When it comes to maximizing the versatility of a rice cooker, exploring beyond plain rice can unlock a world of convenient, hands-off meals. From flavorful one-pot dishes to desserts, rice cookers can simplify cooking while delivering consistent results. This comparison highlights top options—such as steamed veggies, hearty soups, tender meats, and even baked goods—to help you make informed choices for your next meal. Whether you’re a busy cook or a kitchen novice, these ideas aim to inspire efficient, tasty creations without compromising quality. Let’s discover what your rice cooker can truly do.
Editor’s Choice
Best for a specific purpose
- Best for best overall: Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker
- Best for mini capacity: Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Mini Electric Pressure Cooker
- Best for steam versatility: Hamilton Beach Digital Programmable Rice Cooker & Food Steamer
- Best for best budget: AROMA® 20-Cup (Cooked) One-Touch Rice Cooker and Food Steamer with Auto-Warm | 10 cups uncooked
- Best for low carb: COOK WITH COLOR 3L Glass Low Carb Rice Cooker - Makes 6 Cups Cooked Low Sugar Rice with Auto Lift Filter Basket
- Best for compact design: COMFEE' Compact Rice Cooker
- Best for pressure cooking: Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker
- Best for family size: Hamilton Beach Digital Programmable Rice Cooker & Food Steamer
- Best for microwave ready: Sistema Microwave Rice Cooker & Round Microwave Food Container Set | 2.6L
- Best for premium features: TOSHIBA Umami Smart Rice Cooker 5.5-Cup Uncooked
Product Comparison: Best Food To Make In Rice Cooker
Best overall
Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice, Steamer, Sauté, Yogurt Maker, Warmer & Sterilizer, Includes App With Over 800 Recipes, Stainless Steel, 6 Quart
Instant Pot
- 7 Cooking Functions: Pressure cook, slow cook, sauté, steam, make rice, yogurt, or simply keep your meal warm—all in one appliance
- Customizable Smart Programs: Tackle every recipe with 13 one-touch options, from hearty soups to decadent cakes
- Safe & Easy Steam Release: The Easy-Release steam switch ensures fast, safe, and simple steam release every time
- Good Food Done Faster: Cook up to 70% faster compared to slow cooking methods
- Pro-Grade Cooking Pot: Crafted from stainless steel (18/8) with a tri-ply bottom—perfect for searing and sautéing like a pro
- Family-Sized Capacity: The 6-quart capacity is perfect for up to 6 servings—ideal for families, meal prep, and batch cooking
- Quick Cleanup: No more fighting about who has to do the dishes. The dishwasher-safe lid and inner pot make clean-up a breeze
- Power-Packed Performance: 1000 watts, 120 V 60 Hz, UL & ULC Listed
Mini capacity
Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Mini Electric Pressure Cooker, Slow Rice Cooker, Steamer, Sauté, Yogurt Maker, Warmer & Sterilizer, Includes Free App with over 1900 Recipes, Stainless Steel, 3 Quart
Instant Pot
- 7 Cooking Functions: Pressure cook, slow cook, sauté, steam, make rice, yogurt, or simply keep your meal warm—all in one appliance.
- Compact Yet Capable: A 3-quart capacity makes it perfect for small households or side dishes, and with 11 one-touch smart programs, it can tackle everything from hearty soups to decadent cakes.
- Good Food Done Faster: Cook up to 70% faster compared to slow cooking methods.
- Pro-Grade Cooking Pot: Crafted from stainless steel (18/8) with a tri-ply bottom—perfect for searing and sautéing like a pro.
- Quick Cleanup: No more fighting about who has to do the dishes. The dishwasher-safe lid and inner pot make washing up effortless.
- Power-Packed Performance: 700 watts, 120 V 60 Hz, UL & ULC Listed.
- Proven Peace of Mind: Features over 10 safety mechanisms, including overheat protection, an easy seal safety lid lock, and more.
