How To Make Perfect Instant Pot Basmati Rice

If you're looking for the perfect method to make Instant Pot Basmati Rice, you've come to the right place. Learn how to make basmati rice quickly, easily and with less effort than other methods!

Instant Pot Basmati Rice in a metal bowl with a parsley garnish.

Tired of trying to get the water to rice ratio and cooking times just right to make Instant Pot Basmati Rice? This guide covers everything you need to know in order to make basmati rice perfectly right in your Instant Pot!

How To Make Instant Pot Basmati Rice

  1. Rinse the rice. This removes excess starch and keeps the rice from sticking together.
  2. Add both the rice and the water to the inner pot of the Instant Pot.
  3. Cook the rice on High Pressure for 4 minutes.
  4. NPR. Allow the pot to Natural Pressure Release for 10 minutes.
  5. Serve and enjoy!

Water to Rice Ratio for Instant Pot Rice

How To Make White Rice:
Water to rice ratio for WHITE Rice In an Instant pot

For basmati & Jasmine Rice, 1c water + 1 cup rice. 4 mins HP, 10 mins NPR

How To Make Brown Rice:
Water to rice ratio for BROWN Rice In an Instant pot

1 cup brown rice + 1 cup water: 22 mins HP, 10 mins NPR

How To Make Arborio Rice:
Water to rice ratio for ARBORIO Rice In an Instant pot

1 cup arborio rice + 1.5 cups water: 5 mins HP, 10 mins NPR minutes + more liquid after cooking

How To Make Sushi Rice:
Water to rice ratio for SUSHI Rice In an Instant pot

1 cup sushi rice, 1.25 cups water, 10 mins HP, 10 mins NPR.

How To Make Black Rice:
Water to rice ratio for BLACK Rice In an Instant pot

1 cup black rice + 1.5 cups water: 22 mins HP, 10 mins NPR + more liquid after cooking

How To Make Red Rice:
Water to rice ratio for RED Rice In an Instant pot

1 cup red rice + 1 cup water: 22 mins HP, 10 mins NPR

How To Make Congee:
Water to rice ratio for CONGEE RICE In an Instant pot

1 cup glutinous rice + 4 cup water: 20 mins HP, 10 mins NPR

How To Make Wild Rice:
Water to rice ratio for WILD RICE BLEND In an Instant pot

1 cup Wild Rice Blend + 1 cup water: 22 mins HP, 10 mins NPR

It may surprise you to know that for all rice (other than Black and Arborio) the ratio of water to rice is 1:1. That makes it a pretty straight forward process, even when cooking basmati rice in the Instant Pot.

PRINT A HANDY ONE-SHEET THAT GIVES YOU ALL THE COOK TIMES AND INSTRUCTIONS HERE!

What Types Of Dishes Are Best Made With Instant Pot Basmati Rice?

Basmati is rice that doesn't get fatter as it cooks, it gets thinner and longer. It's a long and skinny rice that contains the starch Amylose which doesn't bind or stick together when you cook it. It's perfect for rice dishes where you don't want the rice sticking together.

Not only is basmati rice a great rice as a side dish for a meal, but it's particularly good for a lot of Indian cuisine. It's really good for recipes like my Basmati Rice Pilau or Chicken Biryani. This Indian peas and carrots pilau is a good idea as well. I talk more about pairings in my guide for Indian cooking for beginners.

But you would NOT want to use basmati to make a risotto or a rice pudding for example. Similarly, it is not suitable for Congees or other sticky rice recipes.

Can You Freeze Basmati Rice?

Yes, you absolutely can freeze Instant Pot Basmati Rice! However, the sooner you freeze the rice after you've prepared it the better. Here's how I do it:

  • Cool. Let it cool to room temperature.
  • Portion. Separate the rice to your preferred serving size.
  • Pack. Place in a freezer-safe baggie, pushing as much air out as possible.
  • Lay flat. Place the bags of rice in your freezer flat so they can defrost faster.

Once frozen, the rice should keep in the freezer for about a month. Any longer than that and the rice will begin to lose its flavor and moisture.

How Do I Reheat Basmati Rice?

Reheating Instant Pot Rice is as simple as adding a tablespoon of water per to the rice and reheating it in the microwave.

Microwaving time can vary depending on how much you're reheating, so just reheat it in 30-60 second intervals until it's heated through.

Make weeknight cooking easier with these practical Indian meal prep tips for preparing flavorful meals ahead of time.

Do I Need To Soak Before Cooking Basmati Rice?

That's actually the great thing about Instant Pot Basmati Rice. There is no need to soak the rice before pressure cooking it.

The steam and the heat of the pressure cooker will help the rice grains cook up very well without any presoaking, even with congees and other rice that typically gets soaked.

Just a quick rinse to get rid of the excess starch and your Instapot rice is ready to cook.

PRINT A HANDY ONE-SHEET THAT GIVES YOU ALL THE COOK TIMES AND INSTRUCTIONS HERE!

Can I Make Basmati Rice In A Rice Cooker?

Yes, you most certainly can.

Want More Great Instant Pot Basmati Rice Recipes?

For more easy meal inspiration, explore these best Instant Pot recipes, featuring flavorful dinners, comforting soups, and simple sides.

Instant Pot Basmati Rice in a metal bowl with a parsley garnish.

So whether you're serving it as a side for slow cooker butter chicken or as part of a main dish, you're sure to love how perfect this Instant Pot Basmati Rice turns out! Make sure to share this recipe with your friends on Pinterest and Facebook so they can enjoy it as well!

Instant Pot Basmati Rice served in a silver bowl with handles

Instant Pot Basmati Rice

If you're looking for the perfect method to make Instant Pot Basmati Rice, you've come to the right place. Make basmati rice quick and easy!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 4 minutes
Natural Pressure Release: 10 minutes
Total Time: 19 minutes
Course: Main Courses, Rice, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Indian
Keyword: How To Cook Basmati Rice, Instant Pot Basmati Rice, Pressure Cooker Basmati Rice
Servings: 4
Calories: 202kcal
Author: URVASHI PITRE
Click on highlighted ingredients or Equipment to see exactly what I use to make this recipe

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Rinse the rice. This removes excess starch and keeps the rice from sticking together.
  • Add rice, water, ghee, and salt to inner pot of the Instant Pot.
  • Cook the rice on High Pressure for 4 minutes.
  • Allow the pot to Natural Pressure Release for 10 minutes.
  • Serve and enjoy!

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Nutrition

Calories: 202kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 4g | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g
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Don't forget to check out my other Best-selling Instant Pot Cookbooks!

Indian Instant Pot, Keto Instant Pot, Instant Pot Fast and Easy, Healthy Instant Pot & Vegetarian Instant Pot.

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3 Comments

  1. I have the same question as the previous post. Is brown basmati rice treated any differently than white basmati rice?

    I just made your chile verde recipe today and it turned out well despite the lack of exact ingredients (couldn't find the same chiles and had to use the pork I had in the freezer).

    I have brown basmati rice at home, so was looking for advice on cooking it to go with the chile verde. Thanks!

    1. Yes pls search for instant pot brown rice on the blog. I have a separate post for it. It needs 22 mins cook time.