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Home » Sides » EASY and Perfect Basmati Rice in Instant Pot

EASY and Perfect Basmati Rice in Instant Pot

by Shilpa · 7 Comments

Jump to Recipe Jump to Video
Learn how to make perfect Basmati rice in Instant Pot that is light, fluffy, and does not clump together with this set-and-forget method. Water is the only other ingredient you will need in this no-soak method.
basmati rice in instant pot.

Basmati rice step-by-step recipe with photos.

Jump to:
  • About this recipe
  • What is Basmati
  • Ingredients
  • Getting the perfect texture
  • Step-by-step instructions
  • Useful tips to make Basmati rice
  • Stovetop method
  • Serving Suggestions
  • FAQs
  • Bonus
  • Recipe card
  • Comments

About this recipe

Learn how to make EASY and perfect Indian Basmati rice in Instant Pot with this set-and-forget method. Water is the only other ingredient you will need in this no-soak method. This easy method will give you perfect light and fluffy rice every single time.

Read on for tips on getting the perfect texture, step-by-step instructions, meal prep options, and serving suggestions to make perfectly steamed rice.

What is Basmati

Basmati is a long-grain rice variety that is grown in the Himalayan region. It has a GI tag and can only be grown in certain regions of the Himalayan belt. It has a distinct aroma that sets it apart from other rice varieties.

This variety of rice is commonly used to make pulao and biryani. Plain steamed rice is a perfect side for curries and dal.

perfectly cooked in instant pot.

Ingredients

raw basmatic top.

Rice and water are the only ingredients you need. Traditionally, when making steamed rice, oil or seasoning is not added. Use filtered water where possible.

Getting the perfect texture

Perfectly steamed Basmati should be:

  • long and separate grains
  • not lumpy or clumped
  • soft but not mushy
  • fragrant
  • perfect moisture level

Not just the cooking time and the rice-to-water ratio is important to achieve the perfect texture, but also the way the pressure is released is very important. Keep in mind that you MUST rinse the rice before cooking. Unlike pulao, soaking is purely optional when making steamed rice (see the tips section below).

It is really important to do a natural release of pressure when making steamed rice. Once the Instant Pot timer is done, turn it off and let the pressure come down naturally. If you do a quick release, the rice will become clumpy and sticky.

Quick release of pressure works for pulao or other rice-based dishes but not for plain steamed rice. The reason for this is the use of fat (oil or ghee) in making rice-based dishes. When making steamed rice, we do not add any form of fat or other seasonings, so the rice gets clumpy when the pressure is released immediately after the timer beeps.

perfect white rice.

Related: Cooking sorghum in Instant Pot.

Step-by-step instructions

Wash the rice until the water runs clear (step 1).

Drain all the water from it. Add the washed rice and 1¼ cups of water to the Instant Pot (steps 2,3).

Set the Instant Pot to pressure cook mode for 5 minutes (step 4).

wash rice and pressure cook.

Once the IP beeps and the timer is done, turn it off. Do a natural pressure release until the pin drops (step 5).

Open the lid and gently mix the rice. Perfect rice is ready to be served (step 6).

release pressure and fluff up.

Useful tips to make Basmati rice

Rinse the rice well 2-3 times, until the water runs clear. It is really important to remove the excess starch before cooking it (see step 1 above).

Use good quality aged Basmati to make it best-tasting.

Soaking the rice is optional and I have not noticed any difference in the texture of the rice after soaking. Soaking is an important step when making pulao as we do a quick release of pressure. For plain steamed rice, soaking can be skipped.

Do NOT fluff the rice using a fork. This will break the cooked grains. Instead, gently mix it using a silicone spatula.

If you want to meal prep, wash the rice thoroughly and drain all the excess water. Now place the washed rice in the Instant Pot inner pot. Measure the water needed for cooking the rice and add it. You can do this the previous night (or 4-5 hours before cooking the rice). If you plan to soak the rice, use the rice-to-water ratio of 1:1 (instead of the 1:1¼ that I use for unsoaked rice).

The water-to-rice ratio I use gives me rice that is cooked well with a slight bite to it. If you want firm rice (like al-dente), use a 1:1 ratio and if you want softer rice, use a 1:1.5 ratio.

See the above section for tips on how to the perfect texture of rice in the Instant Pot.

Also, check out these recipes to make red rice in Instant Pot and sona masoori rice in Instant Pot.

Click here to learn how to make Jasmine rice in Instant Pot.

