Basmati Rice Recipe

Follow my tips for how to cook basmati rice perfectly every time! Tender, fluffy, and fragrant, this no-fail basmati rice recipe comes together in just 20 minutes. And it easy to make on the stovetop, but if you like, I included the rice cooker method as well.

Perfect Basmati Rice

This recipe makes tender and fluffy basmati rice every time.

Total: 25min

Yield: 4

Nutrition Facts: servingSize , calories 207, Fat 5 g, Carbohydrate 37 g, Protein 3 g, Saturated Fat 3 g, unSaturated Fat , Sugar 0 g, Fiber 1 g, Sodium 120 mg, Cholesterol 11 mg

Ingredients:

• 1 cup basmati rice (preferably imported from India or Pakistan)
• 1¾ cups water
• 1½ tablespoons unsalted butter
• ½ teaspoon salt

Instruction:

1. Place the rice in a fine mesh strainer. Place under cold running water, swishing the rice with your hand, for 1 to 2 minutes to release excess starch. (Alternatively, place the rice in a medium bowl and add enough water to cover by 2 inches. Using your hands, gently swish the grains to release any excess starch. Carefully pour off the water, leaving the rice in the bowl. Repeat four times, or until the water runs almost clear. Use a fine mesh strainer to drain the rice.)
2. In a medium pot, bring the rice, water, butter, and salt to a boil. Cover the pot with a tight fitting lid, then turn the heat down to a simmer and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, until all of the water is absorbed and the rice is tender. If the rice is still too firm, add a few more tablespoons of water and continue cooking for a few minutes more. Remove the pan from the heat and allow it to sit covered for 5 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork and serve.
3. Freezer-Friendly Instructions: This rice can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months. (Putting it in a flat layer in sealable plastic bags works well as it will take up less space in the freezer.) No need to thaw before reheating; remove it from the freezer and reheat in the microwave with 1 to 2 tablespoons of water.

No-Fail Basmati Rice Recipe (two ways)

Learn how to cook basmati rice perfectly every time! Tender, fluffy, and fragrant rice is ready in 20 minutes. Stovetop and Rice Cooker methods included.

Prep: 5min

Total: 20min

Yield: 4

Serving Size: 1 serving

Nutrition Facts: calories 199.9 kcal, Carbohydrate 37 g, Protein 3.3 g, Fat 3.8 g, Saturated Fat 0.6 g, Sodium 6.8 mg, Fiber 0.6 g, Sugar 0.1 g, servingSize 1 serving

Ingredients:

• 1 cup basmati rice
• 1-2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 1/2 cups water
• kosher salt
• 3 cardamom pods, lightly crushed, (optional)
• 2 dry bay leaves, (optional)

Instruction:

1. {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘Put the rice in a bowl and rinse with cold water 4 to 5 times or until the water runs clear.’, ‘name’: ‘Put the rice in a bowl and rinse with cold water 4 to 5 times or until the water runs clear.’, ‘url’: ‘https://www.themediterraneandish.com/how-to-cook-basmati-rice/#wprm-recipe-40960-step-0-0’}
2. {‘@type’: ‘HowToSection’, ‘name’: ‘Basmati Rice Stovetop Method’, ‘itemListElement’: [{‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘In a medium cooking pot or saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. When the oil shimmers a bit, add the rice. Toss for a bit until the rice is well coated with the oil. Season with a good pinch of kosher salt.’, ‘name’: ‘In a medium cooking pot or saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. When the oil shimmers a bit, add the rice. Toss for a bit until the rice is well coated with the oil. Season with a good pinch of kosher salt.’, ‘url’: ‘https://www.themediterraneandish.com/how-to-cook-basmati-rice/#wprm-recipe-40960-step-1-0’}, {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘Add the water, and if using, add the cardamom pods and bay leaves.’, ‘name’: ‘Add the water, and if using, add the cardamom pods and bay leaves.’, ‘url’: ‘https://www.themediterraneandish.com/how-to-cook-basmati-rice/#wprm-recipe-40960-step-1-1’}, {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘Bring the water to a boil. Turn the heat to low and cover the pot and leave it alone for 15 to 20 minutes. The rice will cook through and absorb all the water.’, ‘name’: ‘Bring the water to a boil. Turn the heat to low and cover the pot and leave it alone for 15 to 20 minutes. The rice will cook through and absorb all the water.’, ‘url’: ‘https://www.themediterraneandish.com/how-to-cook-basmati-rice/#wprm-recipe-40960-step-1-2’}, {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘Turn the heat off. Leave the rice covered and undisturbed for 5 more minutes. Remove the cardamom pods and bay leaves before you fluff the rice up with a fork and serve it.’, ‘name’: ‘Turn the heat off. Leave the rice covered and undisturbed for 5 more minutes. Remove the cardamom pods and bay leaves before you fluff the rice up with a fork and serve it.’, ‘url’: ‘https://www.themediterraneandish.com/how-to-cook-basmati-rice/#wprm-recipe-40960-step-1-3’}]}
3. {‘@type’: ‘HowToSection’, ‘name’: ‘Basmati Rice- Rice Cooker Method’, ‘itemListElement’: [{‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘Put the rice in your rice cooker. Season with kosher salt and add the oil and water. Stir to combine. (you can add the cardamom pods or bay leaves, if using).’, ‘name’: ‘Put the rice in your rice cooker. Season with kosher salt and add the oil and water. Stir to combine. (you can add the cardamom pods or bay leaves, if using).’, ‘url’: ‘https://www.themediterraneandish.com/how-to-cook-basmati-rice/#wprm-recipe-40960-step-2-0’}, {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘Cover the rice cooker with the lid securely. Follow the rice cooker use safety instructions. If your cooker has several settings, select the normal (regular/sushi) setting and turn it on.’, ‘name’: ‘Cover the rice cooker with the lid securely. Follow the rice cooker use safety instructions. If your cooker has several settings, select the normal (regular/sushi) setting and turn it on.’, ‘url’: ‘https://www.themediterraneandish.com/how-to-cook-basmati-rice/#wprm-recipe-40960-step-2-1’}, {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘When the rice is ready, allow it to sit in the rice cooker undisturbed for a few minutes longer before you fluff and serve it.’, ‘name’: ‘When the rice is ready, allow it to sit in the rice cooker undisturbed for a few minutes longer before you fluff and serve it.’, ‘url’: ‘https://www.themediterraneandish.com/how-to-cook-basmati-rice/#wprm-recipe-40960-step-2-2’}]}

