Basmati Rice Instant Pot (Perfectly Fluffy)

Cooking rice is one of the easiest things to make in Instant pot, yet it can fail miserably for various reasons if right tips are not followed. This Instant pot basmati rice recipe gives you the fool proof method to always make the perfect basmati rice with all tips and tricks.

Feel free to use the 'Jump' button at the top of the page to go the recipe directly or in the below table of contents to jump to any section you want. Recipe card has all the information and tips required to make perfect basmati rice in instant pot.

However, if you are someone who is trying to find the perfect ratio for rice for sometime now or troubleshoot your rice cooking then I suggest you go through the entire post once which will give you detailed method, tips and tricks and reasons.

What is Basmati rice

Basmati is the long grain aromatic rice which is traditionally grown in India, Pakistan and Nepal. Basmati is literally translated as ‘the fragrant one’ and has been described as having the aroma of flowers.

Unlike ordinary long grain rice the light, fluffy texture of Basmati’s long, slender grains offers the palate a totally different experience in terms of mouth-feel and taste which is distinctive, unique and slightly ‘nutty’. The aroma itself brings a gourmet feel to any meal.

Factors effecting the texture of rice

There are many factors that effect the texture of cooked basmati rice ( in fact any rice ). That is why it is important to experiment a little with different brands and find the one you like and then find the right cooking time/water ratio for that rice.

• Age of the rice ( Rice to water ratio depends on age of the rice, aged=more water, new=less water )
• Brand of the basmati rice ( Experiment around to find your favorite)
• Water to rice ratio (refer to the table below to choose your preference)
• Adding little fat like oil or ghee ( optional, helps in keeping grains separate and non sticky)
• Soaking or no soaking ( depends on the purpose, plain or for biryani )
• Rinsing or no rinsing
• Cooking method ( stove top, pressure cook, pot in pot pressure cook etc..)
• Cook time
• pressure release time( for Instant pot or pressure cookers )
• Handling it after cooking ( do not fluff it when rice is piping hot )
• Personal texture preference (Yes, it varies a lot from person to person)

What to look for in a perfectly cooked basmati rice

• Light, delicate and fluffy texture
• Grains should be separate (Not mushy or soft rice )
• Aromatic
• Long grains ( not broken )

The definition of perfect basmati rice ( or any rice ) varies widely from person to person. That is why usually it's not one recipe fits all when it comes to cooking rice. Some people like al dente rice and some people like it little softer in texture. Some people like to put little salt and others don't. Few like to put little fat (oil, ghee or butter ) to keep the grains separate and others don't.

That's why I decided to list today all the different ways of cooking basmati rice in Instant pot for different desired outcomes and you can choose your preferred method to cook it.

How to make perfect basmati rice

There are two different ways to make basmati rice in Instant pot

• Direct Instant pot basmati rice
• Pot in pot Basmati rice Instant pot

Instant pot direct cooking method

This method caters to both small amounts and large amounts of rice. In this method rice is directly cooked in the main cooking insert of the Instant pot instead of using an extra vessel.

1. First rinse the rice 4 to 5 times until water runs clear and is not white anymore. To rinse, cover rice with water and swish it around in the vessel with your hand and keep changing the water until water runs clear.
2. Soak the rice in water for 20 mins.(Rinsing and soaking the rice helps in removing some of the starch and keeps the grains fluffy and separate).
3. Turn on the Instant pot sauté mode, once it displays 'HOT', add 2 tsp oil and add drained rice and toast it for 1 to 2 mins.
4. Now, press cancel to turn off the sauté mode and add water, 1 teaspoon of lemon juice( works like magic to reduce stickiness, you won't taste it once rice is cooked), salt(if using), cumin seeds( if using) and Saffron ( if using).
5. Close the Instant pot lid, turn the vent knob to seal position, choose manual mode on high pressure for 6 mins.
6. Once the Instant pot beeps and turns off, let the pressure release naturally for 10 mins and then do a quick release by moving the vent knob to vent position.
7. Once the pin drops, open the Instant pot lid, immediately remove the steel insert with rice from the Instant pot and set it up on a heat proof surface and let it sit for 5 mins before fluffing. This helps to avoid burnt or hard rice at the bottom, from the Instant pot heat and also by not touching it while it is still very hot, we avoid mushing the rice up.
8. Now fluff the rice gently with fork and remove it into a serving dish to serve. Serve it with any of your favorite dishes.

I listed four different outcomes in the table below for the basmati rice when cooked with differing factors. Choose your preferred method by looking at the results.

Direct Cooking method results table

• HP = High pressure
• NPR = Natural pressure release

Instant pot pot in pot(PIP method)

This is the perfect way to cook basmati rice if you are cooking under 2 cups of basmati rice and if you have a big enough instant pot ( 6qt or 8qt) to accommodate pot in pot cooking. This way, you don't have to clean your instant pot insert to use it again immediately. This method is especially good for very small amounts of rice i.e. 1 cup or less.

