Instant Pot Basmati Rice
Let me show you how to cook perfect basmati rice in your instant pot at all times. This recipe uses Indian pure white basmati rice. With this easy and quick recipe, you are guaranteed fluffy rice at all times.
No soaking is required for this pressure cooker basmati rice recipe and you get tender, fluffy and separate grains of rice every time. Serve this basmati rice with coconut chicken curry or shrimp stir fry.
Instant Pot Rice
Ever since I started cooking rice in my instant pot pressure cooker, I haven’t looked back. In fact, hubby is now a convert and he makes rice in this little gadget like a pro at all time. I have shared few instant pot recipes here from the most sought-after instant pot brown rice and instant pot coconut rice. Both recipes are becoming popular too.
You want to know why? Well, it is because it works. Cooking rice in the pressure cooker is like a magic that never fails. Unlike stovetop rice that requires some practice before perfection, this is different. In fact, plain white rice is one of the easiest recipes you can cook in your pressure cooker well apart from these IP steamed broccoli and carrots which requires zero minutes and 2 minutes cooking time.
Food bloggers confession
I have never used or tried the rice function of my instant pot and pressure king pro. Honestly, I don’t know what those buttons are used or needed for. Just kidding but I only stick to using the “pressure cook” on my IP and “meat” button on my pressure king pro.
Also, I am a rebel as I never soak my basmati rice before cooking whether on the stovetop or in this intelligent gadget.
I am a rice addict!!! But no AA needed
Now that I have got that out my chest, let me show you how to cook tender and fluffy basmati rice in your electric pressure cooker.
What Is Basmati Rice
Basmati is a type of long-grain rice that is nutty in flavour, very similar to jasmine rice. Like any other rice, it is served with stew, curries and commonly used for biryani. Basmati rice is naturally gluten-free too.
Origin: Himalayans, Indian and Pakistan
Types: White basmati rice (pure or easy cook also referred to as golden Sella) and brown basmati rice
Calories: 100g of uncooked basmati rice contains about 350 calories, 1 cup of cooked basmati rice is about 195 calorie. (Note: this is just an estimate)
Basmati Rice Brand
There are many brands of basmati rice in the market but here in the UK, I go for supermarket brand (I love Aldi's and Asda brand) or Tilda when cooking pure white basmati rice.
For easy cook basmati rice also known as golden Sella, I use Laila or Golden tropical brand. Every brand cook differently too. I recommend you get to know your rice and stick with the brand that works for you
What You Need To Cook Instant Pot Basmati Rice
Rice in this case pure basmati rice
Water: for this recipe, I use water ratio of 1:25 i.e. 1¼ cups of water to 1 cup of basmati rice
Salt to taste
Oil: you may substitute with ghee or butter
Tips To Making Perfect Rice In An Instant Pot Pressure Cooker At All Times
Rinse the rice! I need to loud this so the people at the back could hear. Rinse your rice until the water runs clear. This stage helps you achieving fluffy rice that is not sticky as the rinsing reduces the starch in the rice.
Add salt especially is cooking plain white rice. Basmati rice is naturally fragrant and nutty in flavour, but the addition of salt would lift the whole dish.
Use the required amount of water, when cooking in a pressure cooker and trying out a new recipe, use the required amount of water advised, don’t second guess it or you would be eating mushy and sticky rice.
Oil, butter, ghee, onion powder: these are optional, but it takes you rice from plain canvas to a 100. So keep that in mind for when next you cook your rice.
How To Rinse Rice
Now the question is do you wash or rinse rice? Well I think we do both, so here is a quick overview of how to do it
- Measure the rice and add to a large bowl
- Using the tap (under running water) or a bowl already filled with water, add water enough to cover the rice. I like using warm water.
- Using your hand, swish the rice in a circular motion for about 10 seconds and discard the water. Repeat the process until water is no longer cloudy or till water runs clear.
How to make instant pot basmati rice
Rinse the rice under running water until water runs clear.
Turn on your instant pot, add 1¼ cups of water, salt, rinsed basmati rice vegetable oil and mix to combine.
Cover the lid of the instant pot securely and turn the valve to the sealing position. Select manual or pressure cook set the timer to 6 minutes. Once the IP has completed its cycle and timer beeps, leave to natural pressure release for 5 minutes and carefully do a quick release.
open the lid of the IP and fluff the rice with a fork. Let the rice stand for about 5 minutes and serve as desired.
How to serve it
Serve basmati rice with curry, check this instant pot butter chicken recipe, instant pot chili or this Instant pot Chicken cacciatore. It is also perfect with this instant pot taco meat or sauteed peppers and onions.
How to store
Cooked basmati rice would stay fresh up to 5 days in the fridge in an airtight container.
Freezer: store for up to 3 months in an airtight container or freezer bag (Ziploc bag)
To reheat
Use the microwave or on the stovetop
Other Easy Instant Pot Recipes You’ll Love
Pressure cooker creamy broccoli soup
If you made this easy instant pot pressure cooker basmati rice recipe, don’t forget to leave me feedback. Tag me @thedinnerbite on Instagram and save away to your Pinterest. Please subscribe to the blog if you haven’t for free new recipes in your inbox
Perfect Instant Pot Basmati Rice (No Soaking Needed)
Equipment
- Instant pot pressure cooker
Ingredients
- 1 cup pure white basmati rice
- 1¼ cups water
- Salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil: substitute with ghee or butter
Instructions
- Rinse the rice under running water until water runs clear.
- Turn on your instant pot, add 1¼ cups of water, salt, rinsed basmati rice, vegetable oil and mix to combine.
- Cover the lid of the instant pot securely and turn the valve to the sealing position. Select manual or pressure cook set the timer to 6 minutes. Once the IP has completed its cycle and timer beeps, leave to natural pressure release for 5 minutes and carefully do a quick release.
- open the lid of the IP and fluff the rice with a fork. Let the rice stand for about 5 minutes and serve as desired.
Video
Nutrition
Nutritional data: Please note that the nutrition label provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator. It will vary based on the specific ingredients and brands you use. Under no circumstances will thedinnerbite.com be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information.
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE? PLEASE RATE IT AND LEAVE ME A COMMENT. USE #THEDINNERBITE OR TAG @THEDINNERBITE ON INSTAGRAM SO I CAN SEE YOUR PHOTOS, I WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOUR CREATIONS. THANK YOU!
Nige says
I just tried this recipe , absolutely perfect rice ! thank you 🙂
Ajoke says
I am happy your rice turned out great. thanks for the feedback
fiona says
Hi Ajoke
Just about to make this one I'll let you know how I get on. Quick question - can I use the keep warm (or maybe slow cooker?) function to keep the rice warm and how long do you think you can keep it warm for?
THanks
Fif
Ajoke says
Hi Fiona, yes, you can use the warm function to keep the rice warm, however, I would only recommend doing it for 10-20 minutes max as anything longer can dry out the rice. Kindly let me know how you get on
Ev says
Hi, when doing last step (leaving rice to rest), shoul I keep lid on?
Kind regards
Ajoke says
Yes, Ev, leave the lid on. Kindly let me know how you get on, thanks
Ev says
It was brilliant, I managed to do my best rice for curry on my own And be able to don’t regret not buying microwave one. I would like to try more complicated one as one of my Indian friends adds spices and other stuff in, but I know it might not be so versatile. Thank you for well explained recipe.