One of my go-to side dishes is this Easy Instant Pot Coconut Rice. It’s a tasty, quick way to get fluffy basmati rice on the table. For best results, use full fat canned coconut milk. Stovetop instructions also included!
One of my go-to side dishes is this Easy Instant Pot Coconut Rice. It’s a tasty, quick way to get rice on the table without watching a boiling pot of water. We both know you have better ways to spend your kitchen time! I have lots of quick and easy side dish recipes but this is hands down my favorite. but it’s amazing with any and every meal that calls for rice. Coconut milk rice > any other rice.
What kind of rice is best in Coconut Rice?
I always reach for Basmati for my Instant Pot Coconut Rice! You could use any long-grain white rice, though. Jasmine would also work great.
Making Coconut Rice on the Stove Top
While the Instant Pot is my go-to (if you’ve been considering one, DO IT! 100% game changer!), this is a snap to make on the stove top as well.
- Your ingredients will stay the same; two parts coconut milk to one part rice
- Add the rinsed rice and milk to a small pot
- Bring to a boil
- Turn down heat, cover and cook for 15 minutes
- Remove from heat, let sit for 10 minutes then fluff with fork.
People ask me all the time if this rice tastes like coconut and I promise it doesn’t. But if you’re looking for something equally as delicious with a more earthy flavor, try my Garlic Turmeric Rice.
What to serve with Coconut Rice?
Literally everything. Here are some great options.
- Quick and Easy Picadillo
- Spice Roasted Halibut with Avocado Salsa
- Honey Glazed Salmon
- Mexican Lime Grilled Chicken
- 15-Minute Garlic Lemon Shrimp
Easy Instant Pot Coconut Rice (+ Stovetop Option)
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 30
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Side dish
- Method: Instant Pot
Description
One of my go-to side dishes is this Easy Instant Pot Coconut Rice. It’s a tasty, quick way to get fluffy basmati rice on the table. For best results, use full fat canned coconut milk. Stovetop instructions also included!
Ingredients
- 1 cup white basmati rice (rinsed and drained)
- 1 (13.5 oz) can full fat coconut milk
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
Instant Pot Instructions
- Add the rinsed rice, coconut milk, water and salt to the bottom of the Instant Pot and stir.
- Close lid and make sure the vent is on sealing. Press the rice function and cook for 12 minutes. Let naturally release for 10-15 minutes, then release any remaining pressure, open lid and fluff with a fork.
Stove Top Instructions
- Add the rinsed rice, milk, water and salt to a small pan. Stir and bring mixture to a boil.
- Once boiling turn heat the low, cover and cook for 15 minutes.
- Remove from heat and keep covered for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork and serve.
When you try a recipe, use the hashtag #lifeisbutadish on INSTAGRAM for a chance to be featured in my stories! Follow Life is but a Dish on PINTEREST | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM for all the latest content and behind the scenes!
Remember to subscribe to my free Life is but a Dish Weekly Newsletter and receive easy recipes delivered to your inbox every week!
This coconut rice is one of the ways I make dinnertime easy as can be. If you’re frustrated with the constant “What’s for dinner?” stress, you’d love my my free 5 Days of Dinner guide! Let me plan a week of meals for you!
Comments
Dave
Can I substitute Sushi Rice for the Basmati Rice?
Laney Schwartz
I don’t think that would work the same
Ali
The best rice there is! I make this almost weekly and it’s a family favorite! We love to eat it with some teriyaki chicken and edamame. My 5yr old always clears his plate when this rice is involved! Thank you, Laney!
★★★★★
Laney Schwartz
5 year old clearing plates is a win!!
Jennifer
I make this on repeat! So easy and so delicious!
★★★★★
Laney Schwartz
Thank you! Yes and so versatile!
Rebecca Becker
This coconut rice is amazing!! I do the stovetop version and it comes out perfect every single time. My husband went crazy for this rice the first time I made it haha. Now it’s a regular side dish in our house. Yum!
