• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Tasty Oven
  • Browse All Recipes
  • Instant Pot
  • Air Fryer
  • Slow Cooker
  • Breadmaker
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Browse All Recipes
  • Instant Pot
  • Air Fryer
  • Slow Cooker
  • Breadmaker
  • Subscribe
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Browse All Recipes
  • Instant Pot
  • Air Fryer
  • Slow Cooker
  • Breadmaker
  • Subscribe
×
Home » Instant Pot

Instant Pot Basmati Rice

Published: Jun 14, 2023 · Modified: Sep 4, 2024 by Kristina Tipps · This post may contain affiliate links for which I earn a small commission.

Jump to Recipe

Instant Pot Basmati Rice is a great alternative to traditional long grain white rice. It's aromatic nutty flavor makes it a great complement to a variety of dinners.

Instant pot white basmati rice colored yellow with saffron in a white bowl
Table Of Contents
  • What Is Basmati Rice?
  • What's To Love About Pressure Cooking Basmati Rice
  • Tools And Ingredients Needed
  • How To Make Perfect Basmati Rice In A Pressure Cooker
  • What To Serve With Basmati Rice
  • Recipe Tips
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Recipe
  • Recipe Reviews

At just 4 minutes in a pressure cooker, basmati rice cooks thoroughly without becoming mushy or overcooked, preserving its natural texture and distinct aroma. The Instant Pot is a time saver and using it to make rice is a great idea for anyone who wants to prepare meals quickly without compromising taste and quality. You can make perfect basmati rice in large batches in only a few minutes (like I do with pressure cooked brown rice), then use it throughout the week in other recipes or for meal prepping. It can be frozen for later use too.

One of my favorite ways to use basmati rice is to serve it under Syrian kebab hindi, which is a lamb meatballs, carrots and potatoes stew. You can also use it to make stuffed pepper soup, Instant Pot fried rice, or serve with Middle Eastern stuffed peppers and stuffed cabbage rolls.

Cooking white basmati rice in your Instant Pot provides efficient and consistent cooking, enhances flavors and preserves the rice's signature aroma. These factors contribute to the deliciousness of the final dish, making pressure cooked basmati rice an easy and delicious choice!

What Is Basmati Rice?

Basmati rice is a long grain rice variety that is known for its distinct aroma and delicate flavor. It has a slender and elongated grain with a fine texture and a characteristic nutty fragrance. When cooked, the grains remain separate and fluffy, making it a popular choice for various rice dishes. Its unique flavor profile complements a wide range of cuisines, particularly in Indian, Pakistani, Middle Eastern, and Persian dishes.

Instant pot white basmati rice in a white bowl

What's To Love About Pressure Cooking Basmati Rice

Pressure cooking basmati rice can result in delicious rice due to a few reasons:

  • Enhanced Flavors: Pressure cooking allows the rice to cook in a sealed environment, trapping the steam and moisture. This helps the rice absorb more flavors from the cooking liquid, such as broth or spices, resulting in a more flavorful rice compared to traditional cooking methods.
  • Efficient and Even Cooking: Pressure cookers create high pressure conditions that accelerate the cooking process. This means that basmati rice can be cooked more quickly and efficiently, resulting in evenly cooked grains.
  • Retention of Aroma: Basmati rice is renowned for its aromatic qualities. When pressure cooking, the sealed environment helps to retain the fragrant compounds within the rice. As a result, the cooked rice maintains its characteristic aroma, making it more appealing and enjoyable to eat.
  • Time-saving: Pressure cooking significantly reduces the cooking time of basmati rice compared to traditional stovetop methods.

Tools And Ingredients Needed

To make white basmati rice in the Instant Pot you'll need:

  • White basmati rice: it may be called "Indian basmati rice" or "authentic basmati rice".
  • Salt and saffron: the saffron is optional and is used just to add some color and a little bit of flavor.
  • Pressure cooker: you can use a 3 quart Instant Pot to a 10 quart Instant Pot, depending on how much rice you're cooking.
  • Silicone sling (optional): if you prefer to use a cake pan and sling to pressure cook your rice.
  • Cake pan (optional): a cake pan that is small enough to fit in your pressure cooker. With the cake pan and sling method, you'll be able to fit 2 cups of uncooked white basmati rice in your Instant Pot. This is about 5 ½ cups of cooked rice once fluffed.
  • Fork: to fluff the delicious cooked rice!
Instant pot white basmati rice colored yellow with saffron in a white bowl

How To Make Perfect Basmati Rice In A Pressure Cooker

It's incredibly easy and hands off to make perfect basmati rice in your Instant Pot in only 2 steps.

