This Instant Pot basmati rice is the easiest way ever to turn out perfect, fluffy basmati rice each and every time! A quick cold water rinse and a few minutes of cooking are all it takes to have your rice ready to serve! It's perfect for meal prepping, too!
Instant Pot Basmati Rice Recipe
Even though the total cooking time is roughly the same, there's no fuss over the stove top. Simply rinse the rice, add water (or broth) to the Instant Pot, and set the manual cook time!
Your perfect basmati rice will have visibly distinct grains of rice, and be free of clumps once fluffed with a fork. You want the texture to be somewhere between semi-firm to tender, but definitely not mushy.
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🥘 Instant Pot Basmati Rice Ingredients
You really only need rice and water for this easy recipe! I like to add a pinch of salt and/or butter for extra flavor, but it's totally optional.
- Basmati Rice - 1 cup of basmati rice (rinsed).
- Water - 1 ½ cups of water or broth.
- Cooking Oil (optional) - 1 teaspoon of cooking oil or butter.
- Salt (optional) - 1 pinch of salt.
*Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!*
How Much Water To Use For Instant Pot Basmati Rice
My ratio for water varies depending on how I want to use my cooked basmati rice. My standard ratio is 1 cup of rice to 1 ¼ cups of water for a nice firm rice. When I plan on using my basmati or jasmine rice for fried rice, I use this ratio.
If I want my rice to be a side dish for a meal, I frequently opt for using a bit more water. That rice-to-water ratio is 1 cup rice to 1 ½ cups water.
I also use the higher water ratio when I know that all of the rice will be used at that meal. Reheating rice with great results just works better when you are starting with firmer cooked rice!
🔪 How To Make Instant Pot Basmati Rice
Your Instant Pot will do all the hard work, all you have to do is rinse the rice! Get out your pressure cooker (Instant Pot), a fine mesh sieve, and a silicone spatula to get started.
- Rinse. Place 1 cup of basmati rice in a fine mesh sieve and rinse with cold water, using your fingers to stir the rice. Rinse until the water runs clear, and there is no white or milky appearance to the water.
- Transfer to the Instant Pot. Transfer the rinsed basmati to the inner pot of your instant pot or pressure cooker and add 1 ½ cups of water (or broth), 1 teaspoon of cooking oil or butter (if using), and a pinch of salt (optional). Make sure that all the rice grains are at the bottom, and none are stuck on the sides of the inner pot. *You can saute the rice for 2 - 3 minutes prior to adding water, if desired.
- Cook. Seal and lock the lid in place, and set the 'manual' high pressure cook time to 5 minutes.
- Natural pressure release. Allow to vent for 10 minutes natural release, then finish by quick-releasing the remaining pressure and removing the lid.
- Fluff and serve. Use a fork to fluff the rice before serving.
Basmati rice can be used in so many wonderful dishes! Try yours with my easy pulled pork, fragrant crockpot version of the classic Indian butter chicken, creamy turkey a la king, balsamic chicken thighs, or ground beef stroganoff for a quick dinner any night of the week! Enjoy!
💭 Tips & Notes
- The basmati rice does not need to be soaked before cooking in the instant pot. However, depending on your personal preferences, you may find that method to yield the best results. Rinse the rice in cold water to rinse off the starch and prevent the grains from sticking to each other. Drain off any excess water completely!
- 1 teaspoon of olive oil or butter (or your choice of cooking oil) can be added when cooking your rice.
- You can enhance the flavor of your basmati by sautéing the rice with oil for about 2 minutes, prior to adding the water and pressure cooking the rice. Cook your rice for 4 minutes on ‘high setting’ rather than 5 minutes as directed above, if using this sauté option.
- Use a broth or stock to match your protein for adding more flavor to the basmati rice. Simply swap the same amount of chicken, beef, seafood, or vegetable broth or stock for the ratio of water needed for your desired portion size of cooked rice.
- If you use water and not broth, you can add a pinch of salt to enhance the nutty flavor of your basmati.
- Basmati is a long-grain rice, and cooks differently than standard white rice. Do not use the ‘rice’ setting ( low pressure ) on your instant pot or electric pressure cooker.
🥡 Storing & Reheating
Store your unused instant pot rice in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. Properly refrigerated basmati rice will last up to 4 - 6 days. Discard any cooked basmati rice that has been at room temperature for 2 hours or more.
Reheating Basmati Rice
Reheating in the microwave – Place your leftover basmati rice into a microwave-safe bowl and add 1 tablespoon of water for each 1 cup of cooked basmati rice. Stir the rice using a fork, and break up any clumps in the rice.
Cover most of the bowl with cling film, leaving an area for the steam to vent out from. Or cover with a paper towel ( I use a damp paper towel for my best results ). Depending on the portion size, 1 – 2 minutes on high in the microwave should reheat your rice. Be careful of steam when handling hot dishes!
