Rice Pilaf is that perfect blend of rice and pasta (usually orzo or fideo) and it is as simple and quick to make as it is satisfying to eat! I’m talking eight basic ingredients you may already have in your kitchen where it’ll be on the table in 25 minutes from prep-to-serve. The secret is in some Greek seasoning, but if you don’t have any on-hand, I show you how to make your own in the recipe card below.
Watch The Video!
Sautéing
Pressure Cooking
Coif That Pilaf!
The Taste Test
Instant Pot Rice Pilaf
Rice Pilaf is that perfect blend of rice and pasta (usually orzo or fideo) and it is as simple and quick to make as it is satisfying to eat! I'm talking eight basic ingredients you may already have in your kitchen where it'll be on the table in 25 minutes from prep-to-serve. The secret is in some Greek seasoning, but if you don't have any on-hand, I show you how to make your own in the recipe card below.
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) salted butter or 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1/2 cup orzo or fideo (which is a cut spaghetti)
- 6 cloves (2 tablespoons) garlic, minced or pressed
- 1 1/2 cups jasmine, basmati, or any long-grain rice, rinsed for 90 seconds and drained
- 2 cups broth of your choice
- 1 tablespoon Cavender's Greek Seasoning (see Jeff's Tips)
- 2 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
Instructions
- Add the butter or olive oil to the Instant Pot. Hit Sauté and Adjust so it's on the More or High setting. Once the butter's melted or the oil's shimmering, add the onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes, until translucent.
- Add the orso or fideo and the garlic. Sauté another 3 minutes until the pasta begins to get a bit toasted.
- Add the rice, broth, Greek seasoning or seasoned salt, and parsley and stir, scraping the bottom of the pot to get any browned bits up from it.
- Secure the lid and move the valve to the sealing position. Hit Cancel follwoed by Pressure Cook or Manual on High Pressure for 3 minutes. When done, allow a 10-minute natural release followed by a quick release (NOTE: If the pin drops before the 10 minutes are up, making the quick release irrelevant, that's fine. But just wait the full 10 minutes to remove the lid regardless).
- Fluff the rice with a fork and serve.
Jeffrey's Tips
Using the olive oil in place of the butter will make this dairy-free and vegan.
If you want to make it clucky, toss in some rotisserie chicken meat in Step 5 while fluffing the rice!
Want it lighter? Sub brown rice for white. The pressure cook time will increase to 25 minutes with the same 10-minute natural release.
If you can't find Cavender's in your market (you can get it online here, by the way), mix the following together:
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
Sharon Farage
I make my pilaf very similar. Don’t do the Greek spice but add in mushrooms
Liz Andrsn
Bloom the seasoning in the hot oil until you smell them, then add your liquid. The deeper the toast on the pasta, the deeper the flavor.
Cindy Hardy
Add some diced mushrooms, delish!!
Kevin
Any tips for avoiding the burn warning? I love this recipe but have issues with that every time.
Jeffrey
Add just a little more broth (like 1/4 cup) and be sure to stir well before pressure cooking. But I wonder if you have a faulty model.
MikeNC
I cannot make this in my new 6-qt Instant Pot Pro 10-in-1 for some reason. Twice it’s thrown a “BURN” notification. I tried again the other night with a little more hot broth. The preheat started at level 3 and stayed there at least 10 minutes, and then the preheat stepped down to level 2. I opened the pot, added a little more water, and it still didn’t get above preheat level 2. I checked the seal and ensured the lid was on properly. However, there’s no problem making the baby back ribs recipe in this pot. I’ve made the pilaf in my older 6-qt Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 several times with no problem. Appreciate any ideas and suggestions.
Stephanie
I’ve made this pilaf 3 times, one of my favorites! I’ll be making it again this week too. One time I added raisins to it, it was amazing.
Jeffrey
Love this!
Laura Warren-Hughes
Omg!! Just made this for the first time and it is the BOMB!!
Jeffrey
Woohoo!
Diane Crammer
Made this last night haven’t used my instant pot in so long it came out really good. I added peas and extra onion as I love sauted onions.
Excellent dish.
Jeffrey
Super!