This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.
This Instant Pot Rice recipe is a healthier, juicier and flavor packed rice pilaf called plov. It all comes together in 1 pot (the instant pot!) and you won’t believe how quick and easy this is.
Traditionally, beef plov is made with white rice, but we used a brown rice which was perfect for the instant pot because it doesn’t get mushy while the beef becomes melt-in-your mouth tender. Brown rice is also way healthier and your hungry people may not even realize it is brown rice. It works so well in this recipe!
P.S. We’ve included our Amazon affiliate links below for the tools we used to make this recipe.
Watch How to Make Instant Pot Rice Beef Plov:
My husband gave me this Instant Pot for Christmas and I am already completely smitten with it! If you own an instant pot, chances are you are obsessed with it also. Let me know about your favorite instant pot recipes in a comment below. I’m so excited to put this amazing little pot to work!
Ingredients for Instant Pot Rice Beef Plov:
2 1/2 cups short grain brown rice (500 grams), rinsed and drained*
1 lb beef chuck or beef stew meat, cut into 3/4″ pieces
4 Tbsp olive oil
4 Tbsp butter
1 large onion, diced
3 large carrots, thickly julienned
3 cups (720 ml) very warm water
1 Tbsp salt (we used fine sea salt)
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp ground paprika
1/2 tsp ground coriander
1 whole head garlic, unpeeled, cut in half crosswise.
1 Tbsp freshly chopped parsley to garnish – optional
*TIPS FOR SUCCESS: We used organic short grain brown rice (I buy the “Lundberg” brand bag sold in Costco). DO NOT USE quick cooking rice, parboiled or white rice – these would all need modifications in timing and water. Use a standard measuring cup or a kitchen scale to measure the rice (not the measuring cup that comes with your instant pot).
If you don’t own an instant pot yet, you can still make beef plov on the stovetop with this recipe and check out the creative grain we used in this newer version – wildly delicious!!
⬇Print-Friendly Instant Pot Rice (Beef Plov):
Instant Pot Rice (Beef Plov)
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups short grain brown rice, 500 grams, rinsed and drained*
- 1 lb beef chuck or beef stew meat, cut into 3/4" pieces**
- 4 Tbsp olive oil
- 4 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3 large carrots, thickly julienned
- 3 cups 720 ml very warm water
- 1 Tbsp salt, we used fine sea salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp ground paprika
- 1/2 tsp ground coriander
- 1 whole head garlic, unpeeled, cut in half crosswise.
Instructions
- Rinse and drain rice and set aside. Set Instant pot to sauté on high heat (push sauté twice to switch to high heat) and add 4 Tbsp olive oil. Once oil is hot (but not smoking), add beef in a single layer and sauté until lightly browned (5 min), stirring occasionally.
- Add 4 Tbsp butter and chopped onion and stir 3 minutes until softened.
- Add julienned carrots along with all seasonings (1 Tbsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper, 1/2 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp coriander) and sauté 5 minutes until softened, stirring occasionally.
- Spread rice evenly over the top (do not stir). Push garlic halves cut-side-down, halfway into the rice. Pour very warm (or hot) water directly over the garlic cloves so you don't disturb the rice. Use the back of a wooden spoon to poke 5-7 holes through the rice to the bottom of the pot (this helps disburse flavor).
- Cover and cook on high pressure 30 min (I used the "Multigrain" setting). Let instant pot rest and naturally depressurize 10 min before switching to the venting position to release steam. Make sure the steam is fully released and the pressure valve has floated down before opening the pot.
- Remove garlic and set aside. Stir rice well to combine ingredients. We squeeze the garlic cloves back into the pot because they are melt-in-your mouth delicious.
Notes
**The meat will brown easier if you leave it at room temperature 30 minutes before starting to cook it.
Nutrition Per Serving
If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen
This instant pot plov also reheats really well on a skillet the next day so leftovers are a great thing!
Have you gotten on the instant pot wagon? It was actually this recipe that made me fall in love with my Instant pot (ahem 2 hours instead of 15 hours? YES!!!).
What is your favorite recipe to cook in the Instant Pot? I am always looking for new ideas. Thanks in advance my friends. I always love hearing from you :).
Hello! First off, I love your recipes soo much<3
I don’t have an Instant Pot, but I do have this multi-cooker:
https://www.manualslib.com/manual/1154038/Panasonic-Sr-Tmh10.html?page=7#manual
Can I still make this recipe in my multi-cooker (it doesn’t have a sauté or plov setting), or should I stick with the stovetop method?
Hi Natalie! I have not tested this in a multi-cooker to advise. I assume it could work but you’d have to experiment with it.
Like a few others have noted, mine came out super greasy. I used a pack of stew meat that was slightly marbled and was close to 1.5 lbs. I didn’t drain off the excess fat. Big mistake! With the added butter, it ended up being super greasy. I also used long grain brown rice, but didn’t change the cook time, as some have advised. Also a mistake! The rice was slightly overcooked and mushy. Now that I’m aware of this, I’ll definitely give this recipe another shot. The flavor is wonderful and the meat was nice and tender. The garlic was a great touch. So, beware of make any changes to the recipe as written! DRAIN the meat and cook long grain rice for LESS time!
HI Lori, I’m glad you’re going to give it another shot. Thanks for sharing!
I made this recipe on 01-12-2023 and it was outstanding. I used 2.7 lbs beef versus the 1 lb. for a main dish meal.
Hi Bill! Glad you loved the recipe. Thank you for sharing.
I have made this 4 times now, always great even if I change the quantities or ingredients a little depending on what I have.