Reheating on the stove top – Place your leftover basmati rice into a saucepan and stir with a fork to break up clumps. Drizzle water or a small amount of oil in to help return moisture to the rice.
Heat on a low setting for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cooked rice is warmed through completely. Add more water as necessary during the heating process to keep your rice fluffy and moist.
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❓ FAQ
Basmati is a long-grain variety of white rice that originated from the Indian subcontinent. Basmati is described as being slightly nutty and aromatic and lends itself well to a wide variety of flavors!
Soaking the rice is not necessary when cooking with your Instant Pot. If you do want to soak your rice, you will need ¼ cup less water when cooking because the rice will have already absorbed some.
Yes, most rice freezes well! Be sure to let the rice cool off completely before transferring it to a freezer bag with the air squeezed out or an airtight container. For the best quality, enjoy it within 6 months (though it is safe to eat for much longer).
😋 More Instant Pot Recipes
- Instant Pot Minestrone - A hearty pasta and vegetable soup that is perfect for cold weather days!
- Instant Pot Corned Beef - This easy corned beef brisket recipe makes a great family dinner with cabbage or potatoes!
- Instant Pot Mac and Cheese - Rich and creamy mac and cheese you can whip up in a flash!
- Instant Pot Au Gratin Potatoes - Super cheese au gratin potatoes you can easily make in your Instant Pot!
- Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks - Instant Pot chicken drumsticks are an easy way to get a tasty chicken dinner on the table in no time.
- Instant Pot Collard Greens - Collard greens are the perfect vegetable side dish for all your favorite Southern recipes!
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📖 Recipe Card
Instant Pot Basmati Rice
Ingredients
- 1 cup basmati rice (rinsed)
- 1 ½ cups water (or broth)
- 1 teaspoon cooking oil (or butter, optional)
- 1 pinch salt (optional, to taste)
Instructions
- Place your basmati rice in a fine sieve mesh and rinse with cold water, using your fingers to stir the rice. Rinse until the water runs clear, and there is no white or milky appearance the water.1 cup basmati rice
- Transfer the rinsed basmati to the inner pot of your instant pot or pressure cooker and add water or broth, cooking oil or butter, and a pinch of salt (optional). Make sure that all the grains of rice are at the bottom, and none are stuck on the sides of the inner pot. *You can saute the rice for 2 - 3 minutes prior to adding water, if desired.1 ½ cups water, 1 teaspoon cooking oil, 1 pinch salt
- Seal and lock the lid in place, and set the 'manual' high pressure cook time to 5 minutes.
- Allow the natural release to run for 10 minutes, then finish by quick-releasing the remaining pressure and removing the lid.
- Use a fork to fluff the rice, and serve.
Equipment You May Need
Notes
- The basmati rice does not need to be soaked before cooking in the instant pot. However, depending on your personal preferences, you may find that method to yield the best results. Rinse the rice in cold water to rinse off starch and prevent the grains from sticking to each other. Do drain off any excess water completely!
- This IP basmati rice recipe quantity can be reduced or increased, using a 1:1.5 rice to water ratio. You can use 1 cup rice and 1 ½ cup water, 2 cups rice and 3 cups water, 3 cups rice and 4 ½ cups water, etc with the same cooking time successfully.
- 1 teaspoon olive oil or butter (or your choice of cooking oil) can be added when cooking your rice.
- You can enhance the flavor of your basmati by sautéing the rice with oil for about 2 minutes, prior to adding the water and pressure cooking the rice. Cook your rice for 4 minutes on ‘high setting’ rather than 5 minutes as directed above, if using this sauté option.
- Use a broth or stock to match your protein for adding more flavor to the basmati rice. Simply swap the same amount of chicken, beef, seafood, or vegetable broth or stock for the ratio of water needed for your desired portion size of cooked rice.
- If you use water and not broth, you can add a pinch of salt to enhance the nutty flavor of your basmati.
- Basmati is a long grain rice, and cooks differently than standard white rice. Do not use the ‘rice’ setting (low pressure) on your instant pot or electric pressure cooker.
- Store your leftover instant pot rice in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. Properly refrigerated basmati rice will last up to 4 - 6 days. Discard any cooked basmati rice that has been at room temperature for 2 hours or more.
Nutrition
Angela is an at home chef that developed a passion for all things cooking and baking at a young age in her Grandma's kitchen. After many years in the food service industry, she now enjoys sharing all of her family favorite recipes and creating tasty dinner and amazing dessert recipes here at Bake It With Love!
Helen Thomas says
Why do you say we can scale the recipe up or down with a 1:1 ratio except your original recipe is 1:1.5?
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
Because I grabbed that from the jasmine IP recipe and meant to edit it (but forgot). Thanks for catching it and bringing it to my attention, I'll get it updated pronto!