Stovetop method

If you would like to make it on a stovetop, use a rice-to-water ratio of 1:2 and follow the steps below.

To make it on a stovetop:
- Rinse the rice thoroughly and drain the water
- Add 1 cup of rice and 2 cups of water to a saucepan
- Bring it to a boil
- Cover using a tight-fitting lid and set the heat to low
- Simmer for 20 minutes undisturbed
- Turn off the heat and let the cooked rice sit for 10 minutes
- Mix gently and serve

well cooked and separate grains.

Serving Suggestions

Pair it with curries and dal for a complete meal. You cannot go wrong with the classic kadhi-chawal, rajma-chawal, or dal-chawal. Here are some recipes which are incomplete without steamed rice.

  • EASY Instant Pot Rajma Masala / Kidney Bean Curry
  • Instant Pot Goat Curry (Mutton Curry)
  • Black Eyed Peas Curry in Instant Pot
  • Instant Pot Cabbage Dal
  • Instant Pot Methi Dal (Fenugreek Leaves Dhal)
  • Dal Palak / Spinach Dal (Instant Pot & Stovetop)
  • Whole Masoor Dal (Instant Pot Lentil Curry)
  • Gujarati Kadhi

FAQs

What is the difference between Basmati and plain rice?

Basmati is a variety of long-grain rice that is grown in the Himalayan region. The key difference between the two is that the former has longer grains when compared to plain rice. It has a beautiful aroma and a nutty taste.

Should I soak Basmati rice before cooking?

Soaking is purely optional and can be skipped.

What is the quantity of cooked rice from 1 cup of uncooked Basmati?

For every cup of uncooked Basmati, you will get 3 cups of cooked Basmati (packed).

perfect for curry and dal.

Bonus

This recipe is:
- tried and tested
- adjustable to get your preferred texture
- great for meal prep

perfectly cooked basmati rice.

Recipe card

Perfect Basmati Rice in Instant Pot

Learn how to make perfect Basmati rice in Instant Pot that is light, fluffy, and does not clump together with this set-and-forget method. Water is the only other ingredient you will need in this no-soak method.
5 from 19 votes
Print Pin Rate
Author: Shilpa
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Indian
Servings: 3
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Basmati rice
  • 1¼ cups water

Instructions

  • Wash the Basmati rice until the water runs clear.
  • Drain all the water from it.
  • Add the washed rice and 1¼ cups of water to the Instant Pot.
  • Set the Instant Pot to pressure cook mode for 5 minutes.
  • Once the IP beeps and the timer is done, turn it off.
  • Do a natural pressure release until the pin drops.
  • Open the lid and gently mix the rice.
  • Basmati rice is ready to be served.

Video

Notes

See the tips section above for useful tips to make this dish.
Nutrition Facts
Perfect Basmati Rice in Instant Pot
Amount per Serving
Calories
225
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
1
g
2
%
Saturated Fat
 
1
g
6
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
1
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
1
g
Sodium
 
8
mg
0
%
Potassium
 
71
mg
2
%
Carbohydrates
 
49
g
16
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
1
g
1
%
Protein
 
4
g
8
%
Calcium
 
20
mg
2
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

More Sides

  • Laccha Pyaz / Lachha Pyaaz (Indian Onion Salad)
  • Kosambari (Indian Carrot and Lentil Salad)
  • Cabbage Palya / Cabbage Poriyal (South Indian Cabbage Stir-fry)
  • How to cook Sorghum

Reader Interactions

Comments

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Kat says

    March 30, 2022 at 7:50 am

    5 stars
    So fluffy and perfectly cooked!

  2. Kayla DiMaggio says

    March 30, 2022 at 9:48 am

    5 stars
    Yum! Big rice lovers over here and I always botch my batch. This turned out perfect!

  3. nancy says

    March 30, 2022 at 2:32 pm

    5 stars
    comes out perfect! thanks for the recipe

  4. Anaiah says

    March 30, 2022 at 2:56 pm

    5 stars
    Thank you for this! Basmati rice turns out so perfect and fluffy this way!

  5. Bianca says

    March 30, 2022 at 5:45 pm

    5 stars
    Turned out amazing and so easy to make!

  6. Andrea says

    June 05, 2022 at 12:11 pm

    5 stars
    Great recipe! Thanks. My mouth is watering looking at all the suggested recipes! I'm definitely trying the Black Eyed Peas Curry! Thanks for linking to my jasmine rice!

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