15 Best Basmati Rice Recipes to Try Tonight

These tempting basmati rice recipes make excellent side dishes and entrees! From rice pilaf to fried rice to soup and salad, you can’t go wrong with these dishes.

Ingredients:

• Perfect Basmati Rice
• Basmati Rice Pilaf
• Indian Basmati Rice
• Garlic Basmati Rice
• Easy Chicken Fried Rice
• Basmati Coconut Rice
• Curry Vegetable Basmati Rice
• Beef Stew in Half the Time With Rice
• One -Pan Shrimp and Rice
• One -Pot Greek Chicken and Basmati Rice
• Indian Butter Chicken With Basmati Rice
• Middle Eastern Roasted Vegetable Rice
• Chicken and Rice Soup
• Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala Basmati Rice
• Italian-Style Rice Salad

Instruction:

1. Select your favorite recipe.
2. Organize all the required ingredients.
3. Prep a basmati rice recipe in 30 minutes or less!

Simple Basmati Rice

Prep: 0 5min0

Total: 0 55min0

Yield: about 4 cups

Serving Size: 1 of 4 servings

Nutrition Facts: servingSize 1 of 4 servings, calories 169, Fat 0g, Saturated Fat 0g, Carbohydrate 37g, Fiber 1g, Sugar 0g, Protein 3g, Cholesterol 0mg, Sodium 53mg

Ingredients:

• 1 cup basmati rice
• 1 3/4 cups water
• Large pinch salt

Instruction:

1. This is the most important part: Wash the rice! Place the rice in a large bowl and fill with fresh, room temperature water. Swirl your hand through the water and the rice; the water will go cloudy. That’s all the starch that we’re trying to remove in order to have individual grains of rice, not the sticky kind that’s popular in Chinese and Japanese cuisine. (According to traditional Indian wisdom, this also makes the rice easier to digest because so much of the starch has been removed). Once you’ve swirled your hand around for a minute or so, pour off the water, taking care not to lose any rice. Repeat this washing process until the water runs clear. Usually, this takes 3 or 4 changes of water.
2. Fill up the bowl 1 more time and let the rice soak for 30 minutes.
3. At the end of 30 minutes, drain the rice. Fill a medium saucepan with 1 3/4 cups water, add a pinch of salt, and bring to a boil.
4. Add the rice, stir, and wait until the water comes back to a full boil. When it does, turn the heat down as low as it can go, and then cover. Cook for 15 minutes.
5. At the end of 15 minutes, cut the heat. Let the rice sit for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork; you should see that every grain of rice has grown a little longer and is separate from its brothers and sisters. Well done!

How to cook perfect Basmati rice every time | Restaurant quality & fluffy Basmati rice| Honest Cooks

FAQ

What is the correct ratio of water to basmati rice?

What’s the best way to cook basmati rice?

1. Place water and rice in saucepan;
2. Bring to simmer on medium high without the lid;
3. When entire surface is bubbly and foamy, place lid on, turn down to medium low and cook 12 minutes;
4. Remove from stove and rest 10 minutes;
5. Fluff; then.
6. Serve!

How do you jazz up basmati rice?

1. Stir in a tablespoon or more of butter.
2. Stir in a tablespoon or more of olive oil.
3. Drizzle with soy sauce.
4. Add lots of pepper.
5. Stir in a couple of tablespoons minced fresh herbs, ideally warmed first in melted butter.

What is so special about basmati rice?