Instant Pot Coconut Rice

Coconut rice is a delicious vegan and gluten-free side, that compliments a wide range of entrees.  I prepare it by cooking rice in coconut milk, and season it lightly with salt.  Coconut milk adds a creamy and naturally sweet flavor to the rice, which elevates everyday rice into an elegant and flavorful side dish.

In this simple recipe for Instant Pot Coconut Rice, all I do is add all the ingredients to the pot and pressure cook the rice for 6 minutes.  I also included instructions on how to cook in a stove-top sauce pan.

Cooking Instant Pot Coconut Rice using Pot-in-Pot Method (PIP)

I like to cook Coconut rice using the Pot-in-Pot method in my Instant Pot(electric pressure cooker — see FAQ on instant pot). For this, I use any oven safe bowl, or stainless steel pressure cooker container that fits in my pot.

I rinse the rice 2-3 times and if I have the time, soak it for 15-20 minutes. Then, I combine drained rice, coconut milk and salt in a container. Add water to the inner pot, place a trivet and place the rice container on top of that.

I set a cook time for 6 minutes at high pressure, and when it’s done, I wait 10 minutes before manually releasing the pressure (NPR 10). I open the lid once the pin drops, and fluff the rice with a fork. That simple!

The pictures in this article are for coconut basmati rice.  You can also make coconut jasmine rice with the same rice recipe.  Coconut jasmine rice pairs particularly well with Thai dishes.

Water in main pot, rice container on trivet

Pressure cooking rice using Pot-in-Pot method

Click here for more information on Pot-in-Pot cooking (PIP), and Sample Recipes.

Stove-Top Coconut Rice Recipe

1. Rinse the rice in a mesh strainer, until water runs clear, about 2-3 times. If you have the time, soak it for 20-30 minutes. Soaking makes the rice fluffy.
2. Place a Saucepan on high heat. For 1 cup rice, add 1 cup water, 1 cup coconut milk, and salt and, bring the liquid to a boil. Add rinsed and drained rice, stir and reduce the heat to the medium-low. Cover the pot tightly with the lid and cook for 10 minutes.
3. After 10 minutes, turn off the heat. Open the lid and using a fork, gently fluff the rice. Put the lid back on and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Serving Suggestions for Instant Pot Coconut Rice

Coconut Lime Chicken

Thai Green Curry Tofu

Thai Massaman Curry

Jamaican Jerk Chicken

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Easy Coconut Rice: Instant Pot or Stove-top

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

6 mins

Total Time

11 mins

 

Coconut Rice is a flavorful vegan, gluten-free side that pairs well with many asian entrées.  The rice is cooked in unsweetened coconut milk in the instant pot in this recipe.

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Asian

Keyword: Cocunut, Rice, Thai

Servings: 4 people

Calories: 280 kcal

Author: Spice Cravings

Ingredients

• 1 cup Long Grain White Rice Jasmine Rice or Basmati Rice
• 1 cup Coconut Milk
• 1/4 teaspoon Salt

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

1. Cooking in the main pot: Add rinsed and drained rice to the pot, along with coconut milk and salt. Close the lid and turn the pressure knob to sealing position. Press Manual or Pressure Cook, for 6 minutes at high pressure. Wait 10 minutes before releasing the pressure manually (NPR 10), after which turn the knob to 'Venting' position. Open the lid after the pin drops. Using a fork, gently fluff the rice.

   

2. Cooking rice pot-in-pot (PIP): Combine rinsed and drained rice, coconut milk, and salt in an oven safe container. Pour 1 cup water in the inner pot of Instant Pot. Place a trivet and put the rice container on top of that. Close the lid. Valve set to sealing mode. Cook at Manual or Pressure Cook (High) for 6 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes before opening the pot (NPR 10). Open lid. Fluff rice with a fork.

   

3. Using the RICE Button: You can also cook rice using the RICE button, which defaults to cooking the rice at low pressure for 12 minutes. Follow the same NPR times and process.

Stove-top Recipe

1. Rinse the rice in a mesh strainer, until water runs clear, about 2-3 times. If you have the time, soak it for 20-30 minutes. Soaking makes the rice fluffy.

2. Place a Saucepan on high heat. For 1 cup rice, add 1 cup water, 1 cup coconut milk, and salt and, bring the liquid to a boil. Add rinsed and drained rice, stir and reduce the heat to the medium-low. Cover the pot tightly with the lid and cook for 10 minutes.

3. After 10 minutes, turn off the heat. Open the lid and using a fork, gently fluff the rice. Put the lid back on and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Recipe Notes

If you are new to the Instant Pot, please read my FAQ on Instant Pot Terminology and Accessories to learn more.

 

Note: The nutrition facts below are my estimates.  If you are following any diet plan, I recommend cross-checking with your preferred nutrition calculator.

Nutrition Facts

Easy Coconut Rice: Instant Pot or Stove-top

Amount Per Serving

Calories 280 Calories from Fat 108

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 12g 18%

Saturated Fat 10g 50%

Sodium 155mg 6%

Potassium 177mg 5%

Total Carbohydrates 38g 13%

Protein 4g 8%

Vitamin C 0.7%

Calcium 2.3%

Iron 12.4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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