Tired of mushy rice? Discover my secrets to cooking fluffy, perfectly separated White Basmati rice every time with this super simple stovetop method. If ever you are finding it daunting in getting your rice perfect, the techniques in the post are going to help you to cook white basmati rice with ease.
Serve with your favorite Indian vegetarian curries, kachumber salad and enjoy.
About my Simple White basmati rice recipe
I have been cooking basmati rice for the last 19 years, and I've mastered and perfected the absorption method and ratio.
Between both the methods, I love the texture of the cooked rice that has been soaked. No matter which method you choose, you will get to enjoy the best basmati rice!
Wondering how to cook brown basmati rice- I've got you covered with my failsafe brown rice recipe.
Jump to:
- About my Simple White basmati rice recipe
- Proportions for Cooking White Basmati Rice: Water Ratio
- How to cook Perfect White Basmati Rice?
- How to cook White Basmati rice without soaking?
- Tips for Perfect Basmati Rice
- Storing leftover basmati rice
- Serving Suggestions
- Flavoring the Basmati rice
- Recipe FAQ’S
- Easy Homemade white rice recipe below
- Fluffy Stovetop White Basmati Rice
Proportions for Cooking White Basmati Rice: Water Ratio
No matter which method you choose, whether to soak or not: to make fluffy rice, you will only need 2 ingredients - rice and water! No olive oil, butter, salt etc.
I like to use Tilda Extra Long Basmati Rice for all my rice dishes - they give me long, perfectly separated rice every time, whether I'm enjoying plain Basmati rice, yellow pilau rice, paneer biryani, or cilantro lime rice.You will see me mentioning this in most of my rice recipes. They are so good!
It is really simple to master the art of cooking Basmati rice with the perfect water-to-rice ratio using the covered pan absorption method. My favorite method!
For 2 servings, you will need 1 cup of Basmati rice or 120g. We use a 2-to-1 water-to-Basmati rice ratio. So for every 1 cup of Basmati rice, I use 2 cups of water (240ml).
How to cook Perfect White Basmati Rice?
To cook my White basmati rice on the stove top, here are my 5 steps. However if you wish to skip the soaking step, cooking time is slightly different.
Wash the Rice: Rinse the rice in cold water in a bowl, mesh strainer or colander, swirling in the same direction, and repeat 4-5 times. I like to wash the rice under running tap water.
Soak the Rice: Soak the washed rice in enough water for 25-30 minutes to achieve the perfect texture.
Drain and Cook: Drain the soaked rice and add it to a pan with a tight fitting lid. Add hot water from the kettle and bring to a boil. Simmer until the water reduces to the level of the rice.
Cover and Cook: Cover and cook for 6 minutes. Then switch off the flame and let it sit undisturbed for 8-9 minutes.
Fluff and Serve: Fluff the rice with a fork before serving.
How to cook White Basmati rice without soaking?
In case you haven't soaked the rice, here's how you can make it.
Cook rice:Add the rice and water to a pan with tight fitting lid. Bring it to a boil. Cover and cook on low heat for 10-12 minutes until all the water has absorbed. Now let it sit undisturbed for 5 minutes.
Serve: Fluff the basmati rice and serve with moong dal tarka, poppadoms, pickle and yogurt for a comforting meal.
Tips for Perfect Basmati Rice
- Thorough Washing: Wash the rice until the water runs clear, at least 4-5 times. This is necessary to remove the extra starch from the rice, the debris and the bring out the best flavors out of the basmati rice. Do not skip this step.
- Washing method: Swirl your hands in the same direction while washing to prevent rice breakage.
- Soaking: Soak the rice in clear water for 25-30 minutes for the best texture.
- Do not stir: Do not be tempted to stir in the last few minutes of absorption.
Storing leftover basmati rice
In the fridge: First, cool the cooked basmati rice to room temperature. Then store it in an air tight containers in the fridge for up to 5 days. Whether you want to make Indian fried rice, Indo chinese fried rice or for just enjoy plain rice - it works like a charm.
