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In this post, I'll show you exactly how to cook wild rice in the Instant Pot-with the best water-to-rice ratios, ideal cook times, and tips for perfect texture every time. Whether you're meal prepping or making a quick side dish, this method for Instant Pot wild rice is fast, easy, and totally hands-off. Say goodbye to guesswork and hello to perfectly fluffy grains.
Jump to:
- Why the Instant Pot is the Best Way to Make Wild Rice
- Water-to-Rice Ratio for Instant Pot Wild Rice
- Instant Pot Wild Rice: Step-by-Step Guide
- What about Wild Rice Medley in the Instant Pot?
- Troubleshooting Instant Pot Wild Rice
- Flavor Ideas for Wild Rice in the Instant Pot
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Storing Your Cooked Wild Rice
- Wild Rice Nutrition Facts
- Wild Rice Recipes
- Equipment You'll Need to Make Instant Pot Wild Rice
- Highly Rated Pressure Cookers
- Highly Rated Metal Strainers
- Final Thoughts on Cooking Wild Rice in the Instant Pot
- Recipe
- More Wild Rice Resources
- Reviews
Why the Instant Pot is the Best Way to Make Wild Rice
Once you try this method, you'll never go back to cooking wild rice on the stove-the Instant Pot wild rice method is just that good.
There are two reasons I love making wild rice in the Instant Pot, or pressure cooker.
First, I can set it and forget about it.
Whenever I cook things like dry beans or grains on the stove, I have a terrible habit of getting distracted and ending up with ingredients burned to the bottom of the pot.
This doesn't happen when you cook wild rice in a pressure cooker. I can turn it on and walk away, knowing it won't burn. Instead, the Instant Pot will keep my perfectly cooked wild rice warm until I am ready to use it.
Second, I can make a large batch of it and freeze it for later.
The bowl of my Instant Pot is a lot bigger than my rice cooker, so I can cook a lot of it in one go.
I love to cook large batches of grains and freeze them in smaller portions for later. This saves me a lot of time and energy. (Check out the storage portion of this post to find out how to freeze your wild rice).
Wild rice is one of the most expensive grains, (check out "A Complete Guide to Wild Rice" to find out why). You should be able to find wild rice in the bulk bins of your grocery store, which will make it a little less expensive.
The Instant Pot is a really useful way to prepare wild rice, so let's get to it!
Water-to-Rice Ratio for Instant Pot Wild Rice
When cooking wild rice in the Instant Pot, you can easily scale the recipe up or down, just keep the same water-to-rice ratio.
For tender, fluffy rice, use 1 cup of wild rice to 1½ cups of water.
Prefer a chewier texture? Try 1 cup of rice to 1 ¼ cups of water instead.
Why You Need Less Water in the Instant Pot
When you cook wild rice on the stovetop, some of the water evaporates into the air as steam. That's why stovetop methods often call for more water-you're not just cooking the rice, you're also replacing what's lost to evaporation.
But in the Instant Pot, it's a sealed, pressurized environment. Almost none of the liquid escapes during cooking. Instead, the water is fully absorbed into the rice or stays trapped inside the pot. This means:
- You don't need as much water as stovetop recipes.
- You get more consistent, fluffy texture without excess liquid sloshing around.
In short: the pressure locks in the moisture, so your wild rice cooks more efficiently and with better results.
Instant Pot Wild Rice: Step-by-Step Guide
- Step 1: Start by rinsing your uncooked wild rice grains with cool, clean water. This removes any dust or debris that has settled in storage.
You do not need to soak your wild rice before cooking it in the Instant Pot.
- Step 2: When cooking wild rice in the Instant Pot, the ratio of water to wild rice is 1.5 cups water to 1 cup wild rice.
Add desired amount of wild rice and water to the bowl of the pressure cooker. Give it a little stir to fully distribute the water and grains.
- Step 3: Place the lid on the Instant Pot and twist it to lock it into the sealed position.
Pressure cook on high for 20 minutes, followed by a 20-minute natural release.
After 20 minutes, release any remaining pressure by pressing the vent knob on top of the Instant Pot.
- Step 4: Fluff your cooked rice with a fork and serve!
What about Wild Rice Medley in the Instant Pot?
