Instant Pot Congee Recipe (2024)

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Instant Pot Congee Recipe (1)

Hello! I finally completed the February dim sum dish recipe for my 12 Months of Dim Sum Project. Man, that crappy week in mid-February really set me back because it’s March now! In January, I shared my Vegan Siomai recipe and now I am sharing with you my Instant Pot Vegan Congee Recipe. Congee is also known as “Jook”.

I’ve always called this dish Congee based on my experiences in the Philippines and Hong Kong but almost everyone else I know here in the states calls congee specifically Jook or Zhōu. There are also so many regional versions of this dish that I can’t list here and keep this narrative at a reasonable length. But, of course, I have to mention there is indeed a Filipino version called “lugaw” and that it is, of course, the version of congee I ate the most growing up.

When Eloise was a baby (or maybe when I was heavily pregnant?), I ordered an Instant Pot but was so overwhelmed that I never unboxed it. I felt awful and so intimidated just even looking at the box that I eventually sent it back for a refund. Then the summer after that, a box was delivered to my house. I opened it and saw what was inside and gasped, “Oh…no!!!!”

The Instant Pot was back. A couple of good friends from Oakland had pitched in and sent me one for my birthday as a surprise. They hadn’t known that I’d already purchased it before and sent it back. Or maybe they did and wanted to push me into doing something I wanted to do? They were always encouraging.

Like before I was scared to use it. I think it took at least a month until finally I gathered the courage to actually sit down and learn how to use it. Once I got to the hang of it, it became my favorite method of cooking. Man, I’m a busy lady! This was awesome and I can’t thank my friends enough for essentially making me face my fears at a time when I felt like I could barely function.

This vegan congee recipe is ridiculous easy and convenient as it’s made in the Instant Pot and releases steam naturally. So it really is one of those “set it and forget it” type of meals. Gosh, I hope that isn’t a protected tagline. This is also a dish you can make days in advance and reheat just by adding water to your desired consistency and, of course, seasoning to taste.

Congee is a Chinese rice porridge dish that can be bland or incredibly rich with various flavors depending on what you add. Many people also tend to eat congee they are sick. Like how many Americans eat chicken soup. I’m American too but, obviously, I like congee more. I also think it’s easier to eat because of its thicker consistency.

Instant Pot Congee Recipe (2)

However, Congee isn’t only a dish for when people are sick. It is also served as a breakfast dish at dim sum, usually with youtiao (Chinese donut).

For this vegan congee, we are using a very small amount of ingredients: Garlic and ginger for the aromatics, mushroom for umami flavor and, my favorite, Jasmine rice. Glutinous rice can be used for this dish as well but as you know from my Vegan Champorado without Glutinous Rice Recipe, I love my Jasmine rice! Seasoning could be either salt or soy sauce.

As for the consistency of the congee, I like it to be watery at first because it thickens so quickly. So the ratio of rice to water in cups I use is 1:10.

For ease and less compost, the ginger ends up being rinsed well and then diced without peeling. Correct, no peeling. Simple right? The garlic is also only peeled and roughly chopped. Both aromatics are cooked for two minutes at the most before the mushrooms are added for another two minutes of cooking. Then, quickly after that, the rice is mixed in and coated with the garlic ginger oil before everything is mixed and “finally” cooking in the Instant Pot on porridge mode.

The prep and start of the cooking process is that quick. Now we just wait about an hour. It takes about 15-20 minutes for the pressure to build, 20 minutes for the vegan congee to cook in porridge mode and, finally, up to half an hour for the steam to release naturally before removing the lid and serving.

I also have optional add-ins written in the recipe that transform the dish from a simple congee to a flavor-packed bowl of rich and silky goodness. So while the vegan congee is cooking, I prepare my toppings towards the end. Again, this is optional.

Instant Pot Congee Recipe (4)

This time I chose cilantro and chili oil but I also use scallions or Chinese chives at other times.

Instant Pot Congee Recipe (5)

Look at that thick and savory dish! I think I got a little excited when taking this photo as you can see! I barely combined this dish in my bowl because I wanted bursts of flavor.

It was perfect for me.

This is a pretty versatile dish so anyone can omit the ingredients they don’t want on that specific day and add whatever they’d like. Like I stated above, I’d just nix everything except for the rice, water and maybe a tiny bit of salt if I were under the weather.

