Instant Pot Basmati Rice

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Creamy, fluffy, and perfectly separate grains — Instant Pot Basmati Rice is the kind of simple comfort that becomes a weeknight hero.

Prep Time10

Cook Time15

Total Time50

Course: Side

Cuisine: Indian

Keyword: Easy, Instant Pot

Servings: servings

Calories: 200kcal

1 cup Basmati Rice Rinsed under cold water until clear and soaked for 30 minutes (optional but recommended)
1.25 cups Water Adjust slightly for firmer or softer rice
1 tsp Salt Optional, add to taste

Plug in your Instant Pot and select the Saute setting to warm it up. This is optional but helps ensure the pot is at a good starting temperature.
Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch; draining until the water is mostly clear prevents gummy rice.
Soak the rinsed rice in water for about 30 minutes (optional but recommended). Soaking lets the grains elongate and shortens the pressure-cook time.
Drain the soaked rice and add it to the Instant Pot along with 1.25 cups of water and salt. Level the rice gently so it cooks evenly.
Close the lid and set the valve to Sealing. Select Rice mode or Manual mode and set the timer for 5 minutes.
After cooking, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then switch the valve to Venting to release any remaining pressure.
Open the lid and fluff the rice with a fork before serving to separate the grains and release steam.

Rinsing the rice well is crucial for preventing stickiness. Soaking improves texture but can be skipped if short on time.