How to cook Basmati Rice – perfectly cooked basmati rice in 2 ways open pot method and pressure cooker method. Let us learn How to cook Basmati Rice with detailed step by step pictures and video.
How to cook basmati rice perfectly with step by step pictures and video. Generally, I cook basmati rice often for using it for fried rice, pulao etc. I love plain basmati rice with dal and a subji especially kadai paneer or any spicy vegetable its such a comfort food for me.Both mittu and gugu love basmati rice especially fried rice.
How to cook Basmati Rice
Cooking basmati rice perfectly is the key to any good fried rice or pulao. Many of my relatives, friends and readers requested / enquired about the brand of basmati rice and method I use to cook basmati rice.I admit yes the brand does matters but the method of cooking is all the more important too so thought to share a separate post for it so that it will be helpful for beginners.
You can use any of the 2 methods mentioned here to get perfect basmati rice. The key points to note in cooking basmati rice are:
- Soaking : Soaking helps in giving grain seperated rice and also soft rice grains so I always recommend soaking if you have time.
- Water Ratio : Rice : Water ratiois very important so keep up to it.
- Fluffing : While fluffing let it rest for a while then fluff it up also fo not break the rice gently fluff it up with a fork.
Perfect Basmati Rice
I’ve always wondered how the rice in restaurants alone is cooked so soft yet grain separated as during my initial days of cooking I always overcook / undercook basmati rice. At home we use pot method for cooking rice daily so pressure cooking rice was always a nightmare.
I am no expert just giving the method and tips that I’ve experienced. I have given both the methods including pressure cooker and open pot method.
Methods to Cook Basmati Rice
- Open pot method: Here rice is cooked with ample amount of water. You need not worry about the water measure as drain the excess after after rice is cooked. If you don’t want to discard water and cook in absortion method, then use 1(rice):2(water) ratio. Soaking prior helps in cooking faster and getting soft rice.
- Pressure cooker method : This is the method I prefer most of the time, as its easy. But its needed to soak priorly in this method the ratio of rice:water is very important to get perfect fluffy rice. I always use 1:2 ratio as I don’t prefer aldente rice with kids around. Here I have shared both the methods using a pot inside cooker and cooking basmati rice directly in cooker also.
I have tried both the methods and both yields good results ie fluffy basmati rice. Cook rice until it is soft and fluffy. If you don’t want to stand and keep checking for rice doneness then pressure cooker method is best when compared to open pot method.
More Related Recipes
Check out Fried Rice and Pulao Recipes that I’ve posted already.
If you have any more questions about this how to cook basmati rice do mail me at [email protected] In addition, follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest ,Youtube and Twitter .
Tried this how to cook basmati rice? Do let me know how you liked it. Also tag us on Instagram @sharmispassions and hash tag it on #sharmispassions.
How to cook Basmati Rice
Ingredients
Open pot method:
- 1 cup basmati rice
- 5 cups water
- 1/2 tsp salt
- salt to taste
Pressure cooker method:
- 1 cup basmati rice
- 2 cups water
- salt to taste
Instructions
Open pot method:
- To begin with first measure rice. Level it and measure.
- Add the measured rice to a mixing bowl, add water to it.
- First soak in water for 20-30 mins. Set aside.
- Rinse well atleast twice. Rinsing helps in removing starch resulting in nonsticky rice hence rinse well.
- Drain water and set aside.
- After that , boil water, add required salt and 1/2 tsp oil.
- Add drained rice, give a quick mix and let it cook.
- After 5 mins mash the rice and check. It will have a bite texture and the rice will break so need to cook further.
- So cook for few more mins.
- At 8 mins : check by pressing the rice is easily mashable but not mushy. Keep checking otherwise rice would become mushy.
- Switch off.
- Immediately add the rice with water to a strainer. Let water strain.
- Keep covered for 15 mins. Let water drain completely. Discard starch water collected.
- Finally fluff it gently. Perfectly cooked fluffy basmati rice ready.
Pressure cooker method:
- Add the measured rice to a mixing bowl, add water to it.
- Soak in water for 20-30 mins. Set aside.
- Rinse well atleast twice. Rinsing helps in removing starch resulting in nonsticky rice hence rinse well until water is clear.
- Subsequently, drain water and set aside.
- Place the stand inside the pressure cooker, add 1.5 cups of water.
- Then, place the vessel, add the soaked and drained rice. Add 2 cups of water to it.
- After that, close with lid
- Close, put the whistle.Switch on the flame.
- Cook in low medium flame for 2-3 whistles. Subsequently, let pressure release by itself.
- Then open. Remove the vessel.
- Fluff gently.
- Spread it on a plate. Finally fluff it gently. Perfectly cooked fluffy basmati rice ready.
