Rice: the humble, go-with-anything side dish. When done right, it’s the perfect companion to stir-fries, curries, grilled meats, and veggie-packed dinners. But for years, I struggled with getting it just right. Either it turned out mushy and sticky, or undercooked and chewy. Honestly—who knew rice could be so tricky?

That all changed when I discovered two game-changers: my Instant Pot and one simple ingredient—coconut oil.

✨ Favorite Instant Pot
✨Azure Market Organics Coconut Oil, Expeller Pressed, Organic ( Become a member for FREE at Azure Standard by clicking he Azure Market Organics link)

Why the Instant Pot Wins Every Time

After years of trying to perfect my rice on the stovetop and even with a traditional rice cooker (and failing more often than I’d like to admit), a friend shared a little hack that changed everything.

Their secret? Add a spoonful of coconut oil to the rice before cooking. That’s it. No complicated steps or expensive equipment—just one ingredient that adds flavor, keeps the grains from sticking, and helps create that dreamy, fluffy texture.

And once I tried it in my Instant Pot? Total game-changer.

The Simple Instant Pot Rice Method

Here’s how I make fluffy rice every time:

Ingredients:

1 cup white or brown rice
1 1/4 cups water (for white rice) or 1 1/2 cups (for brown rice)
1/2–1 tablespoon coconut oil
Pinch of salt (optional)

Instructions:

Rinse your rice until the water runs clear. (This helps remove extra starch.)
Add rinsed rice, water, coconut oil, and salt to your Instant Pot.
Close the lid, set the valve to “sealing,” and press the Rice button (or set it manually to 4 minutes for white rice, 20 minutes for brown).
Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes before quick-releasing the rest.
Fluff with a fork and serve!

💡 Organic Basmati Rice

Want a Flavor Twist? Try My Easy Mexican Rice

One of the best parts about the Instant Pot is how easily it handles flavor upgrades. When I’m craving something with a little more kick, I just toss in a few extra ingredients—think tomato paste, garlic, broth, and spices—and boom: Instant Pot Mexican Rice magic.

Grab my full recipe here: Favorite Instant Pot Mexican Rice Recipe

Final Thoughts

If rice has ever intimidated you, give this method a try. It’s simple, consistent, and totally hands-off. The Instant Pot takes the guesswork out of cooking, and the coconut oil? That’s the flavor-boosting, texture-perfecting trick I’ll never skip again.

Ready to simplify your dinner prep?
Grab the tools and ingredients I use every week:
✅ My go-to Instant Pot
✅ Organic coconut oil
✅ Fluffy rice that works every time

Print Recipe

Foolproof Fluffy Rice (Instant Pot Method)

Prep Time2

Cook Time10

Course: Side, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: basmati rice instant pot, clean eating with kids, coconut oil rice, easy rice recipe, Fluffy rice recipe, gluten free side dish, Healthy side dish, how to make the perfect rice, instant pot, simple clean eating recipes

Servings: 6 servings

Author: Tara Trett

Ingredients

2 cup Basmati rice, rinsed until water runs clear
1 container organic chicken broth (about 4 cups), or use water or a mix of both
1 Tbsp. Organic Coconut Oil, generous scoop
1 tsp salt

Instructions

Rinse rice thoroughly under cold water until the water runs mostly clear.
Add rinsed rice to the Instant Pot along with the broth (or liquid of choice), coconut oil, and salt.
Stir gently to combine.
Seal the lid and set valve to Sealing
Select the Manual or Pressure Cook setting:
4 minutes for white Basmati rice
20 minutes for brown rice
Once the timer ends, allow for a 10-minute natural pressure release, then quick-release any remaining pressure.
Fluff with a fork and serve!