By Becky Hardin
Updated Jun 17, 2025
If the thought of making rice on the stove intimidates you, this Instant Pot basmati rice recipe is for you. Maybe you had a few bad experiences with burnt, uncooked, or mushy rice and gave up. Trust me, I can relate, and I’ve been there and done that—but not since I started making rice in the Instant Pot!
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5-Star Review
“Turned out absolutely perfect. Thank you!” -Jen
Easy Pressure Cooker Basmati Rice
When I’m not sure about what to make for dinner, a big pot of comforting and tasty basmati rice is always a good starting point. Rice goes with almost anything, and it’s always perfect when I make it in the Instant Pot.
Basmati rice is a type of long-grain rice grown in India, Pakistan, and Nepal and is available in the rice section of most grocery stores.
Tips for Success
- If you prefer fluffier rice, rinse or soak the rice before cooking it. To rinse, place rice in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse for about 2 minutes.
- Rinsing also removes excess starch, allowing the rice to separate more easily.
- For softer rice, add an additional ¼ cup of water.
- If your instant pot has a “rice” setting, you can use it instead. It will cook the rice longer at a lower pressure.
- Gently fluff the cooked rice with a fork or wooden spoon. Do not stir it.
- Do not leave your rice in the instant pot on the “keep warm” setting. It will overcook.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 2 cups dry basmati rice
- ▢ 2½ cups water
- ▢ ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ▢ 1 teaspoon olive oil vegetable oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, or ghee also work
Instructions
- In your Instant Pot add the rice, water, salt, and oil. Stir so that no rice is above the water. 2 cups dry basmati rice, 2½ cups water, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon olive oil
- Place the Instant Pot lid on and make sure the knob is set to sealed.
- Press “Manual”, make sure pressure is set to high, and set the time to 4 minutes.
- After the cook time is up, perform a 10 minute natural pressure release and then carefully release remaining pressure.
Equipment
- Instant Pot
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Basmati Rice in the Instant Pot Step by Step
Gather your ingredients: Pull out all the ingredients and place them on the kitchen counter.
Place ingredients in the instant pot : Add 2 cups rice, 2½ cups water, ½ tsp salt, and 1 tsp oil to the instant pot. Stir so that no rice is above the water.
Seal the instant pot: Place the Instant Pot lid on and make sure the knob is set to sealed.
Set the instant pot: Press “Manual”, make sure pressure is set to high, and set the time to 4 minutes.
Release: After the cook time is up, perform a 10-minute natural pressure release and then carefully release remaining pressure.
Serve : Serve and enjoy with your favorite dish.
Ratios for Basmati Rice in the Instant Pot
When making rice, I like to use a ratio of 1.25:1 — that is 1¼ cups of water for every 1 cup of rice.
If you soak your rice, you’ll want to reduce that ratio to 1:1 because the rice will have already absorbed some water.
As written, this recipe makes 6 cups of cooked rice from 2½ cups of water and 2 cups of dry rice. For a smaller portion of rice, reduce the water to 1¼ cups and the rice to 1 cup. For a larger portion of rice, double the recipe, using 5 cups of water and 4 cups of rice.
How to 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.
Freeze instant pot basmati 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. It really and truly goes with everything. Try this basmati rice with vegetarian dishes, like teriyaki tofu , Mexican enchilada stuffed pepper casserole , or even black eyed peas .
More Instant Pot Side Dish Recipes We Love
Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
Instant Pot Twice Baked Potatoes
Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Instant Pot Basmati Rice Recipe
Equipment
- Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 2 cups dry basmati rice
- 2½ cups water
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon olive oil vegetable oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, or ghee also work
Instructions
- In your Instant Pot add the rice, water, salt, and oil. Stir so that no rice is above the water. 2 cups dry basmati rice, 2½ cups water, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon olive oil
- Place the Instant Pot lid on and make sure the knob is set to sealed.
- Press “Manual”, make sure pressure is set to high, and set the time to 4 minutes.
- After the cook time is up, perform a 10 minute natural pressure release and then carefully release remaining pressure.
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
