September 22, 2022

Vegan Coconut Rice (pressure cooker method)

Vegan Coconut Rice in the pressure cooker: The Perfect Pairing for Any Meal

If you’re looking to elevate your meals with a creamy, fragrant side dish that’s quick and easy, look no further than this Vegan Coconut Rice made in the pressure cooker. With its rich, subtly sweet coconut flavor and perfectly fluffy texture, this rice is the perfect companion to curries, stir-fries, or even as a standalone dish. The best part? It’s ready in a fraction of the time it would take to cook on the stovetop, thanks to your trusty Instant Pot. Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or just want a comforting side dish for dinner tonight, this recipe is sure to become a staple in your kitchen. Let’s dive in and make some magic with coconut milk and a few simple ingredients!

Ingredients Needed

Instant Pot (or Pressure Cooker): The Instant Pot makes this dish incredibly easy and foolproof. If you don’t already own a pressure cooker, I highly recommend considering one—seriously, it’s life-changing!
Indian Basmati Long Grain White Rice: I’ve made this recipe with Indian basmati rice, and it gives the perfect texture and flavor. While I haven’t tested it with other types, I imagine any long-grain white rice would work just as well.
Thai Full-Fat Coconut Milk: I’ve exclusively used Thai coconut milk for this recipe, so I can’t speak to how it would turn out with regular canned coconut milk. If you give it a try, I’d love to hear how it turns out!
Water
Pink Himalayan Salt: This adds just the right touch of seasoning to complement the coconut flavor.

How to make coconut rice in a pressure cooker

Prepare the Instant Pot: Lightly spray the Instant Pot liner with cooking spray to prevent the rice from sticking.

Rinse the Rice: Use a fine mesh strainer to rinse and drain the rice under cold water. This removes excess starch for fluffier rice.

Add Ingredients: Pour the rinsed rice into the Instant Pot. Then, add the coconut milk, water, and pink Himalayan salt. Stir everything together until well combined.

Set the Instant Pot: Close the lid and set your Instant Pot to the “Rice” function. Let it cook!

Let It Sit: When the timer beeps, allow the rice to sit for 10 minutes without opening the lid. This helps the rice absorb any remaining liquid.

Release the Pressure: After 10 minutes, carefully release any remaining pressure and remove the lid.

Fluff the Rice: Gently fluff the rice with a fork to separate the grains and make it nice and airy.

Serve and Enjoy: Your creamy coconut rice is ready to serve! Enjoy it as a side dish or with your favorite curry.

Storage Instructions:

In the Refrigerator: Once your coconut rice has cooled to room temperature, transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freezing: You can also freeze coconut rice for longer storage. To freeze, let it cool completely, then place the rice in a freezer-safe container or resealable freezer bag. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. For easy reheating, consider dividing it into individual portions.
Reheating: To reheat, simply microwave the rice with a splash of water or coconut milk to bring back its creamy texture. Alternatively, you can reheat it in a pot on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through.

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