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Home Indian Recipes

How to cook Basmati Rice

By:Nagi
Published:3 Mar '20Updated:8 Dec '20
206 Comments
Recipe v Video v Dozer v

How to cook basmati rice so it’s light and fluffy – no need to rinse the rice or drain giant pots of boiling water. Just use a rice to water ratio of 1 cup of rice to 1.5 cups of water and a simple method called the absorption method. Perfect every time!

See separate directions for brown basmati rice – How to cook Brown Rice.

Close up of a pile of fluffy Basmati Rice

Also see How to Cook: White rice | Jasmine Rice | Brown Rice

How to cook Basmati Rice

The biggest mistake most people make which results in gluey rice is using the wrong rice to water ratio.

The correct rice to water ratio is 1 : 1.5 (1 cup of rice to 1.5 cups of water).

Most people use 1 3/4 cups of water or even 2 cups of water, AND they rinse the rice which makes it waterlogged and makes the mushy rice problem even worse.

This method I’m sharing today is simple, fuss free and yields fluffy basmati rice every time. NO RINSING RICE. No fussing with draining rice from giant pots of boiling water.

Here’s how.

Rice to water ratio for Rice

How to make Basmati Rice

  1. Place water and rice in saucepan;

  2. Bring to simmer on medium high without the lid;

  3. When entire surface is bubbly and foamy, place lid on, turn down to medium low and cook 12 minutes;

  4. Remove from stove and rest 10 minutes;

  5. Fluff; then

  6. Serve!

How to make Basmati Rice

How to cook Basmati Rice – TIPS

  • Heavy / tight fitting lid – loose or lightweight lid results in loss of water when it overflows, as well as steam;

  • Right pot size – use a medium saucepan (as pictured in video) for up to 2 cups of rice. For 3 cups or more, use a pot. Reason: if you try to cook too much rice in a small saucepan, the rice cooks unevenly and rice at the bottom tends to be stickier;

  • Bring to boil without lid on – this helps with even cooking by bringing the water up to the correct temperature before placing the lid on to steam;

  • DO NOT PEEK while it’s on the stove – causes steam to escape which results in uneven cooking;

  • 10 minute rest is essential – Rice fresh off the stove is wet, sticky and hasn’t finished cooking. The grains absorb the liquid while it’s resting; and

  • DO NOT fluff with fork – it will break the long grains. Use a rubber paddle (pictured above and in video) or rice paddle.

Overhead photo of Basmati Rice in a dish, ready to be served

How to cook Basmati Rice – TROUBLESHOOTING

  • Overflow during cooking (when you get starchy water running down the side of the pot) – either lid is not heavy/tight fitting enough, heat is too strong, or saucepan is too small (ie water level too high = overflow)

  • Burnt base – heat too high (see video for proof of clean pot base!). All stoves differ in strength. Standard stove – use medium high. Strong stoves – use low.

  • Rice not cooked evenly – heat was not high enough OR you didn’t bring it to the boil before putting lid on. Rice will have taken longer than 12 minutes. You end up with undercooked insides, or overcooked outside with just cooked inside.

  • Gummy rice – are you sure you measured the water and rice properly? OR did you rinse the rice but forget to reduce the water? (See Note 1) OR did you try to make a vast amount of rice in a tiny saucepan?

Close up of spoon scooping up fluffy Basmati Rice

Common questions

Do you have to rinse the rice to make it fluffy?

NO. With the correct rice to water ratio (1 cup rice to 1.5 cups water) and the cooking method set out in the recipe below, the rice will be fluffy without rinsing the rice.

Exceptions:

  • If you bought rice at markets from a sack, rinse for hygiene purposes and also can be excessively starchy. Reduce water by 2 tablespoons, otherwise it will be gummy;

  • Biryani – because of the manner in which this dish is cooked.

Is basmati rice the same as white rice?

Basmati rice is a type of white rice. It is more aromatic than plain white rice (such as rice used in Chinese and Japanese cuisine), with a slight nutty perfume. The grains are also longer than ordinary white rice.

Is basmati rice healthier than white rice?

No. They have virtually the same amount of calories. And they are both carbs!

