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 one of my favorite ways 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! Serve it alongside curry, stir fry, or just as a side with some protein and veggies to spice up a weeknight dinner as we do.
We love making rice in the instant pot is our go-to way. It’s honestly the most frequent recipe made in our Instant Pot. The method is just so simple and hands-off compared to the stove. That being said, you can make this on the stove – scroll through the post to see how!
Why we love instant pot coconut rice
- quick and easy – all you need is an instant pot and a few ingredients. Just dump, mix it up, and let the instant pot do the work for you.
- SO tasty – sweet, aromatic, and absolutely delicious.
- easy source of carbohydrates – white rice is great for active individuals
- adds some variety – the flavor adds a nice change to mealtime instead of your usual white rice and can be used for different occasions.
- 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 nut milk bag or in a fine mesh strainer and rinse until the water runs clear, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add all your ingredients. Add your white rice, coconut milk, and salt to your instant pot. Stir well to combine.
- Pressure cook your rice. Close the instant pot lid and set the vent to sealing. Place the manual setting on high pressure and set it to 3 minutes. Once done, let the pressure naturally release until the pressure is released, 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 with giving the rice lots of coconut flavor, but not having it burn.
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 nut milk bag and run it under 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 heat to medium-low, and let simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring frequently until the desired doneness. Fluffy 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
- 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
- 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.
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. 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 nut milk bag or in a fine mesh strainer and rinse until the water runs clear, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add all your ingredients. Add your white rice, both coconut milks, and salt to your instant pot. Stir well to combine.
- Pressure cook your rice. Close the instant pot lid and set the vent to sealing. Place the manual setting on high pressure and set it to 3 minutes. Once done, let the pressure naturally release until the pressure is released, about 16-18 minutes. Mix well to combine.
- Enjoy! Fluff rice with a fork and enjoy. I like garnishing with a little cilantro.
nancy says
excellent!! I cant believe how much flavor that had but it was not heavy at all! Adefinite must as an alternative to plain rice!!
Sunny says
Easy to make and tasted great with any dish.
Kelly says
Glad you enjoyed it Sunny! Thanks for trying it!