Hope you enjoy this recipe and find this vegan congee as delicious and comforting as I do.

12 Months of Dim Sum Recipes:

January 2021:Vegan Siomai

February 2021:Instant Pot Congee

March 2021:Vegan Potstickers with Ginger Scallion Tofu

April 2021:Crispy Golden Fried Tofu

May 2021:Toasted Cumin Scallion Pancakes

June 2021:Gluten-Free Asian Dipping Sauce

July 2021: Sweet Red Bean Paste and Perfectly Golden Sesame Balls

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Instant Pot Vegan Congee

Instant Pot Congee Recipe (6)

Print Recipe

The easiest and most convenient Instant Pot vegan congee recipe you’ll ever need! It is soothing and rich with garlic and gingery flavor and the perfect dish when you’re feeling under the weather, having breakfast or just plain craving good, comforting food.

  • Author: Jan Carlisle @ Bakeroise
  • Prep Time: 5
  • Cook Time: 70
  • Total Time: 75
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

  • Peanut oil or neutral oil with a high smoke point like vegetable oil
  • 5 cloves of garlic, roughly chopped
  • 28 grams of rinsed, unpeeled ginger, diced
  • 10 ounces of frozen shiitake mushrooms
  • 1 teaspoon of salt
  • 1 cup of rice, rinsed
  • 10 cups of water
  • More salt (or soy sauce) to taste
  • Optional for topping: Chinese chili oil, cilantro, sliced scallions

Instructions

  1. Turn on the Instant Pot and select the saute option at “Normal” level. There is a light indicator for it and you use the plus and minus signs to choose the level of intensity.
  2. Lightly over the bottom of the pot in oil. When the oil is hot, add the ginger and garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes or until aromatic. Do not brown.
  3. Add the mushrooms and salt and combine well with the garlic ginger oil. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until mushrooms have softened up. Turn off the Instant pot by pressing cancel.
  4. Add the rice and stir to mix the grains to try and coat each grain with the oil as much as possible. You’ll hear a slight frying sound. Add the water and mix everything evenly.
  5. Make sure the silicone round seal is attached to the lid’s inner edge. Cover and seal the Instant Pot with the lid. Set the steam release handle on “Sealing”.
  6. Turn on Instant Pot by pressing the “Porridge” button and make sure the cooking time is 20 minutes at “normal” intensity. You can adjust this by using the plus and minus signs. It will take 15-20 minutes to build pressure before it actually starts to cook. So this step will take up to 40 minutes.
  7. When done, let the pressure of the Instant Pot release naturally. So do not adjust the steam release handle at all. The natural release takes up to 30 minutes. (See notes)
  8. When the steam is released, you’ll notice that the silver pressure indicator has sunk into its little socket. That means it is safe to remove the lid.
  9. Season to taste using salt or soy sauce. This will vary between each person and each situation. Trust your taste buds. This can be a bland dish if you want it to be for when you’re sick.
  10. Serve in bowls and, optional, top with cilantro leaves and/or sliced green onions.

Notes

  • Do not peel your ginger if you don’t want to. I personally prefer to keep my skin on nowadays. Peel if you feel like it. Not a big deal either way.
  • If you’re sick and want something bland, omit everything except the salt and water at first. Then season to your taste only if you think you can handle it. I personally couldn’t.
  • Absolutely don’t do a manual release when the food is done. If you do, starchy water will spray out from the pot and get everywhere. It won’t be a fun cleanup.

Keywords: vegan congee, dim sum, vegan dim sum, vegan rice porridge, vegan jook, vegan porridge, comfort food, vegan comfort food

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Instant Pot Congee Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between rice porridge and congee? ›

The simplest and biggest difference to tell apart what is a congee and a porridge, is the texture of the rice. The rice in congee is utterly cook to the point it dissolved into a glue-ly / starchy texture. Porridge on the other hand, the rice still retain mostly its shape and have clearly soup / water base.

What is the porridge setting on Instant Pot Pro? ›

Press the Porridge button. The default setting is pre-programmed to set the pot to cook at High pressure for 20 minutes. If you press the Porridge button again, you can adjust the mode from Normal to Less or More.

What is the secret to creamy congee? ›

Whisking the congee is our secret for making restaurant-quality congee that's full-bodied and almost-creamy. This technique will help break down more of the rice grains and let those starches out to thicken the congee. If it gets too thick at any point, you can always thin it out by adding some boiling water.

