Light, fluffy, and perfectly cooked, this basmati rice is just delicious! The Instant Pot makes the most tender rice you’ve ever made, and it couldn’t be easier.

Fragrant, long-grained basmati rice is the perfect accompaniment to all of our favorite Indian dishes. Cooking it in the Instant Pot ensures that it’s always fluffy, tender, and perfectly cooked.

Try it in our chicken tikka masala or chickpea tikka masala, Instant Pot dal, or Indian meatballs.

What You Need To Make This Recipe

Basmati rice
Water
Instant Pot or pressure cooker

How To Make Basmati Rice in the Instant Pot

Rinse the basmati rice until the water runs clear and then drain. Add the water to the Instant Pot, then the rice. Mix them together well.
Close the lid and set the valve to “Sealing.” Select “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” for 3 minutes high pressure. Wait 10 minutes or until the screen reads “L0:10” after the cooking time is complete. Set the valve to “Venting.” Open and the release the steam.
Wait a few minutes, then use a fork to fluff the rice.

Top Tips For Making

Rinsing the rice well is super important to making the perfect basmati rice. This will remove the top layer of starch from the surface, and will keep the grains from sticking together.
Don’t skip letting the Instant Pot release pressure itself before you flip the valve. The rice is still cooking a little bit!

What Do We Mean By “Healthy?”

Our recipes focus on real ingredients and homemade elements. We try to avoid processed flour and sugar, like white flour or white sugar. Our recipes often swap less healthy options (like a commercial, deep-friend tostada) for an easy homemade version.

Our recipes are not necessarily low fat or low calorie, and we aren’t afraid of fat or carbs! Some of our recipes will be “skinny,” low carb, keto, paleo, dairy free, grain free, gluten free, Whole30, or vegan, and they will be labeled when they qualify for any of these diets. All our recipes are easy and family friendly!

Other Easy Instant Pot Recipes

We hope you loved this recipe as much as we did! We’d love for you to give us a star ★ rating below, and follow us on Instagram! For more delicious, healthy recipes, be sure to check out 40 Aprons.

Print Pin

Instant Pot Basmati Rice

This fluffy, fragrant rice is so easy to make in the Instant Pot

Course Side Dish

Cuisine Indian

Keyword basics, easy recipe, under 30 minutes

Servings servings

Author Emily Stallings

Cost $1

Equipment

Instant Pot or pressure cooker

Ingredients

2 cups basmati rice
2 1/2 cups water

Instructions

Rinse rice until the water runs clear. Drain. Add water to the Instant Pot, then trice. Mix well.
Close lid and set the valve to "Sealing." Select “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” for 3 minutes high pressure. Wait 10 minutes or until the screen reads "L0:10" after the cooking time is complete. Set the valve to "Venting." Open and the release steam.
Wait a few minutes, then use a fork to fluff the rice.

Notes

Rinsing rice: This will remove the top layer of starch from the surface, and will keep the grains from sticking together.