Instant rice, sometimes called minute rice, is a type of parboiled rice that has been precooked and dehydrated so that it cooks very rapidly. This makes it convenient for quick meals, but some people wonder if instant rice can be used in rice cookers. The short answer is yes, you can use instant rice in a rice cooker without any issues. However, there are some things to keep in mind when cooking instant rice in a rice cooker versus regular rice. In this article, we’ll go over the basics of using instant rice in rice cookers, including how to adjust water amounts, cooking times, and other tips for best results.
| Type of Rice | Cooking Time in Rice Cooker |
|---|---|
| White Instant Rice | 10-12 minutes |
| Brown Instant Rice | 15-18 minutes |
How Instant Rice is Made
To understand how to use instant rice in a rice cooker, it helps to first understand how instant rice is made. Instant rice starts out as regular rice grains that go through a parboiling process. The grains are partially boiled, which drives nutrients into the center of the rice. Then, the rice is dried out completely, making the kernels porous. Finally, the rice is precooked until al dente and then dried again. This makes instant rice cook and rehydrate very quickly with just hot water or steam. The precooking process is what allows instant rice to be ready in just 10 minutes or less.
Adjusting Water Amounts
When cooking instant rice in a rice cooker, the main difference from regular rice is that you need less water. With regular rice, a general rule is to use a 1:1 ratio of rice to water. But with instant rice, you typically want to use a 1:7/8 ratio of rice to water. This means for 1 cup of instant rice, you’d add 7/8 cup water. The exact water amount can vary a bit by brand, so check the instructions on your instant rice package. Using too much water with instant rice can make it overcooked and mushy.
Cooking Times
Cooking times are much shorter for instant rice compared to regular rice in a rice cooker. White instant rice takes just 10-12 minutes once the cooker switches to the “cook” setting. Brown instant rice takes a few minutes longer at 15-18 minutes due to the extra bran layers on brown rice. These quick cooking times apply whether you are making a small batch of instant rice or the maximum capacity of your rice cooker. Just be sure to use the correct water amounts based on how much instant rice you are making.
Tips for Best Results
Here are some tips to get the best results when making instant rice in a rice cooker:
- Use fresh water each time – Don’t reuse cooking water when making multiple batches of instant rice, as leftover starches can affect texture.
- Fluff with a fork – Gently fluff instant rice with a fork as soon as it is done cooking for better texture.
- Keep warm function off – Don’t use the keep warm function, as this can make instant rice mushy.
- Rinse the pot – Be sure to rinse out the inner pot of the rice cooker between uses to prevent sticking.
- Adjust seasonings – Instant rice lacks the flavor of regular rice, so season as desired after cooking. Broth or soy sauce work well.
Are there any downsides to using instant rice in a rice cooker?
There aren’t really any significant downsides to using instant rice in a rice cooker. The rice cooker will function normally and you can get well-cooked instant rice with a little trial and error to perfect the water amounts. Instant rice does lack some of the flavor, aroma, and texture of regular rice. The precooking process removes some nutrients, so instant rice is not quite as nutritious as unprocessed grains. But besides those factors, instant rice works fine in a rice cooker and can be a big time saver over cooking regular rice.
What types of instant rice can I use in a rice cooker?
You have plenty of options when it comes to varieties of instant rice to use in a rice cooker:
- White instant rice – The most common type, takes the least time to cook and has mild flavor.
- Brown instant rice – Higher in nutrients than white rice, with a chewier texture.
- Aromatic instant rice – Flavored with spices, herbs or other seasonings for more taste.
- Red, black or wild rice blends – Contain nutrient-rich whole grains mixed with white instant rice.
- Organic instant rice – Made from organic rice grains for a high-quality option.
No matter which variety you choose, be sure to follow the package instructions for water amounts and cooking times. Stick to the 10-12 minutes for white instant rice, 15-18 minutes for brown instant rice.
What dishes can I make using instant rice in a rice cooker?
You’d be surprised at the variety of dishes you can whip up using instant rice in a rice cooker. Here are some flavorful recipe ideas:
- Coconut curry rice – Saute vegetables in coconut oil, add instant rice and coconut milk, curry powder, and diced chicken.
