This Instant Pot Rice Pilaf comes out perfectly each time, with a rich, nutty flavor and lovely crunch from the sliced almonds. Flavorful, easy, and it pairs with pretty much anything as a side dish.
Looking for more Instant Pot Recipes? Don’t miss our Instant Pot Lemon butter chicken thighs or Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs.
Easy Rice Pilaf Recipe
This rice pilaf is an easy, flavorful side dish that can be made right in the Instant Pot for perfectly cooked rice every time and it goes with just about anything. It’s similar to my classic rice pilaf recipe, with a few changes (besides the cooking method). Instead of beef consomme, I opted to use chicken broth which has a more mild flavor and lets the other ingredients shine.
Toasting the rice and orzo pasta in butter gives the dish a rich, nutty flavor, which truly makes it stand out. Then it’s all topped off with some sliced almonds for a lovely crunch. It takes just 30 minutes to whip this up in the Instant Pot and the leftovers make a pretty epic fried rice the next day!
What Is Rice Pilaf?
Rice pilaf is essentially just rice that is toasted or sauteed with ingredients like onion and garlic before cooking it in broth. It creates rich, flavorful, and sometimes creamy rice that also has some texture as the rice browns first. There are many ways to make rice pilaf but I like to use both butter and olive oil for a more robust flavor and add in some nuts for crunch.
Ingredients Needed
No fancy ingredients are required to make this easy rice dish. Just rice, orzo, and a few pantry staples.
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)
- Onion and Garlic – These add wonderful aromatics and flavor to the rice.
- Olive oil – For sautéing the aromatics.
- Butter – Gives the rice a rich flavor during the toasting process.
- White rice – I used regular uncooked long grain white rice.
- Orzo pasta – Even though orzo is actually pasta and not a grain, it’s perfect for rice pilaf because it cooks at the same rate as rice. (You can also try breaking spaghetti into small pieces if you can’t find orzo.)
- Chicken broth – Using broth instead of water enhances the flavor of the dish.
- Salt & pepper – For flavor so the dish isn’t flat.
- Slivered almonds – Adds just a bit of crunch to this rice side dish.
What’s the Best Rice for Rice Pilaf?
I used regular long grain white rice to make this Instant Pot rice pilaf but other varieties will work too. Basmati and jasmine rice will both work great. You can also try brown rice, which has a similar cook time.
Recipe Variations
Here are a few easy ways to switch up this rice side dish.
- Use dried instead of fresh aromatics. Fresh onions and garlic are best, but in a pinch, you can use 1 teaspoon each onion powder and garlic powder instead. Add them with the broth just before pressure cooking. If you add it to the rice while you are toasting it, it will burn the garlic powder. Taste the dish when it finishes cooking and add another pinch if need be.
- Swap out the almonds. Sub in walnuts, pecans, or pine nuts instead of almonds, if preferred. Or omit the nuts altogether.
- Make it vegetarian or vegan. If you need this dish to be vegetarian, simply use veggie stock instead of chicken stock. You can also sub the butter out for a drizzle of coconut oil or olive oil instead.
How to Make Instant Pot Rice Pilaf
Get perfect Instant Pot rice every time, with these few simple steps. The Instant Pot is really the only pan you’ll need to dirty.
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)
- Sauté the aromatics. Preheat the pressure cooker on the ‘sauté’ getting. Add some olive oil and the onion, sautéing until translucent. Add part of the butter, the orzo, and rice. Cook until they are golden brown, then add in the garlic until fragrant.
- Pressure cook. Press ‘cancel’, add the broth, salt, and pepper, turn the valve to the seal position and press the ‘rice’ button. It will cook for 8 minutes, then naturally release for 10 minutes.
- Add butter. Release any remaining pressure, then add the remaining butter. Use a fork to fluff up the rice, taste test, and adjust seasonings.
- Enjoy. Garnish with almond slices, fresh parsley, and enjoy.
Tip: Allow the Rice to Brown
Serving Suggestions
The great thing about a side like rice pilaf with orzo is that it really goes well with pretty much anything. Like potatoes, it’s one of those sides that can be served with a nice meal or something super casual. A few of my favorites include baked chicken breast, slow cooker beef brisket, lemon butter chicken thighs, and bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin.
How to Store Leftovers
Leftover rice pilaf can be stored in the fridge for a day or two in an airtight container. To reheat; place in a microwave safe bowl with a splash of water or stock. Cover with a wet paper towel and microwave for 30 seconds. You can also reheat slowly in a covered saucepan with a splash of water or broth. It also makes the best fried rice the next day!
More Rice Side Dishes:
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Instant Pot Rice Pilaf
Ingredients
- 1/2 large yellow onion , diced
- 3 cloves garlic , minced
- canola or olive oil
- 3 tablespoons butter , divided
- 1 cup uncooked long grain white rice
- 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
- 2 & 1/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth or stock
- 1 & 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 ounces sliced or slivered almonds
- fresh parsley , for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the Instant Pot on the ‘saute’ setting for about 2 minutes. Add in a drizzle of oil and the onion. Saute until onion is translucent, about 3 minutes. Add in 2 tablespoons butter, the orzo and the rice; continue to cook until orzo and rice are golden brown. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 20 seconds.
- Press ‘cancel.’ Pour in the broth, salt, and pepper. Secure lid, turn valve to the seal position, and press the ‘rice’ button. The rice will cook for 8 minutes under pressure on the rice setting, then allow the pressure to naturally release for 10 more minutes. Release any remaining pressure.
- Add in the remaining 1 tablespoon butter.
- Take a large fork and lightly scrape at the rice to fluff it up (using a spoon will squish the rice together and make it sticky.)
- Taste and adjust seasonings, if needed.
- Garnish with sliced almonds, chopped fresh parsley, and serve immediately.
