Learn how to make perfectly fluffy, tender, and fragrant Basmati rice in the Instant Pot every single time with this quick and easy recipe!
Growing up in an Indian household, my mom would cook a batch of fragrant, tender, and fluffy Basmati rice on a regular basis. Whether she cooked it on the stovetop or a traditional Indian pressure cooker, it would be perfect every time. We'd enjoy it with chana masala, lentils, or any other Indian dish.
Basmati Rice in the Instant Pot
Naturally when I first purchased my Instant Pot, one of the first things I cooked it in was Basmati rice. I love this method for cooking rice (including brown rice and black rice) because the results are always predictable - perfect rice every time and it couldn't be easier.
The perfectly cooked Basmati rice has the following characteristics:
- Each grain is visible - thus, no mushy rice!
- It's aromatic
- It's deliciously simple
The first key to making perfect Basmati rice is using the correct rice to water ratio. I use this simple formula when I’m cooking it in the pressure cooker:
For 1 cup of Basmati rice, use 1 ¼ cups of water.
The second key to making delicious Basmati rice is to rinse the rice before cooking it. This prevents the grains from sticking together.
The third key to making perfectly cooked rice is to sautee the rice with a little butter or oil before adding the water to cook it. This helps separate each strand and also deepens the flavor.
Use this hand-off method to set it and forget it until it’s done! Perfect for a side dish, base for the main dish, and excellent for batch cooking and meal prep. I love to make a batch to use in meals throughout the week or freeze for later.!
What You'll Need
You only need a few things to cook Basmati rice, in addition to your Instant Pot:
- Basmati Rice: White long-grain Basmati Rice
- Water
- Butter (or Oil)
- Salt: for added flavor. Note that if you prefer not to add salt, this can be omitted.
- Bowl or Mesh Sieve: to rinse the rice in
How to Cook Basmati Rice in the Instant Pot
1. Soak the rice: In a medium bowl, combine the rice and water. Be sure to cover the rice with water by an inch as the rice will absorb and plump up slightly. Soak for 30 minutes.
2. Rinse and drain rice: Drain the rice in a mesh sieve and rinse under cool water until it runs clear, running your fingers through the rice. This will take a couple of minutes.
3. Add ingredients to Instant Pot: Select the "Saute" button and add rice and butter (or oil). Sautee the rice for 3 minutes, stirring frequently, before pouring in the water. Turn off.
4. Pressure cook the rice: Close the lid of the pressure cooker. Set the valve to "sealing" and start the pressure cooker on "High" for 5 minutes. Once completed, let the pressure naturally release for another 5 minutes before quick-releasing the remaining pressure.
5. Fluff and serve: Carefully open the lid. Using a fork, fluff the rice. Scoop out and serve or store for later.
How to Store
Store the rice in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. When ready to enjoy, simply warm it up in the microwave or in a saucepan.
Tips on Making the Best Basmati Rice
- Be sure to rinse the rice well before cooking it. The water should run clear when rinsing it. This usually takes a couple of minutes.
- Be sure to use the correct rice to water ratio, as described in the recipe.
- Sautee the rice in a little butter or oil before adding the water to cook it. This helps separate each strand and deepens the flavor. If you prefer not to use any butter or oil, sautee the rice with two tablespoons of water instead.
- Elevate the flavor of your Basmati rice by adding a couple of cloves, toasted cumin seeds, saffron, lemon juice, or ground turmeric.
- Add veggies to your Basmati rice such as finely diced carrots or green peas.
What to Serve with Basmati Rice
Basmati rice can be served with Indian curry, lentils, beans, and more. Here are some ways to enjoy it:
- Indian Chickpea Curry (Chana Masala)
- Cauliflower Tikka Masala
- Instant Pot Lentils
- Serve with any other Indian curry.
- Serve with pinto beans or any other kind of bean.
More Instant Pot Recipes
If you enjoy cooking in your pressure cooker, be sure to check out these recipes:
- Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup
- Perfect Quinoa in the Instant Pot
- Instant Pot Carrots
- Instant Pot Beets
- How to Make Chickpeas in the Instant Pot
- Instant Pot Broccoli
Looking for other rice recipes to make in the Instant Pot? Check out brown rice, sushi rice, black rice, and jasmine rice.
I hope you love this Instant Pot Basmati Rice recipe as much as I do! Sign up for email updates to get delicious recipes delivered straight to your inbox. You can also follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook!
