This mouth-watering Instant Pot rice pilaf has the most amazing fragrant and taste.
It loaded with mushrooms, carrots and other vegetables and has a wonderful color.
For some, rice is quite basic food, but when you pair it with the right ingredients, it becomes a remarkable dish. The mushrooms add deep and earthy tones, while the green beans bring a dose of freshness.
This Instant Pot rice pilaf recipe is an upgrade to your basic rice, without too much effort.
Table of Contents
Which rice to choose?
Choose any type of white rice like basmati or jasmine rice. For a gourmet treat you can try the wild rice.
For more info regarding cooking rice in the instant pot, can check out this Instant Pot rice calculator.
What is rice pilaf?
Rice pilaf is a dish made with rice. It can be very simple, made just with spices, or a full dish, made with veggies. The rice pilaf can be also mixed with grains. When it comes to spices, you can season the rice pilaf just with salt and pepper, saffron, or even a strip of orange.
All these additions give the pilaf the medley of both textures and flavors and make it an easy dish to customize for any table.
Can I make it vegetarian or vegan?
Yes. Just take out the oyster sauce.
It gives the rice a special taste, but if you don't have any or want to make a vegan rice pilaf, feel free to leave it out.
If you are looking for a vegan recipe, there are some great options below.
Key steps for good pilaf?
On the technical side, there are some steps you should respect when making pilaf. The first step is to toast the rice. Instead of toasting the rice, you can give it a good rinse, as I did. The second is to cook the rice in a slightly less amount of liquid. This makes pilaf fluffier, with separated distinct grains.
The rice will be cooked, but it is just a touch drier than the regular rice. The final thing is to let your pilaf rest; leaving it to rest for few minutes is also helps give it a fluffier texture. Extra steam will escape while allowing the grains to firm up.
How to make rice pilaf
Gather your ingredients:
Rinse the rice thoroughly and place in an Instant pot. Add water and oil.
Add rice vinegar.
Top it with potatoes, carrots and green beans:
Add mushrooms and soy sauce:
Lock the lid into place and cook the pilaf for 8 minutes on High pressure.
Wait for a natural pressure release. Stir in oyster sauce and serve.
You can check out What To Serve With Rice Pilaf for delicious ideas for a complete meal.
Vegan Instant Pot rice recipes
Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice

Instant Pot Rice Pilaf
Ingredients
- 2 cups jasmine or basmati rice Rinsed
- 2 ยฝ cups water
- 1 tablespoon rice wine or Japanese sake
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 waxy potatoes cubed
- 2 carrots chopped
- 1 lb white mushrooms halved
- 1 l green beans chopped
- 2 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
Instructions
- white rice 2 to 3 times and strain excess water.
- Add rice, water, rice wine or Japanese sake and vegetable oil to the Instant Pot
- Top it with potato, carrot, green beans, mushrooms and soy sauce.
- Close the lid and cook on high pressure for 7 minutes.
- When cooking time ends, wait for a natural pressure release for 15 minutes.
- Once done, open the lid and mix everything gently
- Add in oyster sauce and stir well.
- Serve and enjoy ๐
Nutrition
Instant Pot Rice Pilaf Alchemy
How would the time be affected if you doubled the recipe
Same cooking time. Just double the water.
Can you use brown rice instead of white/Jasmine, and if so, how does the cooking time change.
Yes, you can. You'll need to pressure cook for 15 minutes and allow a full natural release for brown rice.