Spinach Rice | Palak Rice in Instant Pot

5 from 10 votes

Spinach Rice | Palak Rice in Instant Pot

Spinach Rice is an excellent one for meal for busy nights when one wants something quick and not too complicated. Palak Rice pair well with just plain yogurt or raita on the side and making it in the Instant pot makes it very convenient.

Prep Time15

Cook Time40

Total Time55

Course: Lunch Box Recipes, Lunch Recipes, One Pot Meal

Cuisine: Indian

Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan

Servings: people

Calories: 360kcal

Author: Sandhya Ramakrishnan

Equipment

Instant Pot

Ingredients

1 ½ cups Basmati rice
8 Oz Spinach Finely chopped - 8 oz (I used chopped frozen spinach)
1 Onion Finely chopped
2 Tomatoes Finely chopped
3-4 cloves Garlic Minced
1 teaspoon Cumin seeds
1 teaspoon Red chili powder
1 teaspoon Dhania Jeera powder
¾ teaspoon Garam masala
to taste Salt
2 tablespoon Oil

Instructions

Wash and soak the basmati rice for about 15 minutes. I usually leave the rice soaking until I get the rest of the ingredients cooking. Then drain the rice and use it.
In the saute mode of the Instant pot, heat oil add the cumin seeds (1). Once the seeds splutter, add the onions and sauté until translucent (2).
Add the minced garlic and fry for a minute (3). Add the chopped tomatoes(4).
Next add the salt and spices and cook until the tomatoes are mushy and the masala is aromatic (5).
Add the frozen or fresh spinach and saute for couple of minutes (6).
Add the water needed for the rice to cook (7). I use about 1 ½ cups of water for a cup of basmati rice. If using any other kind of rice or grain, make sure to adjust the water quantity.
Once the water heat up, add the drained rice and mix it well (8).
Close the Instant pot and turn it off from the saute mode and set to pressure cook mode for 5 minutes. Again change the cooking time depending on what works for the particular kind of rice you are using.
Once the cooking time is up, do a quick pressure release after 10 minutes. Let the rice sit for about 5 minutes and then gently fluff with a fork.
Serve it warm with raita or yogurt on side.

Video

Notes

Expert Tips

Take into account that spinach lets out some liquid when cooking. So reduce the water quantity accordingly.
I thaw the frozen spinach and then squeeze the excess liquid out before using. If you are using it directly from frozen, slightly reduce the water used for cooking the rice.
Chop the fresh spinach (if using) coarsely for the spinach rice recipe.
Let the cooked rice stand for at least 10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition