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Instant Pot Coconut Rice

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Instant Pot coconut rice is an easy and flavorful side dish to serve with your favorite curries and stir fries. Super easy and foolproof when made in a pressure cooker!

Instant Pot coconut rice is an easy and flavorful side dish to serve with your favorite curries and stir fries. Super easy and foolproof when made in a pressure cooker!
closeup of coconut rice in bowl with spoon
coconut rice in bowls

Coconut rice is a flavorful rice made with coconut milk and goes so wonderfully with meals from all over the world! This simple recipes is so easy you just add all the ingredients to the Instant Pot and let it do all the work for you!

Try this with turkey curry, instant pot pineapple chicken, Hawaiian bbq grilled chicken, shredded cuban beef bowls, or thai turkey meatballs.

closeup of coconut rice in bowl with spoon

Ingredients needed:

This fail proof recipe is quick and easy and only needs 5 everyday ingredients! 

  • Rice – I suggest using jasmine rice for this recipe.
  • Coconut Milk – Full fat coconut milk (in the can) gives the best results.
  • Sugar – Just a pinch of sugar helps to balance the flavor of the rice and bring out the coconut flavor. You can omit this if you really want, but it really gives a much better flavor.
  • Water – You need to add some water to thin out the coconut milk and help it cook right without getting a burn notice on the pressure cooker, and to help the rice not get mushy.
  • Salt – Helps the rice cook and brings out the flavor.
image of three bowls with rice and spoons

How to make coconut rice in the Instant Pot

For the full set of ingredients and directions, please make sure to scroll down to the recipe card below.

  1. Rinse the rice until the water is fairly clear.
  2. Add the rice, coconut milk, water, sugar, and salt to the instant pot insert.
  3. Stir to mix and dissolve the sugar.
  4. Place the insert into the pressure cooker and close the lid.
  5. Make sure the pressure knob is in the locked position, and cook on high pressure for 3 minutes.
  6. Allow the pot to naturally release pressure for 7 minutes, and then carefully do a quick release to remove any remaining pressure. (Please be careful, remember the steam that comes out is hot!)
  7. Fluff the rice with a fork, then allow to sit for a minute before serving.
  8. If desired, top with toasted coconut.

*NOTE: While many pressure cookers have a “rice” button, I don’t recommend using it because the coconut milk can affect how the pressure cooker comes to pressure. 

prepping coconut rice

Recipe Tips

  • For the best results, make sure you rinse your rice in water until the water runs clear. 
  • Fluff the cooked rice with a fork and let it sit for a minute or two before serving.
  • Adding some toasted coconut flakes on top of the rice really makes the flavor pop! 

Storage Information

This rice can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Reheat in the microwave until hot.

rice in grey bowl topped with toasted coconut

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of rice should I use?

For this recipe, I recommend using jasmine or long grain white rice.

Do I really need to wash the rice?

Yes. I firmly believe that rice, especially rice when cooked in a rice maker or Instant Pot, comes out so much better after it has been washed! Washing rice reduces the amount of starch and helps the rice not turn into a sticky gluey mess.

Start by placing the rice in the insert of the pressure cooker and adding just enough water to cover. Use your hand to swish the rice around in the water for about 30 seconds, and then carefully drain the water out. Notice how cloudy white the water is? Now repeat this process until the water that drains off the rice is pretty clear. It will never be perfectly clear, but 4 or 5 rinses should do it.

Why is my coconut rice mushy?

There are two important things you have to follow when making coconut rice in the instant pot:

  • You need to make sure you rinse the rice really well. Because coconut milk is much thicker than water, when you cook the rice the extra starch can make a gluey mushy mess. 
  • You need the proper liquid ratio. Normally rice is cooked in a 1:2 ratio, with twice as much water as uncooked rice. But
bowl with rice topped with toasted coconut

Did you love this recipe? Please leave a comment and recipe rating below!

closeup of coconut rice in bowl with spoon

Instant Pot Coconut Rice Recipe

Instant Pot coconut rice is an easy and flavorful side dish to serve with your favorite curries and stir fries. Super easy and foolproof when made in a pressure cooker!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Kid Friendly Side Dishes
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Additional Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 234kcal
Author: Jenni – The Gingered Whisk

Ingredients

  • 2 cups jasmine rice
  • 1 can 14 ounces coconut milk
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • optional: toasted coconut for garnish

Instructions

  • Rinse the rice until the water is fairly clear.
  • Add the rice, coconut milk, water, sugar, and salt to the instant pot insert.
  • Stir to mix and dissolve the sugar.
  • Place the insert into the pressure cooker and close the lid.
  • Make sure the pressure knob is in the locked position, and cook on high pressure for 3 minutes.
  • Allow the pot to naturally release pressure for 7 minutes, and then carefully do a quick release to remove any remaining pressure. (Please be careful, remember the steam that comes out is hot!)
  • Fluff the rice with a fork, then allow to sit for a minute before serving.
  • If desired, top with toasted coconut.

Notes

Leftovers can be stored in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 234kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 223mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 12g

2 Comments

  1. The pinch of sugar and salt really makes the coconut flavor shine. Love this rice!

  2. Katherine says:

    I love who easy this is, but makes rice extra special!

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