Instant Pot Basmati Rice 
Learn how to make perfectly tender, fluffy Basmati rice in the Instant Pot every single time with this quick, easy, fail-proof recipe! { Step by Step method  + Video Tutorial included }

INSTANT POT BASMATI RICE

I have grown up in India eating long grain rice literally every single day. My mum would cook them in a pressure cooker to speed up the process of cooking. Back in those days, there was no electric pressure cooker available, so it was all about cooking them on the hob.

Fast forward to today, we have all sorts of Electric Pressure Cookers in the market. Off the lot, I love my Instant Pot the most because it has got stainless steel inner pot:) and it is really easy & straightforward to use.

Once of the first things I cooked in my Instant Pot or call it Insta Pot was this Instant Pot Rice, Instant Pot Broccoli and Pressure cooker Chickpeas.

We cook rice literally every-day, so getting it right is important for us. To call it Perfectly Cooked Basmati Rice,

Each of the rice grain must be PERFECTLY SEPARATED – No Mushy Rice!
ALDENTE
NOT STICKY
FULL ON FLAVORS
AROMATIC

HOW TO COOK BASMATI RICE IN INSTANT POT – ( 53 SECS )

WHAT IS BASMATI RICE?

Basmati is a variety of long grained aromatic rice typically from the Indian subcontinent.

“Bas” in Hindi language means “aroma” and “mati” means “full of,” hence the word Basmati —  “full of aroma.”

This variety of rice is versatile and easy to cook. Hence it is one the most popular choice around the world. As the rice coIt is delicious and versatile rice that can be used to make Vegetable Biryani, Vegetable Pulao, Mexican Rice, Fried Rice, Honey Soy Fried Rice and also serve as a side to accompany curries.

HOW TO COOK BASMATI RICE IN THE INSTANT POT

There are a few simple steps to follow to cook rice in the Instant Pot. By doing so, you can achieve perfectly fluffy, tender basmati rice every single time.

1. 1. Measure the rice  Use a cup measure to measure the rice out. It has to be level measure at any point of time.
   2. Rinse and drain rice Place the rice in a sieve mesh. Run through tap cold water, running your fingers through the rice atleast 4-5 times until the water is clear.
   3. Add ingredients  Select Sauté add oil or  butter and rice Sauté for 1 minute briefly, stirring continuously. Turn of the Instant Pot. Add water. Sautéing the ingredients is optional.  The other way I do it is, add oil, rice, water, salt and stir. This also gives excellent desired results.
   4. Pressure Cook HIGH Secure the lid, turn the valve to sealing. Pressure Cook HIGH FOR 5 MINUTES. Allow the pressure to release for 10 minutes, then release all the remaining pressure quickly.
   5. Serve  Fluff the rice and serve hot in a rice bowl.

TIPS TO REMEMBER TO MAKE THE BEST BASMATI RICE

Rinse – Rinsing the rice is essential .If you do not rinse the rice before cooking, starch stays on the surface of the rice and leaves us a sticky rice.

Rise to Water Ratio – Before I actually settled for 1 Cup Rice to 1 1/4 Cup water ratio, I did conduct an experiment altering water proportions. With this ratio, I got the perfect texture that I was looking for.

Cooking Time is also the key to achieving fluffy tender rice. If you cook for longer time, rice can be mushy. Cook for lesser time, rise will be under cooked.

Saute –  I do like to ROAST MY RICE. This step enhances the nutty flavours of the basmati rice and also ensures the rice doesn’t stick to each other. But it is completely optional to roast the rice.

Fluff and Serve – Fluff the rice and serve hot.

Flavors – Add cooking broth or stock instead of water. This does enhance the flavors of the basmati rice. Add whole spices like cinnamon, cloves, bayleaf  for an aromatic basmati rice.

EXPERIMENT WITH COOKING BASMATI RICE IN INSTANT POT

I did conduct an experiment altering the rice:water ratio and here’s the outcome

PS: Rice has been rinsed for 90 seconds, roasted for approximately 45 seconds in all the scenario.
Experiment 1
Rice: 1 Cup
Water: 1 Cup
Cooking Time: 5 Min , NPR at 10 Minutes
Notes:slightly Chewy, slightly undercooked, separated but the rice was sticking to the bottom of the pot .

Experiment 2
Rice: 1 Cup
Water: 1 Cup + 3 Tbsp
Cooking Time: 5 Min , NPR at 10 Minutes
Notes:Separated, not sticky and rice did stick a tiny bit to the bottom of the pot.

Experiment 3
Rice: 1 Cup
Water: 1 1/4 Cup
Cooking Time: 5 Min , NPR at 10 Minutes
Notes: Aldente, separated, not sticky and rice came out clean from the bottom of the pot.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

SHOULD YOU RINSE BASMATI RICE?

