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    Home » Instant Pot

    Instant Pot® Black Rice

    Published: Apr 9, 2020 · Modified: Oct 30, 2023 · Leave a Comment

    This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Jump to Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    Love black rice, but don’t love cooking it on the stovetop? Here’s an easy tutorial to make Instant Pot black rice (also called forbidden rice) with an easy lime dressing.
    Love black rice, but don’t love cooking it on the stovetop? Here’s an easy tutorial to make Instant Pot black rice (also called forbidden rice) with an easy lime dressing.

    Love black rice, but don’t love cooking it on the stovetop? Here’s an easy tutorial to make Instant Pot black rice (also called forbidden rice) with an easy lime dressing.

    Black rice with lime dressing in a serving dish.

    I've been playing a little game in my kitchen lately.

    It's called, What random things are hiding in the back of my pantry?

    It's a fun game, I promise. Especially when I rediscover fun treats like black rice.

    In the past, I've cooked black rice on the stovetop, and it worked perfectly.

    However, since I've somewhat recently discovered that the Instant Pot makes the best rice in the world, I wanted to make Instant Pot black rice!

    Is there a bag of black rice in the back of your cabinet too? Here's what to do with it!

    Want more Instant Pot rice help? Try making Instant Pot basmati rice, Instant Pot jasmine rice, and Instant Pot brown rice.

    What Kind of Black Rice Should I Use?

    This recipe is for short-grain black rice.

    I usually buy Forbidden Rice from Lotus Foods, but grab whatever type of short-grain black rice you can find.

    Keep in mind that short-grain black rice and black sticky rice are not the same type of rice. I have not tested this recipe with black sticky rice.

    Short-Grain Black Rice (Forbidden Rice).
    Short-Grain Black Rice (Forbidden Rice)

    What Does Black Rice Taste Like?

    It's a nutty, earthy rice.

    It reminds me of brown rice, but with a little more flavor complexity. It's delicious.

    When cooked, this rice is soft and fluffy, but a little denser than white or brown rice. Think of it as a cross between brown and wild rice.

    If your cooked rice is extra sticky and dense, it isn't done cooking.

    Will This Instant Pot Black Rice Stain?

    Yes!

    Once cooked, the liquid from the rice will stain things. The good news is, the Instant Pot helps contain most of the liquid.

    Even so, avoid serving this on a dish that stains easily, and be extra careful if you've got porous countertops.

    How to Make Instant Pot Black Rice

    Start by rinsing the rice in a fine mesh sieve.

    Add the rice, water, oil, and salt to the Instant Pot.

    Add Rice, Water, Oil + Salt to Pressure Cooker.
    Add Black Rice, Water, Oil + Salt to Instant Pot

    Close the Instant Pot, turn the valve to the sealing position, and press pressure cook (or manual).

    Set the timer to 10 minutes.

    Some Instant Pots models have a pressure cook button, and others have a manual button.  They do exactly the same thing.

    It will take about six minutes for the Instant Pot to build pressure, and then it’ll start counting down.

    When the countdown finishes, your pot will beep and begin counting up.

    Let the Instant Pot do a natural release for 25 minutes.  Carefully release any remaining pressure.

    Leave the lid closed for five more minutes. Open the lid and stir the rice.

    Pressure Cook Until Rice Is Tender + Fluffy.
    Pressure Cook Until Rice Is Tender + Fluffy

    Next, I like to add a lime vinaigrette for an extra pop of flavor.

    Simply whisk together a little olive oil, lime juice, and some fresh herbs, and then pour it onto the rice. Stir it into the rice.

    Serve your Instant Pot black rice anywhere you'd normally use brown or wild rice, like in soup, as a side dish, rice pudding, or in a tasty rice salad.

    Black rice with lime dressing in a serving dish.
    Black rice with lime dressing in a serving dish
    Print Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    5 from 2 votes

    Instant Pot Black Rice

    Love black rice, but don’t love cooking it on the stovetop? Here’s an easy tutorial to make Instant Pot black rice (also called forbidden rice) with an easy lime dressing.
    Author: Sarah Trenalone
    Cook Time40 minutes mins
    Total Time40 minutes mins
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Servings: 6 people
    Calories: 139kcal
    Freezer Friendly?
    No
    Will It Keep?
    4 Days
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • fine mesh sieve
    • Instant Pot (I use this one)

    Ingredients

    Rice:

    • 1 cup short-grain black rice (forbidden rice)
    • 1 ¼ cup water
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil, ghee, OR butter
    • ½ teaspoon sea salt

    Lime Dressing (Optional):

    • ½ lime, juiced
    • ½ teaspoon olive oil
    • ⅛ cup fresh herbs, removed from stems + chopped if needed (optional) I use thyme or cilantro

    Instructions

    • Rinse the rice in a fine mesh sieve until the water runs clear.
    • Add the rice, water, oil, and salt to the Instant Pot. If any rice grains are stuck to the side of the pot (above the water level), push them down into the water.
    • Seal the Instant Pot lid, and turn the steam valve to the sealing position.
    • Set Instant Pot to pressure cook/manual, high pressure. Set the cook time for 10 minutes.
    • The Instant Pot will take about 6 minutes to come to pressure, and then will start counting down the cook time. The Instant Pot will beep to let you know the cook time has finished.
      After the cook time is finished, the machine will begin the natural release process, and the countdown timer will start counting up. Allow the Instant Pot to do a natural release for 25 minutes.
      After 25 minutes, carefully quick-release the remaining pressure by using the handle of a long spoon (I use a wooden spoon) to turn the steam valve to venting.
      Tip: Quick release can be messy– the vent will let loose some liquids with the steam. Lay a kitchen towel over the top to keep your kitchen clean.
    • Wait for the steam to escape and the pin to drop down, but do not open the lid yet. Let the rice sit for 5 more minutes, and then carefully remove the lid.
    • Optional: Whisk the lime juice and oil together, and stir into the rice. Fold in the herbs.
    • Serve the rice warm.
    • Leftovers:
      This rice is best served immediately, but can be kept refrigerated in a sealed container for up to 4 days. To reheat, add about a tablespoon of water, and microwave covered until warm (2-3 minutes).

    Notes

    Yield: 1 cup dry black rice yields approx. 3 cups cooked black rice.  Est. serving size is ½ cup per person.
    Doubling or Tripling Recipe: 
    Recipe can be doubled or tripled, but never go above the halfway mark on your Instant Pot.  Note that extra liquid means that the Instant Pot will take longer to come to pressure.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 139kcal (7%) | Carbohydrates: 24g (8%) | Protein: 2g (4%) | Fat: 4g (6%) | Saturated Fat: 1g (6%) | Sodium: 199mg (9%) | Potassium: 69mg (2%) | Fiber: 1g (4%) | Sugar: 1g (1%) | Vitamin C: 2mg (2%) | Calcium: 9mg (1%) | Iron: 1mg (6%)
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and rating below!

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    About Sarah Trenalone

    Sarah is the primary creator at Champagne Tastes. She's a photographer, food writer and traveler, and is certified in Backcountry Kitchen and Backcountry Navigation from the Colorado Outward Bound School and Identifying Wild Plants from Backpacker.

    5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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    bio

    Hi, I'm Sarah! I'm a traveler who loves to eat.   Follow along to join me on my next adventure-- in food or on the road.

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