• Skip to main content

Must Try Recipes logo

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Must Try Recipes
  • Privacy Policy
  • Subscribe
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Must Try Recipes
    • Privacy Policy
    • Subscribe
  • ×

    Home » Instant Pot Brown Rice and Vegetables

    July 31, 2023

    Instant Pot Brown Rice and Vegetables

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Pinterest
    • LinkedIn

    Instant Pot Brown Rice and Vegetables is light, fluffy, packed with simple & delicious flavor. You can make with readily available pantry ingredients under 30 mins. This instant pot brown basmati rice recipe is gluten free & vegan.

    Instant Pot Brown Basmati Rice and Vegetables

    Cooking brown rice in the instant pot is a game changer method. You'll end up with perfectly cooked brown rice that are not chewy or rubbery and so flavorful. You can even whip up a batch in less time in the instant pot as compared to an oven or stovetop.

    Making instant pot rice and veggies at the same time is such a life savor! Everything is cooked at the same time in the pressure cooker. Just throw in the thawed green peas, chopped parsley and lemon juice at the end and toss everything together. Voila! a fantastic quick and easy one pot brown rice recipe is ready in no time!

    Ingredients & Substitutions

    Find the Ingredients with actual measurements at the bottom of the post. The list below is just a reference.

    • Brown Rice: I used rinsed brown basmati rice.
    • Veggies: Carrots, red and yellow bell pepper, thawed green peas.
    • Aromatics: Yellow onion. I didn't use garlic, but if you like it you can add about ½ tablespoons minced garlic into this recipe. Add it while sautéing the onion.
    • Seasonings: Oregano, Thyme, sweet paprika & ground black pepper.
    • Garnish: Fresh chopped parsley & lemon juice.
    • Liquid: Use our homemade instant pot vegetable stock. It's fantastic, you can make it with scrapes and it stores well too!

    Top Tips

    • Avoid Burn error: Rinse the brown basmati rice to remove the surface starch and deglaze the pot very well with a spatula to scrap any stuck food particles from the bottom of the pot. These two steps will prevent the BURN error.
    • Al dente brown basmati cook time: High Pressure 19 mins followed by 10 mins natural pressure release.
    • Tender brown basmati cook time: High pressure 22 mins followed by 10 mins natural pressure release.
    • Building flavors: Add minced garlic & seasonings of your choice, for example you can add basil or Italian seasoning and skip the thyme and oregano. You can also make it spicy by adding about ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes or cayenne.

    How to make instant pot brown rice with vegetables?

    Find the detailed step by step recipe along with measurements + Video at the bottom of the post.

    Step #1 Sauté Veggies

    • Sauté veggies: Set instant pot on sauté mode set at NORMAL heat. Add oil, sauté the onion and carrots until the onion begins to turn soft. Add salt to quicken the process. Throw in the bell peppers and sauté for 30 seconds.
    • Add seasonings: Add seasonings and sauté for 30 seconds. Cancel the SAUTE mode.

    Step #2 Pressure Cook

    • Deglaze pot: Add veggie stock and deglaze the pot very well by scraping the sides and the bottom of the pot with the help of your spatula. This will help loosen any stuck food particles and prevent the BURN error.
    • Add brown basmati rice: Rinse the brown basmati rice very well under running tap water, drain and add the rice to the instant pot. Spread the brown rice into a single layer with the help of a spatula. DO NOT stir or mix.

    Step #3 Garnish & serve

    • Pressure Cook: Secure the lid and pressure cook on high pressure for 22 mins followed by 10 mins natural pressure release and than release the rest of the pressure manually. Open the lid carefully.
    • Fluff Rice: Add lemon juice, thawed green peas and gently fluff the pressure cooker brown basmati rice with the help of a pair of forks. Add fresh chopped parsley. Allow the rice to rest for 5 mins and than serve it. Enjoy!

    Serving Ideas

    You can serve brown rice with vegetable instant pot recipe with any soup of your choice, stir fry tofu side dish or these instant pot steamed veggies for a complete meal:

    • Instant pot steamed broccoli.
    • Instant pot steamed carrots.
    • Instant pot green beans without steamer basket.
    • Instant pot beets.

    Storage

    Fridge

    Store the pressure cooker brown rice and vegetables in air tight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Follow the reheating directions shared below.

    Freezer

    You can freeze it in individual portion size freezer safe containers or bags for up to 3 months. Follow the reheating directions shared below.

    Reheating Tips

    Thaw the frozen instant pot brown rice and vegetables over night in the fridge. Reheat in the microwave oven until warm or hot. You can sprinkle a few drops water and than begin the reheating process. This will help prevent the brown rice from drying out.

    FAQs

    How long do I cook brown rice in an instant pot?

    If you prefer al dente brown rice cook it for 19 mins on high pressure in the instant pot followed by 10 mins natural pressure release. If you prefer perfectly cooked tender brown rice than cook it on high pressure for 22 mins followed by 10 mins natural pressure release.

    What is the ratio of water to brown rice for cooking?

    The ratio of water to brown rice for cooking is 1.25 cups water to every 1 cup brown rice.

    Should you wash brown rice?

    Yes, you should wash brown rice to rinse out the surface starch. This will help make fluffy cooked brown rice every single time.

    Can you add veggies to rice in instant pot?

    Yes, you can add veggies to rice in instant pot. They make a complete one pot healthy dinner.

    Can you cook vegetables and rice at the same time?

    Yes, you can cook vegetables and rice at the same time in the instant pot.