- Cheesy tomato rice – Mix instant rice with canned diced tomatoes, cheese, and seasonings for a quick meal.
- Stir fry rice bowls – Top cooked instant rice with stir-fried vegetables, sliced chicken or beef, and soy sauce.
- Chicken stew over rice – Make a hearty chicken stew in the rice cooker’s inner pot, then add instant rice to soak up the juices.
- Rice pudding – Combine cooked instant rice with milk, sugar, eggs, raisins, cinnamon and vanilla for a cozy dessert.
Don’t limit yourself – instant rice can be used in all types of savory dishes, stir fries, rice bowls, and sweet desserts for extra convenience.
Can I make a rice and beans meal using instant rice?
Absolutely! Rice and beans is a delicious, protein-packed combination that works perfectly with instant rice. Here are a few tips for making rice and beans using instant rice in the rice cooker:
- Sauté onion, garlic, and spices in oil first to add flavor.
- Add broth, canned beans, diced tomatoes, and seasonings to pot.
- Add instant rice and stir gently.
- For best results, add rice and beans separately in layers rather than stirring together.
- Let rice cooker switch to warm setting, then fluff rice and beans together.
- Garnish with shredded cheese, avocado, cilantro, etc.
The rice and bean liquids will flavor the instant rice nicely. Just adjust the amount of broth or water to account for the extra liquid from the beans. Rice and beans make for a fast, filling meal using the convenience of instant rice.
Can I prepare a rice side dish for a holiday meal using instant rice?
Yes, instant rice works great for making quick side dishes to complement holiday meals. The precooked rice cuts down on time spent in the kitchen when you have lots of other dishes to prepare. Here are some holiday side dish ideas using instant rice:
- Cranberry pecan rice – Mix in dried cranberries, toasted pecans, orange zest, butter and brown sugar.
- Sausage rice stuffing – Combine instant rice with Italian sausage, mushrooms, onions, herbs and broth.
- Sweet potato rice – Fold in cooked, mashed sweet potato plus butter, brown sugar and marshmallows.
- Chorizo rice – Saute sliced chorizo sausage, red bell pepper and onions, then add seasoned instant rice.
Instant rice absorbs all the delicious flavors when you mix in meats, vegetables, herbs and other ingredients. Top your holiday ham, turkey or roast with an instant rice side dish for an easy complement.
What ratio of instant rice to water should I use in the rice cooker?
The ratio of instant rice to water can vary slightly between different brands, but here are some general guidelines:
- White instant rice – Use a 1:7/8 ratio. So for 1 cup instant rice, use 7/8 cup water.
- Brown instant rice – Use a ratio around 1:1 to 1:1 1/4. So 1 cup brown instant rice to 1 – 1 1/4 cups water.
- Aromatic or flavored rice – Check package but around 1:7/8 to 1:1 ratio.
- Rice and bean mixes – Since beans add liquid, start with a 1:3/4 ratio and adjust from there.
The cooking instructions on your instant rice package are the best resource. But these ratios will give you a good starting point for water amounts when using instant rice in the rice cooker. Too much water can make the rice mushy.
Should I rinse instant rice before cooking it in the rice cooker?
Rinsing regular, uncooked rice removes excess starch for fluffier rice. But this step is not necessary when using instant rice. In fact, rinsing instant rice can actually ruin the texture, making it gummy or mushy when cooked. The precooking and drying process used to make instant rice gives it a porous, flaky texture that is best maintained by cooking it unrinsed. Save yourself a step and simply add dry instant rice to the pot along with fresh water each time.
Can I use instant rice instead of regular rice for rice cooker recipes?
In most cases, yes you can substitute instant rice in recipes made for the rice cooker. The main adaptations will be:
- Reduce water amounts to suit instant rice ratios
- Skip any rinsing steps for the rice
- Adjust cook times if needed based on white vs. brown instant rice
- Allow for changes in texture and flavor
Instant rice typically works best in more strongly flavored dishes or recipes with a sauce. The milder flavor and softer texture balances out stronger ingredients. Reduce cook times by at least half when swapping regular rice for instant. With a few minor adjustments, you can use handy instant rice for most rice cooker recipes.
