Instant Pot Orzo (Vegan)

Cooking orzo in the Instant Pot is SO easy & it creates a flavorful and perfectly cooked grain that is delicious on it's own or added to a salad!

I love making orzo and eating it on it's own, in a soup, or tossed in a salad! Just like Instant Pot Couscous, orzo is a pasta product that is often mistaken for a grain like rice. Orzo is small and rice-shaped, so it works great anywhere you would normally use rice.

Cooking orzo in the Instant Pot made it extremely flavorful, fluffy, yet somehow still creamy. It comes out perfectly cooked al dente, and there's no standing over the stove waiting for it to cook! Instant Pot orzo cooks SO quickly.

Why you'll love this recipe

• Easier than stovetop - I was pretty impressed with just how easy this recipe was!
• Full of Flavor - Because of the pressure cooking method, the orzo becomes infused with flavor from the broth and olive oil.
• Perfect Base Recipe - Add this cooked orzo to salads, soups, or toss it with your favorite pasta sauce!

What you need for this recipe

Ingredients and Substitutions:

• Orzo - Regular or whole wheat orzo. Any brand will work.
• Broth/Water - I used a vegetarian chicken-flavored broth, but regular chicken broth or vegetable broth will work! You can also use water, but be sure to add at least 1 teaspoon of salt.
• Olive Oil - For toasting the orzo. Other neutral oils are fine as well.

How to make this recipe

Step 1: Toast Orzo

In the Instant Pot, turn on the "sauté" function and heat olive oil.

Add minced garlic, then uncooked orzo and stir with a wooden spoon. Sauté for about 2 minutes, until orzo just turns lightly golden.

Press "cancel" on the Instant Pot to turn off the sauté function.

Add broth and use the wooden spoon to scrape the bottom of the pot. Gently stir.

Step 2: Pressure Cook

Place the lid on the Instant Pot and set the valve to "sealing."

Pressure cook on high pressure for 1 minute.

The pot will take a few minutes to come to pressure, then the 1 minute timer will begin.

After the timer goes off, press "cancel" and natural pressure release (do nothing and let the pot sit there) for just one more minute.

Then, using a spoon or spatula, carefully release all of the remaining pressure by switching the valve to venting.

Step 3: Finishing Touches

Remove the lid from the Instant Pot and use a wooden spoon to stir and fluff the orzo, making sure none of it is sticking to the bottom of the pot.

Add 1 tablespoon salt and stir to combine.

Serve as is, as a side dish, or store for later!

Expert Tips and Tricks

• Because orzo is a pasta and not a form of rice, there is no need to rinse the orzo! Just add it to the pot straight from its package.
• The Instant Pot is GREAT at infusing flavors! Try adding some garlic cloves, onion, herbs, and seasonings to this recipe to infuse with flavors.
• Save this Instant Pot orzo and use it throughout the week for meal prep

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