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    Home » Easy Rice Dishes For Dinner

    Oct 20, 2023 · Modified: Nov 11, 2023 by Emily · 1 Comment

    Instant Pot Coconut Rice

    Jump to recipe

    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.

    Coconut rice on a white plate with toasted coconut on top.
    Jump to:
    • What rice is best to use?
    • Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • Cost To Make
    • Ingredients
    • Equipment
    • Instructions
    • Substitutions / Variations
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Storage
    • FAQ
    • What rice is used for what?
    • Helpful Rice Cooking Tips
    • More Mains Recipes
    • Recipe
    • Comments

    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.

    Rice in a white bowl.

    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.

    Ingredients for Instant Pot coconut rice.
    • 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.

    Before cooking rice in 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.

    Cooked rice in Instant Pot.

    Step Six: Remove the lid of the Instant Pot when all pressure has been released and fluff the rice. Serve.

    Close up image of coconut rice.

    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

    Is it okay to put coconut milk in Instant Pot?

    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.

    Does coconut milk curdle in pressure cooker?

    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.

    Why does my coconut rice not taste like coconut?

    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.

    Why can’t you boil coconut milk?

    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.

    What do I do if I get a burn notice on my Instant Pot?

    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.

    Coconut rice on a plate.

    Made this recipe? Let us know how it went in the comments below! We'd love to hear how it turned out.

    More Mains Recipes

    • Hosomaki
    • Jeera Rice Recipe
    • Coconut Rice
    • Instant Pot Basmati Rice
    • Spam Fried Rice
    • Vietnamese Egg Omelette
    • Chorizo Fried Rice
    • Yellow Rice Recipe
    • Lentil Curry
    • What To Serve with Summer Rolls
    • Crispy Rice Paper Rolls
    • Maltese Baked Rice
    • Instant Pot Arroz Caldo

    Recipe

    Rice in a white bowl.

    Instant Pot Coconut Rice

    Emily
    Fluffy, fragrant, and coconut infused Instant Pot coconut rice. This dishes is an easy to make side dish perfect to accompany many different meals.
    PRINT RECIPE PIN RECIPE
    Prep Time 0 minutes mins
    Cook Time 3 minutes mins
    Time To Pressure and Pressure Release 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 23 minutes mins
    ESTIMATED COST : $3.75, or $0.63 a serve
    Course Main Course, Side Dish
    Cuisine Western
    Servings 4 to 6 serves
    Calories 246 kcal

    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

    What do I do if I get a burn notice on my Instant Pot?
    As 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.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1 serveCalories: 246kcalCarbohydrates: 53gProtein: 5gFat: 1gSodium: 13mgPotassium: 76mgFiber: 1g
    Nutrition Disclosure
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it went!

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Pat says

      November 13, 2023 at 9:45 pm

      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!

      Reply

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    Author image.

    Hi, I'm Emily! There's much more to rice than just cooking it on the stove. It's so versatile and you can create so many beautiful dishes with it. From puddings and desserts to main meals and even finger foods. There is something for everyone!

    More about me →

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