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How to Cook Zongzi in an Instant Pot
5 from 4 votes

How to Cook Zongzi in an Instant Pot

Learn how to cook zongzi (savory or sweet Chinese sticky rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves) in an Instant Pot. It takes just 90 minutes, not 8 hours!

Cook Time
1 hr 30 mins
Total Time
1 hr 30 mins
Cuisine: Chinese

Ingredients

  • zongzi wrapped
  • water

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Make sure your zongzi are not overstuffed, and that they’re wrapped securely. Neatly nest the zongzi in the Instant Pot, in a way that minimizes gaps. Handle with care so as not to damage the bamboo leaves. Fill the pot until it’s no more than 2 inches below the max fill line.
  2. Put the metal steamer rack that came with your pot on top of the zongzi, to keep them in place during cooking. Fill with water just until you reach the max fill line. (If you have fewer zongzi, simply cover them with at least 2 inches of water.)
  3. Cover the Instant Pot and lock the lid in place. Set on manual high pressure for 1 hour, and allow the pressure to release naturally. Be sure all pressure is released before safely opening the lid.

Notes

  • Note that the cooking time will vary slightly depending on the size of your zongzi. You can adjust the cooking time up or down by about 10 minutes, but no more. Longer cooking times may cause the zongzi to burst, especially if they are wrapped or tied poorly. Depending on the number of zongzi you have and the size of your Instant Pot, you may have to cook them in several batches.
  • Note that the cooking time will vary slightly depending on the size of your zongzi. You can adjust the cooking time up or down by about 10 minutes, but no more. Longer cooking times may cause the zongzi to burst, especially if they are wrapped or tied poorly. Depending on the number of zongzi you have and the size of your Instant Pot, you may have to cook them in several batches.