• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
We Eat At Last
  • Home
  • World Cuisine
    • African dishes
  • By Diet
    • Low Carb and Keto Recipes
    • Paleo Recipes
    • Gluten-Free Recipes
    • Paleo Low Carb Recipes
  • About
    • Disclaimer
      • Privacy statement (EU)
      • Privacy statement (US)
      • Privacy statement (UK)
      • Cookie policy (EU)
      • Cookie policy (UK)
      • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
      • Privacy Statement (CA)
      • Cookie Policy (CA)
  • Impressum
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • World Cuisine
  • African dishes
  • By Diet
  • Subscribe
  • Social icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • World Cuisine
    • African dishes
    • By Diet
    • Subscribe
  • Social icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Dinner

    Instant Pot Basmati Rice

    Dated: May 4, 2022 . Modified: Sep 7, 2022 by Kate Hahnel

    Jump to Recipe

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

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

    We are 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, at no extra cost to you.

    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

    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 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

    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.

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

    more Instant Pot recipes that you will love!

    These other recipes are definitely worth checking out!

    • 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 plus Video
    • A bowl of sugarfree applesauce, made using the Instant Pot
      No Peel Instant Pot Applesauce with No Sugar
    • Instant Pot Cheesecake with Peanut Butter.
      Low Carb Instant Pot Peanut Butter Cheesecake

    📖 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 mins
    Cook Time 3 mins
    Natural Pressure Release 10 mins
    Total Time 15 mins
    Course Dinner, Lunch
    Cuisine African, American, Asian, Continental, Indian
    Servings 6
    Calories 225 kcal

    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.

    Video

    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.or simply PIN on Pinterest for later!!

    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

      Reply
      • Kate Hahnel

        May 12, 2022 at 11:59 am

        Yes, the Instant pot makes such fluffy rice!

        Reply
    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!

      Reply
      • Kate Hahnel

        May 12, 2022 at 11:58 am

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

        Reply
    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!

      Reply
      • 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!

        Reply
    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.

      Reply
      • Kate Hahnel

        May 05, 2022 at 10:39 pm

        Thanks so much, glad it turned out well!

        Reply
    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.

      Reply
      • Kate Hahnel

        May 04, 2022 at 9:37 pm

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

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    A picture of Kate Hahnel

    Hi, I'm Kate! I am here to show you how easy it is to recreate African dishes at home, as well as other simple recipes from around the world.

    Read more about me →

    Healthy Recipes

    • Easy Low Carb and Keto Cinnamon Muffins
      Easy Keto Cinnamon Muffins
    • A picture of Keto mocha chocolate cake.
      Easy Mocha Keto Chocolate Cake
    • Air Fryer Pork chops on a plate
      Air Fryer Pork Chops (No Breading)

    Popular Recipes

    • A plate of seasoned chips (french fries)
      French Fries Seasoning or Chips Spice Recipe
    • Kenyan Beef Stew
      Classic Kenyan Beef Stew Recipe
    • Air fried sweet potato chunks served on a plate.
      Ninja Foodi Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes
    • An overhead picture of vegetarian bobotie.
      Vegetarian Lentil Bobotie

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    About

    • Accessibility Statement
    • Disclaimer

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates.

    Contact

    • Contact

    We Eat At Last (formerly Paleo Low-Carb Kate) 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 © 2023 Foodie Pro on the Foodie Pro Theme.