In the freezer:To freeze basmati rice, cool the cooked rice completely and store in a sealed container or freezer-safe bag for up to 6 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight or in cold water, then reheat as above.
Reheat: To enjoy plain rice - Place the rice in the microwave and heat thoroughly. Enjoy.
To use the leftover rice in your fried rice, simply add the rice to the wok.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve White rice as a side dish with your favourite curry / dal like brown lentils dal, green lentils dal,yellow split peas dhal, tarka dal, chickpea tikka masala, creamy aubergine curry and more.
- Use in stir fries recipes like Vegetable Fried rice, Honey Soy fried rice, Mexican rice, Indian fried rice and more.
- Mix cooked white rice with some herbs and spices to make your favorite seasoned rice base.
- Get creative and use in Cilantro lime rice, Yellow Pilau rice, Biryani, Soups, Casserole dishes and anything you fancy.
Flavoring the Basmati rice
Sometimes, I like to add whole spices such as bay leaf, cloves, cumin seeds, cardamom, star anise, and cinnamon sticks to the rice. Alternatively, you can also infuse the rice with a sprig of fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme for a different flavor profile.
Recipe FAQ’S
White Basmati rice is a type of long-grain rice known for its delicate flavor and fluffy texture. Unlike brown rice, white Basmati rice has had its outer layers removed during processing, resulting in a lighter color and milder taste.
White Basmati rice is widely available in the UK and can be found in most supermarkets such as Tesco, Waitrose, Sainsbury's, Morrisons, ASDA, as well as local grocery stores.
Various brands of white Basmati rice are available in the UK, ranging from supermarket own-brand options to premium choices like Tilda Basmati Rice, Kohinoor Basmati rice, Dawaat or Laila basmati rice.
We use 2 to 1 water to basmati rice ratio. So for every 1 cup basmati rice, I use 2 cups of water (240ml)
No, soaking white Basmati rice is not a must. However to obtain the perfect texture, I recommend soaking the rice for 25-30 minutes. This also reduces the cooking time.
Yes, it is recommended to rinse white Basmati rice before cooking. Washing the rice 3-4 times in clean water helps remove debris and excess starch, preventing the rice from sticking together during cooking.
Cooking white Basmati rice typically takes about 20 minutes. The exact cooking time may vary depending on the desired texture and cooking method.
Cooking Basmati rice in an Instant Pot has different rice to water ratio. I have detailed on how to make Instant Pot Basmati rice. in this post.
Easy Homemade white rice recipe below
Ingredients
- 1 cup white basmati rice 120 g
- 2 cups water 240 ml
Instructions
Rinse the Rice:
- Rinse 1 cup white basmati rice in cold water 3-4 times until the water runs clear. Drain.1 cup white basmati rice
Cooking with Soaking:
- Soak the rinsed rice in cold water for 30 minutes.
- In a pot, add the soaked rice and 2 cups water of hot water from the kettle. Bring it to a boil.2 cups water, 1 cup white basmati rice
- Simmer until the water reduces to the level of the rice.
- Cover and cook for 6 minutes. Then switch off the flame and let it sit undisturbed for 8-9 minutes.
- Fluff the rice with a fork and serve.
Cooking without Soaking:
- In a pot with a tight-fitting lid, add the rice and water. Bring it to a boil over medium heat.1 cup white basmati rice, 2 cups water
- Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 10-12 minutes or until all the water is absorbed.
- Switch off the flame and let it sit undisturbed for 5 minutes.
- Fluff the rice with a fork and serve.
- Enjoy your perfectly cooked fluffy Basmati rice using either method!
Video
Notes
Top Tips for Fluffy White Basmati Rice
- Thorough Washing: Wash the rice until the water runs clear, at least 4-5 times. This is necessary to remove the extra starch from the rice, the dirt and the bring out the best flavors out of the basmati rice. Do not skip this step.
- Washing method: Swirl your hands in the same direction while washing to prevent rice breakage.
- Soaking: Soak the rice in clear water for 25-30 minutes for the best texture.
- Do not stir: Do not be tempted to stir in the last few minutes of absorption.
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