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Home » Blog Recipe Posts » Side Dishes

Instant Pot Brown Rice Pilaf

January 28, 2022 by Sandy 11 Comments

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Instant Pot Brown Rice Pilaf is a delicious side dish recipe that cooks to the perfect texture, and is very flavorful. Enjoy this pressure cooker brown rice pilaf recipe with chicken, beef, pork, fish, or any other main dish you like.

Brown Rice Pilaf in a black bowl next to floral napkin and bunch of fresh parsley

 
Rice Pilaf is a classic recipe that has great flavor and is easy to make!
Originally published Dec 27, 2018

Instant Pot Brown Rice Pilaf

Rice is one of the staples I make in my Instant Pot® often. Everything from basmati, white rice, to risotto with arborio rice, and rice pudding!

Once you get the cook times down, you can toss the ingredients in and proceed to make all kinds of yummy Instant Pot rice recipes.

Closeup of Brown Rice Pilaf in a black bowl with gold fork

What is Rice Pilaf?

Rice Pilaf is basically rice cooked in a flavorful broth, with veggies and seasonings added to it. Often you will find herbs such as parsley or rosemary, and even mushrooms, almonds, dried cranberries, and such.

What is nice is that once you set the lid and cook time it is hands-off until it is done!

Brown Rice Pilaf in a black bowl next to a golden fork

Rice Pilaf as a Main Dish?

You can make this Instant Pot Brown Rice Pilaf as a tasty side dish that will compliment your entree, or make it the main dish.

It's so easy to make Brown Rice Pilaf in the Instant Pot. You can experiment with the herbs and creative, flavorful add-ins as this recipe is very versatile:
• Pine Nuts
• Sliced Mushrooms
• Garbanzo Beans
• Sliced Almonds
• Dried Cranberries

Is Brown Rice Pilaf Vegetarian?

You can make this a vegetarian rice pilaf in the Instant Pot simply by using vegetable broth or water in place of chicken broth, which I use for the flavor.

I think as-is, this is a delicious combination of flavors, with a little zip of citrus that brightens this rice up just enough. I could just eat this as my Meatless Monday meal and be really happy!

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If you make this flavorful Instant Pot Rice Pilaf recipe, please let me know. Just leave a comment with a star rating below. I'd like to know how you liked it!

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5 from 8 votes
Brown Rice Pilaf in a black bowl next to two golden forks
Print
Instant Pot Brown Rice Pilaf
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
22 mins
Natural Release
15 mins
Total Time
47 mins
 

Instant Pot Brown Rice Pilaf is a delicious side dish recipe that cooks to the perfect texture, and is very flavorful. Enjoy with chicken, beef, pork, fish, or any other main dish you like. Make this vegetarian by using veggie broth.

Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: instant pot rice pilaf, pressure cooker brown rice pilaf recipe
Servings: 4
Calories: 368 kcal
Author: Sandy Clifton
Ingredients
  • 3 Tablespoons Butter, unsalted
  • 1 small Onion, diced
  • 1½ cups Long Grain Brown Rice (or Brown Basmati rice)
  • 3 cloves Garlic, pressed or finely minced
  • 1 teaspoon Fresh Rosemary, minced
  • ¼ teaspoon Thyme Leaves, dried (not ground)
  • ¾ teaspoon Kosher Salt (or ½ tsp table salt)
  • ¼ teaspoon Pepper
  • 1¾ cups Broth, low sodium chicken or vegetable
  • ½ teaspoon Lemon Zest (grated)
  • 1 teaspoon Lemon Juice, fresh
  • 2 Tablespoons Fresh Parsley, minced
  • 2 Tablespoons Shredded Carrot,
Optional Add-Ins
  • 4 oz Sliced Mushrooms
  • ¼ cup Pine Nuts
  • ½ cup Garbanzo Beans (canned)
Instructions
  1. Turn the pot on to the Sauté setting. When the display reads HOT add the butter.

  2. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until it turns translucent.

  3. Stir in the rice and cook, stirring constantly, until all of the rice is coated in the butter.

  4. Add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant (careful not to burn it).

  5. Add the rosemary, thyme, salt, pepper and broth (plus any add-ins). Stir.

  6. Place the lid on the pot and lock in place. Turn the steam release knob to the Sealing position.

  7. Press the Pressure Cook or Manual button or dial, and then the +/- button or dial to select 22 minutes (High pressure).

  8. When the cook time has finished, let the pot sit undisturbed (natural release) until the pin in the lid drops. Then turn the steam release knob to the Venting position to make sure there is no more steam/pressure in there.

  9. Open the lid and fluff the rice pilaf with a fork. Then add the lemon zest, lemon juice, parsley and carrot. Stir.

  10. Taste and adjust salt, if needed and test for doneness. If the rice isn't soft enough, put the lid back on and let sit for a few minutes.

  11. Serve immediately.

Recipe Notes

Storage:

Keep in an airtight container in the fridge up to 5 days.

RESOURCES TO MAKE Brown Rice Pilaf in the Instant Pot

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  1. Nicole

    January 21, 2023 at 2:27 pm

    When do you add in the orzo?

    Reply
    • Sandy

      February 10, 2023 at 3:03 pm

      Hi, this recipe does not call for orzo. Perhaps you meant a different recipe?

      Reply
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Hi there! I’m Sandy - foodie with a passion for cooking and sharing my tasty recipes. My hubby Paul, our Pug Gizmo, and I live in Washington.

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Instant Pot Brown Rice Pilaf in a black dish
Instant Pot Brown Rice Pilaf in a black dish