This easy vegan Instant Pot vegetable rice pilaf requires just minutes of prep and is ready to enjoy in 40 minutes for a healthy side dish.

A bowl of rice pilaf with peas, corn and carrots and some cilantro on the side.

Recipe Features

  • dietary needs – vegan, gluten-free, oil-free, soy-free and sugar-free
  • customizable – use whatever veggies you have on hand
  • quick and easy – minutes of prep work and ready to enjoy in under 40 minutes

Ingredient Notes

  • rice – best with white basmati rice
  • onion and garlic – use white onion and fresh garlic
  • veggies – the recipe calls for carrot, peas and corn, additional veggie options are listed below, for the peas and corn use fresh, frozen or canned, rinse well if using canned

Step by Step Instructions

Quick Note: Before you start, rinse the rice under cold water for a couple of minutes until the water runs clear.

Step 1. Add the carrot, onion, garlic and 1/4 cup of vegetable broth to your Instant Pot and press “Saute”. Saute the veggies, stirring often, for 6-7 minutes until softened and fragrant.

Onion, garlic and carrot cooking in an Instant Pot with a wooden spoon.

Step 2. Add the rice and the rest of the broth. Seal the lid, making sure the venting knob is set to “sealing”. Press Pressure Cook and set the timer to 3 minutes.

It will read “On” while it comes to pressure, then the timer will begin. After the timer beeps, let it sit for another 15 minutes (natural pressure release).

Rice, broth, carrots and onion in an Instant Pot.
An Instant Pot reading "On" on the display panel.

Step 3. Carefully open the lid and add the peas and corn. Give it a quick stir, then put the lid back on (no need to seal) and let it sit for 3-4 minutes to heat the peas and corn.

Peas, corn and carrots mixed into rice in an Instant Pot.
Close up of a vegetable rice pilaf in an Instant Pot.

Fluff with a fork then serve as a healthy side dish or add tofu, chickpeas or tempeh to make it a complete meal.

A bowl of rice pilaf with peas, corn and carrots and some cilantro on the side, two more bowls sitting just out of the frame.

Tips

  • Rice: Make sure you rinse the rice really well otherwise it will be sticky. Rinse under cold water until the water runs clear.
  • Vegetable Options: Add up to 1 cup of chopped mushroom, celery, broccoli or cauliflower with the carrots and onion. Add up to 1 whole diced bell pepper with the peas and corn.

How to Store

  • Fridge: Let cool then store in a sealed container for up to 4 days.
  • Freezer: Let cool then store in a sealed container for up to 3 months.
  • Reheating: If frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge. Heat in the microwave, stovetop or in a skillet until warmed to your preference.
Fluffy rice with peas, carrots, corn and cilantro in a small bowl.

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A bowl of rice pilaf with peas, corn and carrots and some cilantro on the side.

Instant Pot Rice Pilaf

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.7 from 7 reviews
  • Author: Deryn Macey
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 25 mins
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Instant Pot
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegan
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Description

This tasty rice pilaf makes a quick and easy dinner solution that’s ready in 40 minutes for a healthy side dish.


Ingredients

  • 1 cup diced white onion (150 g)
  • 1 cup peeled and diced carrot (150 g)
  • 3 cloves minced garlic (12 g)
  • 1 cup basmati rice, well rinsed (185 g)
  • 1 1/4 cup vegetable broth
  • salt and pepper
  • 3/4 green peas (130 g)
  • 3/4 cup corn (130 g)

Instructions

  1. Add the onion, garlic and carrot to the Instant Pot with 1/4 cup of the vegetable broth. Press “Saute” and cook the veggies for 5-6 minutes until softened and fragrant, stirring often.
  2. Add the rice and the rest of the vegetable broth. Seal the lid and make sure the Vent Knob is turned to “Sealing”. Press Pressure Cook and set the timer to 3 minutes. The Instant Pot will read “On” as it builds pressure. Once the pressure has built up, it will start the 3 minute timer.
  3. After the timer goes off, allow the pressure to release naturally for 15 minutes (no need to touch anything).
  4. After 15 minutes, move the Vent Knob to venting to make sure all pressure has been released, then carefully remove the lid.
  5. Stir in the peas and corn. Place the lid back on, no need to seal, and let set for 3-4 minutes to heat the peas and corn.
  6. Remove the lid and fluffy with a fork, breaking up any clumps then serve right away.

Notes

Veggie Options: Add up to 1 cup of chopped mushroom, celery, broccoli or cauliflower with the carrots and onion. Add up to 1 whole diced bell pepper with the peas and corn.

Storage: Let cool then store in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 4 days or freezer for up to 2 months. To serve, reheat in in the microwave or stovetop in a saucepan or skillet

Peas and corn: Use fresh, frozen or canned. Rinse well if using canned. No need to thaw first if using frozen.


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1
  • Calories: 154
  • Sugar: 7.8 g
  • Sodium: 237 mg
  • Fat: 0.8 g
  • Carbohydrates: 33.1 g
  • Fiber: 3.9 g
  • Protein: 4.9 g