Can you freeze basmati rice?

Absolutely. Freeze in portion sizes in airtight containers. For 1 cup of frozen rice, reheat in the microwave (loosely covered) on high for 2 minutes – it will become steamy and fresh, just like it was just cooked! If the rice is a bit dry (possibly because container was no fully airtight), sprinkle with water then microwave loosely covered again – this will make the rice moist.

What is basmati rice used for?

Basmati rice is a type of rice that is from the Indian sub-continent, and also common across the Middle East. It is traditionally served with Indian food – ideal for dousing with rich, spice infused curries! Basmati rice is also used for cooking dishes, such as Biryani which is the famous rice dish from the Indian sub-continent.

Here are some popular curries that are traditionally served with basmati rice.

Curries to serve with basmati rice

Butter Chicken served over basmati rice in a bowl, ready to be served
Butter Chicken
Photo of Chickpea Curry (Chana Aloo) in a bowl over coconut rice with a dollop of yogurt in a rustic bowl, ready to be eaten
Chickpea Curry with Potato (Chana Aloo Curry)
Goan Fish Curry in a bowl with basmati rice
Goan Fish Curry (Indian)
Rogan Josh with steamed Basmati Rice and cucumber salad
Rogan Josh
Overhead photo of chicken tikka masala on basmati rice in a dark rustic bowl with a piece of naan wedged in on the side.
Chicken Tikka Masala
Homemade India lentil curry (Dal) served over rice in a rustic white bowl, ready to be eaten.
Dal (Indian Lentil Curry)
Qeema Indian Curried Beef - Authentic, FAST and no hunting down unusual spices. An interesting way to use ordinary ground beef!
Qeema Indian Curried Beef
Tandoori Chicken served with saffron rice and minted yogurt sauce
Oven Baked Tandoori Chicken
Indian Recipes

And now, go forth and enjoy your new fluffy Basmati rice life! 🙌 – Nagi x


Watch how to make it

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Close up of a pile of fluffy Basmati Rice

Basmati Rice (simple method, fluffy rice!)

Author: Nagi
Prep: 1 min
Cook: 12 mins
Resting: 10 mins
Side Dish
Indian, Middle Eastern
5 from 90 votes
Servings3 servings
Tap or hover to scale
Print
Recipe video above. The most common mistake people make when cooking rice is using too much water which makes rice gummy and gluey, especially if you also rinse the rice and make it waterlogged. Using a rice to water ratio of 1 to 1.5, you will be able to make perfectly fluffy basmati rice without fussing with rinsing or draining giant pots of boiling water. Simple, and highly effective! {Scale recipe - click on servings and slide, but read Note 2}

Ingredients

  • 1 cup uncooked basmati rice (Note 1)
  • 1 1/2 cups water (just cold tap water)

Instructions

  • Place rice and water in a medium size saucepan over medium high heat, no lid.
  • Bring to a simmer - the edges should be bubbling, the middle should be rippling, the surface will be foaming.
  • Place a tight fitting lid on, then turn heat down to medium low (low for strong stoves).
  • Cook for 12 minutes - DO NOT LIFT LID.
  • Tilt saucepan, then take a QUICK peek to ensure all water is absorbed - be super quick, then clamp lid back on.
  • Remove from heat, leave for 5 to 10 minutes with lid on, then fluff with fork and marvel at fluffy rice!
  • Note - Large batches will take slightly longer - about 13 minutes for 2 cups, about 15 minutes for 4 cups (use a pot).

Recipe Notes:

