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Learn how to cook basmati rice on the stove. It is a straightforward recipe that produces perfect basmati rice every time.

Basmati is a fragrant long-grain rice most often associated with Indian cooking. It cooks up light and fluffy, which makes it perfect for curries, rice pilaf, and anything saucy you want to soak up.

I cook basmati rice on the stovetop, and it turns out perfectly every time. It’s simple, reliable, and—with one small tip about choosing the right type of basmati—there’s no need to clutter your kitchen with a rice cooker.

READ MORE: Spicy Mexican Rice

stovetop basmati rice in a pot with a wooden spoon.

Fluffy basmati rice in a bowl with a spoon.

Answers to your questions

Which is the best type of basmati rice? There are many types of basmati rice, though you’ll rarely see the type listed on the package. In my experience, Indian basmati rice (often sold in cloth bags, like this one) produces the fluffiest rice. Californian basmati tends to be a lot stickier. A good rule of thumb is to avoid basmati that is sold in plastic bags.

Is basmati rice the same as white rice? Basmati rice is a type of white rice characterized by its long, slender grains. It has a dry yet fluffy texture with a nutty flavor, and the grains do not stick together when cooked.

What is basmati rice? Basmati rice is a variety of long-grain rice that is most commonly grown in Nepal, India, and Pakistan. The word basmati is derived from the Hindi word for fragrant, which refers to the popcorn-like flavor and aroma that is typical of basmati rice. You’ll find both white basmati rice and brown basmati rice at most grocery stores. This recipe uses white basmati.

What to serve with basmati rice

Chicken Tikka Masala is a wonderful Indian curry with lots of sauce to pour over the rice.
Juicy Baked Pork Chops taste delicious alongside basmati rice, especially if you mix some butter into the rice!
Easy Palak Paneer is a spinach curry with lots of sauce.
Coconut Vegetarian Korma is another saucy Indian curry that tastes great served with basmati.

Store, reheat, and freeze

How long does cooked rice last in the fridge? Cooked basmati rice will keep for up to 6 days in a covered container in your fridge.

How to reheat rice. A microwave works well for reheating rice. We prefer to reheat rice in a pan on the stovetop. Add it to the pan with a tiny splash of water, cover the pan, and reheat the rice on low heat.

Can you freeze rice? Yes! Rice freezes very well. Cool the cooked rice completely (overnight is best), then pack it into freezer bags in single-use portions.

How to Cook Basmati Rice Recipe

Prep: 5

Cook: 12

Total: 17

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Learn how to cook basmati rice on the stove. It is a very easy recipe and this method produces perfect basmati rice every time.

Ingredients

▢ 1 cup basmati rice (preferably Indian basmati rice)
▢ 1 ½ cups cold water

Instructions

Add the rice and cold water to a medium-sized pot over high heat. Bring the pot to a boil then immediately cover the pot and reduce the heat to low.
1 cup basmati rice, 1 ½ cups cold water
Simmer the rice (no peeking!) for 12 minutes.
Remove the rice from the heat and let it rest, covered, for 10 minutes.
Use a fork or spoon to gently fluff the rice before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 serving = ¾ cup, Calories: 169kcal (8%), Carbohydrates: 37g (12%), Protein: 3g (6%), Fat: 1g (2%), Saturated Fat: 1g (6%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 7mg, Potassium: 53mg (2%), Fiber: 1g (4%), Sugar: 1g (1%), Calcium: 16mg (2%), Iron: 1mg (6%)

We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.