How to make Rice Pilaf in Instant Pot Step by Step Guide
Rice pilaf, one of the popular dishes in the Middle East, Mediterranean, and Central Asia, is one of those recipes rich in flavors, fluffy structure, and overall a very good side dish or main course. Making it in an Instant Pot makes it even simpler and saves a great deal of time while providing equally tasty results. Whether it’s dinner for the family or entertaining guests, you’re going to love this step-by-step guide on cooking the perfect rice pilaf in your Instant Pot.
We will cover the ingredients, steps, tips for success, and variations that make the perfect rice pilaf in the Instant Pot.
Rice pilaf is a dish of sautéed rice in oil or butter with tasty broth. Often, there are some added vegetables, herbs, spices and, occasionally, meat or seafood. The actual magic of a good rice pilaf comes from the step of lightly toasting the rice grains before finishing them in the hot broth, which brings nutty depth into the dish and also helps the rice fluff and separate.
This is a whole different step in cooking rice pilaf in an Instant Pot. Cooking time is greatly reduced and comes out perfect every single time.
Ingredients for Instant Pot Rice Pilaf
A basic pilaf is quite straightforward. It consists of the following ingredients:
- 1 cup long-grain rice (such as basmati or jasmine rice)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (or butter)
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth, according to your preference
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, use less if preferred
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric or saffron, To add colors and flavor
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley for garnish
- You can also add peas, carrots, toasted almonds, raisins according to your preference.
These ingredients make for a delicious and variable base. You can add protein – chicken, shrimp, or beef – or spices – cinnamon, cumin, or bay leaves – to give it another level of depth.
Instant Pot Rice Pilaf How to Do It
Step 1: Rinse the Rice
Use cold running water to rinse the rice in a fine-mesh strainer until the water is clear. This will eliminate excess starch, so grains cook airy rather than sticky. Set aside in a bowl the rinsed rice.
2. Saute the Aromatics
Set your Instant Pot to the “Sauté” mode and bring the pot up to its temperature for 1 minute. Then melt in the olive oil or butter in the pot.
- Put the chopped onion and stir-fry over about 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until it is softened and slightly translucent.
- Use the minced garlic and stir-fry for another 30 seconds, until fragrant.
Though onions and garlic are a basically fundamental part of your pilaf, it is to be seen that these two create a mouth-watering base to your pilaf, hence giving you a creamy flavor with a slight savory taste.
3. Toast the Rice
Add rinsed rice to the Instant Pot. Stir with the rice to coat grains with oil and aromatics. Let rice sauté about 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Toasting rice provides a nutty flavor and helps grain separation during cooking.
4. Introduce Broth and Spices
Now add chicken or vegetable broth to slightly cover the rice. Add salt, black pepper, and any other seasonings you like, such as ground turmeric or saffron threads.
Turmeric: This spice gives the pilaf a subtle flavor and lends a beautiful golden hue. Or, instead of turmeric, you can use a pinch of saffron and create a more luxurious feel.
Bay leaf: You can also add a bay leaf to give it that additional aromatic flavor.
Mix everything together for just a few seconds over the mixture.
5. Pressure Cook the Rice Pilaf
Cancel the “Sauté” function on your Instant Pot. Close the lid with the pressure valve set to “Sealing” mode. Use the “Pressure Cook” or “Manual” mode and set it for 4 minutes at high pressure.
Although the cooking time is short, note that the Instant Pot will take about 10 minutes to build up to pressure before the cooking time will begin.
6. Natural Release the Pressure
After the cooking time has finished at 4 minutes, turn off the Instant Pot and allow it to naturally release its pressure for 10 minutes. Finally, with caution, open the valve to “Venting”, and let the last of the steam out.
This natural bleed of pressure allows the rice to finish its final steps of cooking calmly, not mushy nor overcooked.
7. Fluff and Garnish
With all pressure released, you can now open the lid of the Instant Pot. Fluff the rice with a fork by gently lifting to separate the grains. If you are adding extras, such as peas, carrots, or raisins, you can stir them in at this point.
Finally, sprinkle chopped parsley on top of the rice pilaf to have that pop of color and freshness.
Tips to Make the Fluffiest Rice Pilaf in Your Instant Pot
1. Use the Right Rice for the Job: Basmati or jasmine long-grain rice is your best bet when it comes to pilaf; it will stay fluffy and separate when cooked. You would want to skip short-grain rice, as they’re going to feel sticky.
2. Wash the Rice: Wash the rice before cooking to remove excess starch. This contributes to the fluffy texture’s ideal creation.
3. Roast the Rice: Roast the rice with oil or butter prior to adding the broth; this brings out its flavor as well as separating the grains while cooking.
4. Flavored Broth: Use either chicken or vegetable broth to flavor your pilaf. If you want to have an added depth of flavor, use homemade broth or good-quality store-bought broth.
5. Natural Release for Instant Pot: Let the pressure inside the Instant Pot be naturally released for at least 10 minutes to prevent the rice from turning mushy, that will help keep the moisture inside without it becoming too soggy for the rice.
6. Experiment with Add-Ins: You can customize your rice pilaf by adding vegetables like peas, carrots, or bell peppers, as well as proteins like chicken or shrimp. Toasted nuts and dried fruits, such as almonds and raisins, also make excellent additions.
Tips for making of Rice Pilaf in an Instant Pot
1. Vegetable Rice Pilaf
For a vegetarian-friendly version, add diced carrots, peas, and bell peppers when you add the broth to the Instant Pot. You can also toss in spinach or kale towards the end of cooking for nutrients.
2. Chicken Rice Pilaf
For an even more filling meal, you can brown small pieces of chicken breast or thighs with the onions and garlic in the pan. Then simply follow the remainder of the recipe. The pressure cooker will finish cooking the chicken along with the rice.
3. Seafood Rice Pilaf
For a seafood twist, stir in cooked shrimp or scallops into the cooked rice. Let the residual heat of the cooked rice gently warm the seafood, then fluff the rice with a fork.
4. Flavored Pilaf: Spiced Rice Pilaf
You can take it up a notch by adding cinnamon and cumin and a whisper of cloves. Combined with saffron or turmeric, these spices give the pilaf a heady aroma and a flavor that stretches well across the spectrum of Middle Eastern and Indian comfort foods.
5. Herb Pilaf
For a herbaceous light and fresh taste, stir in chopped fresh herbs like cilantro, dill, or mint. Add herbs to your Rice Pilaf at the very end of cooking, once it is cooked through, to allow the bright freshness of the herbs to shine through in the dish. This goes nicely with grilled vegetables or meats.
Servings for Rice Pilaf
Rice pilaf is so versatile-it can be served with almost any meal. Try one of these ideas:
- Side Dish: Serve over roasted chicken, grilled fish, or lamb kebabs.
- Main Course: Add chicken, beef, or shrimp to make the pilaf a delicious main dish.
- There are many great opportunities to serve pilaf with a side – here are a few of my favorites: Serve with a dollop of Greek yogurt or tzatziki for a creamy, tangy contrast.
- Serve alongside a fresh cucumber-tomato salad or leafy green salad to round out the meal.
Conclusion
Rice pilaf cooked on the Instant Pot is, without a doubt, a culinary surefire success-it is extremely easy and, while so nutrimental and fluffy as a side or main course. In this aromatic, savory rice pilaf, all of the very few basic ingredients will come together in less than 30 minutes on your table. Results will be perfect every time with virtually no effort on your part thanks to the Instant Pot.
Whether you want to make it the traditional way or add your own add-ins and spices, rice pilaf will soon become a favorite in your home.