This recipe and method gives you perfectly cooked basmati rice every single time - Light, fluffy and each grain separated yet soft. Have shared 3 ways open pot method, pressure cooker method and instant pot method. This method ensures aromatic, non-sticky, and perfectly cooked basmati rice every time - great as a side or base for biryanis, pulao, and curries. With lots of tips and tricks this post will help you cook basmati rice perfectly every single time.
Generally, I cook basmati rice often for using it for fried rice, pulao etc and at times plain cooked rice for dal and curries. I love plain basmati rice with dal and a subji especially kadai paneer or any spicy vegetable its such a comfort food for me. It took me a while to get here so have shared all the tiny tips and tricks to make perfectly cooked basmati rice.
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How to cook Basmati Rice
Basmati rice is known for its delicate aroma, long grains, and fluffy texture. Cooking it the right way ensures that each grain stays separate and light, making it the perfect base for biryanis, pulao, curries, and stir-fries. This method uses soaking and the right water ratio to help the rice cook evenly without turning mushy.
Cooking basmati rice perfectly is the key to any good fried rice or pulao. Soaking basmati rice is one important step which gives fluffy soft grains of rice so do not miss this step. Then water measurement is very important I use 1 cup rice : 2 cups water pressure cooker and instant pot methods.
The brand does matter but the method of cooking is all the more important too so follow these steps and am sure you will get fluffy perfect basmati rice every time. However I have shared the brand that has worked for me all these years.
The key points to note in cooking basmati rice are:
- Soaking - Soaking helps in giving grain separated rice and also soft rice grains so I always recommend soaking if you have time.
- Water Ratio - Rice : Water ratio is very important so keep up to it.
- Fluffing - While fluffing let it rest for a while then fluff it up also do not break the rice gently fluff it up with a fork.
Video
Perfect Basmati Rice
I've always wondered how the rice in restaurants alone is cooked so soft yet grain separated. During my initial days of cooking I always overcooked / under cooked 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 all these years. This is no rocket science soaking and adding correct ratio of water is the key. Finally letting it rest and fluffing.
Similar Recipes
Check out Fried Rice and Pulao Recipes that I've posted already.
Choosing basmati rice
Many of my relatives, friends and readers requested to share the brand of basmati rice and method I use to cook basmati rice. The one I use is India Gate classic or super since many years. Other than that these brands also has worked - Lal Quila, Double Deer etc.
There are different brands and different varieties of basmati rice short grained, long grained etc. You can choose the variety of basmati rice according to your liking and preference. The methods I have shared here works for all brands.
Methods to Cook Basmati Rice
I have tried all the 3 methods and they yield good results that is fluffy basmati rice. Choose your pick.
- 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 absorption 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 it in advance. 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 al dente rice with kids around. Here I have shared both the methods using a pot inside cooker and cooking basmati rice directly in cooker also.
- Instant Pot Method - This is similar to pressure cooker method but you need not baby sit as you set the timer and IP does all the work for you. This is the method I use when I pack for lunchbox.
How to cook Basmati Rice Step by Step
1.Open pot method
1.To begin with first measure rice. Level it and measure 1 cup basmati rice.
2.Add the measured rice to a mixing bowl, add water to it.
3.First soak in water for 20-30 minutes. Set aside. You can even rinse well and then soak.
4.Rinse well at least twice. Rinsing helps in removing starch resulting in non-sticky rice hence rinse well.
5.Drain water and set aside.
6.After that, boil water, add required salt and ½ teaspoon oil.
7.When water starts to boil add drained rice, give a quick mix and let it cook.
8.After 5 minutes press 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 minutes.
10.At 8 minutes : check by pressing the rice, it is easily mashable but not mushy. Keep checking otherwise rice would become mushy.
11.Switch off.
12.Immediately drain the rice using a colander.
13.Keep covered for 15 minutes. Let water drain completely. Discard starch water collected.
14.Finally fluff it gently. Perfectly cooked fluffy basmati rice ready.
2.Pressure Cooker Method
1.Follow steps 1-5 from one pot method then continue to proceed.
Place the stand inside the pressure cooker, add 1 and ½ cups of water.
2.Then, place the vessel, add the soaked and drained rice. Add 2 cups of water to it.
3. After that, close with lid.
4.Close, put the whistle. Switch on the flame.
5.Cook in low medium flame for 2-3 whistles. Subsequently, let pressure release by itself.
6.Then open. Remove the vessel.
7.Fluff gently.
8.Spread it on a plate. Finally fluff it gently. Perfectly cooked fluffy basmati rice ready.
3.Instant Pot Method
Follow steps 1-5 fom first method.
1.Rinse it well at least 2-3 times and drain water. Soak in water for minimum 15 minutes. I took 1 cup basmati rice.
2.Place the instant pot inner pot and add rinsed rice to it.
3.Measure and add water to it. I use 1(rice):2(water) cups ratio. I added 2 cups water.
4.Mix it once.
5.Close with lid.
6.Set to pressure cook mode in high for 10 minutes.
7.Now the instant pot has started.It takes few mins to change from ON to timer and only when then the timer is shown the actual cooking time starts.
8.Initially the steel button is down.
