Instant Pot Basmati Rice

Learn how to cook Basmati Rice in the Instant Pot that is fluffy, light, tender, and doesn’t clump together.  In this no-soak method, water is the only ingredient you’ll need to make this easy and healthy Indian side dish to serve alongside your favorite chicken or vegan curry recipes.

After trying to locate a bag of long-grain white rice at multiple grocery stores, I finally stumbled across a glorious bag of Indian basmati rice.

It was white.  The grains were long.  And hey – I was desperate.

When I got home I debated, should I cook it on the stovetop, in the rice cooker, or in the Instant Pot?

I think you already know the answer – the Instant Pot won.

Because if you know anything about cooking rice in the Instant Pot, it is SO stinking easy and will give you perfectly fluffy and tender rice every single time…

As long as you know the correct cook time and water ratio to use!

(This is the 6-quart Instant Pot I used!)

What is Basmati Rice?

Traditionally from India and the South Asian countries, basmati rice is a long-grain rice with a distinct aromatic flavor.

It comes in both white and brown varieties and is sometimes confused with jasmine rice.  Unlike jasmine rice, basmati rice is a somewhat softer grain and does not have the same nuttiness that it’s cousin does.

Basmati rice is often served alongside Indian curry dishes or as the main ingredient in biryanis.

Ingredients

Making basmati rice in the Instant Pot couldn’t be any easier.  You literally only NEED 2 ingredients, and there are two more ingredients that are completely optional.

• Basmati Rice – Some would argue that a better quality rice will taste better, but I am not one to judge.  I used the local grocery store’s brand of rice and it came out incredibly tasty, fluffy, and tender!
• Water – Yup.  Just regular old water is the liquid used in this recipe.
  • You can also get a little fancy ad try adding vegetable or chicken broth.  (Just make sure you adjust how much salt you add accordingly!)
• Butter – This is not traditional, but I tend to add butter or oil to EVERY single type of rice I cook.  Not only does it add a bit of flavor to the grain, but it also helps to keep the individual grains separated while cooking.
  • If you are dairy-free or vegan, feel free to use a vegan buttery stick or olive oil instead.
• Salt – You won’t need much to season.  I prefer my rice on the saltier side and use about 1/2 teaspoon per cup of dried rice that is being cooked.  This is optional and can be left out if you are making another recipe using the rice later.

How to Make

Cooking basmati rice in the Instant Pot is pretty much foolproof once you know what setting to use, how long to set the timer, and how much water is needed.

1. Add 1 cup rinsed rice, water, butter, or oil, and salt to a 6-quart Instant Pot.
   • For softer rice: add 1 ¼ cups water.
   • For firmer rice: add 1 cup water.
2. Cover Instant Pot with the lid and move the pressure release valve to sealed.
3. Set the timer for 6 minutes on high pressure using the pressure cook or manual function,
   1. It will take the pressure cooker about 5-10 minutes to fully pressurize.
4. Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes after the timer goes off.
5. Move the pressure release handle to the venting position to let any remaining steam escape. 
6. Open the lid once the float valve goes down.  Use a fork to fluff up the rice and serve immediately.

Rinsing Rice

There is one crucial step to getting basmati rice that is fluffy, tender, separated and NOT clumped together…

You must rinse the rice before cooking.

There are some methods that tell you to soak the rice for 20-30 minutes before cooking.

In my experiments, the no-soak method works just as good.  It removes enough of the starchy outer layer on the rice to keep the grains separated during cooking.

To rinse the basmati rice:

Place rice in a fine mesh strainer.  Rinse under cold water for 1-2 minutes, or until liquid almost runs clear.

FAQs

How much cooked rice does 1 cup of dried rice make?

One cup of dried basmati rice will yield 3 cups of cooked rice.How long to cook brown basmati rice in the Instant Pot?

If you have brown basmati rice instead of white, it will take 22 minutes to cook on high pressure in the Instant Pot.

What is the rice to water ratio?

For every cup of dried basmati rice that is being cooked in the Instant Pot you will need 1 – 1 1/4 cups of water.

Please note: Cooking rice in the Instant Pot requires less water/liquid than the traditional stovetop or rice cooker methods.

How much water do I use for 2, 3 and 4 cups of basmati rice?

If you’re doubling, tripling, or quadrupling this recipe, I did a little math for you to make it easier:

• 2 cups rice use 2 to 2 1/2 cups water
• 3 cups rice use 3 to 3 3/4 cups water
• 4 cups rice use 4 to 5 cups water

Storing

Basmati rice will keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.

Store leftover rice in a freezer safe bag or storage container in the freezer for up to 4-6 months.

Serving

Basmati rice has a subtle nutty and aromatic flavor that pairs exceptionally well with these dishes:

Slow Cooker Chicken Curry with Coconut Milk

Chicken Korma Curry

Instant Pot Yellow Chicken Curry

Vegan Chickpea Curry

4.34 from 3 votes

Instant Pot Basmati Rice

Learn how to cook Basmati Rice in the Instant Pot that is fluffy, light, tender, and doesn't clump together.  In this no-soak method, water is the only ingredient you'll need to make this easy and healthy Indian side dish to serve alongside your favorite chicken or vegan curry recipes.

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Course Dinner, lunch, Side Dish

Cuisine American, Indian

Keyword basmati rice, instant pot basmati rice

Prep Time 2 minutes

Cook Time 26 minutes

Total Time 28 minutes

Servings 6

Calories 130 kcal

London Brazil

Ingredients

• 1 cup basmati rice
• 1 - 1 ¼ cups water
• 1 Tbsp. Butter or oil
• ¼ - ½ tsp. Salt to taste

Instructions

1. Place rice in a fine mesh strainer. Rinse under cold water for 1 minute, or until liquid almost runs clear.

2. Add rice, water, butter, or oil, and salt to a 6-quart Instant Pot.

3. ▪ If you like softer rice: add 1 ¼ cups water.
4. ▪ If you prefer firmer rice: add 1 cup water.
5. Cover Instant Pot with the lid and move the pressure release valve too sealed.
6. Using the pressure cook or manual function, set the timer for 6 minutes on high pressure.
7. It will take the pressure cooker about 5-10 minutes to fully pressurize.
8. Once the timer goes off let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes.
9. Move the pressure release handle to the venting position to let any remaining steam escape. Open the lid once the float valve goes down. Use a fork to fluff up the rice and serve immediately.

Recipe Notes

• 1 cup of dried rice equals 3 cups of cooked rice.
• One serving equals ½ cup cooked rice.

Nutrition Facts

Instant Pot Basmati Rice

Amount Per Serving

Calories 130 Calories from Fat 18

% Daily Value*

Fat 2g3%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Cholesterol 5mg2%

Sodium 101mg4%

Potassium 35mg1%

Carbohydrates 25g8%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 2g4%

Vitamin A 62IU1%

Calcium 9mg1%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.