Instant Pot Basmati Rice

Make aromatic, fluffy, and delicious basmati rice without having to tend to the pot in just ten minutes, using your Instant Pot.

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If you have been here before then you probably know how much I love my rice dishes? I suggest you check out my Swahili Pilau Rice, South African Yellow Rice, and Ninja Air Fryer Basmati Rice, if you enjoy cooking and eating rice as much as I do!

why you will love this recipe

• cooking rice using your Instant Pot is a great way for you to save time, as it is hands-free! No problem with having to watch the pan or fear having spillovers!
• this recipe, which requires no soaking, is certainly easy and quick, making it great for Instant pot beginners.
• you get fluffy, fragrant, and delicious basmati rice every time!
• it is adaptable. You can easily double or even triple the amount, to make a big batch for a bigger crowd.

Jump to:

• why you will love this recipe
• what is basmati rice?
• what rice to water ratio should I use?
• why do I need less liquid when pressure cooking compared to cooking on the stove?
• ingredients
• how to make white basmati rice in the Instant Pot
• refrigeration and freezing
• useful tips
• frequently asked questions
• more Instant Pot recipes that you will love!
• 📖 Recipe

what is basmati rice?

Basmati rice is a type of long-grain rice highly known for its fragrance and nutty flavors and is believed to have been cultivated on the Indian sub-continent for centuries. The name basmati which derives from Hindi means fragrant. It comes in many varieties, with the most common being the white, red, and brown varieties. It is perfect to serve alongside spice-infused curries and stews.

what rice to water ratio should I use?

A common question is always what rice to water ratio to use when pressure cooking rice. The rice to water ratio for Instant Pot white rice is 1:1 plus an extra ¼ cup of water. For each extra cup of uncooked rice, add one cup of water (so 2 ¼ cups of water for two cups of rice, 3 ¼ cups of water for 3 cups of rice, and so forth).

I know that most recipes call for a strict 1:1 ratio, but the extra ¼ cup simply accounts for the evaporation which occurs as the pot is coming to pressure. To avoid discrepancies, use the same measuring cup to measure both rice and water.

why do I need less liquid when pressure cooking compared to cooking on the stove?

The answer to this is simple. The thing is, you lose more liquid to evaporation when you cook rice on the stovetop. The Instant Pot or any pressure cooker for that matter comes up to pressure and creates a sealed environment that prevents evaporation.

ingredients

• basmati rice - use long-grain white basmati rice for the best results.
• water - you can also use some low-sodium broth, instead of water.
• salt - I like to season my rice with salt just before cooking. You can, however, also add the salt later.

how to make white basmati rice in the Instant Pot

Making white rice using your Instant Pot is so easy, here is how to go about it:-

1. Rinse - the first step is to rinse the rice using a fine-mesh strainer. Rinse using cold running water for a few minutes until the water runs clear. This helps clean out some of the starch coating the rice, resulting in a fluffier grain. I know that some do not like cleaning their rice, but I highly recommend that you do not skip it.
2. Add to the Instant Pot - add the cleaned white rice, salt, and water/broth to the Instant Pot, then stir to combine. Make sure all the rice has been covered with water and is not sticking to the sides of the Instant Pot.
3. Program - depending on your Instant Pot model, select the manual or pressure cook function, set the cooking time to three minutes, close the lid, and set its valve on the seal position. Pressure cook at high pressure for 3 minutes. Once the time is over, allow it to naturally pressure release for 10 minutes, then do a quick pressure release, to release any remaining pressure.
4. Serve - open the Instant Pot lid then fluff using a fork. Serve with some Instant Pot Chicken Thighs cooked from frozen, Instant Pot Lamb Stew in Red Wine, or your favorite main dishes!

refrigeration and freezing

You can make your Instant Pot basmati rice ahead, and store it in the fridge or freezer as follows:-

• in the refrigerator: store in suitable containers in the fridge for 3-5 days.
• in the freezer: place in Ziploc bags (these have the added advantage of being able to flatten out) or suitable airtight containers in the freezer for up to 6 months.

useful tips

• Make your basmati rice even more fragrant by using whole spices such as cinnamon sticks, bay leaves, and whole cloves, just before pressure cooking. You can then easily pick them out when fluffing the rice.
• Add a tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice just before pressure cooking. This helps break down the starch in the rice, making each grain absorb more liquid and cook properly.
• On average, one cup of white rice will give you 3 cups of cooked rice so you can use this to determine how much you want to cook.
• When deciding the amount of white basmati rice you want to cook, bear in mind that Instant Pots should not be filled to more than ⅔ of their full capacity when done.
• This recipe is not limited to the Instant Pot only, you can also use it for other types of pressure cookers. In case you are using a manual pressure cooker, note that you will have to manually time the cooking.

frequently asked questions

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