Jamaican Coconut Rice In The Instant Pot

Jamaican coconut rice in the Instant Pot-

Rice is loaded with lots of healthy nutrients, and when it’s prepared with coconut, its nutrient profile also increases. 

 

What is Jamaican coconut rice and does it taste like coconut?

Jamaican coconut rice is a Caribbean rice made in Jamaica by soaking white rice in coconut milk or cooking it with coconut flakes for a naturally sweet and tasty coconut flavor— the taste is more sweet and savory than coconut flavored.

Both the coconut and the rice plant are commonly found in the tropics all around the world.

Coconut rice too is found in different cultures throughout the world, spanning across the equator from the subcontinent South America, Southeast Asia, East Africa, Central America, West Africa, the Caribbean and Oceania.

Jamaican coconut rice is a well-known popular dish.

 

 

Watch the video – How to make quick & easy Jamaican coconut rice in the Instant Pot

 

Shop my kitchenware!

The Pioneer Woman Instant Pot  |  Instant Pot Duo Nova  |  Anthropologie bowl/plate  |  Anthropologie dish towel  |  Courtly Check relish dish  |  Pyrex measuring glasses  |  Kate Aspen measuring spoons  |

 

 

What is coconut rice made of?

Coconut rice is a Jamaican staple made of coconut milk and usually Jasmine rice. Although other rice varieties can be used to make this Caribbean dish.

This coconut rice recipe will work with almost any vegetables like Jamaican cabbage, brown sugar glazed carrots, soul food black eyed peas, or green beans.

Meats like chicken, Jamaican oxtail, and fish pair well with coconut rice, too.

Feel free to swap the coconut rice for whichever grain you prefer. Brown rice, quinoa, or farro are all great options.

Note that cooking techniques will vary based on the grain, and you may have to make some adjustments to the recipe given in this post.

 

 

Easy Jamaican coconut rice 

How do you make coconut rice easy?

The easiest way— in an Instant Pot pressure cooker!

It only takes 4 minutes to pressure cook coconut rice, and the rice is so fluffy, flavorful, and delicious!

To make easy coconut rice in an Instant Pot, all you do is add rice, water, coconut milk, salt, and sugar to the inner pot and pressure cook on high for 4 minutes. 

Once the rice is done, uncover to fluff and serve. So simple!

 

Can you substitute coconut milk for water in this recipe?

Cooking coconut rice is not different so much from cooking any other rice side dish. 

The only difference is adding a teaspoon of sugar and the addition of coconut milk instead of water.

For this Jamaican coconut rice Instant Pot recipe, you add one cup of water and one cup of coconut milk instead of two cups of water.

 

 

What kind of rice is best for Instant Pot Jamaican coconut rice?

Plain rice, jasmine rice or basmati rice are all quick, easy and delicious when cooked in an Instant Pot. Truly, any rice variety will work in Instant Pot.

You can also use long-grain, medium or even short-grain white rice without altering the Instant Pot cooking time.  

Pro tip: I like to mix jasmine and basmati rice in my Instant Pot for a light, yet slightly sticky Caribbean rice!

 

Instant Pot Jamaican coconut rice recipe

Ingredients

• 2 cups of jasmine rice
• 1 cup of coconut milk
• 1 cup of water
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1 teaspoon of granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped (optional for garnish)

 

 

Instructions for Jamaican coconut rice in the Instant Pot

1. Add the jasmine rice, water, coconut milk, salt and sugar to the Instant Pot stainless steel inner pot.
2. Stir to mix the ingredients and make sure the rice is covered in the liquid.
3. Close the Instant Pot lid (make sure the valve is in the sealing position – up) and pressure cook on high for 4 minutes.
4. When the cooking time is finished, allow a natural release of pressure for at least 2 minutes.
5. To open the Instant Pot lid, move the valve to ‘venting’ and manually release any remaining pressure, if applicable.
6. Fluff the coconut rice with a fork.
7. Optionally, garnish with fresh, chopped cilantro.
8. Serve Jamaican coconut rice warm, and enjoy!

 

Pro tip: To avoid your rice drying out, when the cooking time is finished, I find it best not to leave rice in the Instant Pot on the ‘keep warm’ setting.

You can simply remove the inner pot and serve immediately while the rice is still warm.

 

 

What to eat with Jamaican coconut rice?

Coconut rice pairs nicely with any Caribbean dish.

Serve it with your family’s favorite recipes like Jamaican, soul food, South Asian, Indian, and Hawaiian entrées. 

 

 

There’s just something so perfect about the paring of spiced curries and fruity tastes with creamy, soothing coconut milk rice!

Serve Caribbean rice with:

Jamaican oxtail

Seafood gumbo

Mango chicken kabobs

Jamaican cabbage

Sweet plantains

Jamaican coco bread

Tuna steaks

Soul food seasoned chicken

Stuffed peppers Instant Pot recipe

 

 

How long does coconut rice last in the fridge?

Instant Pot coconut rice will last for 5-7 days in an airtight container in the fridge.

When storing cooked rice, you may want to include a tablespoon or two of water inside the storage container and cover the container with a paper towel to keep the coconut rice from drying out.

To reheat, simply include a tiny amount of water or extra coconut milk in the rice—this aids in ensuring that your rice is fluffy or sticky instead of dry.  

 

 

 

 

Can you freeze this Jamaican coconut rice?

Yes, you can freeze coconut rice. 

Here’s how:

• Once the coconut rice has cooled, freeze it in an airtight container or a freezer storage bag.
• Store in the freezer for up to 5 months.
• To reheat, transfer the frozen coconut rice to a microwave-safe container and reheat. Or use the Instant Pot ‘keep warm” setting to reheat. 
• Stir the rice from time to time in the middle of reheating.

 

 

Is coconut rice good for you?

Yes, coconut rice is good for you, especially since its main ingredient is coconut milk.

A unique coconut milk fact is that its central saturated fat contains lauric acid, also found in mother’s milk! Lauric acid is said to nurture brain development and bone health.

 

 

Where does coconut milk come from?

Coconut milk is a white, smooth substance removed from the tissue of mature coconuts.

Coconut water is the fluid inside a coconut, while coconut milk comes from the coconut’s natural tissue.

Thick coconut milk comes from crushed coconut tissue. It’s blended in with warm water and then strained through a cheesecloth.

The straining creates slender coconut milk.

 

 

What’s the easiest way to make Jamaican coconut rice?

The quickest and easiest way to make coconut rice is in 4 minutes using an Instant Pot pressure cooker.

It’s now super easy to prepare this delicious Caribbean staple in your kitchen with this Instant Pot simple recipe!

Have you tried this recipe with brown rice or any other rice?

Let me know in a comment below!

 

 

Like this post? Pin the below image to your Pinterest “Instant Pot Recipes” board!