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Two glass meal prep containers of basmati rice.

How to Cook Basmati Rice (2 Ways!)

Learn how to cook Basmati rice on the stovetop or in a rice cooker, and achieve fluffy, tender, flavorful rice with ease!
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Indian
Servings 1 -2 serving
Calories 257 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Equipment
  • 1 Medium Pot
  • 1 Fine Mesh Sieve
  • 1 Rice Paddle

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup uncooked Basmati rice
  • 1-2 Tablespoons olive oil Note 2
  • 1 ½ cups water Note 1
  • Kosher salt to taste, about 1 teaspoon

Instructions
 

Rinse the Rice:

  • Place the rice in a medium-sized pot, and add enough water to cover it by a few inches.
    1 cup uncooked Basmati rice
  • Gently swish the rice around with two hands. Carefully pour off the cloudy water, and repeat 4-5 times or until the water runs clear, adding more water as needed.
  • Drain the rice using a fine mesh sieve.

Cook:

  • Heat the olive oil in a medium pot over medium-high heat.
  • Once the oil begins to shimmer, add the rice, and quickly toss to coat it in the oil. Add a pinch of salt to taste.
    1-2 Tablespoons olive oil, Kosher salt to taste, about 1 teaspoon
  • Add the water, and bring the liquid to a boil over high heat.
    1 ½ cups water
  • Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid, and let it simmer until the rice absorbs nearly all of the water, about 15-20 minutes.
  • Turn off the heat, and let the rice rest undisturbed for 5 minutes.
  • Fluff with a rice paddle or rubber paddle, and serve.

Notes

Rice Cooker Method: 
  1. Place the rinsed rice in a rice cooker. Add the oil and salt, and toss to combine.
  2. Add the lid, and use the rice setting to cook the rice.
  3. Let the rice rest for about 5 minutes. Then, fluff, and serve. 
Note 1: Feel free to use broth or stock in place of water to infuse your rice with even more flavor. 
Note 2: If preferred, you can skip the oil. Just combine the salt and rice in a pot, and cook as usual. 
Storage: Once cool, you can transfer leftover Basmati rice to an airtight container, and store it in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. Or, freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight to serve.
The calorie count is based on a 200-gram serving of cooked Basmati rice. See macro breakdown below:
  • Serving size = 200 grams
  • Carbohydrates = 57 grams
  • Fat = 1 gram
  • Protein - 5 grams
Keyword basmati rice, basmati rice recipe, how to cook basmati rice