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About This Recipe
There’s no doubt that rice is one of the easiest side dishes to pair with just about any meal. And as much as I love grabbing the store-bought stuff for a quick go-to, you seriously can’t beat the flavor and texture of homemade rice. This Instant Pot Yellow Rice takes minimal effort and is a flavorful side dish. It’s only takes a few ingredients and you can have it on the dinner table in just 20 minutes.
This instant pot recipe seriously makes the best, fluffy rice. This rice also has a layer of flavor you won’t find anywhere else. And even though boxed rice is convenient it’s also packed with artificial preservatives and food dyes.
So not only is does this instant pot rice have a better texture and more flavor, it’s also so much healthier and made with REAL ingredients! The beautiful yellow color comes from ground turmeric and a variety of spices.
If you love this homemade rice recipe, try my cilantro lime brown rice or cauliflower lime rice (for a lower carb option).
Why You’ll Love This Yellow Rice Recipe
- Quick and easy to make! Ready in just 20 minutes!
- Free of all preservatives and food coloring. Made with simple ingredients!
- The perfect side dish all your favorite Cuban, Greek, Spanish and Mediterranean recipes!
- Freezer-friendly! Make a large batch and save for later
- Gluten-free + vegetarian and can easily be made vegan
- Butter – I used unsalted butter. You could also use olive oil here.
- Garlic – I used frozen
- Rice – I used white jasmine rice
- Chicken broth – you could also use vegetable broth, or for higher protein, a chicken bone broth.
- Spices: grab some onion powder, ground turmeric, salt and black pepper!
- Fresh cilantro – totally optional but I love adding it to give this yellow rice a little bit of color and freshness! You could also do fresh parsley or dill.
This Instant Pot Yellow Rice is a great side dish that pairs well with so many different options!
- Cuban: Cuban sandwich, Cuban-style mojo pulled pork bowls
- Greek: Chicken gyros, Greek turkey burgers
- Spanish: Chicken enchiladas, Chicken tacos, Chicken fajitas
- Proteins: Breaded chicken, Pesto chicken, Chicken schnitzel, Honey garlic salmon
How To Make
The full printable recipe is below, but let me walk you through the process so you know what to expect when you’re making it!
1. Add butter, garlic, rice, chicken broth, onion powder, ground turmeric, salt and pepper to the Instant Pot and stir.
2. Close the lid and turn the pressure valve to “Sealing.” Cook on high pressure for 3 minutes. Then natural release until the pin drops, about 8-10 minutes. After the pin drops, remove immediately to prevent it from drying out or sticking to the bottom. Taste and season as needed. Fluff the rice with a fork then garnish with cilantro and enjoy!
To store: let cool then store leftover yellow rice in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
To freeze: let rice cool completely then place rice into a ziplock freezer bag and press out all excess air. Freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, add in a couple of tablespoons of water to the bag, and place in the microwave (with the bag open) for about 3-5 minutes.
Instant Pot Yellow Rice Tips!
- If cooking on the stovetop, double the amount of liquid used.
- Directions written for white rice. If using brown rice, cook on high pressure for 22 minutes then natural release until the pin drops.
Can I use a different type of rice besides white jasmine rice?
Yes, you can use any type or rice you prefer. You can use regular white rice or basmati rice (cook for 4 minutes with a quick pressure release) or you can use brown rice and cook on high pressure for 22 minutes then natural release until the pin drops.
What makes yellow rice yellow?
Ground turmeric gives the rice that vibrant yellow color! Turmeric is an amazing spice that actually has many health benefits, like anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It also has great flavor and is very common in many cuban-style recipes.
Can I cook this yellow rice on the stovetop instead of the instant pot?
Yes, you can cook this rice on the stovetop. To cook on the stovetop, add all the ingredients to a sauce pan and bring the mixture to a boil, stir and reduce to a simmer. Cook until rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed. If cooking on the stovetop, be sure to double the amount of liquid used.
More Easy Side Dish Recipes
For more healthy side dish inspiration, check out this round up of 20+ healthy side dishes for any meal or browse all our healthy side dish recipes!
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure leave a review, tag me on Instagram or TikTok at @LaurenFitFoodie or hashtag #LaurenFitFoodie so I can see your creations!
Instant Pot Yellow Rice
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter (28g)
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup white jasmine rice (180g)
- 1 cup chicken broth (240g)
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- 1/2 tsp salt + pepper to taste
- 2 Tbsp fresh chopped cilantro optional for garnish
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Instructions
- Add butter, garlic, rice, chicken broth, onion powder, ground turmeric, salt and pepper to the Instant Pot and stir.
- Close the lid and turn the pressure valve to “Sealing.” Cook on high pressure for 3 minutes. Then natural release until the pin drops, about 8-10 minutes. After the pin drops, remove immediately to prevent it from drying out or sticking to the bottom.
- Taste and season as needed. Fluff the rice with a fork then garnish with cilantro and enjoy!
Equipment
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition is hand-calculated and accurate. No autocalulations! However, note that values can vary based on the brands you use and if you substitute ingredients.
