Yellow rice is a flavorful and aromatic rice dish known for its vibrant yellow color. This dish is not as complicated as it looks and can be made in no time at all.
This yellow rice in Instant Pot recipe will show you have to easily make yellow rice in a pressure cooker.

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Yellow rice is a great accompaniment to make different dishes and is also great to enjoy on it’s own.
Its simplicity and convenience make it an ideal make-ahead option, allowing you to enjoy its aromatic goodness throughout the week.
The Instant Pot ensures consistently fluffy, perfectly seasoned rice, saving you time on busy weekdays.
What’s more is this yellow rice in the Instant Pot recipe is the perfect side dish to rich, saucy curries, grilled or roasted meats, hearty salads, or even fusion-inspired stir-fries.
So, whether it's a family gathering, a cozy weeknight dinner, or pot luck, or special occasion like Easter or Christmas, this Instant Pot yellow rice recipe is sure to impress.
If you are after a stovetop version of this dish, you might like to check out this easy yellow rice recipe.
Other delicious rice dishes you can make in the Instant Pot include coconut rice, cilantro lime rice, basmati rice, arroz caldo, and fragrant jasmine rice.
Best type of rice to use for Asian style yellow rice
For making yellow rice, the best type of rice to use is long-grain white rice, such as jasmine rice or basmati.
Its fluffy and separate grains work well with the yellow color and flavors typically added through ingredients like turmeric.

Why You'll Love This Recipe
- This yellow rice in Instant Pot recipe is a simple one pot dish meaning clean up is a breeze.
- This recipe for yellow rice is ready in no time, making it great for last minute dinners.
- Yellow rice is gluten free, vegan friendly, and vegetarian.
- Instant Pot yellow rice is great to serve all year round at different occasions, like Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, parties, or even dinners.
Cost To Make
Estimated cost = $4.25, or $1.06 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.

- Vegetable Oil
- Brown Onion: Finely chopped
- Minced Garlic
- Jasmine Rice: You will need to rinse and drain the rice before cooking. Rinse the rice in room temperature water 2 – 3 times, until the water runs clear.
- Turmeric Powder: This is what gives the rice it’s yellow color.
- Water
- Coconut Milk
- Salt and Pepper
Equipment
This recipe uses a 6 quart (5.7 litre) Instant Pot.
Instructions
This recipe for yellow rice in Instant Pot serves 4 to 6.
Step One: Turn on your Instant Pot to saute mode. When the inner pot is hot, add the vegetable oil and chopped onion. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, then add the minced garlic, and the rinsed and drained rice to the pot and saute for a further 1 to 2 minutes. Press cancel on your Instant Pot.
Step Two: Add the water, coconut milk, turmeric powder, 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.

Tips for Success
- Slightly over season the rice with salt because it will give better flavor to the rice.

Substitutions / Variations
Some delicious variations on this easy yellow rice recipe you might like to try include:
- Add some chicken pieces to your dish by cooking them with your onions for yellow rice with chicken.
- Mix through some dried onions, or toasted chopped nuts like cashews or peanuts.
- Add some fresh herbs like chopped coriander to your rice after it’s cooked.
Serving Suggestions
Some ways you might like to serve this yellow rice include with:
- Freshly chopped herbs, like parsley
- Dried onions
- Boiled egg
- Warm naan bread,
- A vegetable stir fry,
- Grilled meats such as chicken or fish,
- Curry,
- Grilled vegetables, like zucchini, bell peppers, and asparagus.
Storage
This Instant Pot yellow rice can be stored in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 2 to 3 days.
FAQ
Cooking time for white rice in an Instant Pot is typically between 4-8 minutes, depending on the type and quantity of rice. It will also take time for the Instant Pot to come to pressure and naturally release as well.
Yes, you can cook packaged yellow rice in a rice cooker by following the appliance's instructions for white rice.
For white rice, use a 1:1 rice-to-water ratio in an Instant Pot.
To make yellow rice, add saffron, turmeric, or other spices for color and flavor to the rice during the cooking process. You can also use pre-packaged yellow rice mix for convenience.
The yellow color in yellow rice primarily comes from spices like saffron, or turmeric.. These spices impart the vibrant hue and add a delightful aroma and flavor to the rice.
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.
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Recipe

Yellow Rice In Instant Pot
Equipment
- 6 quart (5.7 litre) Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 small (120 grams, 4.23 ounces) brown onion finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 2 cups (400 grams, 14.01 ounces) jasmine rice rinsed and drained
- 1 ½ cup (375 ml/grams, 13.23 ounces) water
- ½ cup (125 ml/grams, 4.41 ounces) coconut milk
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt or to taste
Instructions
- Turn on your Instant Pot to saute mode. When the inner pot is hot, add the vegetable oil and chopped onion. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, then add the minced garlic, and the rinsed and drained rice to the pot and saute for a further 1 to 2 minutes. Press cancel on your Instant Pot.
- Add the water, coconut milk, turmeric powder, 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.
Polly says
Great recipe, thanks.