive red color. It has a longer cooking time than white rice and also requires more water to cook.

When cooked well, it has a slightly chewy texture with an earthy and nutty flavor. The cooked grains are plump and bigger when compared to regular white rice. It does not have the beautiful aroma that Basmati rice has, but it is unique in its own way. It is also considered the most nutrient-dense among the different varieties of rice.

This variety of rice gets its color from a component called anthocyanin, which is rich in antioxidants, essential minerals, and nutrients. It is also a good source of dietary fiber and is known to have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.

There are many varieties of this rice, for example, Thai cargo rice, Himalayan rice, Bhutanese rice, matta rice. In South India, a variety of red rice is popular, known as Kerala matta. Also called rose matta rice or Palakkad matta rice, it is widely eaten in Kerala.

Traditionally, this rice is soaked overnight (or for a few hours) and is slow-cooked with no soaking. However, making it in an Instant Pot requires no soaking and the cooking time is also less when compared to cooking it on a stovetop. Read on for FAQs, serving suggestions, and step-by-step instructions.

perfect red rice.

Ingredients

raw red rice ingredient shot.

Red rice: This is the main ingredient.

Water: Where possible, use filtered water.

Step-by-step instructions

Wash the rice thoroughly in cold water. Drain all the water and add it to the inner pot of the Instant Pot (steps 1 and 2).

Add 1½ cups of water and give it a good mix. Secure the IP lid and set it to Pressure cook mode (high) for 20 minutes (steps 3 and 4).

wash and pressure cook.

Do a natural release of pressure (this may take 15-18 minutes). Open the lid and gently fluff up the rice (steps 5 and 6).

mix gently.

Useful tips

I used one measuring cup of uncooked rice, which gave me approximately 4 cups of cooked rice. This recipe can be doubled, tripled, or halved as needed.

You can add ½ teaspoon salt for seasoning. However, traditionally, when making plain steamed rice, seasoning is not added.

Do not do a quick release of pressure. This dish needs a natural release of pressure. Quick pressure release can make the rice clumpy and sticky.

kerala rose matta rice made in instant pot.

More Instant Pot grain recipes:

  1. Perfect basmati rice.
  2. Sona masoori rice.
  3. Red rice.
  4. Sorghum.

Serving suggestions

You can replace it with your regular white rice and can pair it with curries of your choice. This rice is also perfect for making salad or grain bowls and fried rice. Here are some delicious recipes you can pair it with.

  • Black Eyed Peas Curry in Instant Pot
  • Instant Pot Cabbage Dal
  • Whole Masoor Dal (Instant Pot Lentil Curry)
  • Instant Pot Goat Curry (Mutton Curry)

FAQs

Is this the same as brown rice?

No. While both the varieties have the hull removed (with bran and germ intact), red rice has more nutrients when compared to brown rice. Red rice gets its unique red/maroon color from anthocyanins, which also makes it rich in antioxidants. Brown rice also has a lesser shelf life.

Is red rice the same as wild rice?

Again, no. Wild rice is technically not rice. It is grains from four species of grass that grow in North America. It too is very rich in nutrients and antioxidants. Wild rice has the longest cooking time and needs more water to be cooked when compared to other rice varieties.

What to serve with Kerala matta rice?

It can be paired with both rich curries as well as plain yogurt. See the 'serving suggestions' above for some delicious recipes to serve with Kerala rice. It can also be used to make fried rice, grain bowls, and porridge.

How to store cooked red rice?

It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week. Cool the rice, portion it, and place it in an air-tight container before storing it.

What is the rice-to-water ratio?

I use the ratio of 1:1.5 in this recipe, which gives me perfectly cooked grains that are fluffy, separate, and not clumped together.

cooked kerala matta closeup.

Bonus

This recipe:
- is tried and tested
- gives the perfect texture
- is very easy to make and saves time when compared to the stovetop cooking method

red rice.

If you liked this recipe, please don't forget to give a 5-star rating and leave a comment below.