★★★★★
Laney Schwartz
I love the stove top version too! So happy you all love it!
Cc
I don’t know why but mine came out super sticky with a film on top ☹️
Any advice ?
★★★★
Laney Schwartz
Hmmm, assuming you rinsed your rice and let it sit, covered after it was done cooking?
Rachel R
Prefect! We serve this more than regular rice now. Fluffy and delicious!
★★★★★
Laney Schwartz
Oh yes, it’s replaced regular rice for sure!
Beth
I have made coconut rice dozens of times. This is the best one.
★★★★★
Laney Schwartz
Oh my goodness Beth, thank you!!
Carrie Silva
My favorite go to rice…every.single.time! I just love the flavor!
★★★★★
Laney Schwartz
So happy you love it Carrie! It’s my go-to as well
Lisa
Can we use brown basmati?
Laney Schwartz
The cook time will change because brown rice takes longer to cook
Ethelyn Dietrich
It is undoubtedly a unique recipe to cook coconut with rice. So let’s try it…
Since it was trying to make a new recipe. Thank you so much for posting this method of making rice with coconut! I have been making veg fried rice on the stove all my life, but recently moved to an apartment with a finnicky stove top. I have tried countless ratios of rice to water as well as burner temperatures to no avail. I resorted to microwavable packets. Meh! Not to mention very disappointing to my Cuban husband. Lol. No more awful rice for us!!
★★★★
Laney Schwartz
Thank you so much! It’s out go-to as well and I’m so glad you love it!
Bri
So good!
★★★★★
Lauren W
Might be my new go-to rice recipe! Followed the instant pot directions to a T and the rice came out perfectly. Our favorite part? It didn’t stick to the pot, like so many other recipes do. So not only was it delicious and a perfect side to our dish, but clean-up was a breeze. Look forward to making this again & again!
★★★★★
Laney Schwartz
Whoohoo!! No stick and deliciousness for the win! Thank you for leaving a review, Lauren!
katie
Hi Laney
I doubled the recipe and left the cook times the same. natural release for 15min and it was all mushy. any advice thanks.
The flavor was delicious though
Jaime
I don’t think I’ll ever make rice the regular way again. So good!
★★★★★
Stephanie
This was so easy and flavorful can’t believe I haven’t made it before tonight!! I am now planning my next dish just for this yummy rice!
★★★★★
Lily
I followed this recipe exactly, however it did not work for us. It did not taste coconut-y at all. Not one I’ll be trying again.
★★
Amey
Its not suppose to taste coconut-y. Coconut milk just makes for a creamer tasting rice.
Nicole
My IP doesn’t have a rice function. Can I just use pressure cook for the same time with natural release?
Life is but a Dish
Yes!
Ariana
Reading through comments as I stand in my kitchen waiting for my IP to beep…I noticed you said that you always use high pressure but you also said to use the rice function. I just looked up and noticed that on rice function mine is low pressure (never used it before, always just use pressure cook. I guess I’m about to find out the difference…
Suzy
My IP doesn’t allow time modification to the rice function. Using Brown rice, and based on others comments, added 10 mind com time. BUT i had to use the pressure cooker function, not sure if i should be in low or high pressure? Would you know?
Life is but a Dish
I always do high pressure
Katie
If I use coconut cream instead of the milk should I add more water? If so how much?
Life is but a Dish
I haven’t tried using coconut cream before
jeannette
This rice is delicious and incredibly easy! I doubled the recipe and used TJ Reduced Fat Coconut Milk. Thank you for a quick and tasty recipe!!
★★★★★
Life is but a Dish
So glad you liked it!
Pamela
Is this on low or high pressure?
Life is but a Dish
Yes
Carol
Could you use quinoa?
Life is but a Dish
I haven’t tried, but I think others have!
