Instant Pot Brown Basmati Rice (Perfectly Cooked)

This Instant Pot Brown 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 18 minutes.

» Also try this method for Instant Pot Sushi Rice, Instant Pot Coconut Rice, or Instant Pot Sticky Rice.

If you’ve never tried making rice in the Instant Pot, you’re about to be pleasantly surprised. I won’t go back to any other method for cooking rice now that I know how perfectly it can be done in the IP.

The other really cool thing is that all types of rice use the same method, and none of them need to be pre-rinsed before putting them in. Just use a 1:1 ratio of water to rice and set the pot on high pressure. The cook time is the only thing that varies between the different types of rice.

What is Brown Basmati Rice?

Brown basmati rice is a specific variety of whole grain rice that originates from Indian. It has a distinct aroma, long-grain shape, and unique flavor profile.

Like regular brown rice, brown basmati rice retains its bran and germ layers, making it more nutritious than white rice.

Here are some key differences between brown basmati rice and regular brown rice:

1. Brown basmati rice comes from India, Pakistan, and Nepal, while regular brown rice can come from different regions, including Asia, the Americas, and Africa.
2. It has a distinct aroma, which comes from a compound called 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline. Regular brown rice typically doesn’t smell that way.
3. It has long, slender grains that elongate even further when cooked, resulting in a lighter, less sticky texture than regular brown rice, which has shorter and rounder grains.
4. It has a distinct nutty flavor with floral undertones versus the earthy taste of regular brown rice.
5. While both brown basmati and regular brown rice take longer to cook than white rice varieties, brown basmati rice may cook slightly faster due to its slender grains.

Overall, both brown basmati rice and regular brown rice are nutritious and healthful options compared to white rice varieties. Brown basmati rice offers a unique aroma, flavor, and texture that may be preferred in certain dishes, particularly Indian, Pakistani, or Middle Eastern dishes.

» Check out Instant Pot vs Rice Cooker: Which is Better?

Ingredients You Need

Not surprisingly, this recipe consists of just brown rice and water. It’s super simple. I use an even ratio of each. One cup of rice to one cup of water. You can cook as many cups as you want at a time. The cook time does not vary.

• Brown Basmati Rice
• Water

Helpful Tips

• For fluffy Basmati rice, use a 1:1 water to rice. For example, if you’re cooking 1 cup of rice, add 1 cup of water.
• Carefully release any remaining pressure and open the lid. Gently fluff the rice with a fork to separate the grains.
• Make sure to remove the rice from the heat immediately after releasing the last of the pressure. This means removing the inner pot from the Instant Pot.
• Enhance the flavor by adding a pinch of salt, a drizzle of oil, or a few spices like cumin seeds or a cinnamon stick to the Instant Pot.
• A lot of people ask if it’s absolutely necessary to rinse the rice. Rinsing removes dust, debris, excess starches, and prevent the rice in becoming too sticky or gummy.

What to Serve With Brown Basmati Rice?

You can serve brown rice with any dish that requires rice. It’s a very nice tender rice that works well with all dishes. It goes well 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.

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