Instant Pot Basmati Rice

Indian Instant Pot Basmati Rice comes perfectly every time and only takes 10 minutes start to finish. It is buttery, fluffy, light, and never mushy. There is no need to soak the rice or use a rice cooker anymore.

Want to learn how to cook more recipes in your Instant Pot? Try my Instant Pot Bacon or my favorite recipe for Southern Instant Pot Green Beans next!

What is Basmati Rice?

It is a variety of long grain rice that is slender, nutty, and aromatic. It is primarily produced in India and Pakistan. There is both brown and white versions of basmati rice.

I like the Royal brand.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This no soak Basmati rice is al dente, light, fluffy, buttery, and perfectly salted.
Rinsing rice removes excess starch and prevents it from getting sticky or clumping together.
The Instant Pot regulates the temperature (like a rice cooker) so you do not have to worry about adjusting the stove’s temperature to get the perfect cook.
The recipe takes less than 10 minutes to make. Stovetop methods can take up to 20 minutes.
Most rice is gluten free and can be made dairy-free/vegan. All you really need is rice and water!
This Indian basmati rice is the perfect side to curries, stews, or any protein. It is also a great base for salads or nourish bowls.

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

Ingredients needed to make basmati rice in the instant pot.

Unsalted Butter: Swap for 1 Tablespoon of olive oil or vegan butter.
Water: Swap for chicken broth or vegetable broth.

Complete list of ingredients and amounts is located on the recipe card below.

How to Make Instant Pot Basmati Rice Perfectly

Quick Overview

Sauté the butter & rice.
Add the water & salt.
Pressure cook & serve!

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1: Select the “Sauté” mode on the Instant Pot. Add the butter to the pot. Stir until the butter is completely melted.

Step 2: Add the rice and sauté for 1-2 minutes. Turn the pot OFF completely.

butter melted in instant pot & rice added to butter and sa

Sauté the rice in butter for more flavor.

Step 3: Stir in the water and salt.

Step 4: Select “Pressure Cook” and “High Pressure” and set the timer for 4 minutes (5 minutes if you prefer softer rice). Natural pressure release for 5 minutes after the timer goes off. Then, immediately quick release (turn the valve to venting) any of the remaining pressure. Remove the lid so the rice stops cooking. Fluff with a fork and serve.

salt and water added to pot & finished basmati rice in the instant pot

Be sure the keep warm setting is turned off so it does not over cook.

Recipe Serving Suggestions

This rice recipe is one that I make weekly to serve with a variety of dishes, like the following:

Expert Tips & Variations

Rinse the rice well. Place it in a fine mesh strainer or rice colander. Run cold water over the rice until it runs almost clear. Let the excess water drain completely from the rice. Rinsing rice makes it fluffy (instead of sticky) because the water removes some of the starch.
Use butter and salt. These ingredients add so much flavor to the rice. You always want to salt the rice before cooking it so it can absorb the salt. The butter will coat each grain so they do not stick together.
Sauté. This helps to bring out the nutty flavor of the grain. Be sure to turn off the sauté mode before adding the water.
After the natural release, remove the lid. This will stop the rice from cooking. If it sits covered, it will continue to steam and become mushy.
Add garlic. Add 1/4 teaspoon of granulated garlic per cup of rice for extra flavor.

Recipe FAQs

What is the ratio of water to rice in an Instant Pot?

The ratio of basmati rice to water is 1:1 for the Instant Pot.

How long do you cook 1 cup of rice in an Instant Pot?

Cook for 4-5 minutes on high pressure.

How do I use the rice setting on my Instant Pot?

The rice setting is a preprogrammed cooking mode that runs for up to 12 minutes. It does not work for basmati. I recommend using the manual pressure cooking setting on high.

Why is my basmati rice sticky or mushy?

It is likely the lid was left on for too long, causing the rice to overcook. Be sure to remove the lid immediately after the quick release. It could also be that too much water was added. The ratio of rice to water is 1:1.

How much cooked rice does 1 cup of dried rice make?

1 cup dried rice triples in volume or yields 3 cups of cooked rice.

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