STEP 1: To the inner pot, add the 1 cup white basmati rice, 1 ¼ cups water, and ¼ teaspoon salt. If using ¼ teaspoon saffron, add it now. Stir. Close and seal the lid.

*If using a silicone sling: Pour the recommended amount of water for your size pressure cooker into the inner pot. Add the rice, water, salt and saffron to the cake pan. Stir and place the cake pan on the silicone sling. Transfer the sling and cake pan to the inner pot.

STEP 2: Set to pressure cook (or manual) on high for 4 minutes. When pressure cooking is complete, naturally release the pressure for 10-15 minutes, then quickly release any remaining pressure.

Remove the pressure cooker lid and fluff the rice with a fork. Serve warm.

What To Serve With Basmati Rice

  • Slow cooker kebab hindi (lamb meatballs and vegetables), or the traditional stovetop version.
  • Use as the base for crock pot pepper steak or this tasty beef and broccoli dinner.
  • Make a garlic lime shrimp and rice bowl.
  • Air fryer kielbasa and peppers, or just air fried kielbasa.
  • Serve under this delicious, cheesy jalapeño cheddar chicken.
  • Mix into slow cooker birria stew or chile rojo stew.
  • Air fryer salmon and broccoli.
  • Use with sheet pan fajitas.

Recipe Tips

While making basmati rice in your Instant Pot remember these important tips:

  • Make plain white basmati rice if using in other recipes or for versatile meal prepping options.
  • Add fragrant herbs to your rice before pressure cooking when you're using it for a specific meal.
  • Instead of water, use chicken, beef or vegetable broth to add a little flavor to plain rice.
  • Don't rush the pressure release time- you'll have perfectly fluffy textured rice when following this recipe exactly!
  • If you're worried about the rice sticking to the bottom of the pot, use a silicone sling and a cake pan. To pressure cook basmati rice in a cake pan, pour 1 cup of water into the inner pot. In a separate cake pan, mix the rice and water. Put the cake pan on a silicon sling (or trivet) and transfer to the inner pot. Pressure cook as the instructions state, and you won't have to worry about the rice sticking to the bottom of the inner pot!

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I Need To Rinse Basmati Rice?

Yes, you should rinse basmati rice under cool running water until the water runs clear and is no longer chalky white. This rinses off the starches that can make rice sticky.

Do I Need To Soak Basmati Rice?

There is no need to soak basmati rice when cooking it in an Instant Pot.

Should I Quick Release Or Natural Release Pressure?

When pressure cooking any type of rice, you should naturally release the pressure for 10 to 15 minutes. The rice will continue to cook as the pressure releases, and this helps to fluff the rice and keep it from sticking together.

Does Pressure Cook Time Change If Increasing The Amount Of Rice?

No, the rice should be pressure cooked for 4 minutes with a 10-15 minute natural pressure release regardless of how many cups of rice used.

Can I Make Brown Basmati Rice Instead?

Yes, but brown basmati rice takes longer to pressure cook than white. You'll need to change the cooking time to 16 minutes.

Instant pot white basmati rice in a white bowl

If you enjoyed this recipe, make sure to give it a star rating and let me know what you thought in the comments! And follow me on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for more delicious recipes!

Recipe

instant pot basmati rice in a white bowl

Instant Pot Basmati Rice

Kristina Tipps
Instant Pot Basmati Rice is a great alternative to traditional long grain white rice. It's aromatic nutty flavor makes it a great complement to a variety of dinners.
5 from 3 votes
Bookmark RecipeSaved!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Share Recipe
Prevent your screen from going dark
Prep Time 2 minutes minutes
Cook Time 19 minutes minutes
Total Time 21 minutes minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Indian, Middle Eastern, Persian
Servings 3
Calories 225 kcal

Equipment

  • pressure cooker
  • silicone sling optional
  • 8 inch cake pan optional

Ingredients

  • 1 cup white basmati rice
  • 1 ¼ cups water
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon saffron optional