Why is congee so healthy? ›

The benefits of congee and looser porridge result from long, slow cooking with lots of water, transforming food into a meal that hydrates, supports digestion & soothes the stomach. Congee improves digestion by soothing and balancing the entire digestive tract and every organ of digestion.

Is congee just overcooked rice? ›

Congee or Rice Porridge

Here's how to make congee, the savory Chinese rice porridge, out of overcooked rice: Bring a couple of inches of water to a boil in a sauce pan and start adding the mushy rice, a couple of spoonful's at a time. Break them up with a whisk, as you add them to the water.

Is congee healthier than rice? ›

Congee, also known as rice porridge, has less calories and carbohydrates than rice because it is typically made with a higher ratio of water to rice. The rice is cooked for a longer period of time, breaking down the starch and making it more easily digestible.

Are instant porridge pots healthy? ›

Your regular instant porridge pot may not be what you think!

With slow release energy, oats help lower cholesterol, they're heart healthy and recommended to combat type 2 diabetes and more. And it's easier than ever to get your fill with the whole array of instant porridge pots displayed in your local supermarket.

How to make the best instant porridge? ›

Microwave
  1. Empty packet into microwave-safe bowl.
  2. Add up to 3/4 cup unheated milk or water; stir. For your convenience, you can use the packet as a measuring cup.
  3. Microwave on HIGH for 60 to 75 seconds.
  4. Stir and let stand for 2 minutes.

How to make instant porridge better? ›

Add Real Fruit

Fresh fruit will taste much, much better than the dried up fruit or fruit flavoring you'll find in an instant oatmeal packet. You can cut up basically any kind of fruit to top your oatmeal, from apples to berries to something more tropical, like mangos.

Why do Asians eat congee? ›

In some cultures, congee is eaten primarily as a breakfast food or late supper; some may also eat it as a substitute for rice at other meals. It is often considered suitable for the sick as a mild, easily digestible food.

What kind of rice is best for congee? ›

Congee can be made with many different types of rice. Use basic white long-grain rice if you like; jasmine rice is a favorite as well. Other long-grain rice varieties like basmati can create a nice congee, and even short-grain rice will work. Cooking times may vary with any of these options.

Can congee be overcooked? ›

Overcooked glutinous rice gives congee its translucent color and bloppy texture. It was done to stretch out uncertain inventory of rice or grain in times of low harvest; while filling and easy to digest for the young, old, or sick, on its own it wasn't sufficient nutrition.

Is it OK to eat congee every day? ›

Rich in flavour and filled with the goodness of nutrients, rice congee is the perfect dish to have daily for anyone, especially children who are picky eaters. Introduce your fussy baby to a warm bowl of rice congee topped with the things they love. The delicious dish is also beneficial for your overall well-being.

Is it good to eat congee every day? ›

One fantastic way to tune up your digestive system is by eating congee. Do not skip this recommendation. It can make a HUGE difference in your digestion, energy, sweet cravings and healthy weight management.

Is congee good for losing weight? ›

Lose Weight with every bite

Congee is warm, nourishing, and easily digested meal that provides many health benefits. Slow cooked on a low heat, congee retains most of its nutritional value, and allows for easy absorption of nutrients and less expenditure of digestive energy.

Why is rice porridge called congee? ›

The dish does tend to be associated with East Asian cuisine, so it is interesting to discover that the word “congee” has its origins in the Tamil kanji (also the Telugu and Kannada gañji, the Malayalam kanni and the Urdu ganji), from kanjī (“boilings”), referring to the water in which rice has been cooked.

What is the difference between porridge and congee setting? ›

Porridge and Congee

The Porridge setting is designed to cook a thicker, Japanese style rice porridge using short or medium grain white rice, while Congee will make a thinner, Chinese style rice porridge using Jasmine white rice.

Is congee just porridge? ›

The word “congee” derives from Tamil, and different Asian cultures have their own version of this delectable, often savory, rice porridge. In Chinese cooking, congee (粥, pronounced jook in Cantonese or zhou1 in Mandarin) usually involves boiling jasmine rice with a lot of water over low heat.

Is congee considered porridge? ›

Congee is essentially a rice porridge made by boiling rice in a great deal of water until it breaks down into a pudding-like consistency. When made with water, the taste of congee is very bland, but there are many ways that you can add sweet or savory flavors.

References

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