This easy recipe for Instant Pot Chinese style rice makes a tasty spice-infused rice in 30 minutes with 30 seconds hands on time. This light and healthy Chinese rice is tasty, quick and easy to make in your Instant Pot or other electric pressure cooker. Ideal for an after work mid week meal, with takeaway or home cooked fakeaway.
Instant Pot Chinese Style Rice
I love rice. If I had to choose between rice, pasta and potatoes forever, I think that I’d probably pick rice (I know – no more chips).
A bowl of freshly cooked fragrant basmati rice with a drizzle of good quality soy sauce or tamari is one of my favourite comfort foods. Ideal for soothing migraines, hangovers, coughs, colds and all manner of malaise. Rice is usually the first thing I turn to after an upset tummy – endlessly delicious, soothing and comforting.
My Instant Pot electric pressure cooker is my favourite way to cook rice now, giving me perfect fluffy rice every time, (including my pressure cooker pilau rice). I simply throw in equal volumes of basmati rice and liquid and cook for 3 minutes on high, with at least an 18 minute natural pressure release. How easy and fuss free is that?
My Chinese style rice is flavoured with vegetable broth, a smidgen of 5 spice (my secret ingredient when you want to make anything Chinese style), soy sauce and a drizzle of sesame oil.
Even better this Instant Pot Chinese style rice is ready in 30 minutes with less than 30 seconds hands on time.
How to make Instant Pot Chinese Rice
Step One – Gather your ingredients – in this case basmati rice, sesame oil, Chinese 5 spice, stock, and a good quality soy sauce (or tamari if you need this to be gluten free).
Throw it all in the Instant Pot, and give it quick swirl to mix. Check you have the rubber sealing ring fitted to the lid of the Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker and set the steam release handle or weight to seal.
Step Two – Programme to cook on high pressure for 3 minutes with keep warm switched on. Once cooked allow natural pressure release (NPR) for 18–25 minutes before releasing any remaining pressure.
Step Three – Fluff the rice with a fork and add a little more soy sauce or tamari if needed before serving.
Tamari or Soy Sauce?
The short answer is that (generally) tamari is Japanese soy sauce which is darker, richer and less salty than soy sauce.
I find tamari more intense, complex and rounded and generally prefer it. But a good quality tamari is usually more expensive than soy sauce, but I think it is worth the extra.
Gluten and Tamari & Soy Sauce
- Soy sauce – made with both wheat and soy (contains gluten)
- Tamari – usually made with soy and possibly a little wheat (usually gluten free but ALWAYS CHECK THE LABEL)
Once cooked, serve this Chinese style pressure cooker rice with your favourite takeaway or fakeaway. I enjoy a bowl on its own garnished with sliced chillies, spring onions (scallions) and coriander (cilantro). You can also use it as a base for making special fried rice, frying up your favourite meat and veg before adding the rice to the pan.
Can I make Pressure Cooker Chinese Rice Ahead?
You can make this ahead, and it will reheat in the microwave. However, it is so easy there is no need to make this ahead. If you do make it ahead of time, be sure the rice is cooled and then store it in the fridge for no more than 48 hours. Make sure you reheat it thoroughly before serving.
Can I Freeze Instant Pot Chinese Style Rice?
I’m a big believer in cook once and eat twice. This recipe has been written to make a double portion that will exactly fill two standard plastic takeaway trays. Pack leftovers into takeout trays, allow to cool and then freeze. Grab a tub from the freezer and defrost in the fridge, or microwave from frozen.
More Rice One Pots and Rice Dishes
- Spanish chicken
- Greek chicken
- Moroccan chicken
- Nandos rice
- Spicy rice
- Mushroom rice
- Pilau rice (Pressure Cooker Pilau rice)
- Leftover chicken biryani
- Leftover turkey biryani
- Leftover lamb biryani
- Other easy rice recipes
Recipe converted to cup measurements and tested July 2020.
Pressure Cooker Chinese Style Rice (Instant Pot)
Ingredients
- 1 cup (1 cup) white basmati rice (200g)
- 1 cup (1 cup) vegetable broth or stock (240ml)
- 1/2 tsp (1/2 tsp) five spice mix
- 2 tsp (2 tsp) sesame oil
- 2 tsp (2 tsp) soy sauce (or tamari)
To serve
- fresh coriander / cilantro
- spring onions / scallions (chopped)
- chillis (chopped)
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients into the Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker and give a quick swirl to mix.
