About this recipe

Perfectly fluffy Instant Pot rice every time — no guesswork, no babysitting. This foolproof pressure cooker method delivers tender, separated grains with a light buttery finish in a fraction of the stovetop time. Great as a side or base for any meal.

Instructions

1. 1

   Rinse the long-grain white rice in a fine-mesh strainer under ^[cold running water] for about 30 seconds, gently rubbing the grains, until the water runs mostly clear. This removes excess starch and helps produce fluffy, separated grains.

2. 2

   Add the rinsed long-grain white rice, water, butter, salt, and olive oil to the Instant Pot insert. If using garlic, stir it in now. Give everything a quick stir to combine, then make sure the rice is in an even layer.

3. 3

   Secure the Instant Pot lid and set the valve to Sealing. Select Pressure Cook (or Manual) on ^[High Pressure] and set the timer for 3 minutes. The pot will take about 8–10 minutes to come to pressure before the countdown begins.

4. 4

   Once the cook time is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes — do not touch the valve. After 10 minutes, carefully switch the valve to Venting to release any remaining pressure.

5. 5

   Remove the lid and fluff the long-grain white rice gently with a fork, folding from the edges inward. Taste and adjust salt if needed. Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon zest if desired, and serve immediately.