Wild Rice is often found in a mix or medley with other kinds of rice, like brown and red rice. If you're cooking a wild rice blend in the Instant Pot, it's important to know that the cook time should match the grain that takes the longest to cook-which is usually the wild rice.
Cooking based on the quickest-cooking grain (like white or red rice) could leave the wild rice underdone. So when in doubt, go with the timing for wild rice and expect the other grains to be softer, but still tasty.
Tip: Always check the packaging-some blends are par-cooked to help the grains finish at the same time.
Troubleshooting Instant Pot Wild Rice
Even with a foolproof method, sometimes things go a little off. Here's how to fix the most common wild rice issues:
Cause: Not enough cook time or not enough water.
Fix: Add ¼-½ cup water and cook on high pressure for another 5-8 minutes. Let it naturally release again for 10 minutes.
Cause: Too much water or overcooked.
Fix: Next time, reduce the cook time by 5 minutes or try using less water (1 ¼ cups per 1 cup rice instead of 1 ½ cups).
Cause: The rice finished cooking before absorbing all the liquid.
Fix: Drain the extra liquid or let it sit on "Keep Warm" with the lid off for 5-10 minutes to absorb the rest.
Cause: Not enough seasoning or cooked in plain water.
Fix: Use broth instead of water, add aromatics like garlic or herbs, or stir in seasonings after cooking (like lemon juice, salt, or butter).
Cause: Not enough liquid or grains are stuck at the bottom.
Fix: Use a wooden spoon to scrape the bottom of the bowl to remove any rice that is sticking to the bottom. Add ¼ cup more water if most of the water is absorbed but the rice is still firm.
In the future, always use at least 1 cup of liquid, and deglaze the pot before cooking if you sautéed anything beforehand.
Still having issues? Leave a comment-I'm happy to help!
Flavor Ideas for Wild Rice in the Instant Pot
Add Flavors Before Cooking
If you'd like to give your Instant Pot wild rice more flavor, there are many ways you can do this, including:
- saute garlic and/or onions in the pot before adding the rice and liquid
- adding your favorite herbs, thyme and rosemary are my favorite additions
- using broth (chicken or vegetable) instead of water
Add-ins After Cooking
Once your wild rice has been cooked in the Instant Pot, there are several delicious things you can add to give your rice more flavor.
- Toasted Nuts and Seeds add crunch and a rich flavor. Try out slivered almonds, pecans, walnuts or sunflower seeds.
- Dried fruits bring a sweet contrast to the nutty rice. Cranberries, apricots and cherries are all delicious choices.
- Cheese adds creaminess to pressure cooked wild rice. You can't go wrong with feta, goat cheese or parmesan.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, using a pressure cooker eliminates the need to soak wild rice before cooking. The reason you soak ingredients is to help them cook faster, but the Instant Pot speeds up the cooking process, so it is unnecessary.
Yes, using broth is a great way to add flavor to your wild rice cooked in an Instant Pot. For more ideas on how to season your cooked wild rice, check out the Flavor Ideas section above.
For tender, fluffy rice, use 1 cup of wild rice to 1½ cups of water.
Prefer a chewier texture? Try 1 cup of rice to 1 ¼ cups of water instead.
1 cup of dried wild rice makes about 3-3.5 cups of cooked wild rice when cooked in a pressure cooker.
Yes, wild rice is generally considered healthier than white rice. It's higher in protein, fiber, and antioxidants, and it's less processed-making it a more nutrient-dense choice overall.
If you'd like to learn more about why wild rice is considered a "superfood," check out, "A Complete Guide to Wild Rice."
Storing Your Cooked Wild Rice
Once cooked in the Instant Pot, wild rice can be stored in the fridge for about 1 week. Just make sure to keep it in an airtight container.
It can also be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months. You'll want to use a freezer-friendly container (I love to use these reusable ziplock bags). In order to prevent freezer burn, make sure rice is completely cooled before placing it in the freezer.
When it's time to thaw your rice, it's best to let it defrost in the fridge overnight. If you forgot to do this ahead of time (me 🙋♀️), you can defrost it in the microwave. It's best to add just a little water and cover the bowl. This helps the grains become soft and fluffy again.
