• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
We Eat At Last
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipe Index
  • World Cuisine
  • African dishes
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipe Index
  • World Cuisine
  • Subscribe

subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Recipe Index
  • World Cuisine
  • Subscribe

×
Home » Instant Pot and Pressure Cooker Recipes

Instant Pot Basmati Rice

Dated: May 4, 2022 . Modified: Mar 4, 2024 by Kate Hahnel

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
Instant Pot white basmati rice

Make aromatic, fluffy, and delicious Instant Pot basmati rice without having to tend to the pot!

Basmati white rice made using the Instant Pot

*This post may contain affiliate links — as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.

A picture of a bowl of white rice and an Instant Pot cooker in the background.

what is basmati rice?

Renowned for its delicate fragrance and nutty flavor, basmati rice, named after the Hindi word for "fragrant," is a long-grained variety prized for its culinary versatility.

It is believed to have been cultivated on the Indian sub-continent for centuries and comes in many varieties; with the most common being the white and brown variety. Red basmati rice exists, but it's less common.

ingredients

Ingredients needed to make white basmati rice using the Instant Pot.
  • 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:-

A photo collage showing how to make this recipe.
  1. Rinse the rice: Rinse the rice using a fine-mesh strainer under cold running water until the water runs clear.
  2. Combine ingredients in Instant Pot: Add the rinsed rice, salt, and water/broth to the Instant Pot and stir to combine. Ensure all the rice is covered in liquid and doesn't stick to the sides.
  3. Pressure cook: Select the "Manual" or "Pressure Cook" function on your Instant Pot, set the cooking time to 3 minutes at high pressure. After cooking, allow for a natural pressure release for 10 minutes, followed by a quick release.
  4. Serve: Open the lid, fluff the rice with a fork, and serve with spice-infused curries, stews or as preferred.

💡A quick tip: Remember, 1 cup of uncooked rice yields about 3 cups cooked rice. Do not fill your Instant Pot over ⅔ full as this may increase the time the Instant pot needs to come to pressure, or clog the pressure release knob.

what rice to water ratio should I use?

No-soaking method
Rice to water ratio1:1 plus ¼ a cup of water
Pressure cooking time (valve on seal, or using a manual pressure cooker)3 minutes
Pressure release10 minutes natural pressure release (NPR9 followed by a quick pressure release (QPR).

While most recipes call for a strict 1:1 ratio, 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.

Related recipes: For more flavorful instant pot recipes, try our instant pot frozen chicken wings next!

Basmati white rice made using the Instant Pot

refrigeration and freezing

  • 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

  • For extra fragrance: Add whole spices like cinnamon, bay leaves, or cloves before cooking and remove them when fluffing.
  • For fluffier rice: Add a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice before cooking to enhance liquid absorption. This helps break down the starch in the rice, making each grain absorb more liquid and cook properly.
  • Adaptability: This recipe works for other pressure cookers, but you'll need to adjust the cooking time manually.
Basmati white rice made using the Instant Pot

more tasty recipes!

These other Instant Pot and Pressure Cooker recipes are definitely worth checking out!

  • Instant Pot frozen chicken thighs
  • Ninja Pressure Cooker Tomato Sauce
  • Instant Pot Lamb Stew in Red Wine,
  • Instant Pot Chicken Thighs cooked from frozen,
  • Instant Pot Honey Mustard Chicken Breast and Potatoes
  • No-peel Instant Pot Applesauce

Or try out our delicious rice recipes below!

  • Swahili Pilau Rice
  • Coconut Basmati Rice
  • South African Yellow Rice
  • Ninja Air Fryer Basmati Rice
  • Rice in Coconut (Wali wa Nazi)

Updated on March 4th, 2024: Certain parts of this recipe have been simplified to enhance clarity and readability.

📖 Recipe

A bowl of white basmati rice.

Instant Pot Basmati Rice

Kate Hahnel
Cook light, fluffy, fragrant, and delicious basmati or any type of white rice using your Instant Pot!
5 from 7 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 2 minutes mins
Cook Time 3 minutes mins
Natural Pressure Release 10 minutes mins
Total Time 15 minutes mins
Course Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine African, American, Asian, Continental, Indian
Servings 6
Calories 225 kcal

Video

Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups white basmati rice
  • 2¼ cups water (or a low-sodium broth)
  • ½ teaspoon salt (or more to taste; less if using broth containing salt)

Instructions
 

  • 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.
  • Next, add the cleaned rice, salt, and water/broth to the Instant Pot, and stir to combine. Make sure all the rice has been covered with water and is not sticking to the sides of the Instant Pot.
    2 cups white basmati rice, 2¼ cups water, ½ teaspoon salt
  • Depending on your Instant Pot model, select the manual or pressure cook function, set the cooking time to three minutes, close the lid, set its valve on the seal position, then pressure cook at high pressure for 3 minutes. Once this time is over, allow it to naturally pressure release for 10 minutes, then do a quick pressure release, to release any remaining pressure.
  • Open the Instant Pot lid, fluff using a fork, and then serve.