    MORE EASY RECIPES YOU MIGHT LIKE

    • Air fryer mushrooms and onions.
    • Air fryer smashed brussel sprouts.
    • Air fryer carrots and potatoes.
    • Hasselback sweet potatoes air fryer
    • Air fryer roasted radishes.
    • Air fryer baby gold potatoes.
    • Butternut squash fries air fryer.
    • Broccoli and cauliflower air fryer.
    • Air fryer roasted beets.
    • Instant pot Moroccan couscous.
    • Instant pot buckwheat porridge.
    • Instant pot Thai red curry tofu.
    • Best instant pot vegetable stock.
    • Easy cowboy caviar with avocado.
    • Instant pot lentil soup with potatoes
    • Bean and Potato soup Instant pot.

    RECOMMENDED

    Instant pot 15 bean soup vegetarian in a white bowl with a spoon
    Instant Pot vegan 15 bean soup vegetarian
    Instant pot Cuban black beans
    Tuscan farro soup instant pot recipe in a white bowl
    Farro soup instant pot

    I LOVE HEARING FROM YOU! If you try this Instant pot brown rice and vegetables recipe, please let me know! Leave a comment and rate it below. I would love to hear how it turned out for you, or any changes you make.

    brown rice and vegetable on a white plate with lemon slices

    Instant Pot Brown Rice and Vegetables

    Meghna
    Instant Pot Brown Rice and Vegetables is light, fluffy, packed with simple & delicious flavor. You can make with readily available pantry ingredients under 30 mins. This instant pot brown basmati rice recipe is gluten free & vegan.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 25 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 260 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 6 quart instant pot

    Recipe Video

    Ingredients
     

    • 1 cup brown rice - **brown basmati rice rinsed and drained well.
    • 1 cup onion - **yellow onion roughly chopped.
    • ½ cup carrots - **diced into ½ inch cubes.
    • ½ cup yellow bell pepper - **diced into ½ inch squares.
    • ½ cup red bell pepper - **diced into ½ inch squares.
    • ½ cup green peas - **thawed.
    • ½ cup parsley - **Fresh parsley finely chopped.
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice - **fresh lemon juice.
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil - **extra light or light olive oil.
    • salt to taste - **add according to your own personal taste preference.

    Seasonings

    • 1 teaspoon paprika
    • ½ teaspoon thyme
    • ½ teaspoon oregano
    • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

    Liquid

    • 1.5 cups vegetable stock - **homemade veggie stock made from scrapes.

    Instructions
     

    Saute Veggies

    • Set the instant pot on saute mode and set at high heat settings. Add oil. When the oil becomes moderately hot throw in the chopped onion and the diced carrots and saute for 30 secs. Add salt and saute for 30 secs. Now, add the diced bell peppers and saute for 30 secs. Add all the seasonings mentioned above in the "seasonings" section of the ingredients list. Give everything a good mix.
      sauteing veggies in instant pot

    Deglaze pot

    • Add vegetable stock and deglaze the pot very well by scraping the sides and the bottom of the pot with the help of a spatula. This will help loosen any stuck food particles and prevent burn errors. Cancel the saute function.
      deglazing pot with a steel ladle

    Pressure cook

    • Rinse the brown basmati rice under running tap water until clear water runs through. Drain the rice with the help of a colander and add the drained rice into the instant pot. Do not stir or mix. Spread the rice in a single layer on top of the veggies with the help of a spatula.
      pressure cooking brown rice and veggies
    • Secure the lid of the instant pot. Seal the valve and Pressure cook on high for 22 mins. Once the cooking cycle is over the instant pot will begin to beep. Wait for 10 mins natural pressure release and then release the rest of the pressure manually by moving the valve from the sealing to the venting position. Open the lid carefully. Turn off the instant pot.
      pressure cooked brown rice and vegetables, green peas spread on top

    Serve

    • Add lemon juice and thawed peas. Fluff the cooked brown rice. Add the finely chopped fresh parsley. Give everything a gentle stir. Allow the rice to rest for 5 mins before serving. Enjoy! Scroll up for tips, subs and step by step photos and so much more!
      brown rice and vegetables garnished with chopped parsley

    Notes

    1. Brown Rice: Rinse the brown basmati rice very well under running tap water until the water runs clear. This will help rinse out the surface starch from the rice grains and prevent gummy rice.
    2. Green peas: Add the thawed green peas after the pressure cooking cycle is over. This will prevent overcooked green peas. 
    3. More veggies: You can add diced zucchini, yellow squash, and green bell pepper to this recipe. Add them while adding all other veggies. 
    4. Spicy brown rice: Add red pepper flakes along with other seasonings or diced jalapenos along with other veggies to this recipe.
     
    Nutrition Facts
    Instant Pot Brown Rice and Vegetables
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    260
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    5
    g
    8
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    6
    %
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    3
    g
    Sodium
     
    374
    mg
    16
    %
    Potassium
     
    416
    mg
    12
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    49
    g
    16
    %
    Fiber
     
    5
    g
    21
    %
    Sugar
     
    5
    g
    6
    %
    Protein
     
    6
    g
    12
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    4309
    IU
    86
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    83
    mg
    101
    %
    Calcium
     
    55
    mg
    6
    %
    Iron
     
    2
    mg
    11
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
     
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 260kcalCarbohydrates: 49gProtein: 6gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 374mgPotassium: 416mgFiber: 5gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 4309IUVitamin C: 83mgCalcium: 55mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword instant pot brown basmati rice and vegetables, instant pot brown rice and vegetables, instant pot brown rice with vegetables, instant pot brown rice with vegetables at the same time, one pot brown rice and vegetables
    Tried this recipe? Pin it for later!Let us know how it was!
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Pinterest
    • LinkedIn
    « Potato Leek Soup Instant Pot Dairy Free
    Air Fryer Acorn Squash »

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for deliciousness.

    Contact

    • Contact