Recipe card

red rice in instant pot

Perfectly Cooked Red Rice in Instant Pot

Whole grain red rice is a variety of rice that is colored by a component called anthocyanin. Healthier when compared to white rice, it has a slightly chewy texture with an earthy and nutty flavor. Making it in an Instant Pot saves time and gives you perfectly cooked grains.
5 from 37 votes
Print Pin Rate
Author: Shilpa
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Indian
Servings: 4
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 cup red rice
  • 1½ cups water

Instructions

  • Wash the red rice thoroughly in cold water.
  • Drain all the water and add it to the inner pot of the Instant Pot.
  • Add 1½ cups of water and give it a good mix.
  • Secure the IP lid and set it to Pressure cook mode (high) for 20 minutes.
  • Do a natural release of pressure (this may take 15-18 minutes).
  • Open the lid and gently fluff up the rice.
  • Serve warm with curry of your choice.

Video

Notes

See the tips section for useful tips to make this dish.
Nutrition Facts
Perfectly Cooked Red Rice in Instant Pot
Amount per Serving
Calories
190
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
1
g
2
%
Saturated Fat
 
1
g
6
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
1
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
1
g
Sodium
 
10
mg
0
%
Potassium
 
228
mg
7
%
Carbohydrates
 
40
g
13
%
Fiber
 
3
g
13
%
Sugar
 
1
g
1
%
Protein
 
8
g
16
%
Vitamin A
 
10
IU
0
%
Calcium
 
15
mg
2
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

More Sides

  • Laccha Pyaz / Lachha Pyaaz (Indian Onion Salad)
  • Kosambari (Indian Carrot and Lentil Salad)
  • Cabbage Palya / Cabbage Poriyal (South Indian Cabbage Stir-fry)
  • How to cook Sorghum

Reader Interactions

Comments

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Ashley says

    March 23, 2022 at 1:50 pm

    5 stars
    Easy and tasty dish!

  2. Nicola says

    March 23, 2022 at 3:59 pm

    5 stars
    I love red rice! Such a fun texture. And great to learn how to cook it properly as I always forget with rice.

  3. Sue says

    March 23, 2022 at 4:40 pm

    5 stars
    I've never seen red rice, but love hearing that it's even healthier than brown rice! If I can make it in my Instant Pot, I'm totally going to give it a try!

  4. nancy says

    March 24, 2022 at 4:17 pm

    5 stars
    another great rice recipe.

  5. Jean Nie says

    March 26, 2022 at 8:42 am

    5 stars
    I love red rice, havent tried adding salt tho. Will try it too. thanks

  6. Tavo says

    March 26, 2022 at 10:17 am

    5 stars
    Very helpful guide! Thank you. I used the rice to make stuffed peppers and it was perfect.

  7. Jacqui says

    March 26, 2022 at 1:31 pm

    5 stars
    A great and easy to follow recipe! Turned out delish, thank you for sharing.

  8. Chantry says

    March 26, 2022 at 3:30 pm

    5 stars
    I can't wait to try this! I have never made red rice at home but it seems so easy.

  9. nancy says

    March 26, 2022 at 4:50 pm

    5 stars
    lovely red rice recipe. didn't know there are so many types of rice

  10. Katie says

    March 26, 2022 at 9:18 pm

    5 stars
    This was so helpful! It turned out perfect and delicious!

  11. Michelle says

    March 27, 2022 at 6:51 pm

    5 stars
    This came out perfectly for me! I love that you did the work of perfecting this rice recipe so I don't have to. Thank you!

  12. Allyssa says

    July 25, 2022 at 7:52 am

    5 stars
    Thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe! Will surely have this again! It's really easy to make and it tasted so delicious! Highly recommended!

  13. Liz says

    July 25, 2022 at 8:17 am

    5 stars
    A friend recently turned me on to red rice and now I'm hooked! I love being able to make it in an Instant Pot!

  14. Shelby says

    July 25, 2022 at 8:48 am

    5 stars
    I love how easy this is to whip up but mostly I love that my kids thought the color was super cool! Great side dish or base toa bowl.

  15. Amanda says

    July 25, 2022 at 9:10 am

    5 stars
    This truly turned out perfectly! The Instant Pot made the process so convenient too. This will be my new go-to method for cooking red rice, for sure.

  16. Mandy Applegate says

    July 25, 2022 at 9:22 am

    5 stars
    My red rice was perfect first time - a great instant pot recipe!

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