Wild Rice Nutrition Facts
For a grain, wild rice is high in protein. It has a lot of fiber and is low in fat. Just one cup of it cooked provides 5% or more of the daily value of thiamin, riboflavin, iron, and potassium; 10% or more of the daily value of niacin, vitamin B6, folate, magnesium, and phosphorus; 15% of zinc; and over 20% of manganese. Wild rice is high in antioxidants.
Some label it as a "superfood" and some claim it is the healthiest form of rice because of its high protein content.
Wild rice is naturally gluten-free.
If you'd like to learn more about cooking with and eating wild rice, check out "A Complete Guide to Wild Rice."
Wild Rice Recipes
You've just made a batch of perfectly cooked wild rice in your Instant Pot-now what? Wild rice is incredibly versatile and works beautifully in salads, casseroles, soups, and more. If you're looking for inspiration, here are some of my favorite wild rice recipes from around the web to help you put that nutty goodness to use.
Equipment You'll Need to Make Instant Pot Wild Rice
Here are some items you'll need to make this recipe. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying orders, at no cost to you. Thanks for supporting The Incredible Bulks!
There are A LOT of varieties of Instant Pots and pressure cookers on the market. My favorite is the Instant Pot Ultra because I love making yogurt in it. However, 99% of the time I use my Instant Pot I just use the "pressure cook" setting. So if you are looking for a less expensive model, you will get just as much bang for your buck with the Instant Pot Duo. I've also been hearing great things about the Ninja pressure cooker if you want a different brand
Highly Rated Pressure Cookers
Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker
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Ninja OL501 Foodi 6.5 Qt. Pressure Cooker
Buy Now →If you don't have a fine mesh strainer I highly recommend getting a metal one. They are great for rinsing small grains, like rice and quinoa, because they can't fall through the mesh. The metal mesh strainers are a lot more durable than plastic or fabric ones. I've had holes rip in the plastic ones before.
Highly Rated Metal Strainers
Cuisinart Mesh Strainers, 3 Count
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Bellemain 5 Qt Metal Colander with Handle
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Final Thoughts on Cooking Wild Rice in the Instant Pot
Once you try making wild rice in the Instant Pot, you'll never want to go back to the stovetop method. It's faster, easier, and delivers perfectly fluffy, nutty grains every time, with no babysitting required.
Whether you're meal prepping for the week, tossing it into a salad, or building a cozy casserole, Instant Pot wild rice is a simple way to upgrade your meals. I hope this guide helped take the guesswork out of the process!
Got a question? Still troubleshooting? Drop a comment below-I'm happy to help. And if you found this post helpful, don't forget to save it for later or share it with a fellow rice lover!
✌️ Ems
Recipe
Instant Pot Wild Rice
Ingredients
- 1 cup wild rice
- 1½ cups water
Instructions
- Start by rinsing your uncooked wild rice grains with cool, clean water. This removes any dust or debris that has settled in storage.
- Add wild rice and water to the bowl of the pressure cooker. Give it a little stir to fully distribute the water and grains.
- Put the lid on the pot and twist, making it seal closed.
- Pressure cook on high for 20 minutes, followed by a 20-minute natural release. After 20 minutes, release any remaining pressure by pressing the vent knob on top of the Instant Pot.
- Fluff your cooked rice with a fork and serve!
Tina
Turned out great
Foodie B
The recipe is start forward but when reading your notes you mentioned that the ratio when using insta pot is 1C wild rice to 2 C water. But in your recipe it states 1 .5C water to 1C wild rice. Which is correct? A little confused
Sariah
It was a lot easier in the pressure cooker
Linda
Your recipe says 1 cup wild rice and 1.5 cups water. In the notes you indicate it is 1 cup wild rice to 2 cups water. Which is the correct amount of water?
Emily
I'm so sorry for the confusion. I updated the recipe, but didn't catch all the needed changes. It's 1 cup wild rice to 1.5 cups water.
Emily
I'm so sorry for the confusion. I updated the recipe, but didn't catch all the needed changes. It's 1 cup wild rice to 1.5 cups water. I'll make sure it gets fixed now.
Elodie
I made this exactly as the recipe directed. It came out perfect!