Name: Instant Pot Basmati Rice Recipe
Prep time: 3 min
Cook time: 3 min
Total time: 31 min
Ingredients: 2 ¼ cups basmati rice; 3 ¾ cups filtered water

This post contains paid and/or affiliate links. Read full disclosure.
Jump to Recipe

Making Instant Pot Basmati Rice is quick and easy. Unlike jasmine rice, basmati rice doesn’t need to be rinsed, making it a great side dish for busy nights.

White serving bowl filled with basmati rice with serving spoon in front of Instant Pot.

If you’ve been struggling to get the water to rice ratio right for basmati rice in the Instant Pot, I did all of the testing so you don’t have to. The 1:1 method doesn’t work with basmati like it does with jasmine and other types of long-grain rice.

Basmati is a more absorbent grain and, even with the extra water I add to my recipe, it has well defined grains. It has the perfect texture and flavor for many main courses… my favorite being curries and other Asian recipes.

If you’re ready for perfect basmati rice, my recipe will show you just how simple it is to get it right every single time in an electric pressure cooker. You’ll be ready to put away your rice cooker like I did several years ago.

Table Of Contents

Ingredients

2 ¼ cups of basmati rice
3 ¾ cups of filtered water

Equipment

Measuring cups
Mixing spoon
Instant Pot

By the Numbers: How to Make Instant Pot Basmati Rice

Step 1: Add Rice and Water to Instant Pot.

Add 2 ¼ cups of unrinsed basmati rice and 3 ¾ cups of filtered water to your Instant Pot, then stir to combine. Since basmati has more defined grains, it doesn’t need to be rinsed to come out perfect.

Water and unrinsed basmati rice in Instant Pot main pot before being cooked.

Step 2: Pressure Cook Rice.

Secure the lid on your Instant Pot and make sure the pressure release valve is in the sealing position. Press the Pressure Cook button and set it to High Pressure for 3 minutes. Once the cook time is up, allow the pressure to release naturally for 15 minutes, then use a quick release to release any remaining pressure. Open the lid and gently stir for fluffy rice.

Fluffy cooked basmati rice inside of Instant Pot inner pot, ready to be served.

Step 3: Serve Basmati Rice.

Serve your perfectly cooked white basmati rice with your favorite main dishes (see below for ideas).

Fluffy basmati rice in white serving bowl next to Instant Pot it was cooked in.

Tips for Making Perfect Instant Pot Basmati Rice

Answers to all of your questions about making the best basmati rice in your Instant Pot, including tips and substitution ideas.

1. Why don’t you use the Rice setting?

That setting is actually meant for standard long grain rice. It typically has a 12 minute cook time, and I don’t find you need that long to cook basmati rice.

2. Does the brand of rice matter?

Yes, I do find that the quality and dryness of rice varies by brand of rice, and even bag to bag. Older rice is drier and absorbs more water. I typically use Royal Basmati Rice.

3. How can I make more or less rice?

If you want to make a different quantity of rice, you’ll want to use a ratio of ¾ cup white basmati rice to 1 ¼ cups cold water.

4. How to get rice to not stick to the bottom of the pot?

I don’t find that basmati rice sticks to the bottom of the pot if it’s cooked right. However, every pot is different, and if you’re having trouble with your sticking, try pouring the water in first, then adding the rice gently without stirring.

If that doesn’t work, try the pot in pot method so the rice doesn’t touch the bottom of the main pot.

5. I accidentally rinsed the rice!!!

No worries, rinsed rice will absorb less water, so you’ll need to decrease the water by a couple tablespoons.

6. Do I have to soak the rice?

No, that’s one of the best things about making rice in an Instant Pot pressure cooker. No soaking necessary.

7. What about brown basmati rice?

While I prefer white rice, the cooking time for brown basmati rice is 22 minutes.

8. What can I serve with basmati rice?

I like to serve it with Indian food like curries as well as my Thai Coconut Curry.

9. How to store leftovers?

If you have leftovers, be sure to store them in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

10. Difference between basmati and jasmine rice?

Basmati rice is a North Indian grain that produces drier, individual rice grains with a nutty flavor. There’s no need to rinse rice with basmati.

Jasmine, on the other hand, is a sticky rice that’s slightly sweet and fragrant. It’s a more difficult grain to make correctly.

Another plus is that basmati rice yields more cooked rice than jasmine because it absorbs more water.

11. Can I cook jasmine rice using this recipe?

No, you’ll need to use a different ratio of rice to water. Check out my Instant Pot Jasmine Rice recipe to learn how to make that type of rice perfect every time.

Also be sure to check out all of our delicious Instant Pot rice recipes!