Haitian White Rice

The easiest Haitian White rice you’ll ever make! Perfectly cooked Haitian White Rice (Diri Blan) right in the instant pot, or over the stove.

Learn how to make perfect, fluffy Haitian white rice with sautéed onions and garlic. This simple and flavorful rice recipe is the perfect side dish for any meal!

If you are tired of rice being too gummy or too hard, you’re not alone. Rice is really easy to overcook or undercook. But this instant pot white rice recipe is easy and will be perfect every time. Follow our steps to make this delicious white rice.

Seriously, once you have the technique down, it’s also really easy to make this rice in the instant pot or on the stovetop. This rice is easily paired with the pepper steak.

The full recipe is below; however, follow the step-by-step picture guide to help you make this Haitian white rice in the instant pot each time. Here’s how to make it.

Rinse The Rice

Yes, always make sure the rice is rinsed under cold water when making Haitian white rice. This process removes the starchiness and makes the rice less sticky. Of course, you would want to use a strainer to rinse the rice. Rinse the rice until the water is clear. 

Instant Pot Rice Cooking Ratio 

When making rice over the stove, it’s best to use a 1:2 ratio. For example, for every 1 cup of rice, use 2 cups of water. However, this may differ depending on the type of rice you are cooking. It is best to read the directions on the package. 

When it comes to cooking rice in the instant pot, I find that it is best to use a 1 to 1 ratio. That’s because as the rice cooks at high temperatures in the instant pot, it pressurizes it.

Unlike the stove top where the water boils first before adding the rice. The boiling process of course evaporates some of the water.

The steam from the pressure adds additional liquid to the rice. Therefore, it is best to use a 1 to 1 ratio. 

Cook The Ingredients First 

Haitian food almost always involves onions and garlic. Even in our rice as it adds additional flavor. First, sauté the onions and garlic in the instant pot prior to adding the rice. Once the onions start to become translucent, add in the rice, stir, add the water, salt, and pepper. 

Add Pressure

After adding the rice and all of the ingredients, it’s time to cover and seal the instant pot to cook the rice at a high temperature. Cook the rice for 15 minutes in the instant pot.

Cooking Brown Rice

Let the instant pot do the work for you, if you are cooking brown rice, adjust the time to 25 minutes since brown rice takes a little longer to tenderize.  

Release The Pressure

Turn the knob to venting and release the pressure. Fluff and enjoy your rice. It’s as easy as that. 

Stovetop Cooking Method

Over medium-high heat, sauté onions and garlic until fragrant. This should take about 45 seconds to 1 minute. 

Next, pour water into the pot, be careful as the steam will rise. Add water and season with salt to taste.

Bring to a boil, then add rinsed white rice and give it a good stir. Cover and stir occasionally while it cooks. About halfway through. 

Finally, lower the heat, cover, and cook until fluffy perfection!

Then serve your well-cooked, delicious Haitian White Rice—Ready to Serve with any sauce or protein!

Other Rice Recipes You Might Enjoy

If you enjoyed this diri blan recipe, try this Instant Pot Haitian Lalo, Instant Pot Haitian Black Rice, this Caribbean chicken and rice recipe, this instant pot Haitian rice and beans, and this dill rice recipe. 

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