I’m not sure why I didn’t try making coconut rice in the Instant Pot before. I’ve had my pantry stocked with coconut milk for over 10 years, and it was just in the last couple years that I’ve tinkered with making coconut rice.

Making coconut rice in an Instant Pot is even better.

I’m not sure I’ll be able to make any kind of Thai curries with plain rice from now on.

Do you have an Instant Pot yet? It’s so fun hearing about people getting them for the first time! The excitement, the initial trepidation, then gingerly trying out a first recipe, and then the relief when their kitchen doesn’t actually explode.

And then after a while when they get comfortable they wonder how they ever survived without one.

I have two Instant Pots (I bought a second when I was working on my Instant Pot cookbook and it made sense to have two).

They’re both 6 quarts and I LOVE having two. Sometimes I have both of them going. Sometimes I grab the insert pot from the second one if the first one is storing something and I don’t feel like washing it out.

It works out nicely.

When someone gets an Instant Pot or another kind of electric pressure cooker and asks me which Instant Pot recipes they should try first, I usually tell them to start with a simple recipe, like rice. It’s an easy recipe and you can’t really mess it up.

While I don’t recommend getting an Instant Pot JUST for making rice, it does its’ rice cooker job quite nicely.

You can either use the rice function or if you want to shave a few minutes off the cooking time, use the manual setting for 8 minutes at high pressure and let it sit for 4-5 minutes at natural release before releasing the steam valve.

Ok, about this Instant Pot coconut rice recipe. Depending on the coconut milk you use and the temperature of your kitchen, your coconut milk may have separated with hardened cream sloshing out of the can.

This is totally fine. Just stir it around a bit and a high pressure Instant Pot cycle will take care of the rest.

What kind of rice is best for coconut rice?

We usually buy jasmine or basmati rice. Those fragrant rices are super tasty. You could definitely use regular long-grain white rice for this. If you use brown rice, that’s fine, too, just know the coconut flavor won’t be as strong.

You can use short grain or long grain rice. Short grain has a higher starch content and will be a bit more sticky. Rinsing the rice 2-3 times before cooking will take care of some of the starch and you’ll end up wit more fluffy rice.

What kind of coconut milk is best?

I use full-fat coconut milk all the time, but you could use light coconut milk in this if you wanted to.

Another note — I add a little sweetener to my coconut rice, just to give it a little hint of sweet. But, this is totally optional.

What if I get a burn notice?

If your coconut milk is really thick, you might want to swap out some of the coconut milk for a cup of water or coconut water. Some Instant Pot models are more sensitive to burn notices.

Can I make this on the stove top?

Sure! I included instructions for this in the recipe card.

Mmm. Seriously so good.

You’ll have to stir it well when it gets done, and it’ll be a little stickier than regular steamed rice, but that flavor is AMAZING. Adding some toasted coconut flakes would add even more coconut flavor and texture!

It stores well in an airtight container for later and is a perfect side dish for any kind of Indian/Thai curry dishes, Asian dishes, and Hawaiian/Polynesian recipes. That first photo up there shows it with a Quick Thai Fish Curry!

What to Serve with Coconut Rice

These recipes would also be great with this coconut rice!

Mango Chicken Curry — An oldie from Perry’s Plate (and in desperate need of an update!), but still such a great recipe. Mango + coconut is a stellar combo.

Easy Thai Chicken Curry for Instant Pot — Another reason to get a second Instant Pot. Heh.

Paleo Thai Grilled Chicken with “Peanut” Sauce — Yes. Just do this. That peanut sauce with this coconut rice?! I may have to throw that on my menu next week.

Ahi Tuna Poke Bowls  — Poke bowls don’t typically have coconut rice, but I think it’s a fabulous idea.

Grilled Malibu Chicken — Anything with pineapple automatically goes with coconut. Yes? Maybe?

Continue to Content

Instant Pot Coconut Rice

Yield: Serves 6-8

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Instant Pot Coconut Rice is just a few ingredients, but has such a great flavor and compliments so many ethnic dishes! Try it the next time you make a curry!

Print

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups long grain white rice, like basmati or jasmine
• 2 - 13.5 ounce cans of coconut milk (full-fat and light are both fine)
• 2 teaspoons sea salt
• 3-4 Tablespoons sweetener of choice (I use monkfruit sweetener or coconut sugar)

Instructions

1. Rinse the rice under cold water for about 2 minutes or until the water runs clear.
2. Put the rinsed rice, coconut milk, salt, sweetener, and 1 cup of water into the insert pot of your Instant Pot or other type of multi-cooker. Stir everything together well -- especially if the coconut milk has separated and the cream has hardened.
3. Place the lid on your Instant Pot, sealing it closed and moving the steam valve to "sealing".
4. Cook on high pressure for 5 minutes.
5. When the pressurization time is over, let the cooker sit, naturally releasing pressure for about 10 minutes before manually releasing the rest of the steam.
6. Remove the lid and stir the rice around a bit with a fork to fluff it up. Cover to keep warm until ready to serve.

Notes

Stovetop adaptation: Add the rice, coconut milk, 1 cup of water, sea salt, and sweetener in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce to low heat, cover, and let it simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let it sit, covered for 10 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork and serve immediately.

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  Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Saute, Yogurt Maker, and Warmer, 6 Quart