By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 7, 2023
Learn how to cook perfect Basmati Rice every time with this easy stovetop recipe. All you need is rice, water, and salt, and you’ll have delicious, fluffy, white rice ready in about 25 minutes. It’s great for meal prep or any dinner you have in mind!
What’s in this Basmati Rice Recipe?
With just three ingredients, this stovetop simmered rice recipe comes together in less than 30 minutes!
- Basmati Rice: A type of long-grain white rice that’s the perfect complement to any meal!
- Water: Helps cook the rice. No need to worry about the perfect ratio since we’re simmering the rice almost like pasta!
- Salt: Enhances the flavor of the rice.
Pro Tip: This method of cooking rice works with any long-grain white rice.
Variations on Perfect Basmati Rice
For a bit more flavor, you can add a tablespoon of olive oil, ghee, or sesame oil to the boiling water. Alternatively, you can simmer the rice in vegetable, beef, or chicken broth instead of water.
Basmati rice is a type of long-grain rice grown in India, Pakistan, and Nepal.
Yes! This variety of rice is high in dietary fiber and has a low glycemic index. It is also a great source of minerals like iron, zinc, and calcium. It is a great addition to a healthy diet.
No, you do not have to soak rice before you cook it, but soaking and rinsing it helps to remove some of the excess starch, making the rice less sticky.
Absolutely! All rice is gluten-free!
Basmati rice has a glycemic index between 50 and 58, making it a low-to-medium glycemic index food. Small portions can make up part of a healthy diet for those with diabetes.
If your rice still feels hard after the cooking time, it needs to be cooked for longer. Cook it until the grains are tender. If your rice is mushy, it was likely overcooked and should be cooked for less time in the future.
How to Make Ahead and Store
Cooked basmati rice is a great meal prep food ! It will keep for up to 5 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator, so prep a big batch and use it all week!
How to Freeze and Reheat
Freeze rice in an airtight container for up to 4 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Sprinkle the rice with a few tablespoons of water and reheat in the microwave in 30-second increments, stirring between, until warmed through.
Serving Suggestions
I’m a big proponent of rice as the ideal side dish because it really and truly goes with everything! Try this basmati rice with vegetarian dishes, like teriyaki tofu , enchilada stuffed pepper casserole , or black eyed peas ; meat dishes, like beef stew , sweet and sour chicken , butter chicken , stuffed pork loin , or chicken cacciatore ; or seafood, like tuna poke bowl , creamy garlic scallops , or surf and turf .
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 1 cup dry basmati rice
- ▢ 8 cups water
- ▢ ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Video
Instructions
- Add the rice to a fine mesh sieve and rinse with cold water until the water runs clear. Move the rice around with your hand making sure it is all rinsed evenly. This will take 2-3 minutes. 1 cup dry basmati rice
- Add the water and salt to a medium pot over high heat. Once the water boils, add in the rinsed rice and reduce to a simmer. Cook uncovered for 8-10 minutes or until the rice is tender. 8 cups water, ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- Strain and let sit in the strainer for 5 minutes. Fluff and serve!
Equipment
- Fine Mesh Sieve
Becky’s Tips
- Rinsing the rice thoroughly removes excess starch and helps create a light and fluffy rice.
- To keep the rice warm until serving, wait until it has strained for 5 minutes then return it to your dry pot and cover.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
More Easy Rice Recipes We Love
- Instant Pot Basmati Rice
- Cilantro Lime Rice
- Mexican Rice
- Parmesan Risotto
Basmati Rice Recipe (Stovetop Method)
Equipment
- Fine Mesh Sieve
Ingredients
- 1 cup dry basmati rice
- 8 cups water
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Add the rice to a fine mesh sieve and rinse with cold water until the water runs clear. Move the rice around with your hand making sure it is all rinsed evenly. This will take 2-3 minutes. 1 cup dry basmati rice
- Add the water and salt to a medium pot over high heat. Once the water boils, add in the rinsed rice and reduce to a simmer. Cook uncovered for 8-10 minutes or until the rice is tender. 8 cups water, ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- Strain and let sit in the strainer for 5 minutes. Fluff and serve!
Video
Notes
- Rinsing the rice thoroughly removes excess starch and helps create a light and fluffy rice.
- To keep the rice warm until serving, wait until it has strained for 5 minutes then return it to your dry pot and cover.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