Instructions
 

  • To the inner pot, add the 1 cup white basmati rice, 1 ¼ cups water, and ¼ teaspoon salt. If using ¼ teaspoon saffron, add it now. Stir. Close and seal the lid.
    *If using a silicone sling: Pour the recommended amount of water for your size pressure cooker into the inner pot. Add the rice, water, salt and saffron to the cake pan. Stir and place the cake pan on the silicon sling. Transfer the sling and cake pan to the inner pot.
  • Set to pressure cook (or manual) on high for 4 minutes. When pressure cooking is complete, naturally release the pressure for 10-15 minutes, then quickly release any remaining pressure.
  • Remove the pressure cooker lid and fluff the rice with a fork. Serve warm.

Notes

Rice to Water Ratio: for every 1 cup of dry white basmati rice, use 1 ¼ cups of water or broth. 

Nutrition

Serving: 8ozCalories: 225kcalCarbohydrates: 49gProtein: 4gFat: 0.4gSaturated Fat: 0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gSodium: 202mgPotassium: 71mgFiber: 1gSugar: 0.1gVitamin A: 0.04IUVitamin C: 0.01mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 0.5mg
Did you try this recipe?Give a shout out to @tastyovenrecipes or tag #tastyovenrecipes!

RELATED RECIPES

  • pressure cooker meatloaf in a foil pan
    Instant Pot Meatloaf and Potatoes
  • salmon, carrots, and white rice topped with parsley in a white plate
    Instant Pot Salmon and Rice
  • white pasta sauce tossed with noodles in a serving bowl
    White Pasta Sauce
  • air fryer baby potatoes with rosemary and spices in a white bowl
    Air Fryer Baby Potatoes

Recipes To Try Next

  • pressure cooker vegetable farro soup in a white bowl
    Instant Pot Mediterranean Vegetable Farro Soup
  • instant pot brown rice in a white bowl
    Instant Pot Brown Rice
  • instant pot applesauce in a white bowl
    Instant Pot Applesauce
  • pressure cooker carrots in a white bowl
    Instant Pot Carrots
  • Facebook
  • Flipboard
  • X

Reader Interactions

Comments

No Comments

5 from 3 votes (3 ratings without comment)

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

profile image

Hello, I'm Kristina! I'm here to show you how to take your favorite recipes and adapt them to all your kitchen appliances!

More about me →

What's New

  • tuna nachos in a white plate
    Spicy Tuna Poke Nachos

  • bread machine sunflower seed bread slided on a cutting board
    Bread Machine Sunflower Seed Bread

  • cheese and bean quesadilla slices in a stack on a plate
    Cheese and Bean Quesadillas

  • slow cooker hamburger soup in a white bowl
    Slow Cooker Hamburger Soup

Slow Cooker

  • slow cooker mashed sweet potatoes in a bowl
    Crockpot Mashed Sweet Potatoes

  • slow cooker loaded potato soup topped with chives, bacon and cheddar cheese
    Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potato Soup

  • apples, oranges and whole seasonings for apple cider in a crockpot
    Slow Cooker Apple Cider

  • slow cooker apple pie filling with ice cream topping
    Best Slow Cooker Apple Pie Filling Recipe

Instant Pot

  • instant pot pumpkin risotto in a serving dish
    Instant Pot Pumpkin Risotto

  • instant pot pumpkin bread in a bundt pan
    Instant Pot Pumpkin Bread

  • instant pot cauliflower mac and cheese in a white bowl
    Instant Pot Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

  • instant pot garlic mashed potatoes in a white bowl topped with butter and black pepper
    Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Trending Now

  • slow cooker loaded potato soup topped with chives, bacon and cheddar cheese
    Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potato Soup

  • slow cooker mashed sweet potatoes in a bowl
    Crockpot Mashed Sweet Potatoes

  • air fryer baby potatoes with rosemary and spices in a white bowl
    Air Fryer Baby Potatoes

  • mediterranean quesadilla stacked on a plate
    Mediterranean Quesadillas

Footer

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

Newsletter

  • Sign Up for the latest recipes!

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2025 TastyOven.com, LLC.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




Stuck on what to say? Here are some suggestions:

This worked exactly as written, thanks!
My family loved this recipe! We can't wait to make it again.
Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe. It turned out great!
I made a few modifications, but it still turned out wonderful.

Or write in your own words:

A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.