Basmati Rice is a great side dish option when you’re gluten free. I love its amazing flavor and texture. What I don’t love is cooking it on the stove. It cooks differently every time for me. Instead of using the stove, I make Instant Pot Basmati Rice. No more guesswork and it comes out perfectly tender.
For years my go-to rice was regular plain white rice. It’s what I grew up with. Then I worked some brown rice into the mix and would make that every once in a while. It’s what I’ve been used to.
Then I tried Basmati Rice. Now, more often than not, I reach for this rice. The flavor and aroma has me wanting it more often.
Before cooking it, here is some info about this aromatic gluten free grain.
What is Basmati Rice
Basmati Rice is a long grain white rice grown most commonly in India, the Himalayas, and Pakistan. It has a nutty flavor and is very fragrant.
Basmati is available in white and brown varieties but the white variety is most common.
Rice Pilaf and Indian recipes, like curries, are perfect for basmati rice. If we are having plain rice as a side dish, Basmati is my favorite because of its distinct flavor and aroma
How to Cook Instant Pot Basmati Rice
Using the instant pot for cooking rice is easier than making it on the stove. There is less active cooking on your part and there’s no guesswork on if the rice is ready. This lets you prepare the rest of your meal.
Here are the cooking steps.
- Measure out one cup of basmati rice.
- Place the rice in a fine mesh sieve and rinse well with cold water for a minute or two until the water is mostly clear.
- To prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom of the Instant Pot, spray the inside lightly with a little non-stick cooking spray or add a little vegetable oil to it.
- Add the Rice and Water to the Instant Pot.
- Cook the rice in the instant pot for 6 minutes on high pressure then release pressure naturally for 5 minutes before releasing the remaining pressure.
- Fluff the rice with a fork and serve.
6 Questions and Tips about Instant Pot Basmati Rice
Do I Need to Soak the Rice?
I do not soak the rice when making it in the Instant Pot. Soaking the rice allows the rice to absorb water and reduce cooking time. The Instant Pot cooks the rice quickly so I don’t find the soaking is necessary.
Do I Need to Rinse the Rice?
Rinsing removes some of the starch off which can make the rice sticky.
Why should I Use the Natural Pressure Release?
Rice is a starchy food and foams up some when cooking. Using the natural pressure release allows the rice to finish cooking and the foam to subside.
How do I Keep the Rice From Sticking to the Bottom of the Instant Pot?
Spraying a little cooking oil in the instant pot or coating the bottom with a little vegetable oil will help keep the rice from sticking to the bottom.
Do I Need To Add Salt to the Rice?
Adding salt is optional. It adds flavor to the rice but using it in the recipe is up to you.
Can I Adjust the Rice and Water Amounts or Cooking Times?
Yes, if the rice is too soft or undercooked, make small adjustments to the cooking times until you get rice that is perfect for your family.
Making Instant Pot Basmati Rice, in my opinion, is a game changer. I love the time saving, no guessing, low monitoring qualities of this cooking method.
Give it a try the next time you make rice.
Other Instant Pot Recipes
Here are some other Instant Pot Recipes to try out.
- Mississippi Pot Roast – I typically make this in the slow cooker but if I decide I want it last minute, using the Instant Pot works great!
- Weight Watchers Soup – This low calorie, healthy soup cooks in almost no time when you use the Instant Pot.
- Japanese Onion Soup – The Hibachi favorite cooked in minutes with the Instant Pot.
- Ropa Vieja – A Cuban beef recipe full of flavor.
Instant Pot Basmati Rice
Equipment
- Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 1 cup Basmati Rice
- 1 ¼ cup Water
- ½ tsp Salt, optional
- Cooking Spray, optional
Instructions
- Measure out one cup of basmati rice into a fine mesh sieve.
- Rinse the rice well with cold water for a minute or two until the water is mostly clear.
- If using oil to prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom of the Instant Pot, spray the inside lightly with a little no stick cooking spray or add a little vegetable oil to it.
- Add the Basmati Rice and Water to the Instant Pot and give it a quick stir
- Place the lid on the Instant Pot and set the valve to sealing.
- Set the Instant Pot to manual with a cook time of 6 minutes on high pressure.
- When the time on the Instant Pot reaches zero, turn off the instant pot and allow the pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes.
- After 5 minutes move the valve to “venting” and release any remaining pressure.
- Open the Instant Pot, fluff rice with a fork, and serve.
Notes
- Do I Need to Soak the Rice? I do not soak the rice when making it in the Instant Pot. Soaking rice allows the rice to absorb water and reduce cooking time. The Instant Pot cooks the rice quickly so I don’t find the soaking is necessary.
- Do I Need to Rinse the Rice? Rinsing the rice removes some of the starch off which can make it sticky.
- Why should I Use the Natural Pressure Release? Rice is a starchy food and foams up some when cooking. Using the natural pressure release allows the rice to finish cooking and the foam to subside.
- How do I Keep the Rice From Sticking to the Bottom of the Instant Pot? Spraying a little cooking oil in the instant pot or coating the bottom with a little vegetable oil will help keep the rice from sticking to the bottom.
- Do I Need To Add Salt to the Rice? Adding salt to the rice is optional. It adds flavor to the rice and using it is up to you.
- Can I Adjust the Rice and Water Amounts or Cooking Times? Yes, if the rice is too soft or under cooked, make small adjustments to the cooking times until you get rice that is perfect for your family.
