Name: Basmati Rice Instant Pot
Prep time: 2 min
Cook time: 10 min
Ingredients: 2 cups Basmati rice (long grain); 2 cups water; 1 tbsp ghee; 1/2 tsp salt

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Basmati rice Instant pot method. Cooking white rice in instant pot is one of the best method to cook perfect basmati rice in Instant Pot. In this Instant pot rice recipe I am sharing 3 ways to cook rice in instant pot.

White Basmati rice pairs well with North Indian dishes and You can cook perfect basmati rice in Instant Pot. Instant pot is one gadget that I find very useful in Indian cooking. Rice in Instant Pot is one of the best ways to cook perfect rice.

Ever since I got Instant pot in my kitchen I have almost stopped using a rice cooker or pressure cooker for cooking rice. Not only this has saved me a lot of counter space but any type of white rice in an Instant pot ensures perfectly cooked rice each time.

Although cooking rice in Instant pot is a simple and straightforward process but for cooking Perfect Instant pot basmati rice you need to know a few things. I simply love rice. That is why I am very particular about how well my rice is cooked. I am almost obsessed with long separated fluffy grains of cooked rice when it comes to cooking basmati rice.

In this post, I am sharing my tips and tricks to cook aromatic, fluffy long grain basmati rice in Instant pot. Follow these steps to cook basmati rice in Electric pressure cooker. There are two ways to cook rice in Instant pot. I am sharing both in detail below.

What is Basmati rice?

Basmati rice is Aromatic, long-grain white rice primarily grown in North India and certain regions of Pakistan. It pairs perfectly and tastes delicious alongside Indian curries and dishes like Rajma Masala, Chana Masala, Butter Chicken Egg curry. Also for making Biryani recipes a good quality basmati rice is one of the most important ingredients.

How Can you tell that Basmati Rice is perfectly cooked?

Perfectly cooked basmati rice grains are long, separated from each other, soft and fluffy and do not stick together. Properly cooked basmati rice is never watery or clumpy. After trying out different brands and varieties this method of cooking rice in Instant pot always works for me.

What Type of Basmati Rice to Use?

There are many varieties of basmati rice, short-grain basmati, long grain basmati, medium grain basmati or aged basmati. After trying various brands of basmati and many varieties of rice as well I can tell you that you have to adjust cooking time according to the brand and the variety of rice you use.

I use aged Long grain basmati rice. The brand name of basmati rice I use is India gate Classic basmati and it makes perfect, fluffy, non-sticky separated from each other basmati rice in Instant pot, pressure cooker or a pot. The second brand I use is Khohinoor super long basmati which is also good.

Do You Need to Soak Rice Before Cooking?

Yes, it is always good to soak rice before cooking and it makes a big difference. Soaking rice in water makes them absorb water, becomes softer and grain does not break while cooking. Also, soaking rice helps to reduce the amount of starch which helps in keeping the grains separated and rice does not become sticky or mushy. However, make sure not to over soak rice a maximum of 15 minutes soaking is good.

How to Prep Basmati Rice before Cooking?

Rinse the rice in a bowl in cold water 3-4 times till the water runs clear.

Soak them for 10 minutes and drain out water.

If you are in rush you can simply rinse the rice in a wire mesh strainer and drain the water completely. In this case water to rice ratio changes which I have mentioned in recipe notes and tips section.

Three Methods to Cook Instant Pot Basmati Rice

Cooking perfect rice involves two factors. First, the amount of water added to rice as well as cooking time. With this recipe, you can make perfectly cooked basmati rice in Instant pot.

Instant Pot Basmati Rice

Traditionally when you cook rice in a pot you need double the amount of water of the quantity of rice. But for Instant pot cooking if you have soaked rice for 15-20 you need a rice to water ratio of 1:1. If you have forgotten to soak rice they will still turn out to be good but for 1 cup of rice, you need 1.25 cups of water. For the best rice in instant pot soak them for 15 minutes.

Cooking time for rice in this recipe is 4 minutes on manual and then 4 minutes of natural pressure release. Alternatively, if your Instant pot does not have manual mode use pressure cooking mode and set it on low pressure for 5 minutes and then force release the pressure.

Take a fork and fluff the rice. I love how perfect these Instant pot basmati rice look. Each grain is distinct and fluffy.

You’ll love how Instant Pot cooks Basmati rice – fluffy and with each grain distinct and so much faster than a rice cooker. Get the recipe below and learn how to make the perfect restaurant-style Basmati rice.

Instant pot basmati rice pot in pot

Also known as PIP, pot in pot method of cooking rice in instant pot is perfect when you have to cook a smaller quantity of rice. This method is perfect when you are cooking for fewer people and you can cook a whole meal in one go with another insert of a dal or sabji along with one insert of rice. I have shared the recipe in the recipe card below.

Wash or rinse one cup of rice and soak for 10 minutes. For less quantity of rice always use 1 to 1.5 rice to water ratio.

Add salt as per taste.

For this Pot in Pot method set the Instant pot on pressure cook mode for 5 minutes and then 8 minutes natural pressure release.

After the rice is cooked add 1tsp of ghee for more flavourful and fragrant basmati rice. Ghee enhances the nutty flavour and aroma of basmati rice and you get restaurant-style basmati rice that never dries out.

One Minute Rice

Now there is another method of cooking white rice in Instant pot known as One Minute Rice. I have tried this recently and I simply love it. For this, you need to wash, rinse the rice and soak it for 10 minutes.

After that discard the water and add one cup of this rice along with 1.25 cups of water in the main insert of the Instant Pot. Add 1 teaspoon butter and one teaspoon salt and cook on Hi-Pressure for 1 minute. Then allow the full natural release of pressure which takes approximately 12-15 minutes. Your perfect basmati rice in Instant pot is ready.

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