Instant Pot Lemon Rice is a super delicious, lemon flavored rice. It is so easy to make! With only 5 ingredients, and great lemon flavor, this pressure cooker lemon rice is the perfect Instant Pot side dish.
Instant Pot Lemon Rice
Where are my lemon lovers? If you are looking for something yummy and super easy, I'm talking dump and start here, look no further! This lemon rice is simple and has delicious lemon flavor.
Rice is such an easy thing to make in the pressure cooker. I never get tired of all of the wonderful rice recipes we eat.
This lemon rice is actually a recipe I made on my stove, in a sauce pan. Now it's an Instant Pot recipe!
What is the best rice to use for Instant Pot Lemon Rice?
I like to use white long grain rice. Jasmine would also be good. I suppose you could use basmati, but it has its own flavor and might not let the pure lemon flavor shine through. I'm not sure.
My motto is use what you have. Just keep in mind that different rices will have slightly different cook times. If you need to use brown rice, it has a longer cook time (usually 22 minutes).
Can I use the lemon juice from the plastic lemon?
No. Lol, please don't! That stuff is more acidic than fresh, and just not as good. Also, you can't zest a fake lemon!
If you have it, lemon pepper makes a pretty good substitution, albeit with a little zing from the pepper!
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Speaking of lemon zest, I find that using a microplaner makes the best size and texture of citrus zest. Here's my favorite: Microplane 46020 Premium Classic Series Zester Grater
Can I omit the butter?
Yes you can. Maybe add a little splash of olive oil. The butter/olive oil helps the rice achieve a greater depth of flavor. The fat lessens the foaming that happens when pressure cooking starchy foods. This is important for recipes like this where you do a Quick Release. It can also help with sticking, but it isn't necessary.
Below are some more Instant Pot Rice Recipes for you to try.
Instant Pot Mexican Rice
Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice
Instant Pot French Onion Rice
Instant Pot Brown Rice Pilaf
If you make this pressure cooker lemon rice, please leave me a comment below and let me know how you liked it!
Instant Pot Lemon Rice is a super delicious, lemon flavored rice. It is so easy to make! With only 5 ingredients, and great lemon flavor, this is the perfect side dish.
- 1 Lemon, zested and juiced
- 1 ½ cups Long Grain White Rice, well rinsed
- 1 Tablespoon Butter, unsalted
- ½ teaspoon Kosher Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Turmeric Powder (optional, for pretty color)
- 1 ½ cups Water
- 1 Tablespoon Fresh Parsley, chopped
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Wash the lemon. Then zest it before you juice it. Add zest and juice to the pressure cooker pot.
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Add the rice, butter, salt, turmeric, and water to the pot. Stir.
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Close the lid and set the steam release knob to the Sealing position.
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Press the Pressure Cook/Manual button or dial, then the +/- button or dial to select 11 minutes. Low Pressure. *See note about cook times in Notes section below.
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The pot will take about 5 minutes to come to pressure.
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When the cook cycle has finished, turn the steam release knob to the Venting position to Quick Release the steam/pressure.
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When the pin in the lid drops back down, open the lid.
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Fluff the rice with a fork and transfer to a serving dish. Garnish with parsley.
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Serve immediately.
*Cook Time
Here are some alternate ways to set the cook time for the rice:
- If your pot doesn't have a Low Pressure setting you can use the Rice Button if your model has one.
- You can set it to cook at High Pressure for 3 minutes and do a 9 minute natural release.
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Resources to Make Instant Pot Lemon Rice Recipe
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Jen
So am I juicing the lemons and adding the juice to the pot with the zest before adding everything else? Don’t see where I add the lemon juice. Thanks
Sandy
It's the very first step where it says add to the inner liner of the IP. Maybe I can make it clearer. I'll try to, Sorry!
BDiddy
Simple, and bursting with flavor! We used this for rice bowel’s with steak, bok choy and carrots.
Jessica S.
This is very easy to make and very tasty. I like the color and it's a good use for all my lemons!
Lori Brewerton
Simple, fluffy, and delicious. I prefer this lemon rice recipe to others that include extra spices such as ginger. This can be eaten as a plain side, but I used it with sweet and sour chicken and it paired beautifully.
Mike
Turned out great!
Tara
This is really delicious! We had it with fresh bakes salmon. Yummy!
Barbara Schieving
Such a pretty color!
Sandy
Thank you, Barbara!