Rinse the basmati rice in running tap water until it clears completely – at least 4-5 times, running your fingers in between the rice. By doing this, you will get rid of the starch that makes the rice sticky.

HOW MUCH WATER DO YOU PUT IN AN INSTANT POT RICE?

I prefer using 1 Cup Rice to 1 1/4 Cup water Ratio for cooking in the Instant Pot.  This proportion is slightly less than the 1 Cup Rice to 1 1/2 Cup Water for my stove top rice.

This proportion works for large quantities of rice too. Say you want to make 2 Cups of Rice, you will need 2 1/2 Cup of Water.

Cooking time remains the same.

What is the size of the cup used for cooking Basmati Rice?

You could literally use any cup size. Remember to measure out water from the same cup.

HOW DO YOU QUICK PRESSURE RELEASE INSTANT POT?

Quick-release is the process of releasing the steam after cooking. To quick pressure release on the Instant Pot,  carefully turn the valve from STEAMING  to VENTING position. This will result in a strong jet of steam coming from the pressure release valve . Once the steam has released completely from the valve, the float valve will drop into the lid when the cooker has depressurised. I prefer to use a spatula to turn the valve.

It is now completely safe to open the Instant Pot lid.

Remember to keep your face away from the Jet of Steam!

WHAT TO SERVE WITH BASMATI RICE?

Basmati Rice can be served with a variety of curries, Indian dal’s and beans.  I love serving mine with

Vegan Chickpea Tikka Masala
Indian Chana masala ( Quick Chickpeas Curry )
Bombay Potatoes & Peas Curry ( Aloo Matar )
Sides like Instant Pot Broccoli

Looking for OTHER INSTANT POT RECIPES to make

INSTANT POT APPLE CIDER
INSTANT POT BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP
CREAMY GARLIC MASHED POTATOES
ROAST POTATOES
Instant Pot Mexican Rice
Instant Pot Vegetable Pulao

HAVE YOU MADE THIS INSTANT POT BASMATI RICE ?

Be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a ★ rating!

Post a photo of your creation on my Facebook page, share it on Instagram, or save it to Pinterest with the tag #sandhyaskitchen.  I would love to see your take on this simple everyday rice.

PERFECT INSTANT POT BASMATI RICE

5 from 5 votes

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PERFECT INSTANT POT BASMATI RICE | HOW TO COOK BASMATI RICE IN INSTANT POT?

Prep Time

1 min

Cook Time

5 mins

Natural Pressure Release

10 mins

Total Time

16 mins

 

Instant Pot Basmati Rice - This recipe makes perfectly light, tender and fluffy basmati rice every single time in your pressure cooker.

Course: Main Course, Rice Dish

Cuisine: Indian

Keyword: rice, instant pot, basmati rice

Servings: 2 People

Author: Sandhya Hariharan

Ingredients

• 1 Cup White Basmati Rice
• 1¼ Cup Water
• A pinch of Salt
• 1 Tsp Oil

Instructions

1. Place the Basmati Rice in a colander and wash it under running tap water until it is clear.

2. Press sauté button on Instant Pot. Add Oil followed by rinsed rice. Stir for 1 minute. This step helps in avoiding the rice sticking to the bottom of the pot. { Optional }

3. Add salt, water and give it a good stir. Switch off the sauté mode.
4. Cover the lid, turn the valve to sealing position and select the pressure cook { manual setting } to 5 minutes.

5. Once the timer beeps, IP kicks offs automatically to Keep Warm function. Allow the IP to release pressure naturally for 10 minutes, then release any remaining pressure quickly.

6. Open the pot and fluff the rice with a fork.

7. Immediately transfer the White Basmati rice to a bowl and serve hot with an Indian curry of your choice.

Recipe Notes

*If you are not keen on roasting the rice, skip the sauté step all-together. Add oil, rice, water and salt and cook for 5 min. you will still achieve slightly soft textured rice.

*** Adding salt enhances the flavour of the rice. But you can omit it, if you prefer.

 

HOW TO MAKE PERFECTLY TENDER FLUFFY BASMATI RICE IN INSTANT POT PRESSURE COOKER STEP BY STEP

Measure out the rice using a cup measure. Level it out.

Rinse and drain rice Place the rice in a sieve mesh. Run through tap cold water, running your fingers through the rice atleast 4-5 times until the water is clear.

Add ingredients  Select Sauté add oil or  butter and rice Sauté for 1 minute briefly, stirring continuously. Turn off the Instant Pot. Add water. Sautéing the ingredients is optional.  The other way I do it is, add oil, rice, water, salt and stir. This also gives excellent desired results.

Pressure Cook HIGH Secure the lid, turn the valve to sealing. Pressure Cook HIGH FOR 5 MINUTES. Allow the pressure to release for 10 minutes, then release all the remaining pressure quickly.

Serve  Fluff the rice and serve hot in a rice bowl.