Basmati Rice (Instant Pot)

Basmati rice in the instant pot is a quick and simple way to get rice ready for your favorite recipes. Rice is perfectly fluffy every time.

Learn to cook rice in Instant pot with no soaking of the rice required – in half the time. Serve as a side dish to accompany an entree or meal prep and store for easy access in the fridge.

Instant pot basmati rice is cooked under pressure for just 5 minutes. Simply add the rice and water to the Instant pot and set the timer. So much quicker than a rice cooker!

Over the years, we have made stovetop rice by boiling, stirring and keeping a close eye to prevent overcooking. With pressure cooker rice, you simply dump and go. No monitoring is required.

It is one of our favorite lazy cooking methods. Learning to cook basmati rice in the Instant pot is such a game changer.

For more easy rice recipes, we have you covered with Chicken and Rice (Crockpot), Dairy Free Rice Pudding, and Gluten Free Spanish Rice.

For more lazy cooking ideas, check out our Chicken and Stuffing Casserole, Crockpot Sweet Potatoes, How To Boil Eggs in the Microwave and No-Boil Lasagna.

Ingredients

• 1 cup basmati rice
• 1.25 cups water

Gluten-Free Guide: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten.

How To Make

Rinse the rice under running water for 2 minutes or until the water runs clear. Shake to remove excess water. Add the rice and water to the instant pot.

Cook the Rice: Set the instant pot to high pressure for 5 minutes. Once the time is up let the instant pot do a natural release for 10 minutes then turn the valve to venting and remove the cover.

Serve the Rice: Fluff the rice with a fork and serve as is or in your favorite recipe.

What is Basmati Rice?

Basmati rice is a long-grain aromatic rice that comes in both white and brown varieties. It is commonly found in traditional Indian dishes such curries, rice pilafs or biryanis.

The word “basmati” means “fragrant” so you’ll find your home filling with a nutty aroma as the rice cooks.

The mild nutty flavor of basmati is what differentiates it from jasmine or long-grain white rice. You’ll also find this slender rice becomes longer once cooked and is known for soaking up the flavor of any liquid or sauce.

Serving Suggestions

If looking for untraditional ways to serve basmati rice, check out any of these delicious recipes.

From stir-fries to chicken, pork and beef dishes, there are many ways to feature this rice on the dinner table.

• Gluten Free Chicken Stir Fry
• Instant Pot Chicken Stir Fry
• Boiled Chicken Thighs
• Instant Pot Bone In Chicken Thighs

You can also keep this dish vegetarian by mixing with a variety of roasted vegetables, lentils and/or kidney beans for a complete meal.

Tips and Substitutions

• Use chicken, beef or vegetable broth instead of water for cooking.
• Swap brown basmati rice for white.
• Add seasonings such as garlic powder, onion powder, or your favorite spices to the rice before or after cooking.
• Do not turn on the “Keep Warm” function with basmati rice, immediately remove it wfrom heat once pressure is released to prevent mushy rice.
• Add an additional 1/4 cup of water to the Instant pot to turn al dente rice into a softer rice.
• Fluff the rice with a fork instead of stirring.
• If there is extra moisture in the Instant pot after cooking, remove the insert and let sit uncovered for 5-10 minutes to allow the liquid to evaporate.

Frequently Asked Questions

How To Cook Rice in Instant Pot

There are multiple rice varieties that can be cooked in the Instant Pot either on the manual or Instant Pot rice setting. Learn how to make rice in an Instant pot to then use as side dish or in a recipe.

Sushi Rice: The instant pot makes it quick and simple to prep rice for sushi. It is made with 3 ingredients in under 25 minutes then can be used to make homemade sushi, poke bowls, buddha bowls and more.

Wild Rice: Typically known for its long cooking time, this is a pressure cooker rice that can now be made quickly and easily.

Jasmine Rice: Similar to this basmati rice recipe, jasmine rice can be made in a few steps. Turns out light and fluffy too.

Long Grain White Rice: Simply add the rice and water, cover, and cook for just 8 minutes before using a fork to fluff and serve.

Mexican Rice: A traditional fluffy white rice that adds seasoning to upgrade flavor and is yet another rice option for meals.

Storage Instructions

In the fridge: Store plain rice for up to 5 days in the fridge in a covered container.

In the freezer: Place cooled rice onto a baking sheet to freeze for at least 30 minutes. Once frozen, the rice can be added to a container, Ziploc bag or stasher bag to freeze for up to 3 months.

For best results, thaw rice in the fridge overnight and reheat the next day.

In the pantry (dry): Store dry rice in a cool dark place for a few months or up to a year if sealed tightly. Dry rice can be added to an airtight container once the seal is broken to extend its shelf life.

Reheating Instructions

Microwave: Add thawed rice to a microwave-safe bowl with a splash of water to rehydrate the rice. Cover with a damp paper towel to retain the moisture and microwave in 30-second increments. Stir in-between until rice is hot.

Stovetop: Place rice in a covered pot over low to medium heat to reheat until hot (approximately 3-5 minutes for thawed and 7-10 minutes for frozen). Add a splash of water to the bottom of the pot to prevent the rice from burning. Stir occasionally.

More Instant Pot Recipes

• Instant Pot Shredded Chicken
• Instant Pot Loaded Potato Soup
• Instant Pot Pork Loin Roast With Vegetables
• Chicken A La King (Instant Pot + Stovetop)