Instant Pot Calrose Rice

Learn how to cook Asian-approved Perfect Instant Pot Calrose Rice (Pressure Cooker Calrose Rice). No more mushy, gooey, or hard medium grain Japanese Calrose rice! Super easy to make in less than 30 mins!! 😀

As my dad, the rice man, always says “I can’t live without rice!”

Rice is in our blood.

That’s why we started our site with the good old Jasmine Rice Recipe.

You might call us crazy.

We must admit we’re a little picky & teeny bit particular about our rice – blame it all on our Asian genes. ?

The meal just doesn’t feel right if the rice is off balance.

If you’ve been following our pressure cooking journey (thank you!!), we’ve been having lots of fun experimenting some of the most popular types of rice – Jasmine rice, Brown rice, Basmati rice, Sticky rice, and Arborio rice.

So, how can we miss one of our favorite go-to rice – Calrose Rice!

Some might say, “it’s just rice! How complicated can it be? Just press the rice button, you’re all set…”

As easy as it looks, there’s no one-size-fits-all method to making perfect Pressure Cooker Rice, at least not in our books.

Perfecting rice especially Instant Pot Rice that sticks, can get a little tricky.

To us, finding the perfect Water to Rice Ratio is like hunting for the Golden Key that opens the Treasure Box of Perfect Rice.

So, time for another Instant Pot Rice Experiment!! 😀

Wait, What is Calrose Rice?

Calrose rice is a medium grain Japanese type rice developed in California.

• “cal” = California origin & production
• “rose” = medium-grain shape

In fact, some restaurants use this as a budget substitution for Japanese rice side dish or even use it for making sushi.

Instant Pot Calrose Rice Experiment

What We Look For in Perfect Calrose Rice?

• Evenly cooked – Tender through the center yet has a nice mouthfeel – chew to the bite
• Remain intact, separated, slightly sticky, but not mushy or gooey
• Dry rice with a bit of moist, not soggy or wet

We conducted 4+ tests with Calrose Rice using different amounts of liquid & cooking time in our Instant Pot Electric Pressure Cooker.

Here are the Instant Pot Calrose Rice Experiment Results:

After playing around with various factors, we achieved our desired results with Test #4.

• Soft Rice Fans: If you like softer rice, follow Test #3’s ratios.
• Hard Rice Fans: If you like chewier rice, follow Test #2’s ratios.

Time to cook some Calrose Rice in Instant Pot!

Instant Pot Calrose Rice Step-by-Step Cooking Guide

Prepare Ingredients for cooking Calrose Rice in Instant Pot:

Tool for Instant Pot Calrose Rice

• Instant Pot Electric Pressure Cooker
• Pyrex Measuring Cups

Optional Preparation Step – Rinse Rice

Gently rinse rice under cold water. Drain well.

*Pro Tip: If you are rinsing the rice, drain well and reduce 2 tablespoons from the water. This is critical if you’re aiming for optimal results.

Pressure Cook Calrose Rice

Place 1 cup (235g) medium grain Calrose rice and 1 cup + 3 tablespoons (295ml) cold water in Instant Pot Pressure Cooker.

Close lid and pressure cook at

• Pressure Cooking Method: High Pressure for 6 minutes (Please see experiment chart to find your preferred texture) + Full Natural Release (roughly 10 mins)

Open the lid carefully.

Fluff & Serve Perfect Instant Pot Calrose Rice

Fluff the rice with the rice spatula or fork, then serve with your favorite main dish.

Cooking Tips for Instant Pot Calrose Rice

1. Water to Rice Ratio: this ratio makes or breaks your path to perfecting Instant Pot Rice. So, measure them as accurately as possible for your satisfaction ?

2. Rinsing the Rice: If you are rinsing the rice, drain well and reduce 2 tablespoons from the water. It’s critical to be precise on the water to rice ratio in order to achieve optimal results.

More Instant Pot Rice Recipes You’ll Love

Instant Pot Jasmine Rice

Instant Pot Brown Rice

Instant Pot Basmati Rice