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Make this super easy Instant Pot Basmati Rice in less than 10 minutes! You can get the perfect cooked rice in your electric pressure cooker. Don't ever ask yourself again what to prepare as a side dish.
Adaptable, you can make a small or big batch of rice to pair with chicken like the sweet and sour chicken or veal, it is also great with fish like this Mediterranean salmon recipe or even just with a flavourful ratatouille.
Cooking with the Instant Pot is a great time saver and it tastes delicious. Also, it is really a great option for busy weeknights or meal prep. Have you gotten yours yet? Although this may seem very simple and straightforward, if you are a new Instant Pot owner, you may wonder how to cook the perfect basmati rice.
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How To Make The Perfect Basmati Rice
The most important information you need to learn here is the rice and water ratio which is really simple to remember "1:1 ratio". For every cup of rice, you need a cup of water. That is all there is to it! So for 2 cups of basmati rice, you'll need 2 cups of water! Finally, perfect Instant Pot rice with minimal cooking time.
For 1 cup, 2 cups, or 3 cups, the cooking time remains the same.
Before your cook basmati rice, always rinse it twice before cooking it, discard the water. This step removes the starch on the grains.
Also, you'll need to add salt to your water and I like using garlic salt. It adds a little flavor to your rice and can still be paired with any type of food like an Indian curry, a Chinese dish, or a French dish.
Now, in the inner pot, pour the rinsed rice, salt, and water, seal the lid of the pressure cooker. Press "pressure cook'' and set it on high pressure. Program for a cook time of 8 minutes (for one cup water/one cup rice) and do not press anything else. The Instant Pot (IP) will beep to acknowledge the time selected and will start to build pressure. The 8 minutes will start then.
CHEF TIP: Use broth instead of water to cook your rice.
PRESSURE RELEASE: 2 ways
Once the 8 minutes are over, your IP will beep. Now, you can do a quick pressure release by pressing the quick-release button and the steam will come out of the valve. It is really hot, be careful.
If you don’t do this right away, your IP will go on ‘keep warm’ mode and start a natural pressure release. It takes longer but if you are doing something else, it is doing the job for you.
It's ready to serve!
FAQ For Cooking Rice In The Instant Pot
It is one of the best choices, it is gluten-free and low in fat. It is also a personal preference and we love this type of rice!
Of course, it's a great idea if you like to cook ahead! Just use the rice and water ratio 1:1.
Absolutely, I do it all the time. If you are freezing a lot, I suggest portioning it and labeling it. When you decide to eat it, just thaw it out overnight in the fridge or a couple of hours on your counter.
It is a personal preference. I find it to be an unnecessary step when cooking rice on the pressure cooker.
You will get 3 cups of cooked rice.
Other Instant Pot Recipes You'll Love
Instant Pot Sweet and Sour Chicken
📖 Recipe: Instant Pot Basmati Rice
Equipment
- Pressure Cooker
Ingredients
- 1 cup Basmati rice
- 1 /2 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Rinse the twice before cooking it, discard the water.
- In the inner pot, pour the rinsed rice, salt, and water, seal the lid of the pressure cooker.
- Press “pressure cook” and set it on high pressure. Program for a cook time of 8 minutes and do not press anything else. The Instant Pot (IP) will beep to acknowledge the time selected and will start to build pressure. The 8 minutes will start then.
- Once the 8 minutes are over, your IP will beep. Now, you can do a quick pressure release by pressing the quick-release button and the steam will come out of the valve. It is really hot, be careful.
- It’s ready to serve!
Andrea says
I just got an Instant Pot and it was so easy to follow your instructions, thank you!
Claudia Lamascolo says
One of my favorites and just got my instant pot out of the closet perfect timing go to try the rice in it!
Julie says
I had some basmati rice I was hoping to make and came across this recipe. IT came out perfectly with no effort. I'll be keeping this recipe for sure!
Mélanie says
So happy! Thank you Julie!
Natalie says
Beautifully cooked. That garlic salt sounds like a great addon. I have to give this a try.
Mélanie says
You have to Natalie! So easy!
Gail Montero says
I like using my instant pot a lot and will try cooking my favorite rice in it. Thanks for the recipe.
Mélanie says
You are welcome Gail!