Instant Pot Basmati Rice
Instant Pot basmati rice is the quintessential accompaniment to curries and an endless variety of main courses. It goes with just about any meal you can think of. You will be so glad to make it so conveniently in your Instant Pot with this no fail method.
One of the simplest side dishes, if you can measure out cups of rice and cups of water, you are well on your way to a substantial meal.
Just toss the correct ratio of basmati rice and filtered water into your Instant Pot or rice cooker with some salt and set it, and you are good to go.
Is there anything easier than that?
I don’t know why I used to be so intimidated by boiling rice on the stove top. I just never made rice when that was the method.
Maybe because I have seen stove top pots boil over in the past and it is just so messy!
Now with an Instant Pot and rice cooker available, I cook basmati rice multiple times a week, without a second thought.
Perfect rice every time. I feel like a chef extraordinaire and literally have really done almost no work. Love it!
And in my second Instant Pot goes some lentils like chana dal with spinach with a few other quick ingredients, and before you know it, we’ve got the basis for an extremely comforting and hearty meal.
Two Instant Pots are extremely handy to have and we use both of ours regularly. If you like the thought of that, you can read about the eight reasons to invest in two Instant Pots.
Meanwhile those are cooking, stir fry or oven roast a vegetable dish, like bhindi masala okra curry or masala roasted carrots parsnips and stir together a simple raita (yogurt) such as lemon dill raita and you’ve got yourself an easy, healthy and satisfying lunch or dinner (omit raita or make a vegan raita to make this a vegan meal).
Content in this Post
Ingredients In Instant Pot Basmati Rice
- Basmati Rice — We like Daawat brand, pictured below, or Tilda brand. Or you can use Golden Sella parboiled basmati rice for an extra satisfying, chewier texture and additional health benefits.
- Salt — Himalayan, ground
- Filtered Water — The ratio of water to rice is very important! For three cups of rice, use three and a half cups of filtered water.
- Avocado oil — optional, you can add a teaspoon or so to the pot. Just pour it on top of the water and rice as the last step before closing the lid.
Health Benefits of Basmati Rice
Basmati rice is a whole grain and a beneficial source of energy to add to your diet. It is heart healthy as it helps to reduce cholesterol and lessons any risk of high blood pressure that can lead to heart disease.
Golden Sella parboiled basmati rice offers additional benefits, as it is a better regulator of blood sugar, with higher fiber and a lower glycemic index (GI).
Kitchen Tools Needed For Basmati Rice
If you have a rice cooker, such as Tiger brand, you can use that for perfect rice also. Follow the same method but for the rice cooker – load ingredients and push down the on switch.
Otherwise, the Instant Pot does a fantastic job. We have both a Tiger brand rice cooker as well as Instant Pots and use both often.
If we have an Instant Pot available, we usually use our 6 quart Instant Pot to make our basmati rice, just because our Instant Pots are always conveniently stored on our counter top.
This recipe for basmati rice also works nicely in a 3 quart Instant Pot!
What to Serve With Instant Pot Basmati Rice
Make Instant Pot basmati rice anytime for any of your favorite curries. It will provide a neutral base for all of your favorite dishes.
The light and fluffy texture is extra satisfying in combination with rich sauces and gravies.
Try it alongside some favorite Indian inspired dishes:
- Instant Pot Eggplant Curry with Bell Peppers
- Skillet Shrimp Tikka Masala
- Instant Pot Murgh Makhani (Butter Chicken)
- Instant Pot Mango Chicken Curry
- Instant Pot Chana Masala Chickpeas Stew
- Instant Pot Chana Dal with Spinach
- Instant Pot Radish Sambar
- Instant Pot Potato Masala With Beets
- Instant Pot Lemon Artichoke Sambar
- Bhindi Masala Okra Curry
- Lemon Dill Raita or Easy Cucumber Raita
Basmati Rice is the perfect side dish to baked salmon or fish, baked or grilled chicken breasts, pork chops or beef.
For a seafood restaurant feeling, try it with garlic lemon butter salmon and spicy maple salmon with a side of masala roasted asparagus or steamed broccoli.
I also love basmati rice with Middle Eastern dishes like Instant Pot lemon red lentil soup and Instant Pot Eggplant Chickpea Stew (Maghmour).
Oftentimes I crave it plain, with dahi (yogurt) and achaar (such as mango pickle) and some cilantro. I make this really quick when I want a snack but don’t want to resort to anything unhealthy.
However you choose to serve it, it’s simplicity and sophistication time and again.
Although we have altered our diet to be lower in carbs, we do allow ourselves small portions of basmati rice quite regularly.
It is one of our favorite carb choices, we just ensure that we monitor our serving sizes.
Variations of Instant Pot Basmati Rice
You will love to try new varieties of basmati rice cooked so easily in your Instant Pot. With just a few extra ingredients and a couple of extra minutes, you can whip up variations to this amazing staple.
Try these:
- Instant Pot Basmati Rice With Vermicelli Noodles (add a cup of vermicelli noodles that are first stir fried in ghee or butter)
- Instant Pot Spiced Cumin Jeera Rice (add some lightly stir fried cumin seeds in ghee or butter or you can just toss in as is)
- Instant Pot Spiced Tomato Rice
- Instant Pot Spiced Rice Biryani
- Instant Pot Cardamom Spiced Rice
- Instant Pot Coriander Spiced Rice
We do tend to stick to this plain version most often, because our kids prefer it over the rest. They like to eat plain basmati rice with buttered peas on the side or with brown beans in sweet tomato sauce.
Preparation and Storage Tips
Uncooked basmati rice is a shelf stable ingredient that keeps well indefinitely if stored in the right conditions, without contamination.
Cooked basmati rice can be stored in your refrigerator for up to six days, although ideally it should be consumed within four days. Just reheat for thirty seconds to a minute in your microwave, depending on portion size.
You can go ahead and freeze your leftover rice for up to one month, if properly stored in an airtight container or freezer safe bag.
You’ll Also Love
Instant Pot Eggplant Bell Pepper Curry (Bell Pepper Bharta) is a warm and spicy, nourishing dish that’s full of flavor. It’s perfect over basmati rice or khichdi (rice and lentils).
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Instant Pot Basmati Rice
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 Cups Basmati Rice, rinsed well and drained
- 1 teaspoon Salt, Himalayan, ground
- 3.5 Cups Water
Instructions
- Rinse well (until water runs clear) and drain basmati rice.
- Add Basmati Rice to the Instant Pot.
- Pour in water and salt. Optionally, add in a teaspoon or so of avocado oil.
- Fasten Instant Pot lid securely and move the pressure valve to the SEALING position. Set to HIGH pressure for 15 minutes.
- Allow to natural release pressure for 5 minutes (display will read L0:05). Quick release the remaining pressure.
- Open the lid, fluff the rice with a rice spoon.
Nutrition
Note
The above nutritional values are estimates and should only be used as a guide. If you are following a specific diet or have dietary restrictions, please use your preferred nutritional calculator. If you have a food allergy please ensure that none of the listed ingredients are part of your restrictions. As well, always use a food thermometer to ensure safe cooking temperature of the food items.
