This Instant Pot Basmati Rice turns out perfectly cooked every time. It’s the no-fail rice recipe you’ve been looking for that turns out fluffy and perfectly tender in just 8 minutes.
» Also try this Instant Pot Spanish Rice and these perfectly cooked Instant Pot Baby Potatoes.
I’m a huge fan of recipes that are essentially a dump and cook process. This is one of those recipes. There aren’t any really complicated steps or multiple modes of cooking. You really just put everything in the Instant Pot and let it do its thing.
If you’re used to cooking rice on the stovetop or in a rice cooker, you’ll be pleasantly surprised with how similar this recipes is, only without the possibility of failure or it taking too long. It’s super quick and I’ve never had rice turn out badly in the Instant Pot. Try this sushi rice or jasmine rice and see how they all come out perfectly cooked in the Instant Pot.
Click to see a step-by-step instruction video.
What is Basmati Rice?
Basmati rice is a type of long grain that originates from India. It’s a slender aromatic rice that is often served with curries and Indian food. It has a slightly more nutty and floral taste to it and comes in both white basmati rice and brown basmati rice.
It can be more expensive than other types of rice, but it’s a great addition to your dishes, because of its aromatic delicate flavor.
» Check out Instant Pot vs Rice Cooker: Which is Better?
Ingredients for Instant Pot Basmati Rice
Not surprisingly, this recipe consists of just basmati rice and water. It’s super simple. I use an even ratio of each. One cup of rice to one cup of water.
- 1 cup Basmati rice
- 1 cup Water
How to Make Instant Pot Basmati Rice
Combine the rice and water in the Instant Pot inner pot. Stir.
Lock the lid and set the vent to sealing.
Press the pressure cook button and set the time to 8 minutes. When the time is up, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then do a quick release.
Remove the rice from the heat immediately.
What to Serve Basmati Rice With?
You can serve Basmati rice with any dish that requires rice. It’s a very nice tender rice that works well with all dishes, not just Indian dishes. However, it does go hand in hand with a great Indian curry or butter chicken. In my house, we also serve it with Beef & Broccoli or Panang curry, or just as a plain rice side dish.
>>Try one of these 11 Instant Pot Meals in Under 30 Minutes.
Main Dishes to Serve This With
This is a great side dish to serve with just about any main dish protein. I like to serve it with chicken and pork. Here are a few options to enjoy:
Why Use An Instant Pot?
The Instant Pot is one of the most useful kitchen appliances you can buy, because it drastically cuts down on the cooking time for developing flavors in soups and stews, getting tough cuts of meat tender, and even baking a cheesecake. And there are many accessories that will help you get more out of your Instant Pot.
If you don’t have one yet, check out our guide on which one to buy. Also see our guide to How to Use an Instant Pot for more information.
- Don’t Have an Instant Pot Yet? This guide can help you choose the right one.
- See reviews and prices for Instant Pots on Amazon.
- Learn some great Instant Pot Tips & Tricks.
- Click to find more recipes to make in your Instant Pot.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Basmati Rice different from other rice?
“Bas” in Hindi language means “aroma” and “mati” means “full of,” hence the word Basmati — or “full of aroma.” That explains one of the differences between basmati rice and other long-grain rice. It’s aromatic and has a stronger flavor. It also is higher in calories and carbs compared to regular white rice.
What is so special about basmati rice?
The Basmati grain is unique in that it expands more than twice its dry length during cooking. Unlike other types of rice, the grains only expand lengthways, which allows them to retain their characteristic length and slenderness when cooked.
What is the proper ratio of water to rice?
In the Instant Pot, you can rest assured that the correct ratio is a 1:1 ratio. When cooking rice in the Instant Pot, always use the same amount of water to rice and it will come out perfectly.
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Instant Pot Basmati Rice
Note: Made in a 6-qt Instant Pot
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup basmati rice 190g
- 1 cup water 250ml
Instructions
- Combine the rice and water in the Instant Pot inner pot. Stir.
- Lock the lid and set the vent to sealing.
- Press the pressure cook button and set the time to 8 minutes. When the time is up, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then do a quick release.
- Remove the rice from the heat immediately.
Nutrition
» Check out our Instant Pot Cooking Times Cheat Sheet so you never have to look up times again for your favorite foods you make in the pressure cooker. Print or bookmark it so you always have it handy!
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Laura is a passionate home cook and the owner of A Pressure Cooker Kitchen. She is dedicated to helping people create delicious Instant Pot meals with ease. Laura is an expert at developing recipes that can be prepared quickly and easily using a pressure cooker.
I adore cooking in my pressure cooker and thanks to your recipe I made the best basmati rice for dinner!
Love this guide to making basmati rice in the instant pot! I’ve used it a few times now and my rice turns out perfectly every time!
Making basmati rice in my instant pot was one of the easiest things ever! Thanks for the recipe!
this rice is perfectly cooked
LOVE cooking rice this way and won’t make it any other way! So fluffy every time.
Totally agree!
I am a fan of eating rice, and this type of rice is really delicious!