This easy Instant Pot Coconut Rice recipe is delicious and versatile, with a delicate coconut flavor and no added sugar. Serve it with a spicy curry, sautéed vegetables, or your favorite main dish. This flavorful side dish can be made in less than 30 minutes.

bowl of instant pot coconut rice with chives on top.

No matter the time of year, a bowl of warm, cooked white rice is just so comforting and versatile. And, this easy recipe for Instant Pot Coconut Rice is as simple as it gets.

All you have to do is combine rinsed rice, a can of coconut milk, and some water into your electric pressure cooker. In less than 30 minutes, you’ll have one of the best flavorful and fragrant rice recipes you’ve ever had.

Serve your perfect rice with almost any main dish. It’s one of my favorite ways to make plain rice taste fancy!

Why You Need This Recipe

  • This recipe has only two main ingredients: rice and full fat coconut milk.
  • You can prep it in less than 5 minutes! Pressure cooker rice is always fluffy and goes great with your favorite recipes including Thai curries.
  • Instant Pot Coconut Rice is naturally vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, with no added sugars.

Key Ingredients

ingredients to make instant pot coconut rice.
  • Coconut milk plus water acts as the liquid base to cook the rice in this recipe. For best results, use full-fat canned coconut milk.
  • White rice is budget-friendly and easy to find. I like to use a long-grain basmati rice (see my article on the health benefits of basmati rice). When cooked in the coconut milk, it transforms into a stick rice that is a delicious side dish. Check the recipe card below for details on using brown rice.

Please see the full recipe card below for the exact measurements.

Recipe Steps

Step One

Place your long-grain white rice in a fine-mesh colander and give it a good rinse until the water runs clear.

This step is necessary to remove any dirt, and to prevent the grain from burning in the pressure cooker.

white rice in a fine mesh colander for rinsing.

Step Two

Next, pour the rinsed rice, unsweetened coconut milk, and water into a 6-quart Instant Pot (see my guide on how to use the Instant Pot Duo).

Stir and then lock on the lid. Make sure the valve is in the sealing position.

Please see the recipe card at the end of this post for the exact ingredients and measurements.

ingredients for coconut rice in the pot of a pressure cooker.

Step Three

Set the cook time to 6 minutes at high pressure. Then, when the cooking time is complete, let the pressure come down naturally for about 5 minutes using the natural pressure release.

Then, use the quick release to release the remaining pressure.

Carefully remove the lid and stir the dish before serving.

cooked coconut rice in the instant pot.

I hope you love this flavorful side dish as much as I do! It is really versatile, but I think it goes best with Asian-inspired dishes such as curries, stir-fries, or teriyaki dishes.

Recipe Tips

  • Be sure to rinse the rice well before cooking to make sure it doesn’t burn in the Instant Pot.
  • You can use full-fat coconut milk if you prefer. This will make the coconut rice very decadent and full of tropical coconut flavor.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to five days in the refrigerator. Or, you can freeze any leftovers for up to several months.
  • If you choose to use brown rice, you’ll need to increase the cook time to 22 minutes.
  • If you prefer a sweet coconut rice, feel free to add 1-2 tablespoons of sugar to the pot before cooking.
  • You can also serve your cooked coconut rice with a squeeze of fresh lime juice.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use light coconut milk to make coconut rice?

Yes, but the rice will be less rich tasting.

What kind of white rice should I use for coconut rice?

You can use any long grain white rice including basmati or jasmine rice.

Can I make rice in a 3-quart mini Instant Pot?

Yes, but you need to cut the recipe in half.

Can I use coconut water in this recipe?

Coconut water is not traditional for making coconut rice. Use canned coconut milk instead.

How do I prevent getting the burn notice when cooking rice in the Instant Pot?

Be sure to rinse the rice well before adding to the Instant Pot. You may also want to add a little extra water. And, if you find that your rice sticks to the pot, you can try spraying the pot with a nonstick cooking spray before you add the rice and coconut milk to the pot.

More Easy Instant Pot Rice Dishes You Might Like

I gave away my rice cooker when I realized how great rice turns out in the Instant Pot. Try these other easy Instant Pot recipes using simple ingredients.

Don’t Miss These Instant Pot Resources!

How to Make Instant Pot Boiled Potatoes (All Sizes)

How to Use the Instant Pot Duo (For Beginners)

25+ Healthy Instant Pot Side Dishes

Instant Pot Meal Prep Gift Guide (Plus Recipes)

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bowl of cooked white rice with chives on top.

Instant Pot Coconut Rice (2-Ingredients)

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5 from 1 review

Print Recipe

This easy Instant Pot Coconut Rice recipe is delicious and versatile, with a delicate coconut flavor and no added sugar. Serve it with a spicy curry, sautéed vegetables, or your favorite main dish. This flavorful side dish can be made in less than 30 minutes.

  • Total Time: 27 minutes
  • Yield: 8

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 2 cups long-grain white rice, rinsed and drained in a fine-mesh colander
  • 1 13.5–ounce can full-fat coconut milk
  • 1 1/2 cups water

Instructions

  1. In the base of a 6-quart Instant Pot, combine the rinsed rice, coconut milk, and water. 
  2. Lock the lid on the pot and set the time to 6 minutes and high pressure. 
  3. When the cooking time is complete, let the pressure come down naturally for about 5 minutes. Then, use the carefully quick-release to release the remaining pressure.
  4. Remove the lid and use a serving spoon to stir and serve the rice.

Notes

  1. You can easily double this recipe.
  2. Store any leftovers in a tightly-sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Or, you can freeze leftovers for up to 2 months. Defrost and reheat before serving.
  3. If you choose to use brown rice, you’ll need to increase the cook time to 22 minutes.
  • Author: Carrie Forrest, MPH in Nutrition
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 6 minutes
  • Category: Side dish
  • Method: Instant Pot pressure cooker
  • Cuisine: Asian-inspired
  • Diet: Vegan

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/8 of recipe
  • Calories: 266
  • Sugar: 0.1 g
  • Sodium: 9.9 mg
  • Fat: 10.9 g
  • Saturated Fat: 9.4 g
  • Carbohydrates: 38.4 g
  • Fiber: 0.6 g
  • Protein: 4.3 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

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About the Author: Carrie Forrest is the author of the best-selling Instant Pot-authorized cookbook, The Healthy Meal Prep Instant Pot Cookbook. She has a master’s degree in public health with a specialty in nutrition and receives over 5 million annual visitors to her site. Send Carrie a message through her contact form.