In this method, we add minimum 1 to 1.5 cups of water to the inner pot or inner liner of the instant pot and then use a tall or short trivet to put the pot in pot dish with rice and water. Cooking time will be same for both methods. Check the table below to choose your preferred outcome.

1. First rinse the rice 4 to 5 times until water runs clear and is not white anymore. To rinse, cover rice with water and swish it around in the vessel with your hand and keep changing the water until water runs clear.
2. Soaking the rice didn't make much difference to the rice in pot in pot cooking. So refer to the table below and decide on soaking or not soaking. If soaking, soak the rice in water for 20 mins.
3. Now in the pot in pot vessel that you are using, add rinsed rice, water, 1 teaspoon of lemon juice( works like magic to reduce stickiness, you won't taste it once rice is cooked), oil, salt(if using), cumin seeds( if using) and Saffron ( if using).
4. Pour 1 cup of water( 1.5 cup in case of 8 qt) in the Instant pot inner insert, place the trivet in the water and put the pot in pot vessel with rice on the trivet.
5. Close the Instant pot lid, turn the vent knob to seal position, choose manual mode on high pressure for 6 mins.
6. Once the Instant pot beeps and turns off, let the pressure release naturally for 10 mins and then do a quick release by moving the vent knob to vent position.
7. Once the pin drops, open the Instant pot lid, remove the pot in pot vessel with rice from the Instant pot and set it up on a heat proof surface and let it sit for 5 mins before fluffing. This helps to avoid mushing the rice up.
8. Now fluff the rice gently with fork and remove it into a serving dish to serve. Serve it with any of your favorite dishes.

Pot in Pot (PIP) cooking method results table

• HP = High pressure
• NPR = Natural pressure release

Pro tips for perfect basmati rice in Instant pot

• Adding a teaspoon of lemon juice( little trick I picked up from my sister) to your cooking water helps prevent the rice from sticking together. You will not taste the lemon once rice is cooked.
• In direct cooking method, remove the steel insert from the instant pot immediately after the natural release and allow it to sit for 5 mins on a heat proof surface before fluffing the rice with a fork, to avoid mushing the rice.
• Rinsing and soaking the rice helps in removing some of the starch and helps keep the grains fluffy and separate.
• Add oil to the rice and water before cooking to have separate grains.
• In direct cooking method, toasting the rice in oil for a min before cooking helps in less sticking of rice at the bottom.
• Adding just a half teaspoon of cumin seeds per cup of rice helps in enhancing the flavor big time and make it an Indian restaurant style basmati rice. You can also choose to add other whole spices like Cinnamon stick, cardamom, cloves and bay leaf.
• Do not add too much salt as you are going to eat it with some kind of entrée or curry, if you add too much salt, it will be too salty. None or ½ tsp per cup of rice works well.

Frequently asked Questions

Ratio of water to rice when cooking basmati rice?

We have experimented with different water to rice ratios and listed all the results in two tables above. Please refer to the tables above to choose your preferred amounts.

Why is my basmati rice sticky?

Please make sure you are rinsing, soaking, adding oil, toasting the rice( in direct cooking method) & adding a tsp of lemon juice to the basmati rice before cooking it to avoid stickiness. Adding a few drops of lemon juice to your cooking water helps prevent the rice from sticking together.

Can I scale the recipe?

Yes, absolutely. Make sure in the PIP method, you are not cooking more than 2 cups of rice in the PIP vessel (based on your vessel size )and rice + water should not exceed the ⅔rd mark of the vessel to allow place for expansion of rice and avoid boiling over into main pot. Do not increase the lemon juice when scaling up.

I don't recommend scaling down in the direct cooking method as that might result in hard rice. How ever you can always scale down in pot in pot method.

Storing & reheating

Store it in a air tight container in refrigerator for around 3 to 4 days. When ready to eat, sprinkle some water to reheat in the microwave or use a PIP dish to heat it in the instant pot on a trivet on Manual High pressure for 4 mins and quick release( This time works only when you take it out of the refrigerator right before heating).

Serving Suggestion

You can pair it with any kind of entrée/curry you like or you can make a flavored rice(fried rice) dish with this basmati rice. Some ideas are

• Tomato coconut salmon curry Indian style
• Instant pot Aloo Matar | Indian Potato and Peas Curry (Instant pot & Stove top)
• Tomato Mint Coconut Rice ( Video )
• Garlic pepper mushroom masala
• Indian style scrambled tofu curry | Scrambled tofu matar masala( Vegan)
• Black Bean Soup with Baby Greens

Recipe

Basmati Rice Instant Pot (Perfectly Fluffy)

Yamini

This recipe for cooking basmati rice in instant pot gives you the fool proof method to always make the perfect basmati rice with all pro tips.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Course Side Dish

Cuisine Indian

Servings 2

Ingredients

  

• 1 cup Basmati Rice
• Water Refer to the instructions below for ratio
• 2 teaspoons oil Reduce or skip as per your preference, but it is needed for separate grains
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice yes !! helps magically in reducing the stickiness

Optional Ingredients

• ¾ teaspoon cumin seeds
• 6 or 7 strands of Saffron optional
• ½ teaspoon salt optional

