Rice is a staple in our house. We make it a couple of times a week for an easy side dish with some protein and veggies at dinner. While classic white rice is always good, this instant pot coconut rice is my favorite way to make rice!
It’s rich, a little bit creamy, and has a touch of sweetness. If you don’t like coconut, it doesn’t taste a ton like coconut, just has more of the sweetness to it. Once you make it, you are going to be obsessed!
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Serve it alongside curry, stir fry, or just as a side with some protein and veggies to spice up a weeknight dinner like we do. Plus, this method is so simple and hands-off compared to making it on the stovetop. That being said, you can make this on the stove – scroll through the post to see how!
Why you’ll love instant pot coconut rice recipe
- quick and easy – all you need is an Instant Pot and a few simple ingredients. Just dump, mix it up, and let your pressure cooker do the work for you.
- SO tasty – sweet, aromatic, and absolutely delicious.
- adds some variety – the flavor adds a nice change to mealtime, making it the perfect side dish.
- great for meal prep – it makes a decent amount and saves great for leftovers for the week.
Ingredients
- jasmine rice
- full-fat coconut milk – for maximum coconut flavor!
- lite coconut milk – for more coconut flavor, but lightens it up some.
- salt
How to make instant pot coconut rice
- Rinse your rice. Place rice in a fine mesh strainer or sieve and rinse under cold water until the water becomes clear, about 2-3 minutes. Shake to let any excess water drain off.
- Add all your ingredients. Add your white rice, coconut milk, and salt to your Instant Pot. Stir well to combine.
- Pressure cook your rice. Place the lid on the Instant Pot and make sure the valve is set to seal. Pressure cook on manual (high pressure) for 3 minutes. Once done, allow for a natural pressure release, about 16-18 minutes. Mix well to combine.
- Enjoy! Fluff rice with a fork and enjoy. I like garnishing with a little cilantro.
Will coconut milk burn in the Instant Pot?
Coconut milk will not burn in the Instant Pot if you have enough liquid in your recipe. For this coconut rice recipe, we are using a can of light coconut milk, which has more water, to help thin out the coconut milk. This helps give the rice lots of coconut flavor, but without it burning.
Do you have to rinse rice before cooking?
Yes, I suggest rinsing your rice before cooking. This helps remove the excess starch, which can cause your rice to stick together when cooking. It can also help remove any coating that some companies will put on rice (to make it shinier). I simply add the rice to a fine mesh strainer and run it under cold water until the water becomes clear.
Can I make coconut rice on the stovetop?
To make coconut rice on the stovetop, first, rinse the rice. Next, combine rice, coconut milk, and salt in a saucepan. Cover with a lid and bring to a boil. Remove the lid and reduce the heat to medium-low, and let simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring frequently until the desired doneness. Fluff with a fork and enjoy.
What to serve with coconut rice
- thai chicken curry – the perfect pairing
- stir fry – try this beef and cabbage stir fry
- with some fresh mango for a mango sticky rice vibe
- alongside meat or seafood and veggies for any easy dinner – shredded or ground beef, pork, chicken, shrimp, or salmon are all delicious with coconut rice!
Storage and reheating
- refrigerator – store rice in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- freezer – cook according to directions and let the rice cool completely. Add to a bag (we love these silicone reusable ones) or a freezer dish. You can use a large container or freeze in individual servings. Defrost for a quick and easy side dish. Rice should last up to 3 months in the freezer.
- reheating – either reheat it by popping it in the microwave for a few minutes, or you can reheat it in a pot on the stove. Add 1-2 tablespoons of water to help rehydrate the rice.
Substitutions
- jasmine rice – any kind of long-grain white rice (either jasmine or basmati rice) should work. I have not tested brown rice, and you will need longer cooking times if using it.
- coconut milk – the use of one can of full-fat coconut milk and one can of light coconut milk helps give you lots of coconut flavor, but enough liquid so your Instant Pot doesn’t give the burn notice. Make sure to use unsweetened coconut milk. I have not tried adjusting the recipe.
More healthy side dishes
- fried sweet plantains
- air fryer carrots
- roasted delicata squash
- air fryer french fries
- greek chickpea salad
If you love quick and easy meals and want to learn how to build a balanced plate, check out our FREE How to Build a Balanced Plate Guide!
Instant Pot Coconut Rice
equipment
ingredients
- 2 cups jasmine rice
- 1 can (13.5 ounces) full-fat coconut milk
- 1 can (13.5 ounces) lite coconut milk
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
instructions
- Rinse your rice. Place rice in a fine mesh strainer or sieve and rinse under cold water until the water becomes clear, about 2-3 minutes. Shake to let any excess water drain off.
- Add all your ingredients. Add your white rice, coconut milk, and salt to your Instant Pot. Stir well to combine.
- Pressure cook your rice. Place the lid on the Instant Pot and make sure the valve is set to seal. Pressure cook on manual (high pressure) for 3 minutes. Once done, allow for a natural pressure release, about 16-18 minutes. Mix well to combine.
- Enjoy! Fluff rice with a fork and enjoy. I like garnishing with a little cilantro.
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I loveeeee it!!! It was easy to make. I was hesitant to make rice well coconut rice in the instant pot. I found her recipe and she make it look so easy so I try it. Was amazing…. Love the texture of the rice and also the flavor, the best part was that at the end of the pot I had the crust of the rice in Spanish we call it (pega/cucayo de arroz) I give her 5stars for preparation,flavor and the price.
So glad you enjoyed it so much! It really is so easy! Thanks, Carolina!
excellent!! I cant believe how much flavor that had but it was not heavy at all! Adefinite must as an alternative to plain rice!!
Right?! It’s a favorite around here. Glad you enjoyed it, Nancy!
Easy to make and tasted great with any dish.
Glad you enjoyed it Sunny! Thanks for trying it!