9.Initially the steel knob is down and when it starts to cook it automatically goes up as shown. When the knob is up it means cooking is in process/started and when its down pressure is released and you are ready to open the lid. Do not open the lid when the knob is up.
10.Once the timer beeps and comes to 0, immediately release pressure manually.Once timer is 0, it automatically goes to keep warm mode.
11.Press the button to manually release pressure immediately after the timer goes to 0.Be careful as the steam will through the holes near so keep your hands at a safe distance.
12.Steam escaping. Can you see the water bubbles?
13.Now the steel button is in down position. Only when the steel button goes down(indicates that pressure is released) its ready to open so keep an eye.
14.Open and the rice is done.
15.Fluff it gently with a fork.
16.Perfectly cooked grain separated soft rice ready!
Spread it on a place, let it cool down. Now its ready to use for any fried rice, pulao or can be had as such too.
Expert Tips
- Soaking - Soaking rice for minimum 15 minutes is relly important step to get fluffy rice. Soaking for more times yields softer rice and gives perfect grain separated rice.
- Water Ratio - For pressure cooker and instant pot method : You can add 1 and ½ 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.
- Brand - I use India Gate or at times buy Double Deer when India gate is out of stock. 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.
- Fluffing - After cooking rice, let it rest for a while then gently fluff the rice. While fluffing fluff it up with a fork carefully, don't mash the rice.
- Starch water - You can either discard drained rice cooked 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.
Serving & Storage
Basmati rice can be used to make fried rice, pulao, biryani, variety rice etc. Basmati rice keeps well for 2 days when refrigerated and in freezer for about a week.
You can freeze basmati rice in individual containers, then thaw and reheat it by sprinkling little water and steam cooking it for 3 minutes. This way you get fluffy hot rice.
FAQS
1.Is basmati rice healthier than regular rice?
No both have almost the same amount of calories, both are carbs.
2.Which method do you use / recommend?
I usually use pressure cooker method or instant pot 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 wouldn't recommend it for fried rice.
3.Is soaking basmati rice must?
Yes it is must to have soft and separated grains. If you forget to soak and you have no time soak in warm water and reduce the time of soaking to 15 minutes.
4.Is it must to add salt and oil while cooking?
It is not mandatory you can just cook basmati rice in water alone if you want just plain cooked basmati rice. If you are cooking it for fried rice or pulao then add salt, oil.
5.Why is my basmati rice turning sticky or mushy?
If water is more and over cooking may turn the rice sticky and mushy. So always keep an eye on the measures and cooking time or count of the whistles.
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📖 Recipe Card
Basmati Rice | How to cook Basmati Rice
Ingredients
Open pot method
- 1 cup basmati rice
- 5 cups water
- ½ teaspoon salt
- salt to taste
Pressure cooker method
- 1 cup basmati rice
- 2 cups water
- salt to taste
Instant Pot Method
- 1 cup basmati rice
- 2 cups water
Instructions
Open pot method
- To begin with first measure rice. Level it and measure 1 cup basmati rice.
- Add the measured rice to a mixing bowl, add water to it.
- First soak in water for 20-30 minutes. Set aside. You can even rinse well and then and soak.
- Rinse well at least twice. Rinsing helps in removing starch resulting in non-sticky rice hence rinse well.
- Drain water and set aside.
- After that, boil water, add required salt and ½ teaspoon oil.
- When water starts to boil add drained rice, give a quick mix and let it cook.
- After 5 minutes press 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 minutes.
- At 8 minutes : check by pressing the rice, it is easily mashable but not mushy. Keep checking otherwise rice would become mushy.
- Switch off.
- Immediately drain the rice using a colander.
- Keep covered for 15 minutes. Let water drain completely. Discard starch water collected.
- Finally fluff it gently. Perfectly cooked fluffy basmati rice ready.
Pressure Cooker Method
- Follow steps 1-5 from one pot method then continue to proceed
- Place the stand inside the pressure cooker, add 1 and ½ 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.
Instant Pot Method
- Rinse it well at least 2-3 times and drain water. Soak in water for minimum 15 minutes. I took 1 cup basmati rice.
- Place the instant pot inner pot and add rinsed rice to it.
- Measure and add water to it. I use 1(rice):2(water) cups ratio. I added 2 cups water.
- Mix it once.
- Close with lid.
- Set to pressure cook mode in high for 10 minutes.
- Now the instant pot has started.It takes few mins to change from ON to timer and only when then the timer is shown the actual cooking time starts.
- Initially the steel button is down.
- Initially the steel knob is down and when it starts to cook it automatically goes up as shown.When the knob is up it means cooking is in process/started and when its down pressure is released and you are ready to open the lid.Do not open the lid when the knob is up.
- Once the timer beeps and comes to 0, immediately release pressure manually.Once timer is 0, it automatically goes to keep warm mode.
- Press the button to manually release pressure immediately after the timer goes to 0.Be careful as the steam will through the holes near so keep your hands at a safe distance.
- Steam escaping..Can you see the water bubbles?
- Now the steel button is in down position.Only when the steel button goes down(indicates that pressure is released) its ready to open so keep an eye.
- Open and the rice is done.
- Fluff it gently with a fork.
- Perfectly cooked grain separated soft rice ready!
- Spread it on a place, let it cool down. 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.
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.