Instant Pot Sona Masoori Rice

a bowl of soft and fluffy white rice, with an instant pot duo nova in the background

a step by step guide for cooking perfect white sona masoori rice in the instant pot and also pot in pot

Course Main Course

Cuisine Indian

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 25

Total Time 30

Servings

Calories 247kcal

Author Shantala Shenoy Nayak

Equipment

Instant Pot Duo Nova

Ingredients

2 cups sona masoori rice white
4 cups water
1-2 tablespoon ghee optional

Instructions

Cooking Rice in the Main Inner Pot (best for cooking MORE than 1.5 cups rice)

Wash 2 cups raw sona masoori rice till the water runs clear, then drain the excess water.
In the inner pot of the Instant Pot, add water and rice in 2:1 water to rice ratio. Which means 4 cups of water for 2 cups of rice.
Then close the Instant Pot lid, after ensuring the sealing ring is securely in place, and turn the steam release valve to point to sealing.
Pressure cook on high for 4 minutes.
The rice is ready when the float valve comes down on its own.

Pot in Pot Method for Cooking Rice (best for cooking LESS than 1.5 cups rice)

Pour 1 cup water in the main inner pot of the Instant Pot, and then place the steel trivet in the main pot.
In a small steel bowl add 1 cup washed and drained rice and 2 cups fresh water.
Place this steel bowl on the trivet inside the Instant Pot. This is optional, but you can choose to cover this small steel pot with a steel lid.
Then close the Instant Pot lid, after ensuring the sealing ring is securely in place, and turn the steam release valve to point to sealing.
Pressure cook on high for 6 minutes.
The rice is ready when the float valve comes down on its own.

Video

Notes

Instant Pot Rice Setting: The auto setting for rice is mostly for white or parboiled rice. But I’d strongly recommend using the manual setting depending on your quality of rice.
Cook Time for Rice: Instant Pot recommends 12 minutes on low pressure for any kind of rice, but I’ve found that 4-6 minutes on high pressure works best for sona masoori rice.
Water to Rice Ratio: Instant Pot recommends a water to rice ratio of 1:1, but that makes sona masoori rice a little too dry and al dente. So I recommend using 2:1 water to rice ratio for soft, fluffy rice that is not sticky or mushy.
Quantity vs Method: Technically you can cook any quantity of rice in the main inner pot, so long as the water and rice are under the halfway mark of the inner pot. But for smaller quantities of rice, it’s best to use the pot in pot method, so the inner pot stays clean, and you can use it for cooking something else.
Optional Additions: Adding ghee to rice will make it really aromatic. Some add salt too. I usually don’t prefer to salt my rice.

Please note: The nutrition values are best estimates provided as a courtesy. The exact values can vary depending on the exact ingredients or brands used. If you rely on them for your specific diet and/or health issues, please consult a registered dietician or nutritionist.

Nutrition