1. Rice - this method is for store bought basmati rice, purchased in packets at everyday grocery stores. This rice is already clean.
If you purchase the rice at markets out of sacks, I recommend rinsing first. Place in large bowl, fill with water and swish with your hand for 10 seconds. Drain water, repeat 3 times until water is clearer (it will never be 100% clear). Drain well in colander. When cooking rice, REDUCE WATER by 2 tablespoons (because rinsed rice is soaked with water) otherwise your rice will end up gummy.
2. Scaling up - use a larger pot for larger quantities of rice. Do not use a tiny saucepan for a large quantity of rice - this will make the rice at the bottom gummy.
Cook time per cup of rice (from when lid is placed on):
1 cup = 12 minutes
2 cups = 13 minutes
4 cups = 14 minutes
3. TROUBLESHOOTING:
  • Overflow during cooking - either lid is not heavy/tight fitting enough, heat is too strong, or saucepan is too small (ie water level too high = overflow)
  • Burnt base - heat too high (see video for proof of clean pot base!). All stoves differ in strength. Standard stove - use medium high. Strong stoves - use low.
  • Rice not cooked evenly - heat was not high enough OR you didn't bring it to the boil before putting lid on. Rice will have taken longer than 12 minutes. You end up with undercooked insides, or overcooked outside with just cooked inside.
  • Gummy rice - are you sure you measured the water and rice properly? OR did you rinse the rice but forget to reduce the water? (See Note 1) OR did you try to make a vast amount of rice in a tiny saucepan?
4. Nutrition per serving. 1 cup rice makes 2 3/4 cups cooked rice (once fluffed). 1 serving = just under 1 cup per person.

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 225cal (11%)Carbohydrates: 49g (16%)Protein: 4g (8%)Fat: 1g (2%)Saturated Fat: 1g (6%)Sodium: 9mgPotassium: 71mg (2%)Fiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 1g (1%)Calcium: 21mg (2%)Iron: 1mg (6%)
Keywords: Basmati rice recipes, how to cook basmati rice
Did you make this recipe?I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @RecipeTinEats.

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206 Comments

  1. Lora says

    January 17, 2023 at 12:52 pm

    5 stars
    In your tips, you say DO NOT fluff rice with a fork, but in step 6, you say to fluff it with a fork.
    In any case, I doubted this technique, but trusted you, and this turned out perfectly. As your recipes always do. Thanks

    Reply
  2. Mike Shaver says

    January 12, 2023 at 5:55 am

    5 stars
    Baby Steps First !!! All you mega-chefs will laugh but I cooked a cup of rice without burning it, without boiling over and without quoting most of the Old Testament in doing so. Tomorrow is Fried Rice Day so wish me luck, eh ! 🙂

    Reply
  3. Steve says

    December 7, 2022 at 6:34 am

    Thus works great, Thank you!
    Do you know if it will work for buckwheat?

    Reply
  4. Janey says

    November 14, 2022 at 6:01 pm

    Made this with dinner tonight. I followed the recipe exactly as written and the rice came out PERFECT! Using a silicone paddle spatula does make all the difference, I’ll never fluff rice with a fork again. Thanks for sharing your recipe!

    Reply
  5. AllyK says

    November 13, 2022 at 1:57 pm

    Perfect, I haven’t cooked rice on the stovetop since I was a kid and this turned out PERFECTLY! We’ll be following this from now on. Made the 1:1.5 ratio.

    Reply
  6. Miss crafty says

    October 26, 2022 at 12:51 am

    For the first time i made this rice to have chilli con carne.. and it was spot on. Rice was amazing 👏 😋 I followed the recipe word by word.. thank you so much for making it so simple 🙂 really grateful 🙏

    Reply
  7. Julian Lochowicz says

    October 19, 2022 at 4:05 pm

    Dear Nagi I have been a fan of yours for many years. I love your recipes and have almost filled a complete cooking file of your recipes with my favorites. Thanks for your help on many occasions.

    Reply
  8. Ana says

    October 2, 2022 at 5:34 pm

    5 stars
    I’ve always struggled to make decent rice. I just made it using your recipe and it’s absolutely perfect. I should have know your recipe would be amazing, just like every other one i have made.

    Reply
  9. Courtney says

    September 26, 2022 at 8:18 am

    5 stars
    My rice never turns out even when follow directions to a T. Unless use a rice cooker. Holy cow, rice is perfect!! Made 2 cups for 13min then let sit 10min and perfection! No sticking to the bottom and perfectly fluffy.

    Reply
  10. Lisa says

    September 25, 2022 at 3:06 am

    I have a question about doubling the recipe. Unfortunately, I need to rinse the rice. Because of this, do I reduce the water by 2 tbsp. or 4 tbsp.? Thank you!

    Reply
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