Name: Korean Purple Rice
Prep time: 3 min
Cook time: 4 min
Total time: 17 min
Ingredients: 2 cup white short grain rice; 1 tbsp black rice; water (2 cup + 1 tbsp for IP | 2.3 cup + 1 tbsp for stove top)

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Curious as to how to make Korean Purple Rice at home? This post will show you how I make mine in my Instant Pot and stove top!

What is Purple Rice?

Purple rice is a type of rice that is cooked and served with Korean cuisine. While the grains of rice itself isn’t purple nor is the grain itself called purple rice, the black rice used to cook the rice gives off a purple hue once cooked.

Purple rice is made by combining the black rice with white short grain rice. Black glutinous rice (black sweet rice) can also be used. It’s stickier and sweeter than regular black rice.

Is Purple Rice Healthy?

The Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry has a study that claims that purple rice contains more antioxidant compounds than white rice. However, keep in mind that the ratio of black rice to white rice in this recipe is low so that would definitely affect how “antioxidant” purple rice is. You can also change up the ratio and use more black rice if you wish but it’ll change the overall texture.

Purple rice is also a rich source of dietary fibre and is gluten free.

Where to Buy Purple Rice

Locally, I purchased mine at Galleria, a Korean supermarket in Toronto.
Amazon: Black Sweet Rice
Amazon: Black Rice

How Does Purple Rice Taste?

Purple rice is chewier and has a nuttier taste than plain rice.

How to Make Purple Rice

I use a ratio of 2 cup white short grain rice to just a bit more than 1 tablespoon of black rice. This makes 5 servings.

How To Use Your Instant Pot To Make Purple Rice

Note: this rice recipe will stick to the Instant Pot liner if it sits too long after cooking. Transfer the rice from the liner after it has cooked or use a ceramic liner. This purple rice has only been tested in an Instant Pot Duo60 in a 6QT.

Rinse and drain the rice.
Add the rice to the liner along with water (1:1 ratio of water to rice).
Close the lid, set to seal, and press manual for 4 minutes. Natural Pressure Release after for 10 minutes before Quick Releasing.
Serve immediately or transfer to an airtight container.

How To Make Purple Rice on the Stove Top

If you do not have an Instant Pot, you can use this stove top method. While some may soak their rice for 30 to 60 minutes beforehand, I do not soak my rice.

Rinse and drain the rice.
In a pot, add the rice and water (1:1.3 rice to water ratio)
Bring the pot to a boil then reduce to medium heat for 6 minutes. Then low heat for 5 more minutes. Be sure to keep an eye on the pot so it does not boil over if you are using a small pot.
Let the rice rest with the lid on for 10-15 more minutes before serving.

How To Store Purple Rice or How to Freeze Purple Rice

I tend to pack my meal preps with my rice in an airtight container. However, if it is a saucy dish and I don’t want soggy rice, I pack my rice separately.

Store rice for up to 4 days in an airtight container once cooled. To quickly cool rice, I spread it out on a parchment paper on a sheet pan.
Freeze any leftover rice in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Reheat in the microwave with a little bit of water or a wet paper towel on top. Freeze in single cup portions if you want easy portioning.