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Instant Pot Spinach Rice Recipe

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4.5 from 97 reviews

A flavorful and easy Instant Pot recipe for Spinach Rice, combining fragrant basmati rice with fresh spinach and aromatic spices for a healthy, vibrant, and comforting one-pot meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1.5 cups Basmati rice (rinsed well)
  • 2 packed cups baby spinach leaves (or another type of spinach)
  • 1.5 cups water

For Sautéing

  • 1.5 tablespoons ghee (or butter, or olive oil – about 25 g)
  • 1/2 medium onion (finely diced)
  • 2 garlic cloves (grated or diced)
  • 1 teaspoon grated ginger
  • 1 jalapeño pepper (or small green chili, can be omitted or halved)

Spices and Seasonings

  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin powder
  • 2 cardamom pods (optional)
  • 0.5–1 cube vegetable stock (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice (to finish)

Instructions

  1. Rinse the Rice: Rinse the basmati rice under cold water 4-5 times until the water runs clear to remove excess starch. Drain well using a sieve and set aside.
  2. Prepare Spinach Puree: Add the baby spinach leaves and 1.5 cups water to a blender. Blend until just pureed but not too smooth. You may need to blend in batches. Set aside this spinach liquid.
  3. Sauté Aromatics: Turn on the Instant Pot to ‘Sauté’ mode. Add ghee (or butter/olive oil), diced onions, garlic, grated ginger, and chopped jalapeño. Cook for about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally until the onions soften and the mixture is fragrant. Add turmeric powder, garam masala, cumin powder, cardamom pods, and crumbled vegetable stock cube (if using). Stir well to combine and avoid any garlic or ginger sticking on the bottom. Add a splash of water if needed to prevent burning. Once fragrant, press ‘Cancel’ to stop sautéing.
  4. Add Rice and Spinach Mixture: Add the rinsed rice and the spinach puree mixture to the pot. Stir gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
  5. Pressure Cook: Close and lock the Instant Pot lid. Ensure the valve is set to ‘Sealing’. Select ‘Manual’ or ‘Pressure Cook’ mode on high pressure and set the timer for 4 minutes. It will take about 5 minutes to reach pressure before the timer starts counting down.
  6. Release Pressure: Once cooking completes, allow for a natural pressure release for 3-4 minutes. Then, carefully switch the valve to ‘Venting’ for a quick release of remaining steam.
  7. Finish and Serve: Open the lid carefully. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of lemon juice over the rice and stir gently. Optionally, add a bit more ghee or butter for extra richness. Serve warm as a side dish or light main.

Notes

  • Rinsing the rice multiple times helps achieve fluffy, separate grains without stickiness.
  • Blending the spinach with water allows it to cook evenly and infuse the rice with flavor and vibrant color.
  • If you prefer less heat, omit or halve the jalapeño.
  • Using ghee adds richness and authentic flavor, but olive oil works well for a dairy-free option.
  • Natural pressure release helps the rice finish cooking gently and avoids splatter.
  • Adjust spices to taste according to your preference.

Keywords: Spinach Rice, Instant Pot Rice, Indian Side Dish, Basmati Rice Recipe, Healthy Rice, Vegan Spinach Rice

Find it online: https://delishfamilyrecipe.com/instant-pot-spinach-rice-recipe/