- A Little Extra: Includes a stainless steel steamer rack to keep you ready for anything.
Steam versatility
Hamilton Beach Digital Programmable Rice Cooker & Food Steamer, 14 Cups Cooked (7 Uncooked) With Steam & Rinse Basket, Stainless Steel (37548)
Hamilton Beach
- 2-IN-1 RICE RINSER/STEAM BASKET: Rice cooker includes steam basket that doubles as a rice rinser makes it easy to rinse rice before cooking to prevent clumping.
- VERSATILE CAPACITY: The rice/hot cereal cooker makes 2–14 cups of cooked rices and grains, hot cereals, steamed vegetables, and more.
- PREPROGRAMMED SETTINGS: Six different settings on this rice/hot cereal cooker take the guesswork out of cooking. Choose from White Rice, Quick Rice, Whole Grain, Heat/Simmer, Steam Cook, and Hot Cereals.
- ONE-POT COOKING: Steam seafood, poultry, or vegetables in the steam basket while the rice cooks or use the Heat/Simmer setting to make your own soups, beans, or flavored pasta mixes. Removable pot has PFAS-free ceramic nonstick coating.
- MAKE MEAL PLANNING EASIER: The Delay Start feature on rice cooker lets you program cooking up to 11 hours in advance. Automatically shifts to Warm setting after cooking to keep food ready to serve.
- 7-Cups uncooked resulting in 14-cups (cooked)
Best budget
AROMA® 20-Cup (Cooked) One-Touch Rice Cooker and Food Steamer with Auto-Warm | 10 cups uncooked, 20 cups cooked (ARC-390NGP)
AROMA
- BIG RICE POT: This 5-quart rice cooker is perfect for big families. Pour 2 to 10 cups of raw rice inside, add water, flip the switch, and watch rice double in size while it cooks.
- AUTOMATIC: Our intuitive, one-touch rice cooker automatically adjusts temperature and time for you, then switches to keep warm when it’s ready. No timer needed!
- STEAM TRAY: Get creative with one-pot meals and cook two things at once. The bonus steam tray stacks right inside the top, so it won’t take up any extra storage space.
- EASY TO MEASURE: Follow water lines marked inside the pot and use Aroma’s rice cup for foolproof measuring. With the right ratio, rice won’t burn or stick to the bottom.
- RATED #1: Aroma is America’s #1 rice cooker with a time-tested design that does so much more than just rice! Try oatmeal, chili, jambalaya, pilaf, eggs, and any grains.
Low carb
COOK WITH COLOR 3L Glass Low Carb Rice Cooker - Makes 6 Cups Cooked Low Sugar Rice with Auto Lift Filter Basket, Hotpot & Steamer for Rice, Grains and Oats, Digital Panel with Keep Warm, Greige
COOK WITH COLOR
- Enjoy Healthy Low Carb Rice – With a smart 2-step process, our starch removing rice cooker will cook perfectly healthy rice every time. Boil for 15 minutes to release excess starch, then steam for 15 minutes for fluffier, lower-carb results.
- Auto-Lifting Stainless Steel Basket – Innovative basket lifts automatically after boiling, separating rice from starchy water—no manual draining required for cleaner, healthier cooking.
- Adjustable Hotpot with 100W–700W Power – Use as a customizable hotpot with 100W power increments, adjusting temperatures in ~15°F steps for soups, stews, and more.
- Multifunctional Cooking Options – More than just rice! Use this smart cooker to steam, braise, stew, or hotpot—all in one space-saving appliance. Delay timer and keep warm functions included.
- Durable & Stylish Glass Construction – Crafted with borosilicate glass, 304 stainless steel, and heat-resistant PP parts. Transparent bowl lets you monitor food while cooking. Includes spatula & measuring cup.
