Solo Supper: Cooking Perfect Rice for One in the Instant Pot

Ever wished you could cook a perfect single portion of rice easily, without a burn notice and with no rice stuck to the bottom of the pot? AND even better, what if you could even get 10 minutes off to do other things while it’s cooking? Well there is a way and it's easier than you think! We're going to use a method called the 'pot-in-pot' method to do this and I recommend all Instant Pot owners learn this method as it’s so handy for cooking small portions and doing a whole range of other creative cooking tasks too. So here’s my instructions for cooking with Basmati Rice using this pot in pot method and you can just adapt for other rice dishes as you go. I’ve added my video at the bottom to give you the full visual guide.

What you need for Pot in Pot Cooking:

• Your Instant Pot

• A trivet with fixed legs and high enough to raise your pot above the minimum water level.

• A pressure cooker-safe bowl - I like stainless steel for this but there are a whole lot of bowl and trivet combos out there so pick something that works for you.

• Lastly, you'll want a silicon or other lid to fit over your pot-in-pot bowl. And That’s it!

How long it takes

Cooking a single portion of white basmati rice will take 20 minutes end to end, BUT most of this isn’t active cooking time.

The rice will take about 3-5 minutes for pre-heat and pressure cooking and 10 minutes for natural pressure release

And that leaves you you'll have about 10-15 minutes of free time to get on with whatever else is on your list while the Instant Pot does its magic. This is one of my favourite things about Instant Pot Cooking.

Rice to water ratio for Instant Pot Basmati or Jasmine Rice

I use a 1:1 ratio of rice to water for White Basmati Rice. This also works well for Jasmine Rice.

If you prefer your rice a little fluffier, just add another quarter cup of water.

Timings for Instant Pot White Basmati Rice (Pot in Pot)

• 3 minutes Pressure Cook High

• 10 minutes natural pressure release
  
  For step by step instructions see the recipe card below or watch the video:

Watch the Video Walkthrough

Click the image to watch the video on my YouTube Channel

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Recipe Card: Instant Pot Basmati Rice for One

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Instant Pot Basmati Rice for One

Serves: 1-2

Recipe by: Susan Kelly

Prep time: 2 MinCook time: 3 MinChill out time: 15 MinTotal time: 20 Min

Even if you have the standard or large Instant Pot, you can still cook small portions of rice - just use the 'pot in pot' method and you'lll have perfect rice every time

Ingredients

You will need

• 1/2 cup (85g) white basmati rice
• 1/2 cup (125ml) cold water
• (plus the minimum amount of water needed for pressure cooking in your Instant Pot Model)

Steps

1. Rinse 1/2 Cup (85g) of Dry Basmati Rice until the water runs clear. This helps to remove excess starch and keeps your rice from clumping together.
2. Put your rinsed rice into the pot-in-pot bowl. Add equal parts water - so for 1/2 cup of rice, you'll add 1/2 cup (125ml) of cold water. Cover with a silicon or other pressure cooking safe lid.
3. Set Up the Instant Pot: Add your minimum recommended amount of water in the inner bowl of the Instant Pot. I’m using the Instant Pot Pro 5.7L (6Q) which needs 1.5 cups. Check your manual if you don't know what it is for yours.
4. Now add your trivet and place the rice in its ‘pot in pot’ bowl right on top.
5. Now, you're ready to cook. Add the Instant Pot lid and seal then set the Instant Pot for 3 minutes on pressure cook high/manual high. You can turn off the “Keep Warm’ function as we won’t be needing this.
6. It will take a few minutes to come to pressure, depending on your model, then move to the 3 minute pressure cooking time.
7. Once the time is up, let the Instant Pot do a natural pressure release for 10 minutes then open your lid and remove the pot in pot bowl carefully, using a tea towel or oven glove.
8. Remove the pot in pot lid, fluff with a fork and enjoy your rice!

Did you make this recipe?

Let me know by tagging me @cookingandcalm on instagram and use hashtag #instantpotrice #instantpotrecipes #cookingcalm