Basmati rice is a long-grained rice grown in India. It is very aromatic and flavorful compared to other varieties of rice. It is commonly served with Indian meals with dal and is also used to make a variety of rice dishes like pulao, cumin rice, biryani, kheer (Indian rice pudding), and more.
Plain-cooked basmati rice is popularly served with Indian meals along with dal (dal chawal) and topped with some ghee.
Basmati rice can be cooked in different ways. This is an easy Instant Pot basmati rice recipe using the pot-in-pot method.
Ingredients
To make rice in an Instant Pot using the pot-in-pot method, the basmati rice water ratio is 1 cup of rice to 1.5 cups of water. In this case, soaking basmati rice before cooking is not needed. However, if you prefer to soak for about 30 minutes, it will take a lesser amount of water (1:1.25).
Optionally you can add some ghee, butter, or oil after cooking it. Instead of water, you can also use vegetable broth.
Instructions
Basmati rice can be cooked on the stove, rice cooker, or pressure cooker. You can cook perfect basmati rice based on your preference or as per the need of the dish. For example, fried rice needs al dente rice. In general, it is perfectly cooked once it is long, soft, and can be easily fluffed with a fork.
Pot-in-pot cooking is also referred to as pip cooking. It is a very common way to cook in pressure cookers and extends to the instant pot. The pot-in-pot method of cooking is very convenient when you have to cook a small amount of food or multiple food items at once.
While using the pot-in-pot cooking method, some water is placed in the instant pot liner and the food to be cooked is placed in a smaller pot that will fit easily inside the liner.
To cook basmati rice in the Instant Pot using the pot-in-pot method, pour one cup of water into the liner and place a trivet inside it. Rinse the rice well with cold water. Put the rice and water in a small pot in a ratio of 1 cup rice to 1.5 cup water and cover the pot loosely with a lid.
Place the small pot on the trivet inside the liner. Lock the instant pot lid and select the high-pressure mode for 6 minutes. It is best to turn the "keep warm" setting on.
Allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, and then release the remaining pressure naturally until the silver pin drops. Unlock the lid and fluff the rice with a fork to allow the rice to mix up well and distribute the moisture equally.
For the pip method, pressure cook the basmati rice for 6 minutes on high-pressure mode. It will take some time for the instant pot to come to pressure and then it will pressure cook for six minutes before turning off.
Allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes. It is best to keep the "keep warm" setting on as it will show how much time the pressure has been released.
Serving suggestions
There are a lot of vegan options to eat with rice and have a satisfying meal. Basmati rice is served with Indian meals with dals, beans, and curries like mixed lentils, chana masala, rajma masala. It also goes well with Indo-Chinese dishes like manchurian and kung pao.
You can check out this post for more details on what to serve with basmati rice.
You can also check out how to make wild rice in Instant Pot, Instant Pot brown basmati rice, and how to cook jamine rice in Instant Pot.
Equipment
It is easy and convenient to cook rice in a pressure cooker especially, in an Instant Pot as no monitoring is required. Also, basmati rice can be pressure cooked in the Instant Pot by using the pot-in-pot method.
This method is especially convenient when one has to cook less quantity of rice and up to 2 cups of rice. Pot-in-pot cooking is best suited for a larger capacity of Instant Pot, 6 qt and over.
Stainless steel pans and silicone pans are the safest to use in the Instant Pot. Pyrex glassware works fine too, however, Pyrex does not mention anything in their usage instructions about using their products under pressure.
Storage
Just like any food, rice is best when served fresh. Any leftover rice can be stored in the fridge for 2-3 days. When you are ready to eat it, you can simply reheat it in the microwave. You can also use leftover basmati rice to make fried rice or cilantro lime rice.
If you enjoyed this recipe, then check out these rice recipes
- Veg Fried rice
- Jasmine rice
- Brown basmati rice
- Cilantro lime rice
- Peas pulao
- Khichdi
- Kadhi (yogurt soup)
- Rice kheer/pudding
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📖 Recipe
Instant Pot Basmati Rice
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup Basmati Rice
- 1.5 cup Water (more for pot in pot)
- ¼ teaspoon Salt (optional)
- 2 teaspoon Oil (or ghee)
Instructions
- Rinse basmati rice with cold water.
- In a small stainless steel container, put rice,1.5 cup water, and optionally salt.
- Place one cup of water in the instant pot liner.
- Place a trivet in the instant pot liner.
- Place the small container with rice and water on the trivet and cover it with a lid.
- Cover the instant pot with the lid and lock it with the pressure valve in the sealing position
- Pressure cook on high for 6 minutes followed by 10-minute natural pressure release.
- Release the remaining pressure by moving the pressure valve in venting position until the silver pin drops.
- Open the lid and fluff the rice with a fork.
- Optionally add some oil or ghee.
Nami says
Hi so if I want to cook 3 cups
Of rice, how much water do you add?
Alpa Jain says
Hi Nami
For 3 cups you will need 4.5 cups of water. If you cook more than 2 cups of rice, you can directly cook in the liner for same time.
Regards
Alpa