Compact design
COMFEE' Compact Rice Cooker, 6-in-1 Stainless Steel Multi Cooker, Slow Cooker, Steamer, Saute, and Warmer, 2 QT, 8 Cups Cooked(4 Cups Uncooked), Brown Rice, Quinoa and Oatmeal, 6 One-Touch Programs
COMFEE'
- Multifunctional - Use-6 digital cooking programs including white rice, brown rice, steam, slow cook, quinoa and oatmeal functions.
- Compact Capacity -8 cup cooked (2 Qt) capacity yields up to 8 cups of cooked rice. Its space saving design is perfect for preparing small meals or tasty sides.
- Effortless Operation - The Multi Use Programmable Rice Cooker is user friendly with digital panel & LED display, features 6 One-Touch Programs, automatically switches to keep warm for 12 hours and 12 hour delay timer is designed for flexible meal planning.
- Easy to Clean - Stainless steel external housing is easy to wipe clean. With the non-stick coating, the cleaning of the inner pot is like a breeze. The inner pot and all of the included accessories are dishwasher safe.
- Safety Features - Built-in Overheating Protection. Made of BPA-Free Food Grade Material. Cool touch handle ensures your safety when you open the cooker.
- Warranty from COMFEE' - This programmable electric rice cooker is made of BPA-free food grade material. UL certificate approved. COMFEE' will provide 1 year manufacturer warranty together with your purchase.
Pressure cooking
Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Sauté, Yogurt Maker, Warmer & Sterilizer, Includes App With Over 800 Recipes, Stainless Steel, 8 Quart
Instant Pot
- 7 Cooking Functions: Pressure cook, slow cook, sauté, steam, make rice, yogurt, or simply keep your meal warm—all in one appliance.
- Customizable Smart Programs: Tackle every recipe with 13 one-touch options, from hearty soups to decadent cakes.
- Safe & Easy Steam Release: The Easy-Release steam switch ensures fast, safe, and simple steam release every time.
- Good Food Done Faster: Cook up to 70% faster compared to slow cooking methods.
- Pro-Grade Cooking Pot: Crafted from stainless steel (18/8) with a tri-ply bottom—perfect for searing and sautéing like a pro.
- Family-Sized Capacity: The 8-quart capacity is perfect for up to 8 servings—ideal for larger families, gatherings, meal prep, and batch cooking.
- Quick Cleanup: No more fighting about who has to do the dishes. The dishwasher-safe lid and inner pot make clean-up a breeze.
- Power-Packed Performance: 1200 watts, 120 V 60 Hz, UL & ULC Listed.
Family size
Hamilton Beach Digital Programmable Rice Cooker & Food Steamer, 8 Cups Cooked (4 Uncooked), With Steam & Rinse Basket, Stainless Steel (37518)
Hamilton Beach
- ENJOY MAXIMUM COOKING VERSATILITY FROM BREAKFAST TO DINNER. Prepare a practically endless variety of dishes with this one multi-function cooker. Make rice, whole grains and hot cereal, or steam seafood, eggs, vegetables and more
- PREPARE MEALS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY: The removable pot of the Hamilton Beach rice cooker steamer has a PFAS-free ceramic nonstick coating and is large enough to feed your whole family — it fits up to 8 cups of cooked rice.*
- ONE-TOUCH COOKING WITH PREPROGRAMMED OPTIONS: Simply press the right button to perfectly cook white rice, whole grains or hot cereal. A countdown timer shows you how much time is left. The rice cooker automatically switches to warm when cooking is complete
- VERSATILE 2-IN-1 STEAM/RINSING BASKET: The versatile steam basket on the electric rice cooker doubles as a colander. It's great for rinsing rice or grains before cooking, or use it to steam everything from salmon to brussels sprouts as your rice cooks
- PERFECT FOR ONE-POT MEALS. Steam seafood or vegetables while rice cooks below for fast, easy one-pot meals. Great for making homemade fried rice, shrimp with rice and more.
- EASY TO CLEAN: The removable PFAS-free nonstick coated pot and the steam/rinsing basket are both dishwasher safe for easy cleanup.