Ingredients
- 1 cup Basmati rice
- 1 ¼ cups water
- ½ tablespoon butter, or oil
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine the rice and water. Be sure to cover the rice with water by an inch as the rice will absorb and plump up slightly. Soak for 30 minutes.
- Drain the rice in a mesh sieve and rinse under cool water until it runs clear, running your fingers through the rice. This will take a couple of minutes.
- Select the "Saute" button on the Instant Pot and add rice and butter (or oil). Sautee the rice for 3 minutes, stirring frequently, before pouring in the water. Turn off.
- Close the lid of the pressure cooker. Set the valve to "sealing" and start the pressure cooker on "High" for 5 minutes. Once completed, let the pressure naturally release for another 5 minutes before quick-releasing the remaining pressure. Carefully open the lid.
- Using a fork, gently fluff the rice. Scoop out and serve or store for later.
Alisha Rodrigues says
Rice is a basic thing to make but I always wondered how to make it perfectly well and this is it !! Loving the guide
Taylor Kiser says
So easy to make thanks to the Instant Pot! Love basmati rice!
Anjali says
This was such an easy way to make rice - and you are totally right it has turned out perfect every time! The butter is a nice addition too - never thought to add that to my rice before but it really makes a difference!
Sharon says
I love using my instant pot to make rice. This basmati rice recipes is a great side for curries.
Chitra says
Perfect rice! I added a bit of turmeric for yellow rice.
Julie says
Is soaking for 30 mins mandatory? Followed recipe first time and turned out great...but wondering if in a pinch the soak can be omitted. Thanks
Julie
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
Hi Julie, you could certainly omit the soak completely. The rice may not turn out as soft but should be cooked through.
sommers says
thank you sapana it is amazing one. can we add peas to this basmati recipe? i think i will be amazing when peas added to it.
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
Hi Sommers, you could certainly add peas -- it would be a lovely addition!
YYCgrandma says
I’m having a dinner party. Can I do 11/2 times the recipe?
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
Yes!
Ray says
My rice turned out perfect! It was my first time cooking basmati rice.
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
So glad to hear, Ray! Thank you for your feedback.
Olivia says
Can you double it without changing anything else? Thanks!
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
That should be fine!
Chitra says
I struggle with cooking rice on the stovetop but this rice came out perfect. I added extra butter and that made it even more delicious! Yum!
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
So happy to hear, Chitra! Thanks for sharing your feedback.
Katie says
Made this for the family and it was a hit!
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
So happy to hear, Katie! thanks for sharing.
Veena Azmanov says
This is such an easy and quick and surely full proof rice making option. Instant pot is best for safe and perfect cooking.
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
I couldn't agree more, Veena!
Masha says
How long do you soak the rice for? Also, to double the recipe, do you double the water? Any changes to cooking time if the recipe is doubled?
Thanks!
Anita says
I now have another winner recipe to prepare with Instant Pot. Thanks for sharing this recipe. 🙂
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
Thanks for sharing, Anita! So glad it turned out well.
Beth says
My rice always comes out sticky. I am loving the tips on making this come out perfect, especially the tip to sautee the rice! Can't wait to try it!
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
So glad to hear, Beth! Thanks for stopping by.
Cyndy says
Thank you for the great instructions. This is the first time using my IP for basmati. Turned out perfect and will keep this recipe.
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
So happy to hear, Cyndy! Thanks for sharing.
Candice says
Of all the delicious things I've made in my Instant pot, I never made rice until this recipe... and I'm never going back! So easy, and it came out perfectly. Thanks for sharing!
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
Thanks so much, Candice!
Jenn says
Thanks for the step-by-step walkthrough - I'm scared of making rice in my InstaPot but I think I'll give it a go with your directions!
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
You're so welcome! I hope you enjoy it, Jenn!
Heidy L. McCallum says
I made this the other day and it turned out excellent. Your directions were perfect and I couldn't be happier with the results of the rice!
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
That makes me so happy to hear, Heidy!
Adrianne says
This recipe looks like it would make life so easy! The pinto beans sounds like a great serving suggestion. I could eat rice like this almost every night of the week!
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
So glad you like it, Adrianne!
Amy says
Anything that makes rice cooking easier is a winner for me!
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
Yes!! I love that it comes out exactly the same every time.
Shashi at SavorySpin says
I just got an IP and cannot wait to give this rice a try - its so fluffy!
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
I hope you enjoy it, Shashi!
Caitlin says
I love Basmati rice but can never get it to taste right! So happy to find this method. Thank you!
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
So happy to hear, Caitlin!