Today, we are adding one more recipe to the collection with this quick black rice in Instant Pot recipe. If you are like me, a fan of this ancient Chinese whole grain rice, you will be surprised to see how easy it is to cook it in an electric pressure cooker. Plus, compared to cooking black rice on the stove top or in the rice cooker, this method is hands-off and delivers perfect results every time. Serve it as a side dish with chicken, beef, or vegetarian main dishes or turn it into a quick and flavorful salad using my Black Rice Salad recipe.
Why I Love This Recipe:
No Need for Soaking the rice: If you have the ingredients on hand, you don’t have to plan ahead to make this tasty side. Consistent: Cooking forbidden rice in an instant pot delivers perfect results every time without any fuss, which is why it is my favorite method of cooking it. Hands Off: You won’t have to keep an eye on this black rice. The active cooking time is minimal, so you can make it and get back to your other dishes. Good for You: This gluten-free side has impressive health benefits like high levels of protein and dietary fiber content with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Ingredients:
This Instant Pot black rice recipe technically requires only two ingredients: black rice and water. It is optional, but you can also use a pinch of salt and a teaspoon of oil (such as olive oil, avocado oil, or ghee) for flavor. In terms of the cooking liquid, you can swap water with vegetable broth or homemade chicken stock for more flavor.
What Brand Black Rice Should I buy?
When shopping for black rice (aka Chinese Forbidden Rice), you might find some other varieties like Black Sticky Rice (aka black glutinous rice or Thai black rice) or Black Japonica Rice. I tested this recipe with Nature’s Earthly Choice (affiliate link), Lotus Foods (affiliate link) brands of Chinese black rice, and Rice King Black Sticky Rice. All of them delivered great results. Check out my Forbidden Rice recipe post to learn more about the types of black rice.
Forbidden Rice to Water Ratio For Cooking In Instant Pot
The ratio for Instant Pot forbidden rice to water is easy to remember: one cup of black rice will require one cup of water (or chicken stock or vegetable broth). How much water you use depends on how much rice you would like to make. To double it, use two cups of black rice with two cups of water.
How to Make Black Rice in Instant Pot?
How to Store and Reheat?
Storage: You can store leftover rice for up to three days in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Reheating: Reheating black rice is simple. You can put it in a bowl in the microwave or heat it gently in a saucepan on the stovetop. You may have to add in a few tablespoons of water if it is too dry.
Expert Tips and Variations:
Add Flavor: Instead of water, you could use chicken stock or vegetable broth (or you can even make vegetable stock from scraps and use it in this recipe) to give it a savory boost. Double It: Serving a crowd? This black rice recipe doubles easily.
How to Serve?
This dish is so versatile that you can pair it with nearly anything. It can effortlessly become a side dish, part of a main, or even a dessert.
Put It in a Grain Bowl: Black rice is the perfect component to give a salad bowl a little heft and a distinctive nutty flavor. Forbidden rice is a delicious accompaniment to the Seared Tuna Salad Bowl and is filling enough for dinner. Make It a Meatless Meal: Serve the forbidden rice with vegetables like Roasted Whole Carrots, Roasted Asparagus, or Roasted Delicata Squash. Serve In a Salad: Black rice adds gorgeous dark purple color, texture, and taste to a salad. This Black Rice Salad is a delicious variation. Use It as a Side: Black rice is the perfect complement to chicken, beef, or vegetarian dishes. Turn It Into Dessert: Black rice doesn’t have to be savory. Try making a black rice pudding recipe (made with coconut milk) for dessert.