- Now its ready to use for any fried rice, pulao or can be had as such too.
Video
Notes
- After cooking rice, you can drizzle oil in rice to get more nonsticky rice.
- For pressure cooker method : You can add 1.5 cups of water and pressure cook for 3 whistles.
But the rice will be a bit aldente so I always prefer to add 2 cups of water.
Likewise, you can pair this rice with dal and veggie or can use this rice for pulao or fried rice. - The brand of rice together with its ageing matters for the water required. I always use India Gate Super which I feel is long and tastes good too. The other brands I've tried so far are namely Kohinoor, Double deer, Lal quila etc.
- You can either discard drained starch water or can use it for seasoning vessels or hair wash etc.
You can even drink it as such as it has a lot of health benefits.
How to cook Basmati Rice
Open pot method
1.To begin with first measure rice. Level it and measure.
2.Add the measured rice to a mixing bowl, add water to it.
3.First soak in water for 20-30 mins. Set aside.
4.Rinse well atleast twice. Rinsing helps in removing starch resulting in nonsticky rice hence rinse well. 
5.Drain water and set aside.
6.After that , boil water, add required salt and 1/2 tsp oil.
7.Add drained rice, give a quick mix and let it cook.
8.After 5 mins mash the rice and check. It will have a bite texture and the rice will break so need to cook further.
9.So cook for few more mins.
10.At 8 mins : check by pressing the rice is easily mashable but not mushy. Keep checking otherwise rice would become mushy.
11.Switch off.
12.Immediately add the rice with water to a strainer. Let water strain.
13.Keep covered for 15 mins. Let water drain completely. Discard starch water collected.
14.Finally fluff it gently. Perfectly cooked fluffy basmati rice ready.
Pressure cooker method
1.Add the measured rice to a mixing bowl, add water to it.2.Soak in water for 20-30 mins. Set aside.
3.Rinse well atleast twice. Rinsing helps in removing starch resulting in nonsticky rice hence rinse well until water is clear.
4. Subsequently, drain water and set aside.
5.Place the stand inside the pressure cooker, add 1.5 cups of water.
6.Then, place the vessel, add the soaked and drained rice. Add 2 cups of water to it.
7. After that, close with lid
8.Close, put the whistle.Switch on the flame.
9.Cook in low medium flame for 2-3 whistles. Subsequently, let pressure release by itself.
10.Then open. Remove the vessel.
11.Fluff gently.
12.Spread it on a plate. Finally fluff it gently. Perfectly cooked fluffy basmati rice ready.
Now its ready to use for any fried rice, pulao or can be had as such too.
For cooking directly inside cooker
- Take basmati rice in a bowl , rinse it well then add water and soak it for atleast 30-45mins.
- Drain water and add basmati rice to pressure cooker.I soaked it for around 40mins so added 1 and 1/2 cups water. If you are ok with soft grains then add 2 cups water. With 1 and 1/2 cups the rice will be a bit aldente.
- Pressure cook for 3-4 whistles , for first one whistle you can cook in medium flame then lower in low medium and give 3 more whistles.Switch off.Let the pressure completely release by itself. Then open and set aside for 5-10 mins.
- Fluff it with fork.If you are planning to make fried rice then add a tsp of olive oil and fluff it up.
Perfectly cooked Basmati rice is ready.
Expert Tips
- After cooking rice, you can drizzle oil in rice to get more non-sticky rice.
- For pressure cooker method : You can add 1.5 cups of water and pressure cook for 3 whistles. But the rice will be a bit aldente so I always prefer to add 2 cups of water.
- Likewise, you can pair this rice with dal and veggie or can use this rice for pulao or fried rice.
- The brand of rice together with its ageing matters for the water required. I always use India Gate Super which I feel is long and tastes good too. The other brands I’ve tried so far are namely Kohinoor, Double deer, Lal quila etc.
- You can either discard drained starch water or can use it for seasoning vessels or hair wash etc. You can even drink it as such as it has a lot of health benefits.
- I usually use pressure cooker method for making fried rice and the pot method for making pulao or jeera rice.As I feel the grains easily break when the pot method is used so I wouldnt recommend it for fried rice but still its your preference.
- If you are soaking for just 15-20 mins then add 2 cups of water.If you are soaking for 30mins and more add 1.5 cups.
- Soaking for more times yields softer rice and gives perfect grain separated rice.
- I use India Gate or attimes buy Double Deer when India gate is out of stock.
- While fluffing fluff it up with a fork carefully , don’t mash the rice.
- I use the same measures and method for cooking biryani too except for non-veg biryani.
Vanessa M Sanchez
There that’s cool
seotricks
hello ,Basmati, is a variety of long, slender-grained aromatic rice which is traditionally grown in India, Pakistan, and Nepal.