- Check you have the rubber sealing ring fitted to the lid of the Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker, put the lid on and set the steam release handle or weight to seal.
- Programme to cook on high pressure for 3 minutes with keep warm switched on.
- Once cooked allow natural pressure release (NPR) for 18 – 25 minutes before releasing any remaining pressure.
- Serve as a stand alone dish with your choice of garnishes, or as a side for your favourite take or fakeaway.
Notes
- Use regular white or white basmati rice for this. not quick / easy cook or minute type rice.
- Use hot broth or stock so the Instant Pot comes to pressure quicker and speeds up the total cooking time.
- You an increase quantities, but don’t make less of this recipe as the Instant Pot needs a full cup of liquid to come to pressure. If in doubt check the user manual for your electric pressure cooker.
- Leftovers freeze well.
- This recipe is 5 Weight Watchers Smart Points per portion
Fiona Manoon
It looks very yummy.
Thanks for sharing such a delicious recipe with us.
Helen
It is a very tasty recipe.
Olivia
A great easy to make and quick recipe. Just the kind of thing I love for meals during the week.
Helen
Perfect for mid-week meals.
Alice
I love using my Instant Pot, and this is a great example of why. Delicious and healthy and a perfect family meal.
Helen
The Instant Pot is so helpful.
Stephanie
This sounds so easy and like the ultimate bowl of comfort food. I still haven’t broke down and bought an Instant Pot yet but been seriously thinking about it.
Helen
Such a useful addition to the kitchen.
Tawnie Kroll
Love the Instant Pot so much – this rice was so flavorful and easy, thank you!
Helen
Using the Instant Pot is so easy, it’s great.
Veena Azmanov
I love Chinese style food and this looks flavorful and yummy. Love the Instant Pot cooking option to making this Rice.
Helen
It is a very tasty recipe.
SHANIKA
Rice in an Instant Pot sounds like a plan! Looks great!
Helen
So easy to do.
Emily
I love how quickly this Chinese Rice comes together in an Instant Pot. I just got one for Christmas but haven’t used it too much yet. This recipe is a good excuse to get it out!
Helen
The perfect reason to get started using it.
Zara Douglas
I do like a tasty rice dish, and this sounds wonderful. Great for a weekday meal.
Helen
Ideal for busy days.
Neil Barns
Savoury rice is always a winner in our house. Making it in the Instant Pot is really useful and time saving.
Helen
Such an easy method to use.
Victoria
I got an Instant Pot for Christmas and I love it, this would be a great idea to make.
Helen
So easy to make using the Instant Pot.
Kevin Williams
This sounds so tasty Helen, I really enjoy savory rice dishes like this. Handy to have on busy days.
Helen
Ideal for days with limited time.
Wendy M
A very handy recipe to have for a simple and tasty meal.
Graeme
This rice sounds delicious and flavorsome. Good use of the Instant Pot.
Becca
A tasty and easy rice dish to make in no time. Would be something I’d make on weekdays when time is short.
Andrea Bloom
Chinese rice sounds delicious. I love stuff like this, good hot or cold. I’d happily take this to work for my lunch.
Christie Kirk
I like a nice healthy and tasty rice dish, this would be ideal for taking to work. Easily made the night before.
Lily
I love the flavours of Chinese rice. This would be really good with tofu. Great meal idea.
kim
This recipe is so easy and has so much flavor! It’s a new go-to!
Tania | Fit Foodie Nutter
I love how quick and easy this recipe is Helen! Who needs a Chinese takeaway now?! And I’m a big believer in make once and eat twice too, so I’ll be definitely making this recipe.
Jen
So much easier making this in the instant pot! We had enough for dinner and even some leftovers for lunch. Loved it!
Andrea Metlika
The bowl of rice looks perfect. Really like using Tamari on it.
Meeta
rice is such a staple for us at our home. this is such a great way to prepare rice. i have not gotten an instant pot yet … but i am really thinking about it.
Nellie
This looks so good! I am adding it to my Paprika App to include in my family meal rotation. Thanks for sharing!
Cathy
Do you rinse & soak your basmati rice first?
Helen
Hi Cathy, I never rinse rice. If you want to rinse it and then add a tablespoon less water.