Instant Pot Water-to-Rice Ratio
Instant Pot rice ratios and cooking times for white, brown, basmati, jasmine, sushi and wild rice — no more mushy rice.
Instant Pot rice fails most often because the water ratio is wrong for that variety. This chart gives the water-to-rice ratio, cooking time, and release method for the rices people actually cook, so you get separate, fluffy grains instead of a sticky pot. Rinse rice first unless you want a creamier result.
Quick-Reference Table
The full data from this cheat sheet, right on the page.
| Rice | Water : Rice | Pressure Cook | Release | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White long-grain | 1 : 1 | 3 min High | 10 min natural | Rinse until water runs clear |
| Jasmine | 1 : 1 | 3 min High | 10 min natural | Fluff gently |
| Basmati | 1 : 1 | 4 min High | 10 min natural | Soak 20 min if you like longer grains |
| Sushi / short-grain | 1 : 1.1 | 5 min High | 10 min natural | Slightly sticky by design |
| Brown rice | 1 : 1.25 | 22 min High | 10 min natural | Needs much longer cooking |
| Wild rice blend | 1 : 1.5 | 25 min High | 10 min natural | Check packet — blends vary |
| Red / black rice | 1 : 1.25 | 20 min High | 10 min natural | Rinse well |
| Parboiled / converted | 1 : 1.25 | 8 min High | 10 min natural | Very forgiving |
Printable Sheet Preview
High-Contrast Layout
Download Your Free Printable Sheet
Download the printable PDF below. It is the same sheet shown in the preview above, ready to print on US Letter or A4 — open it and choose Print, with Scale set to Fit to Page.
💡 Pro Printing Tip: In your printer settings, set Scale to “Fit to Printable Area” and enable “Background Graphics” for color headers.
How to Print & Use This Chart
Print on US Letter or A4 and keep it near the Instant Pot, ideally taped inside a pantry door or on the fridge. In the print dialog choose “Save as PDF” for a PDF copy and set the paper size to Letter (USA/Canada) or A4 (UK) — the layout fits both. Laminating is worth it here because rice cooking happens with wet hands and steam, and a laminated sheet survives splashes that would ruin plain paper. If you cook rice weekly, this one sheet replaces searching the same ratio on your phone every time.
For best results, rinse rice in a fine sieve until the water is mostly clear, level the rice in the pot so it cooks evenly, and do not stir after adding water. Use the natural release time in the chart — opening early leaves the centre undercooked, while a full quick release can make rice gummy. Let the rice rest with the lid on for the stated release, then fluff with a fork, not a spoon, to keep grains separate. For brown and wild rice, do not shorten the time to match white rice; they genuinely need 20-plus minutes. If rice sticks, add a teaspoon of oil or butter before cooking and make sure the sealing ring is seated correctly so no steam escapes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why is my Instant Pot rice mushy?▼
Too much water is the usual cause. Use the ratio for your exact variety, rinse first, and do not add extra water ‘just in case’.
Should I rinse rice?▼
Yes for white, jasmine and basmati — it removes surface starch and gives fluffier grains. Skip rinsing only for risotto-style dishes.
Can I double the recipe?▼
Yes, keep the same ratio. Cooking time stays the same; only the time to reach pressure increases.
What if the rice is still hard after release?▼
Close the lid and let it steam on Keep Warm for 5–10 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons of hot water only if it is very dry.