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Instant Pot Basmati Rice that’s not sticky or mushy with each grain being visible just the way I like it. Have you tried to cook basmati rice in an instant pot and found that you either over cooked it or undercooked it. This post is for you. Cooking basmati rice in a pressure cooker doesn’t require a lot of time as rice is a dish that naturally gets cooked fast. Good news this is a 3 cup or large batch recipe, let me show you exactly how to make it.

Instant Pot Basmati Rice served in a grey plate with tikka masala, another white plate of tikka and some naan bread

Instant Pot Basmati Rice recipe (no soak method)

Cooking basmati rice in the instant pot would soon become one of your favorite ways to cook rice. Not necessarily time saving but I love the fact that it’s hands free. Who doesn’t like a stress free life?

Since I started using my instant pot and air fryer, in can hardly cook or bake/fry anything without them. I really hope it’s not becoming an addiction.

I use the no soak method when making pressure cooker rice, that’s my preference. After cooking this you may want to try instant pot Mexican rice as well. I love how the pressure cooker cooks rice easily and if you want a more traditional method, try this garlic rice with cilantro.

Close top view of instant pot basmati rice topped with some flakes of parsley

What is Basmati Rice

The word basmati is derived from the Hindi language which means fragrant. As the name implies, this is a variety of long grain aromatic rice which originated from India and is still mainly produced there.

Basmati Rice calories (nutrition)

Like many things that goes into our mouths and invariably our bodies, knowing the nutritional value which includes calories is important. These days as many people are being more intentional about carb intake do the amount of carbs in basmati rice is important as well.

One cup of uncooked basmati rice has 688 cal and 143.75g of total carbs

One cup of cooked basmati rice has 191 cal and 39.85g of total carbs

A plate of basmati rice with chopsticks on top and an instant pot at the top left corner

Instant Pot Basmati Rice 2 cups or 3 cups (large batch)

You may be wondering if you can or how to make 2 or 3 cups of basmati in your 6 quart instant pot. I understand you dear friend since most recipes I saw online are one cup recipes.

A one cup recipe would be a waste of my time since I have a family of five who don’t joke with their rice and stew 😃 There is definitely no way I am going to be making that amount.

The highest amount I can make comfortably in my 6 quart instant pot is 3 cups if you have an eight quart, you can make 4 cups.

Ingredients

  • Basmati Rice
  • Water
  • Butter (optional)
  • Salt

How to make in the Instant Pot Basmati Rice

*This is an overview of the recipe with step by step pictures. Full recipe can be found in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page.

Pic 1-3; Wash the rice till water turns clear

Pic 4-6

Drain the rice with a colander, transfer drained rice into instant pot add the water

Pic 7-9; Add butter, salt and cover instant pot, turn valve to sealing position and set timer.

Pic 10-12; When cycle is complete, do a Natural Pressure Release (NPR) then a Quick release. Then fluff rice.

Don’t have an instant pot yet? I’ve got you!

Stove top method:

Rinse rice till water runs clear. Add water and cook see full recipe for how to cook the perfect basmati rice on the stove top.

Microwave method:

For the microwave method and other methods, check out this post on how to cook rice without a rice cooker.

Make ahead instructions and how to store.

Basmati rice can be made up to 5 days ahead and stored safely in the refrigerator.

It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.

You can rehear it straight out of the freezer or refrigerator to a steaming hot rice meal

What to serve it with Instant Pot Basmati Rice

Instant Pot Basmati Rice is a great side dish that pairs perfectly with any sauce of your choice. Serve this with any of the sauces or stews below and you have your self a delicious meal at lunch or dinner time

Quick Recipe Notes and Tips

  • Wash Rice till water runs clear. This helps to reduces the chances of getting sticky rice.
  • Remember to use the chart above to determine the rice water ratio for cooking basmati rice if you decide to soak or not soak.
  • I like my rice aldente if you prefer a softer texture, add 1/4 of water and increase cook time to 8 mins.
  • Butter in this recipe is optional and can be substituted with coconut oil or any oil you have at home.

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Rice Water ratio

The rice water ratio cooking rice in the instant pot or on the stove top depends on certain factors.

If the rice was soaked or not soaked. Soaking the rice requires less water to cook it while not soaking requires more water to cook it.

See chart below for rice water ratio guide.

Rice water ratio chart for instant pot basmati rice

Did you enjoy this recipe or found it helpful, please leave me a comment and share the link to this recipe with family and friends and in your favorite facebook group.

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pInterest collage showing Instant pot basmati rice, one plain the other served with tika masala
Top view of instant pot basmati rice and chicken tikka masala

Perfect Instant pot Basmati Rice

Chichi Uguru
Instant Pot Basmati Rice that’s not sticky or mushy with each grain being visible just the way I like it. Have you tried to cook basmati rice in an instant pot and found that you either over cooked it or undercooked it.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 7 minutes
Pressure build up 10 minutes
Course Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine All, Indian
Servings 8 as a side dish
Calories 264kcal

Equipment

  • Instant Pot 6qt

Ingredients

  • 3 cups Basmati Rice
  • 3 ½ cup of water
  • 2 Tablespoon Butter
  • ½ Tablespoon salt or to your taste or to taste

Instructions

  • Wash rice till water runs clear
    collage showing how to wash rice till water runs clear
  • Transfer rice to a colander to drain, then pour into the instant pot inner pot and add water.
    A collage showing steps 4-6 when making instant pot basmati rice
  • Add in the butter and salt, cover instant pot with lid then turn the knob to sealing position and set the timer to 7 minutes.
    Collage showing basmati rice in the instant pot with butter and salt added
  • When the cycle is complete, Do a 5 minute Natural Pressure release when that is done do a quick release. Open the instant pot when the float valve is down indicating that all pressure has been released, then fluff up the rice.
    collage showing cooked instant pot basmati rive being fluffed up
  • Serve warm.

Notes

  1. Wash Rice till water runs clear. This helps to reduces the chances of getting sticky rice.
  2. I like my rice aldente if you prefer a softer texture, add 1/4 of water and increase cook time to 8 mins.
  3. Always cook your food in the inner pot of the instant pot never cook food without it.
  4. Before you open the instant pot always check that the float valve is down. This indicates that the pot is fully depressurized.
  5. Please Refer to post on rice to water ratio for soaked basmati rice.
 

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Perfect Instant pot Basmati Rice
Amount Per Serving
Calories 264
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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5 from 1 vote

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