Chloe
Instant family favorite recipe. It’s a regular on the rotation. I’ve made it dozens of times at this point and have memorized all the ingredients and times for everything. Love this rice!! I eat it by itself straight from the instant pot while waiting for the rest of dinner to cook.’ I use nature’s forest coconut milk and it is by far the best and creamiest I’ve ever tried.
★★★★★
Lisa
Can I use long grain or jasmine rice??
Life is but a Dish
yes!
Tanji
The coconut rice is the first thing I have cooked in my Instant Pot and it was amazing! It was perfect with my Trader Joe’s Green Curry Simmer Sauce, asian veggies and grilled cod! Thank you for this recipe, it was on point!
★★★★★
Life is but a Dish
Oh that sounds so good! So glad you loved it!
Dante Noto
Perfect!
★★★★★
Dominique
Literally the best. After taking a bite my husband said “this rice is off the chain.” It is addicting!
★★★★★
Life is but a Dish
lol love that!
Jaime
So good!!! It’s going to be hard to make regular rice from now on…
★★★★★
Laurie
Perfect! Thank you! The other recipes used jasmine rice, but I use basmati because of the lower glycemic index. I’m so glad you used basmati in this recipe! I didn’t know exactly how to convert it. Also, I soaked a few raisins in a bit of water, added that with cinnamon and xylitol once it was cooked. Delicious also. Thanks again!
★★★★★
sarah
Are you using the trader joes coconut milk that comes in a can? Or the coconut beverage at TJ’s?
Life is but a Dish
Can! Full fat
Joey
So delicious.
★★★★★
Lori
Going to finally try making this tonight! But question- if I use brown basmati rice, how should I adjust the recipe? Cook to time on the bag or still stick with the same ratios/times as the recipe?
Life is but a Dish
I would adjust slightly to time on bag
Ariel
What happens if you make it with a 0 grams fat coconut milk? 🙂
Life is but a Dish
Won’t be as flavorful
Faith Burlingame
I used brown rice and just added 10 minutes to the cook time and it was amazing. I’m usually afraid to do much with coconut because I don’t like coconut I’m things but I’ve found the milk and oil don’t add tons of coconut flavor.
★★★★★
Life is but a Dish
Yay!!
Rebekah
If I’m making this in my rice cooker, and making a triple recipe, do you think it’s still the right amount of liquid? Or do I need to cut back? I don’t want it to be soggy.
Life is but a Dish
I’ve only tried doubling it and in that case i double everything and it works. So I think you should be fine
Erica
If I double it, do I change the cook time on the instant pot? Thanks!
Life is but a Dish
I dont think you need to
Cortnee
Great! Came out fluffy and perfectly cooked.
★★★★★
Kristine
OMG, this is delish!!!!!! I needed something to go with a Cajun shrimp and this was the perfect thing. My husband loved it and his exact words to me were “put this on the rotation for sure” So, easy and delicious.
★★★★★
Life is but a Dish
YAY!!
Sarah Fitzpatrick
Hi there! Can I double, or even tripple this recipe? (I frequesntly cook for large groups of people so I’m always looking for recipes I can triple). Thank you!
Life is but a Dish
Yes!
Sarah
I am LOVING all the typos in my question! HA! Thanks for the fast reply! :0)
Annelyse
I tried this as directed and there was a lot of liquid left in the instant pot. What did I do wrong? Is it supposed to be 2:1ratio?
Life is but a Dish
Hmmm… did you let it naturally release for 10-15 minutes?
Annelyse
Ohhhhh I don’t think I did ??♀️
Ashley M
Could you throw this into a rice cooker all together also?
Life is but a Dish
Sure!
Allison
Hi there! This looks amazing and I LOVE your IG stories. Quick question: could you make this rice with Cauliflower Rice? And if so, what modifications would you make? Thank you!
★★★★★
Life is but a Dish
Hi thank you! I would have to test it out!
Tara
Made it on the stovetop, the flavor was awesome!