This is a fluffy, sweet, and hearty Coconut Rice recipe! I love it served with all of my favorite main dishes, and using the Instant Pot makes it incredibly simple to prepare. You'll only need three ingredients and the push of a button! Prepare the rest of your meal while the rice cooks and voila...the perfect side dish!

One of my very favorite ways to used my Instant Pot is to make Easy Coconut Rice. This is an absolute staple recipe in our house that gets used over and over again, and it's so easy that even the little ones can make it!
The first time I cooked rice in coconut milk my mind was absolutely blown. It adds such an incredible, creamy flavor that it made me wonder why I ever cooked rice in just water. Add in the ease of using the Instant Pot? Oh my goodness, I'm obsessed!
All About Coconut Milk
Coconut is very low in sodium and a good source of dietary fiber. I love that coconut milk adds a sweet creaminess to my favorite recipes! It's the perfect cooking liquid and once you make Coconut Rice in the Instant Pot, you won't want to make rice any other way ever again!
Ingredients in Homemade Coconut Rice
This ingredient list couldn't be any simpler! These are ingredients I always have on hand, making this a recipe that I can whip up at a moment's notice.
- White Basmati rice
- A can of full-fat coconut milk
- Pinch of salt
How to Make Coconut Rice in the Instant Pot
Rinse the rice with water until the water runs clear (about one minute). Put your rinsed rice in the Instant Pot, then pour a can of coconut milk overtop and add the salt. Give it a good stir and put the lid on sealed! When you push the "Rice" button on your Instant Pot it will default to 12 minutes on low pressure, which is just right. Let it run it's course, but when the Instant Pot beeps after 12 minutes, leave it alone! This will let the steam begin a slower release. Leave it for about 3 minutes before releasing the rest of the steam and opening the lid. Fluff your rice with a fork and use it for all of your favorite meals. You can also make Perfectly Cooked Quinoa in the Instant Pot!
This Coconut Rice recipe is naturally vegan, soy-free, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free.
More Tasty Side Dishes
Vegan Mashed Cauliflower with Roasted Garlic
Crispy Oven Roasted Cauliflower
Easy Maple Glazed Sautéed Carrots
Vegan Sweet Potato Quinoa Tots
Mini Hasselback Potatoes with Garlic & Herb Vegan Aioli
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Easy Coconut Rice
- Total Time: 36 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This is a fluffy, sweet, and hearty Coconut Rice recipe! I love it served with all of my favorite main dishes, and using the Instant Pot makes it incredibly simple to prepare. You'll only need three ingredients and the push of a button! Prepare the rest of your meal while the rice cooks and voila...the perfect side dish!
Ingredients
- 1 cup white basmati rice
- 1 (13.5 ounce) can full-fat coconut milk
- ¼ teaspoon fine salt
Instructions
- Place the rice in a fine mesh strainer (largest size) and rinse under water for one minute or until the water runs clear. Be sure to move the water around overtop the rice to rinse it all.
- Place rice in the bottom of your Instant Pot. Pour coconut milk overtop and add the salt. Stir briefly.
- Place the lid on the Instant Pot and move the valve to Seal (not venting).
- Press the "Rice" function which defaults to 12 minutes on low pressure. Once it finishes do NOT release the pressure and do NOT press the off button or open the lid. Instead, leave the top on sealed for another 3 minutes.
- Release any remaining pressure and remove the lid. Fluff the cooked rice with a fork and taste. Add more salt if needed.
- Serve hot. Keep covered in the Instant Pot on sealed if not serving immediately to keep it from drying out.
- Store leftovers once they have fully cooled to room temperature. Store in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Equipment
Notes
Do not skip rinsing the rice. It is okay if the rice is still wet from rinsing when you add to the Instant Pot.
I sometimes add a teaspoon (or more!) of pure maple syrup. It enhances the natural sweetness of the coconut milk. My kids absolutely love when I add it! You can add it in when you add the salt before it cooks.
For a fun twist, add a squeeze of fresh lime juice (and zest) and a handful of freshly chopped cilantro leaves after it cooks. Mix it in well.
One of my favorite dishes to serve coconut rice with is my Vegan Tikka Masala. It also pairs well with my Sweet Potato Curry, Pumpkin Curry and Thai Curry Coconut Soup.
This coconut rice recipe is lightly adapted from my friend, Laney, from Life is But a Dish. Check out her incredible food blog for easy approachable recipes for the everyday home cook!
- Prep Time: 4
- Cook Time: 32
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Instant Pot
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