- This appliance holds 8 cups of cooked rice or 4 cups of uncooked rice. One rice measuring cup equals 6 oz. (177 g) or approximately 3/4 cup U.S. dry measure. This is based on the traditional Japanese gō measurement
Microwave ready
Sistema Microwave Rice Cooker & Round Microwave Food Container Set | 2.6L, 915ml | Food Containers with Steam-Release Vents | BPA-Free | 2 Count
Sistema
- MICROWAVE RICE COOKER & CONTAINER SET: Perfect for cooking rice, couscous, polenta and more, as well as reheating meals and storing leftovers
- 2.6L RICE COOKER: Features pressure chamber plate to ensure rice stays moist and fluffy; simply add rice and water, close easy-locking clips and cook
- MICROWAVE ROUND CONTAINER: Features a steam release vent in the lid for splatter-free cooking and reheating
- INCLUDES: 1 x Microwave Rice Cooker with lid and pressure chamber plate (2.6L), 1 x non-stick rice spoon, 1 x Microwave Round Container with lid (915ml)
- CARE INSTRUCTIONS: Dishwasher (top rack), microwave (with vent open), fridge and freezer-safe; designed and made in New Zealand; phthalate and BPA-free
Premium features
TOSHIBA Umami Smart Rice Cooker 5.5-Cup Uncooked, Fuzzy Logic, 15-in-1 Functions, Digital Display, Delay Timer, Keep Warm, Nonstick Inner Pot, White
TOSHIBA
- Multi-Function - This 5.5 CUP rice cooker cooks a variety of dishes, not just rice. Features 15 cooking functions, including White Rice, Quick Cook, Brown Rice, Mixed Grain, Jastmine Rice, Porridge, Cake, and Egg. This sticky rice cooker also makes soups, stews, oatmeal, cakes, and more. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned chef, this Toshiba rice cooker 6 cup Cooked offers great versatility and convenience
- Easy To Use- This electric rice cooker 6 cup is designed with intuitive control panel features a large LCD display for quick and effortless programming. Keep Warm/Reheat function keeps your rice warm and delicious . Accessories included: measuring cup, spatula, and soup ladle.
- 3D Heating technology and 24H Timer - Toshiba rice cooker with 3D heating technology delivers uniform cooking for rice while saving water and energy. Featuring a 24-hour timer and keep-warm function, it meets your food cravings anytime
- Easy to clean-Inner pot with non-stick coating and not recommended dishwasher safe and should be washed with mild soap and soft cloth. The steam valve located on the top of the lid can be easily removed for cleaning. Steam vent cap is also removable for easy cleaning
- Ultra Capacity and Thick Pot-The 5.5 Cup uncooked capacity can meet the food needs of a family of 6. 3.1mm thick Pot compatible with durable inner pot with PFAs free ceramic coating ,It can also be safely used by children. Both of all making it an essential rice cooker for every household.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Buying Guide
FAQs
What dishes are ideal for multi-functional rice cookers like the Instant Pot Duo?
Stews, grains, and proteins like beans or chicken thrive in multi-functional cookers.
Which rice cookers handle large batches best?
The AROMA® 20-Cup cooker excels for big servings or meal prepping.
Can rice cookers make low-carb meals?
Yes, the COOK WITH COLOR 3L Glass cooker specializes in low-carb recipes.
Are microwave rice cookers convenient?
The Sistema Microwave set offers quick, mess-free cooking for small portions.
What’s best for steaming vegetables?
Hamilton Beach models (14-cup or 8-cup) include steamers for veggies and seafood.
Do rice cookers simplify one-pot meals?
Instant Pot Duo models automate complex dishes like risotto or oatmeal.
Which models have programmable settings?
Hamilton Beach and TOSHIBA options offer customizable cooking profiles.
Are compact rice cookers good for small households?
The COMFEE' 6-in-1 and Instant Pot Duo Mini suit 1-2 people well.