Learn how to cook perfect Calrose rice in the Instant Pot every time with this tried and tested recipe. It is easy, quick, and makes the best rice as a side dish, to use in stir-fries, or for making sushi.
Calrose Rice originated in California. The name “rose” indicates medium grain shape and “cal” to indicate California origin. Calrose Rice once cooked is soft and sticky. It goes well with soups, and salads, or sushi as they can absorb the flavors well.
Table of contents
What is Calrose rice?
Calrose is California-grown medium grain rice that cooks up soft, moist, and slightly sticky. It has a clean and fluffy texture that holds together your favorite everyday dishes, from Asian to Mediterranean meals.
This is the most commonly found white rice in grocery stores in the US.
How to cook Calrose Rice?
You can easily cook calrose rice on the stovetop or in the instant pot.
Ingredients you’ll need
- Calrose Rice
- Cold water
I did not add any butter or oil, but you can add about a tablespoon of oil while cooking the rice.
Rinsing the rice:
I always like to start with rinsing the rice. Place the rice into a mixing bowl and cover it with cold water. Clean the rice in the water with your hand, 2-3 times or until the water is clear. After the rice is rinsed, drain the rice in a colander or strainer.
You can also place the rice in a strainer and rinse the rice under cold running water until the water runs clear.
Instant Pot Method
Cook rice: Pour in cold water and the well rinsed & drained rice in Instant Pot. Ensure all the rice is fully submerged in the water.
Pressure cook for 5 minutes at HIGH pressure. Allow for a natural pressure release for ten minutes before releasing steam manually.
Fluff the rice with a ladle or fork.
Rice is ready to be served.
Stovetop Method
Add 1 1/2 cups of water for every 1 cup of rice to cook on stovetop.
- Add the rice and water to a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil on medium-high heat.
- Reduce the heat to low and cover the saucepan with a lid. Simmer until the water is completely absorbed. It will take about 18-20 minutes.
- Remove from heat and rest for 5 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork and serve.
Tips to make perfect Calrose Rice
- Use the rice water measurement suggested in the recipe for perfectly cooked rice.
- Once you open the Instant pot lid transfer the inner pot to the countertop. This will stop the bottom layer of the rice to cook further.
Common Questions
Like all other types of white rice, medium-grain calrose rise is high in carbohydrates. Rice are best to eat in moderation as a side dish.
Yes, just store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze it in small portion for up to 6 months.
Yes, Calrose Rice tends to be soft and slightly sticky when cooked.
No, when cooked sushi rice is flavored with vinegar seasoning and it’s only used for making sushi whereas Calrose Rice is cooked plain, can be used in making sushi, and for everyday meals as well.
Yes, the main reason to rinse is to remove the surface starch from the grains.
Hope you enjoy this easy Instant Pot Calrose Rice. Here are more Instant Pot Rice recipes you might like:
How to cook Calrose Rice
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cup Calrose Rice, 14oz
- 2 1/4 cup Cold water, for cooking, or 3 cups for stovetop method
Instructions
- Place the rice into a mixing bowl and cover it with cold water. Clean the rice in the water with your hand, 2-3 times or until the water is clear. After the rice is rinsed, drain the rice in a colander or strainer.
- Transfer the rinsed rice to the instant pot. Pour in 2 1/4 cup cold water. Make sure all the rice is fully submerged in the water. Pressure cook for 5 minutes at HIGH pressure. Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then release the steam manually.
- Fluff the rice with a ladle or fork. Rice is ready to be served.
Stovetop Method:
- Add the rice and water to a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil on medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to low and cover the saucepan with a lid. Simmer until the water is completely absorbed. It will take about 18-20 minutes. Remove from heat and rest for 5 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork and serve.
I have been literally around the world in my life, cooking different rices.
Never hurts, the way I do it.
I always double my water.
Every rice I have ever cooked, I put my 1 cup of rice in my skillet (not castiron) with a pat of butter, NOT margarine.
Saute on low-medium a little to brown very lightly, then add two cups of water, bring to a boil, put a cover of it, turn it on low for about 20minutes…I check it about 15 minutes.
Perfect every time, no matter what type of rice.
Thanks for sharing your method, Ann.
I live in St. Petersburg, FL and have been able to find Botan in a 5 lb. for $8.42 or a 20 lb for $24.72 at the Super Walmarts by me. I also just saw a 25 lb. bag of Diamond G brand at Sam’s the other day for $22.98. We also have a very large Asian market called MD Oriental Market, and I’m positive they carry it too, but I haven’t gone in there yet to see what sizes they carry or what their prices are since I’ve been able to get it from Walmart. I was only recently introduced to this rice, and omgosh, this is rice is a game changer for sure! I’ll never eat or buy any other type of rice again! It’s SOOOO delicious! I’ve always been a Basmati fan, but not any more after finding this treasure!!!
Hi Sha – Happy to hear you enjoyed calrose rice 🙂
Thanks very helpful! I grew up in Hawaii so when I became an “adult” moved to the mainland and started buying my own rice and couldn’t figure it why it didn’t taste like “Hawaii Rice”. Until one day I was told Calrose rice not long grain. I live in AZ so had to hunt for it at the time very few places sold it. Now it’s easily available at our local Walmart or can buy 20 lb bag on Walmart.com for $20 free shipping if you spend $35.
Thats great to know that calrose rice is easily available is Arizona now. Thanks for sharing!
Walmart carry a Big 20 lb bags. I buy ut And use it for many Dishes including Sushi. And Everything else.
If it helps, you can usually request the rice to be ordered at your grocery store. And usually it’ll be tucked away on the bottom shelf in the Asian isle. Or hit up your local asian market. They will have the big bags.
I live in New Jersey, and this is ABSOLUTELY NOT commonly found. I have to hunt and hunt for it, and have only found it in Whole Foods, where it was prohibitively expensive, and Costco, where it is only sometimes available. The rice that is in the supermarket is nowhere near as good. Blue Ribbon, Uncle Ben’s, Jasmine, Thai, Indian — many, many types of rice, but not Calrose. Buy it when you find it.
Hi Ellen – Thanks for sharing. I live in California, and do see calrose rice available more easily.
I live in South Florida and they sell it in Walmart in the Asian Food section.