What are some simple meals I can make with instant rice in the rice cooker?
The convenience of instant rice makes it perfect for easy, everyday meals. Here are some delicious ideas for simple instant rice meals made in the rice cooker:
- Lemon pepper chicken with rice – Mix rice with broth, diced chicken, and lemon pepper seasoning.
- Cheesy broccoli rice – Steam broccoli florets atop the rice during cooking, then stir in shredded cheddar.
- Tuna rice bowl – Fold in canned tuna, peas, and mayo with the cooked instant rice.
- Beef tips over rice – Sear beef tips in the cooker, remove, then add rice and beef broth.
- Veggie fried rice – Stir fry veggies in oil first, then add instant rice and soy sauce.
With instant rice handy in your pantry, nutritious meals are just minutes away. Get creative with mix-ins like cooked meats, veggies, beans, cheeses and sauces over instant rice.
Is instant rice less nutritious than regular rice?
Yes, instant rice does lose some nutritional value compared to unprocessed rice. Here’s how the nutrition of instant rice compares:
- Lower fiber – Due to removal of the rice bran during processing
- Lower minerals like magnesium and zinc
- Lower B vitamins like thiamine, niacin and folate
- Lower antioxidant levels from loss of phytonutrients
However, enriched instant rice has some B vitamins and iron added back in after processing. And instant rice still provides carbohydrates for energy. For greater nutrition, choose whole grain brown instant rice, or mix in veggies, proteins and healthy fats when cooking.
Is sticky or glutinous rice OK to use in the rice cooker?
Yes, you can cook sticky rice or glutinous rice in a rice cooker with great results. Here are some tips:
- Use a 1:1 1⁄4 ratio of rice to water.
- Presoak the rice for 1-4 hours before cooking.
- Add a bit of oil to the pot to prevent sticking.
- Gently fluff the rice with chopsticks or a wooden spoon when done.
- Opt for a fuzzy logic rice cooker if possible for best texture.
The starch content gives sticky rice a chewy texture when cooked. A soak before cooking and higher water ratio helps the grains cook evenly. Let the rice rest after cooking for easiest slicing and shaping.
Can I use my rice cooker to cook quinoa?
While not technically a grain, quinoa makes a great gluten-free alternative to rice, and can absolutely be cooked in a rice cooker. Here are some tips for cooking quinoa in a rice cooker:
- Rinse quinoa first to remove bitter coating.
- Use a 1:2 quinoa to water ratio.
- Allow 15-20 minutes cook time, or until water is absorbed.
- Fluff with a fork and allow to rest 5 minutes before serving.
- Add extra broth or stock for more flavor.
The rice cooker does a nice job of evenly steaming the quinoa. Adjust cook times as needed based on amount of quinoa. Let rest before stirring to keep grains fluffy.
Can I cook oatmeal or other grains in my rice cooker?
Your handy rice cooker isn’t just for rice – it can cook up all kinds of healthy whole grains. Besides oatmeal, you can cook grains like:
- Steel cut oats – Add oats, milk, cinnamon and raisins.
- Barley – Use broth instead of water for added flavor.
- Farro – Start with a 1:2 farro to liquid ratio.
- Bulgur wheat – Try using stock and sautéed veggies for more flavor.
- Buckwheat – Works well mixed with quinoa or brown rice.
The key is using the right liquid to grain ratio and adjusting cook times. Let the grains steam and absorb the liquid fully for best texture. Your rice cooker can be a morning oat cooker and whole grain machine!
Conclusion
Instant rice offers a quick cooking time while still being able to be used in a rice cooker. Just adjust the water ratio, skip rinsing, and allow for shorter cook times. White instant rice only takes 10-12 minutes, while brown instant rice needs 15-18 minutes to steam fully. Instant rice lacks some nutrients compared to regular rice but provides an easy starch base for meals. From rice bowls to holiday sides, breakfast porridge to quinoa, your versatile rice cooker can help you make the most of instant rice convenience.