5 from 21 votes
Instant Pot Basmati Rice
This recipe yields fluffy, well-separated basmati rice using an Instant Pot. Rinsing removes excess starch for less stickiness, and pressure cooking with water or broth results in tender grains with delicate texture. The rice can be flavored with salt and optionally aromatic spices to enhance its fragrance, making it suitable as a side dish or base for many meals.
Prep Time
2 mins
Cook Time
3 mins
Additional Time
10 mins
Total Time
15 mins
Servings:
6
Calories:
225 kcal
Course:
Lunch, Dinner
Cuisine:
African, Asian, European, Indian, American
Ingredients
- 2 cups white Basmati rice
- 2¼ cups water (or a low-sodium broth)
- ½ teaspoon salt (or more to taste; less if using broth containing salt)
Instructions
- Rinse the rice using a fine-mesh strainer. Rinse using cold running water for a few minutes until the water runs clear. This helps clean out some of the starch coating the rice, resulting in a fluffier grain.
- Next, add the cleaned rice, salt, and water/broth to the Instant Pot, and stir to combine. Make sure all the rice has been covered with water and is not sticking to the sides of the Instant Pot.
- Depending on your Instant Pot model, select the manual or pressure cook function, set the cooking time to three minutes, close the lid, set its valve on the seal position, then pressure cook at high pressure for 3 minutes. Once this time is over, allow it to naturally pressure release for 10 minutes, then do a quick pressure release, to release any remaining pressure.
- Open the Instant Pot lid, fluff using a fork, and then serve.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Adding whole spices like cinnamon sticks, bay leaves, or cloves before cooking enhances the rice's aroma and can be removed before serving.
- Incorporating a tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice prior to cooking helps reduce starch and produces fluffier rice grains.
- Instant Pots should not be filled beyond two-thirds capacity when cooking rice to ensure proper pressure and even cooking.
- Typically, one cup of uncooked white basmati rice yields about three cups of cooked rice, useful for portion planning.
Nutrition Information
Calories
225kcal
(11%)
Carbohydrates
49g
(16%)
Protein
4g
(8%)
Fat
1g
(2%)
Saturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
(6%)
Monounsaturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Sodium
201mg
(8%)
Potassium
71mg
(2%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
1g
(2%)
Calcium
20mg
(2%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 225
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 225kcal | 11% |
| Carbohydrates | 49g | 16% |
| Protein | 4g | 8% |
| Fat | 1g | 2% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Sodium | 201mg | 8% |
| Potassium | 71mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Calcium | 20mg | 2% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.