We have had a refugee from Ukraine with us for three months, and before their arrival I looked up recipes for them to make them feel at home, and I found your site. This and the buckwheat recipes were a huge success from day 1. When I opened the lid of the pot after my first batch he smelled it and said something into google translate. When he showed me it said « home ». Thanks for the recipes 🙂
You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Meagan! How kind of you to take people in & make them food from their home country! Blessings to you!
Will it make a difference if I use long grain brown rice instead of short grain? Thank you.
Hi Tanya! I haven’t tested this with long-grain brown rice so keep in mind if you are substituting- long grain requires a little less water and also may cook slightly faster than short grain.
My husband would like me to make this using ground beef. Will that work?
I think it could work with some adjustments, Kim. But you’d have to experiment with it.
This recipe was super easy and soooo GOOD! All I had was long grain brown rice so I followed another reviewers comment to double the recipe (because we love leftovers) and use a 1:1 ratio of rice to water (5 cups rice and 5 cups water), doubled seasonings, forgot to double the carrots so I added frozen peas mixed in after pressure cooking. I also just used baby carrots chopped into rounds. I used stew meat that was still very wet from being thawed in water so I made sure to drain all the water after I browned the meat so as not to mess with rice to water ratio. I wonder if I can make an “Asian” version of this by just changing the seasonings???
Hi Ned, I have not tried making this recipe with seasonings that will make it a more Asian dish. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe.
I finally got an instant pot and this was the first recipe I tried! My instant pot sauté option wasn’t consistent with the heat so my meat didn’t get a good sear. Overall I trusted the process and the result was delicious! Followed step by step. Next time I think i’ll sear the meat in a skillet. My picky husband and kids approved of this recipe! It’s delicious and oh so healthy! Will keep this on rotation for dinners at my house, thank you Natasha!
Thanks for sharing, Maria! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe.
Made this a few times already. But I’m having a large company over this weekend can I double this recipe or should I make 2 different portions separately ?
Hi Alena, I haven’t doubled this personally, but I would keep the time the same if doubling. One of my readers doubled it and reported the following: “I did do 2 lb of beef and doubled all seasonings. I also did 5cups of rice and 5 cups of water. Fit to a T in the 6QT. Came out perfectly fine.” I hope that helps!
I made it vegan, 1.5x spices, saute onions & red pepper to start, add cooked beans for meat, and keep carrots chunky. i’ve made it as the recipe says and no matter what so far always delish – I love that it’s so easy, tasty. Thanks for the recipe(s)!
That’s great! You’re very welcome. 🙂
Hi! I this recipe with chicken, and it was delicious. I might add of the spices to the recipe, but apart from that, it reminded me of chicken plov that my mom made when I was a child in Kyiv. Thank you very much for the recipe. I couldn’t believe that it came out so well from the pressure cooker. She used to make it in kazan for hours.
That’s great! So glad it was delicious. Thank you for the review, Hannah!
Natasha I have found using more meat had made this a main dish. If anyone lives near a Winco they have the short grain brown rice in the bulk food section for an fyi!
Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Jordan!
I make this fairly regularly with a few modifications as a one pot main dish. I reduce the rice to 2 cups, water to 2 2/3 cups, and oil and butter to 3 Tbsp each. Then I throw in some frozen peas after the pressure is released to help cool it quickly and add some color. It’s always well received by the family. Thanks for all the great recipes!
You’re welcome and thank you for sharing the modifications that you are doing too. That’s helpful!
Hi Natasha!
Just discovered you and your hilarious inspiring cooking videos!
I made your chicken plov last week and now I want to try this beef plov!
Would long grain basmati brown rice work in this recipe?
Thank you,
Crystal
Hi Crystal! Thank you for following. I have not tested this to advise how to alter the recipe (cooking time, liquid, etc…) I always recommend trying a recipe the way it is written for the first time without making substitutions and then adjusting from there in the future.
Made it as per the recipe, but skipped the butter. Used a “Plov” spice mix from the Eastern European grocery store and about 1.25 lbs of meat (might even add a little more next time for a higher meat to rice ratio). Overall tasted great!
Hi Valentine, great to hear that you enjoyed the result! Thank you for the review.
Is it ok to use white rice? Due to a medical condition I’m unable to eat brown rice as I’m on a low fiber diet.
Hi Michele, I always recommend trying a recipe the way it is written for the first time without making substitutions. I think white rice will work but the timing will be different so you would have to do an experiment on that.
Amazing recipe ! I’ve made this following your exact instructions multiple times ! Never fails and so delicious . Question- if I make it with lamb stew instead of beef, would it be the same timing in instant pot ??
Hello Shana, good to hear that you always love this recipe! I haven’t really tested that yet to advise but others shared that they used lamb and it went well. If you would like to do an experiment, please share with us how it goes.
Natasha how would white meat chicken breast work? Have you tried it? I just try to stay off the red meat somewhat!
Hi Jordan, I imagine that will work too. I saw someone else commented that they tried chicken thighs and it was great.
It came out awesome! I so wish you would make more instapot recipes! I love interpreting your artwork into yummy food!
Hi Jordan! So glad you enjoyed this recipe. We are working on more instant pot recipes in the future but be sure to check out the ones we have currently. There is quite a selection of instant pot recipes.
I am wanting to make this for dinner and went to Freddys to see if they have the short grain brown rice. The only short grain brown rice they had was sprouted. Is this the same? Would it change the cooking time if I used sprouted short grain brown rice?
Hi Stacey, I don’t have any experience using sprouted rice in this recipe, so I can’t make any recommendations. If you experiment, I’d love to know how it turned out!
Made it with chicken thighs. Almost as good as our Turkmani cousin’s!
Excellent. Thank you for sharing. I’m happy you enjoyed this recipe.