15 Things to Cook in a Rice Cooker (Beyond Rice)

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Things to Cook in a Rice Cooker: Quick Answer

A rice cooker can make far more than plain rice. You can cook pulao, khichdi, idli, dhokla, eggs, vegetables, oats, pasta, soup, and even kheer. The steam and keep-warm modes open up a lot of dishes.

Below are 15 easy ideas that suit Indian cooking. We add quick how-to facts for each. A short safety note on the steam and keep-warm functions follows at the end.

Rice-Based Dishes (1–4)

These build on what the cooker does best. Here are four to start with.

1. Vegetable pulao: Sauté cumin, whole spices, and veggies if your cooker has a sauté mode. Add rinsed basmati, water, and salt. Cook till fluffy.
2. Biryani-style rice: Layer washed rice with veggies, fried onions, saffron milk, and ghee. Cook on rice mode without opening the lid.
3. Dal khichdi: Mix rice and moong dal with turmeric, ginger, salt, and water. Cook till soft, then finish with lemon and a tadka.
4. Curd rice base: Cook soft rice, cool it, then mix with curd and a tempering. The cooker handles the rice step.

Steamed Dishes (5–9)

The steam rack turns your cooker into a steamer. Keep water below the basket so food steams, not boils.

5. Idli: Pour fermented batter into greased molds. Steam on the rack over hot water for about 10 to 12 minutes.
6. Dhokla: Steam fermented besan batter in a dish inside. Add a mustard-seed tempering after.
7. Boiled eggs: Place eggs in the steamer basket above water. Close the lid and cook to your liking.
8. Steamed vegetables: Steam broccoli, carrots, or beans in the basket. Keep them above the water line.
9. Steamed momos: Place momos on a greased rack and steam until the wrappers turn glossy.

One-Pot Meals (10–13)

The cooker pot works for soft, simmered dishes too. Add enough liquid so nothing sticks.

10. Oats or porridge: Cook oats with water or milk to your texture. Great for masala oats or a simple breakfast.
11. Pasta: Add pasta and enough water to cook through. Switch to warm, then stir in sauce or cheese.
12. Soup: Simmer stock, veggies, spices, and protein until tender.
13. Poha or upma: Use the warm mode to soften and hold these light breakfasts.

Sweet Dishes (14–15)

You can make simple desserts too. They need enough liquid and a few stirs. Watch them so they do not stick.

14. Kheer: Cook rice with milk and sugar, stirring now and then, until creamy. Add cardamom and nuts.
15. Halwa-style pudding: Simmer semolina or grated carrot with milk and sugar, stirring often, until thick.

Steam & Keep-Warm Safety Tips

The cooker and steam basket get very hot. Use tongs or mitts. A few simple habits keep things safe.

Keep water below the steamer basket so food steams, not boils. Do not use keep-warm to finish raw food. It only holds temperature. It is not meant to cook from raw or to hold perishables for long.

Want a compact tool that boils, steams, and cooks small meals? Our InstaCuppa Multipurpose Electric Kettle Cum Cooker comes with a steamer tray for idli, eggs, and momos.

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Some links here are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only point to products we would suggest to our own family.