Instant Pot Coconut Rice is a quick and flavorful side dish that's a breeze to make in your Instant Pot.
This dish combines fragrant jasmine rice with creamy coconut milk and a touch of pandan.
The result is a rich and aromatic rice that pairs beautifully with a variety of main courses.
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This no fuss Instant Pot coconut rice recipe is simple to make and ready in no time.
The Instant Pot's pressure cooking feature ensures that the rice becomes perfectly tender and infused with the tropical notes of coconut.
This dish is a favorite in many Asian and South American cuisines and serves as a fantastic accompaniment to a wide variety of curries, stews, and grilled dishes, adding a creamy contrast to your main course.
If you are after a stovetop version of this dish, you might like to check out this easy coconut rice recipe.
Other delicious rice dishes you can make in the Instant Pot include yellow rice, basmati rice, arroz caldo, and fragrant jasmine rice.
What rice is best to use?
The best type of rice for coconut rice is typically long-grain rice, such as jasmine or basmati. These varieties have a fragrant aroma and produce fluffy, separate grains that complement the creamy coconut flavor.
Their slightly nutty and floral notes pair well with the sweetness of coconut milk, creating a harmonious and aromatic dish.
However, you can use other types of rice, like medium-grain, if you prefer a stickier texture, but long-grain rice is the most commonly used choice for coconut rice.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- This Instant Pot coconut rice recipe is gluten free, vegan friendly, and vegetarian.
- Coconut rice works great as a side dish to many dishes, including curries, grilled meats or grilled vegetables, and even with a simple salad or salsa.
- Coconut rice in the Instant Pot is easy to make and ready in no time.
- Great for meal prep.
- Serve at different occasions including weeknight dinners, pot lucks, Christmas, or even Thanksgiving.
Cost To Make
Estimated cost = $3.75, or $0.63 a serve
Ingredients
Please note that below is a guide for some of the ingredients we used in the recipe. The printable recipe further down the page has the complete list of ingredients, including quantities and step-by-step instructions.
- Jasmine Rice
- Water
- Coconut Milk: Use an unsweetened coconut milk.
- Pandan Leaf: Tie your pandan leaf into a knot before placing in your pot.
- Salt
Equipment
Instant pot 6 quart (5.7 litre)
Instructions
This recipe for Instant Pot coconut rice with coconut milk serves 4 to 6.
Step One: Rinse your rice until the water runs clear. Completely drain off all water and then place in the Instant Pot.
Step Two: Add the water, coconut milk, pandan leaf, and salt to the Instant Pot. Mix together. Taste for seasoning, add more salt if desired. Make sure your rice sits evenly along the bottom of the Instant Pot.
Step Three: Close the lid of the Instant Pot and place the steam release valve in the sealing position. Select Pressure Cook, high pressure, for 3 minutes. The Instant Pot will take about 5 to 10 minutes to come to pressure. After this, it will start to count down.
Step Four: When the cook time has finished, press cancel. The screen should say OFF.
Step Five: Allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for at least 10 minutes (or until the silver pin has dropped). After 10 minutes, you can quick release (manually release) any remaining pressure by turning the steam release valve to venting.
Step Six: Remove the lid of the Instant Pot when all pressure has been released and fluff the rice. Serve.
Substitutions / Variations
- If you don’t have pandan leaves, you can omit them from the recipe or use pandan essence.
- Add some lime zest to make a coconut lime rice.
- Top with or mix through toasted coconut flakes before serving.
Serving Suggestions
Some ways we love to serve this pressure cooker coconut rice include with:
- Grilled meats such as chicken, fish, or beef.
- A curry, like Thai green curry or rendang
- Mango salsa
- Grilled pineapple and shrimp skewers
- A simple salad like mango and avocado salad
- Vegetable stir fry
Storage
This Instant Pot coconut rice can be stored in an air tight container in the fridge for 2 to 3 days.
FAQ
Yes, it's perfectly fine to use coconut milk in an Instant Pot. It's a common ingredient for adding flavor and creaminess to various dishes.
Coconut milk can curdle in a pressure cooker if exposed to high heat or acidic ingredients. Gentle cooking and adding it later in the recipe can help prevent curdling.
If your coconut rice lacks coconut flavor, it might be due to dilution with too much water or using low-fat coconut milk. Adjust the liquid and coconut milk ratio for a stronger coconut taste.
Boiling coconut milk vigorously can cause it to separate and turn grainy due to its high fat content. It's best to simmer it gently to maintain its creamy consistency.
Because you are using coconut milk, you will find that the bottom of the rice will become slightly crisp. This is because of the oils in the coconut milk. Because of this your Instant Pot may say “Burn” when you are making this rice.
If you receive this message, press CANCEL on your Instant Pot. Then let the rice sit, with the lid still on, for 15 to 20 minutes.
After this you can open the lid, but make sure there is no pressure in your Instant Pot (make sure the silver pin has dropped – you may need to manually release pressure).
You should find that the steam that had built up in the Instant Pot has cooked your rice during that time. After this, gently fluff the rice.
What rice is used for what?
Ever wondered which might be the best rice to use for a dish you’re about to make.
Or maybe you’re just curious and want to know more about rice in general.
Why not check out our pages on what is basmati rice and what is jasmine rice.
Helpful Rice Cooking Tips
Want to know how to cook rice or just need a little refresher?
Check out how to easily cook basmati rice, sushi rice, and jasmine rice on the stovetop.
Or, why not check out our recipes on how to make basmati rice, jasmine rice, and sushi rice in the Instant Pot.
Made this recipe? Let us know how it went in the comments below! We'd love to hear how it turned out.
Recipe
Instant Pot Coconut Rice
Equipment
- Instant Pot 6 Quart (5.7 litre)
Ingredients
- 2 cups (400 grams, 14.01 ounces) jasmine rice
- 1 ½ cup (375 ml/grams, 13.23 ounces) water
- ½ cup (125 ml/grams, 4.41 ounces) coconut milk unsweetened
- 1 pandan leaf
- ¼ teaspoon salt or to taste
Instructions
- Rinse your rice until the water runs clear. Completely drain off all water and then place in the Instant Pot.
- Add the water, coconut milk, pandan leaf, and salt to the Instant Pot. Mix together. Taste for seasoning, add more salt if desired. Make sure your rice sits evenly along the bottom of the Instant Pot.
- Close the lid of the Instant Pot and place the steam release valve in the sealing position. Select Pressure Cook, high pressure, for 3 minutes. The Instant Pot will take about 5 to 10 minutes to come to pressure. After this, it will start to count down.
- When the cook time has finished, press cancel. The screen should say OFF.
- Allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for at least 10 minutes (or until the silver pin has dropped). After 10 minutes, you can quick release (manually release) any remaining pressure by turning the steam release valve to venting.
- Remove the lid of the Instant Pot when all pressure has been released and fluff the rice. Serve.
Notes
After this you can open the lid, but make sure there is no pressure in your Instant Pot (make sure the silver pin has dropped – you may need to manually release pressure).
You should find that the steam that had built up in the Instant Pot has cooked your rice during that time. After this, gently fluff the rice.
Pat says
Had to come back and say thanks. Your recipe really saved me the other day when I needed to make coconut rice in a hurry!