How to Cook Basmati Rice
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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
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
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
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
I think Bucky put the pot on a different burner that was not turned on…..
Made this for dinner tonight as our rice maker broke a few days ago. Might not bother replacing it cause your stovetop method worked just as well!
This rice was absolutely perfect!
I tried this method and my rice cooked perfectly…it was amazing with my homemade chicken Tikka masala curry…thanks so much!
Many thanks Kristen. Cooked mine with some all purpose seasoning and a little mixed vegetables in the boiling water before adding the rice to simmer. Turned out perfect if I say so myself 😁 time tips worked a treat.
Turned out great. The rice was light and fluffy.
It worked just like you said! Thank you. Before tonight, I was a scaredy cat when it comes to yeast doughs, pie crusts and properly cooked rice. Now to conquer the other two! ❤
Utter and total failure. Hard crunchy rice floating in hot water.
Rice doesn’t cook in hot water! It needs to simmer in order to cook. Next time, make sure the water is simmering. 🙂
Wow ! The rice turned out perfect.
Thank You.
Hello, I need to cook 3 cups of rice… Do I tripple the amount of water? What about the time? Does it still take 12 min to simmer and 10 min to rest?
Thank you
Yes! The time remains the same regardless of the quantity. And yes to the water – you’ll want 4 ½ cups of water for 3 cups of rice. 🙂
Finally now i know how to cook perfect basmati rice! I’m happy! Thank you!
This turned out perfectly! I was a little worried living at a higher altitude (5300 feet) that it wouldn’t be fully cooked, but I followed the recipe as is and was very happy with the results. Thank you for sharing your secret!
You’re very welcome!!
On My Goodness! Finally a recipe for five that turned out. Each grain was long and fluffly! Exactly how it should be. Instead of using the package instructions I used yours and so glad I did. Always will. It was even the grocery store brand lol. Tomorrow I’m shopping for Indian basmati lol. Thanks so much for the recipe.
That is so great to hear! You’re very welcome!!
I do not know where you get your rice from as I love rice and I know that if you dont wash it very well, it will go gluggy. If you wash it properly it will always remain fully seperated and you will be able to freeze it and when you thaw it it will separate beautifully, otherwise it will stick together and be bluggy.
Not at all, Bernie! I used to think so too until I started buying Indian basmati rice. It makes all the difference!
Perfect rice, much better than brown or white rice. The best thank you
Absolutely perfect ! I was trying different ways to cook my rice after my rice cooker died and this one is just PERFECTION ! Thank you <3
Hooray! That’s so great to hear!
Turned out perfectly! Thank you!
That’s so great to hear!