Learn how to cook a perfect, fluffy, not sticky Indian White Basmati rice recipe every time using the Instant pot pressure cooker. Vegan and gluten-free.
What is Basmati Rice?
Basmati is a variety of long, slender-grained aromatic rice traditionally grown in India, Nepal, and Pakistan. - (Source Wiki). The word "basmati" in Hindi means "fragrant" or "full of aroma."
It comes in two varieties, white and brown. Both have a nutty taste and a distinct smell. It is often served alongside Indian curries or as the main ingredient in the famous rice dish Biryani or Rice Kheer from the Indian sub-continent.
Ingredients
Preparing basmati rice in the Instant Pot couldn't get easier. You will need only two main ingredients, and the other two ingredients are entirely optional.
- Basmati Rice – This long grain rice is easily avaible in local grocery stores. I like Daawat Extra Long rice brand.
- Water – use plain water in this recipe. You can also add vegetable broth to make it more flavorful (adjust salt in this case).
- Oil (or Ghee) – adding oil or ghee adds flavor to the grain and also helps to keep the grains separated while cooking. However its optional. If you are vegan or dairy-free, replace ghee with olive oil.
- Salt – You can add little for seasoning the rice. It is optional.
How to Cook Perfect Basmati Rice in Instant Pot
Rinse the basmati rice 2-3 times until the water runs clear (removes extra starch) and drain the remaining water.
Note: This is a no-soak method, and my rice always turns out soft, fluffy, and separated.
Add the rinsed rice, water, oil, and salt to the Instant Pot steel insert. Give a quick stir.
- For softer rice: add 1 ¼ cups water.
- For al dente rice: add 1 cup water.
Close the Instant Pot with pressure valve to Sealing. Cook on High Pressure for 4 minutes.
When the instant pot beeps, let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes and then Quick Release the remaining pressure manually.
Open the lid and use a fork or ladle to fluff up the rice and serve hot with curry of your choice.
How to Serve Basmati Rice
Serve this Indian basmati rice with any curry, dal, or sambar. You can use cooked rice in making rice dishes.
FAQs
It helps to remove dirt and impurities. It also removes excessive starch making each rice grain separate and more fluffy.
It's optional. I find this step unnecessary when cooking rice on the pressure cooker. However, it will help to reduce the cooking time when you cook rice on the stovetop pot making the rice soft and fluffy.
No, both are high in calories and carbs.
Store Basmati rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Freeze the leftover rice in a freezer-safe ziplock or storage container for up to 4-6 months. Then, sprinkle some water and reheat in the microwave on high for 2-3 minutes to get steamy fresh rice.
You will get 3 cups of cooked basmati rice.
If you have brown basmati rice, it will take 22 minutes to cook on high pressure in the Instant Pot.
For every cup of uncooked basmati rice that is being cooked in the Instant Pot, you will need 1 ¼ cups of water. Therefore, you can easily double or triple this recipe. Note: cooking rice in an instant pot requires less liquid than the rice cooker or traditional stovetop methods.
More Instant Pot Rice Recipes
Instant Pot Basmati Rice
Equipment
Ingredients
Measuring cup used 1 cup = 250ml
- 1 cup basmati rice rinsed
- 1 ¼ cups water
- ½ teaspoon oil (or ghee), optional
- salt to taste, optional
Instructions
Instant Pot Method
- Rinse the basmati rice 2-3 times until the water runs clear (removes extra starch) and drain the remaining water.Note: This is a no-soak method and my rice always turns out soft, fluffy, and separated.
- Add the rinsed rice, water, oil, and salt to the Instant Pot steel insert. Give a quick stir.For softer rice: add 1 ¼ cups water.For al dente rice: add 1 cup water.
- Close the Instant Pot with pressure valve to Sealing. Cook on High Pressure for 4 minutes.
- When the instant pot beeps, let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes and then Quick Release the remaining pressure manually.
- Open the lid and use a fork or ladle to fluff up the rice and serve hot with curry of your choice.
Notes
Nutrition
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