Instructions

 

Direct Instant pot basmati rice ( cooking directly in the main insert )

• This method caters to both small amounts and large amounts of rice. In this method rice is directly cooked in the main cooking insert of the Instant pot instead of using an extra vessel.
• First rinse the rice 4 to 5 times until water runs clear and is not white anymore. To rinse, cover rice with water and swish it around in the vessel with your hand and keep changing the water until water runs clear.
• Soak the rice in water for 20 mins.
• Turn on the Instant pot sauté mode, once it displays 'HOT', add 2 tsp oil and add drained rice and toast it for 1 to 2 mins.
• Now, press cancel to turn off the sauté mode and add water(1+⅓ cup for al dente or 1.5 cup for slightly softer version ), 1 teaspoon of lemon juice( works like magic to reduce stickiness, you won't taste it once rice is cooked), oil, salt(if using), cumin seeds( if using) and Saffron ( if using). Tip : Refer to the experiment tables above to choose your ratio
• Close the Instant pot lid, turn the vent knob to seal position, choose manual mode on high pressure for 6 mins.
• Once the Instant pot beeps and turns off, let the pressure release naturally for 10 mins and then do a quick release by moving the vent knob to vent position.
• Open the Instant pot lid, immediately remove the steel insert with rice from the Instant pot and set it up on a heat proof surface and let it sit for 5 mins before fluffing. This helps to avoid burnt or hard rice at the bottom, from the Instant pot heat and also by not touching it while it is still very hot, we avoid mushing the rice up.
• Now fluff the rice gently with fork and remove it into a serving dish to serve. Serve it with any of your favorite dishes.

Instant pot basmati rice pot in pot(PIP method)

• This is the perfect way to cook basmati rice if you are cooking under 2 cups of basmati rice and if you have a big enough instant pot ( 6qt or 8qt) to accommodate pot in pot cooking. Check the table for pot in pot cooking above to choose your preferred water level.
• First rinse the rice 4 to 5 times until water runs clear and is not white anymore. To rinse, cover rice with water and swish it around in the vessel with your hand and keep changing the water until water runs clear.
• Soaking the rice didn't make much difference to the rice in pot in pot cooking. So refer to the table below and decide on soaking or not soaking. If soaking, soak the rice in water for 20 mins.
• Now in the pot in pot vessel that you are using, add rinsed rice, water( 1+⅓ cup for al dente or 1.5 cup for slightly softer version ), 1 teaspoon of lemon juice( works like magic to reduce stickiness, you won't taste it once rice is cooked), oil, salt(if using) cumin seeds ( if using) and Saffron ( if using). Tip : Refer to the experiment tables above to choose your ratio
• Pour 1 cup of water( 1.5 cup in case of 8 Qt) in the Instant pot inner insert, place the trivet in the water and put the pot in pot vessel with rice on the trivet.
• Close the Instant pot lid, turn the vent knob to seal position, choose manual mode on high pressure for 6 mins.
• Once the Instant pot beeps and turns off, let the pressure release naturally for 10 mins and then do a quick release by moving the vent knob to vent position.
• Open the Instant pot lid, remove the pot in pot vessel with rice from the Instant pot and set it up on a heat proof surface and let it sit for 5 mins before fluffing. This helps to avoid mushing the rice up.
• Now fluff the rice gently with fork and remove it into a serving dish to serve. Serve it with any of your favorite dishes.

Notes

• Adding a teaspoon of lemon juice to your cooking water helps prevent the rice from sticking together. You will not taste the lemon once rice is cooked. Do not increase the lemon juice when scaling up. You can decrease it when scaling down.
• You can use the delay timer to soak the rice for 20 mins in the instant pot itself and turn on automatically after soaking.
• In direct cooking method, remove the steel insert from the instant pot immediately after the natural release and allow it to sit for 5 mins on a heat proof surface before fluffing the rice with a fork, to avoid mushing the rice.
• Rinsing and soaking the rice helps in removing some of the starch and helps keep the grains fluffy and separate.
• Add oil to the rice and water before cooking to have separate grains. You can reduce or skip the oil if you prefer it.
• In direct cooking method, toasting the rice in oil for a min before cooking helps in less sticking of rice at the bottom.
• Add cumin seeds and if you prefer other whole spices like small cinnamon stick, cloves, bay leaf and cardamom to the cooking pot to enhance the flavor of your rice and make it an Indian restaurant style basmati rice.
• Do not add too much salt as you are going to eat it with some kind of entrée or curry, if you add too much salt, it will be too salty. None or ½ tsp salt per cup of rice works well.
• I don't recommend scaling down the recipe in direct cooking method in a 6 qt or 8 qt Instant pot as that might result in a hard rice. How ever you can always scale down in a pot in pot method.

Keyword basmati instant pot, Basmati Rice Instant pot, Instant pot Basmati Rice, pressure cooker basmati rice

Go ahead and try this recipe for perfect basmati rice in Instant pot and if you have any questions or if you want to let me know how it turned out, drop me a comment below. You can also rate the recipe by using the stars below.

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