Instant Pot Basmati Rice

Fluffy, perfectly cooked basmati rice in minutes — it’s Instant Pot magic!

Along with brown and white rice, basmati is a staple grain for me, and that’s thanks to my college buddy Jeremy. After buying his first home he invited me over for a Persian feast. His father was an Iranian immigrant who passed down so many delicious recipes, one of them being tahdig, a Persian rice dish with a crispy, golden layer of rice that forms at the bottom of the pot. It was love at first bite, and ever since then basmati has been a go-to grain in my kitchen. 

Basmati originated in India but its fluffy texture and distinctive taste and aroma have made it a favorite around the globe. I’ve found that basmati’s nutty, delicate flavor works and tastes just as good with a steak as it does with curry dishes. You really can’t go wrong with this versatile and easy-to-make rice.

Why the Instant Pot? You could boil up the rice on the stove — that’s simple enough, if you have time to watch it. But this recipe removes the guesswork and the need to watch the pot and adjust the heat, just like a dedicated rice cooker would. Just set the machine and you can focus on your mains. You’ll get fluffy, tender rice every time, a flavor sponge that will round out any meal beautifully.

Is Instant Pot Basmati Rice Healthy?

Basmati rice is low in fat and a good source of carbohydrates. It also has a slightly lower glycemic index compared to other white rice, meaning that its energy is released at a slower, steadier rate, important to those watching their blood sugar. And, like all rice, it’s a naturally gluten-free grain. That said, white basmati rice doesn’t offer much in the fiber department. Brown basmati rice has significantly more fiber, but note that it takes longer to cook and so you’ll need to adjust the timing for this recipe (see “FAQs and Tips” below for more on that). But all in all even white basmati is a good choice as part of a healthy meal.

Why Rinse Your Rice?

Rinsing your basmati before cooking isn’t just a suggestion. Over the years I’ve realized that this one little step is key to getting fluffy, airy, restaurant-quality rice. How does it work? Rinsing removes excess starch from the grains. That cloudy water that pours out of your strainer? That’s the starch, and there tends to be a lot of it. Starch is exactly what causes rice grains to be gummy and clump together. In fact I’ll sometimes both rinse and soak my rice just to make sure I got it all out. Skipping this rinsing step can lead to sticky, clumpy rice — which is fine if you’re making sushi or spam musubi. But for basmati you want rice that’s as fluffy and light as a cloud!

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup basmati rice
• 1 1/4 cups water
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

INSTRUCTIONS

Prep

Rinse rice, add to Instant Pot with water, butter, and salt.

Cook

Pressure cook for 4 minutes, then naturally release the pressure for 10 minutes.

Serve

Fluff rice with a fork and serve.

Devour!

Serving Suggestions

Basmati rice pairs beautifully with a variety of dishes. Serve it alongside Easy Vegan Cauliflower Chickpea Curry or Thai Pumpkin Curry. It pairs equally well with Cilantro Lime Chicken or steaks like Oven-Cooked Top Sirloin. And its subtle flavor complements Falafel Bowls as well if you’d like to use it in place of quinoa.

Got leftover rice? I have one slightly unorthodox suggestion. I know that basmati isn’t traditionally used for this, but I like to make fried rice with my leftovers — Easy Chicken Fried Rice or Vegetable Fried Rice are both delicious!