If you don’t own an Instant Pot yet (*affiliate link), I highly recommend adding one to your kitchen. This handy small kitchen appliance puts a modern twist on “set it and forget it”! This easy recipe for instant pot basmati rice shows how easy it is to use the instant pot for simple sides and accompaniments, and how quickly you can get a great batch of perfectly cooked basmati.
Basmati rice is a variety of long grain rice that is grown most commonly in South Asian regions, with India being the worlds biggest supplier. It has a light, mild flavour that is somewhat nutty, and is delicious when enjoyed with curries, stir fries, or as a pilaf.
Basmati rice is known for it’s pointy ends, and it is naturally firmer when cooked than regular white rice. It should not typically clump together when cooked and the grains should stay separated and slightly firmer.
It is loved for it’s light and fluffy texture!
Instant Pot Basmati Rice Ingredients
While there are many options for what you can add to the instant pot when making rice, I usually keep it pretty simple. The ingredients below are common and most of them you likely already have in your fridge and pantry. All you need to make this tasty side dish is:
- Basmati rice (white)
- Earth balance vegan butter (or regular butter)*
- Water
- Salt*
*The addition of butter and salt bring in a nice dose of richness and flavour to this instant pot rice, but are totally optional!
Cooking Time for Basmati Rice in the Instant Pot
Cooking time for basmati rice can vary slightly again depending on the texture and consistency of rice you prefer. I like the rice to be the slightest bit chewy, and not overly soft, so here’s what I found worked best!
- Option 1: Cook the rice on the manual PRESSURE COOK setting on HIGH pressure for 8 MINUTES.
- Option 2: Use the RICE setting for 8 MINUTES (I found the rice was slightly firmer and chewier, and it stuck to the bottom a little bit, but did not burn).
My recommendation is Option 1, but you can try Option 2 as well if you don’t mind a slightly less soft rice.
This simple and delicious rice is great for supper and meal prepping! Be sure to pin the photo below the recipe to save this one for later. Have you tried rice in the instant pot? Tell me about it in the comments!
Instant Pot Basmati Rice
This easy and simple recipe makes fluffy, perfectly cooked aromatic basmati rice in the instant pot.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups white basmati rice
- 1 1/2 cups water (add 1/4 cup for softer rice) (you can also use chicken broth, or 3/4 cup water and 3/4 cup full-fat canned coconut milk)
- 1/2 tablespoon vegan butter (or regular butter), I used Earth Balance
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Rinse the rice under cold water for 1 minute using a fine mesh strainer, or a normal strainer lined with paper towel.
- Shake strainer slightly to remove excess liquid then transfer rinsed rice to the instant pot.
- Add in the water, butter, and salt, and stir well to combine so the butter is not in one clump.
- Close the lid and set the valve to "SEALING", then select "PRESSURE COOK", and toggle to HIGH pressure, then set the time to 8 minutes.
- The instant pot will automatically begin to pressurize (this can take around 10 minutes), and then the cooking time will start.
- Once cooking is done, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10-15 minutes (simply leave it alone), then toggle the valve to "VENTING" to release the remaining steam.
- Open the lid and fluff the rice generously with a fork, then serve alongside your favorite dish, or try with my Dairy Free Butter Chicken!
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More Easy Recipes You’ll Love:
- 5 Simple & Tasty Rice Recipe Ideas
- Instant Pot Chicken Fajitas
- Dairy Free Butter Chicken (with Slow Cooker Option!)
