Perfect, fluffy basmati rice every time – no guesswork, no sticky mess. This Instant Pot method delivers aromatic, individual grains in minutes, making it your go-to for foolproof rice.
Why you’ll love this recipe
This Instant Pot recipe is my go-to for fluffy, fragrant basmati rice. It turns out perfectly fluffy every time, with those lovely separate grains that make basmati special. I love how I can just set it and forget it, giving me time to focus on other parts of the meal, and it never lets me down.
What do you need?
Basmati rice
Basmati rice is a long-grain rice known for its aromatic and nutty flavors. Choose a good quality brand such as Pride of India or Royal for best results.
Water
The general rule of thumb for Instant Pot Basmati rice is a 1:1.5 ratio of rice to water. This means that for every cup of rice, you’ll need one and a half cups of water.
An Instant Pot or other electric pressure cooker
This recipe uses an Instant Pot, but you can use another brand of electric pressure cooker or a multicooker with a pressure cook function.
How to cook basmati rice in the Instant Pot
1
Rinse rice.
Before starting to cook, make sure to rinse the basmati rice under running water in a fine mesh strainer to remove any excess starch. This step will help prevent the rice from becoming too sticky.
2
Pressure cook.
Add the rinsed basmati rice and water to your Instant Pot. Lock and seal the Instant Pot lid, then set to pressure cook for 6 minutes.
3
Natural release.
Allow Pressure to Release: Once the cooking time has finished, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes. After ten minutes, carefully switch the pressure valve to “Quick Release” to release any remaining pressure. Do not open the lid until all the pressure has been released and the float valve has dropped down.
4
Fluff and Rest.
Remove the lid and gently fluff the cooked basmati rice with a fork. Let the rice rest, uncovered, for a few minutes to allow any excess steam to escape.
Instant Pot Basmati Rice
Ingredients
- 1 cup Basmati rice
- 1½ cups water
Directions
- Rinse Basmati rice under running water using a mesh sieve. This removes the fine layer of starch on the outside of the grains, preventing them from sticking together.
- Place the rinsed Basmati rice and water into the Instant Pot inner pot. Ensure that no grains remain stuck to the edge of the pot.
- Close and lock the lid of the Instant Pot, then set the Instant Pot to pressure cook for 6 minutes at high pressure.
- When the time is up, allow the Instant Pot to depressurize naturally for 10 minutes (using the keep warm function). After this time you can use quick release to finish depressurizing before opening the Instant Pot.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an estimate and provided for informational purposes only.