Notes

  • 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, just before serving.
  • 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.
  • On average, one cup of white rice will give you 3 cups of cooked rice. 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.

Nutrition

Calories: 225kcalCarbohydrates: 49gProtein: 4gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 201mgPotassium: 71mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gCalcium: 20mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe? I would love it if you could leave a rating by clicking on the stars above on this recipe card.Pin this recipe on Pinterest or tag me out on socials @weeatatlast. I love seeing your creations.
  • Instant Pot Chicken Wings Three Ways - Keto
    Instant Pot Chicken Wings Three Ways
  • Instant Pot Potato Leek Soup in a bowl, garnished with leek and bacon
    Instant Pot Potato Leek Soup with Bacon
  • Health and creamy ninja foodi chicken vegetable soup with rice and potatoes.
    Ninja Foodi Chicken Vegetable Soup
  • Instant Pot Cheesecake with Peanut Butter.
    Low Carb Instant Pot Peanut Butter Cheesecake

frequently asked questions

Can I use this recipe for other types of white rice?

Yes. You can use this recipe to make other white rice varieties such as Jasmine, pandan, or Surinam.

What do I do if my rice turns out too hard or too mushy?

Use your rice in soups, if it turns out too hard. Do not try to add more water and cook it further, as you will probably end up getting a burn notice. Similarly, you can add overcooked and mushy rice to soups or blend it into a paste and use it to thicken stews.

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.

More Instant Pot and Pressure Cooker Recipes

  • A bowl of pressure cooker beef stew.
    Pressure Cooker Beef Stew
  • Homemade tomato soup in bowls, garnished with basil.
    Ninja Foodi Tomato Soup Recipe
  • Ninja Foodi Spaghetti
    Ninja Foodi Spaghetti
  • Homemade tomato sauce inside a Ninja Foodi.
    Ninja Foodi Tomato Sauce

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lilly

    May 11, 2022 at 9:11 pm

    5 stars
    Thank you for all the great tips! I've made this recipe 4 times now and each time the rice comes out perfect! Thanks for the recipe

    • Kate Hahnel

      May 12, 2022 at 11:59 am

      Yes, the Instant pot makes such fluffy rice!

  2. Britney

    May 11, 2022 at 8:31 pm

    5 stars
    I always sucked at making rice so I'm so happy that I found this recipe because it was so easy to follow and my rice came out perfectly!

    • Kate Hahnel

      May 12, 2022 at 11:58 am

      Glad you loved the recipe. Thank you for coming back to leave a comment.

  3. Jazz

    May 11, 2022 at 4:46 pm

    5 stars
    This recipe is such a time-saver. I've used it to make rice with low sodium broth three times now and and it's a keeper. Thanks!

    • Kate Hahnel

      May 12, 2022 at 11:58 am

      Thanks! Along with my air fryer rice recipe, I have to say this Instant pot method makes cooking basmati rice so easy!

  4. Marta

    May 05, 2022 at 6:36 pm

    5 stars
    I LOVE basmati rice so much, but I don't always feel like making it on the stovetop. Your instructions were spot on and so easy to follow! Thanks so much.

    • Kate Hahnel

      May 05, 2022 at 10:39 pm

      Thanks so much, glad it turned out well!

  5. Stephanie

    May 04, 2022 at 8:01 pm

    5 stars
    I love using my instant pot and I'm always looking for new recipes to make with it, so I'm so glad I found this one. Super easy to make and this was some of the fluffiest rice I've ever had.

    • Kate Hahnel

      May 04, 2022 at 9:37 pm

      Thank you! I was also surprised at how well it cooks rice!

5 from 7 votes (2 ratings without comment)

Primary Sidebar

A picture of Kate Hahnel, owner of the website We Eat At Last

Hi, I'm Kate! Join me in discovering how to effortlessly prepare easy, simple and tasty meals at home.

About Me

Readers Picks

  • Air fryer chicken breast using the Ninja foodi.
    Ninja Air Fryer Chicken Breast
  • Sliced oatmeal banana bread on a plate.
    Cottage Cheese Oatmeal Banana Bread
  • Lemon and walnut oil salad dressing.
    Lemon Walnut Oil Salad Dressing
  • A bowl of air fryer carrots.
    Air Fryer Honey Roasted Carrots

Spring Recipes

  • Air fryer asparagus on a plate.
    Air Fryer Asparagus
  • Two bowls of spicy carrot and coriander soup.
    Carrot Coriander Soup
  • A plate of white asparagus with potatoes, and a yogurt dip.
    Air Fryer White Asparagus
  • Jamaican steamed cabbage
    Jamaican Steamed Cabbage Recipe + Video
  • A close-up shot of crispy, golden-brown fried goat cheese slices arranged neatly on a plate.
    Fried Goat Cheese

Footer

^ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Impressum
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Cookie Policy
  • Disclaimer

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates.

Contact

  • About Kate
  • Contact

We Eat At Last is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Copyright © 2025 Foodie Pro on the Foodie Pro Theme.

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.