Instant Pot Basmati Rice

A white bowl of Instant Pot Rice ready to serve.

5 from 24 votes

Our Instant Pot basmati rice recipe delivers light, fluffy, and flavorful rice—perfect for any meal! This no-fail method guarantees perfect results every time.

Prep Time5

Cook Time4

Pressurizing/Release Time15

Total Time24

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Indian, American, Asian

Keyword: rice, instant pot rice, instant pot side dish, basmati rice, brown basmati rice instant pot

Servings: servings

Calories: 115kcal

Author: Renae Gerhardstein

Equipment

Instant Pot or other electric pressure cooker
mesh strainer

Ingredients

2 cups Basmati rice
2 tablespoons butter olive oil, or ghee
2 cups reduced sodium chicken broth vegetable broth, or water (using hot liquid helps IP come to pressure faster)

Instructions

Rinse and drain rice well, and set aside.
Set the pressure cooker to sauté, and add butter or oil to the pot.
Once the pot is hot, add the rice and sauté until the rice begins to turn golden brown, 3-5 minutes. Press the cancel button to end sauté.
Add broth to the pot; stir with a spoon to combine and deglaze the pot, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom.
Attach, close, and seal the pressure cooker lid according to the manufacturer's instructions. Manually set the unit to cook on high pressure for 4 minutes.
When the pressure cooking cycle is complete, allow a natural pressure release (leave the pot undisturbed) for 10 minutes, then initiate a quick release by carefully turning or pressing the pressure release button (refer to your pot's instructions).
Fluff the basmati rice with a fork before serving.

Notes

Always rinse it until the water runs clear to remove excess starch. This prevents sticky or clumpy grains. For extra flavor, cook it with a bay leaf, a pinch of salt, or a splash of broth instead of water. Fluff with a fork after cooking for the best texture!

Recipe Variations:

- For an aromatic option, add garlic, onion, or other aromatics during sautéing for extra flavor.

- Add protein to make it a complete meal. Tasty options include cooked chicken, hibachi shrimp, shredded pork, or tofu for a complete meal.

- Stir in some frozen or canned vegetables. I recommend frozen peas or diced carrots, or canned green beans. Preheat them in the microwave first, then add them after pressure cooking is complete.

- Add a spice like turmeric, garam masala, or cumin for extra flavor.

Storing Instructions:

Leftover basmati rice can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days or in the freezer for up to three months. Defrost it in the fridge, microwave, or at room temperature before reheating.
Reheat the leftovers in the microwave or stovetop (add 2 tablespoons water) before serving.

Make Ahead Instructions:

If you want to meal prep or make ahead this Instant Pot rice recipe, cook a big batch and portion it out into individual containers.

Nutrition