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 – See How to cook Brown Rice.
Looking for other types of rice? See: 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.
How to make Basmati Rice
Place water and rice in saucepan;
Bring to simmer on medium high without the lid;
When entire surface is bubbly and foamy, place lid on, turn down to medium low and cook 12 minutes;
Remove from stove and rest 10 minutes;
Fluff; then
Serve!
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.
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?
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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.
No. They have virtually the same amount of calories. And they are both carbs!
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.
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.
Below are some popular curries that are traditionally served with basmati rice!
Curries to serve with basmati rice
And now, go forth and enjoy your new fluffy Basmati rice life! 🙌 – Nagi x
Watch how to make it
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Basmati Rice (simple method, fluffy rice!)
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 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?
Nutrition Information:
Life of Dozer
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Is it okay just to use a rice cooker?
I cook rice like most Chinese chefs cook it, just like you cook pasta,
Just put the rice in a pot of boiling water for the recommended packet and drain it. Then steam it in a lid on pot for a couple of minutes and that’s it.
Forget about ratios of water and rice. And many of my friends in Italy cook it this way too.
And yes, Chinese restaurants use rice cookers but that’s because they cook different rices that have to be ready at different times,
I could cry with joy! Thank you so v much for this brilliant basmati method. I’ve Just tried it & I’m thrilled! Thank you, thank you!
Thank you so much for this method. I have never been able to cook basmati rice perfectly before. This works EVERY time!
Excellent. This is the best method for cooking Basmati Rice.
Thanks so much Regina!!! N x
Oops! I forgot the stars! Too bad I can only give 5, my taste buds are saying 100!!
Again, Thank you so much!
Thank you ever so much, Nagi!!!
This recipe cooked up perfectly. I cut it in half because I am a ‘rice girl’ and I love it too much. I could eat the whole pot! So I have to watch the carbs.
Of all the basmati recipes I have tried, this one is on point and I need to look no further.
Thank you again and again, you have a fan here!!!
All the best, stay safe and healthy!!
Best,
PJ
This worked beautifully. First time I managed to get fluffy rice. I was always adding too much water before.
Super straight forward recipe that tastes great!
Yassssss these instructions worked out perfectly! Thank you!! I had various bags of rice leftover from meal kit delivery services that just said “Basmati Rice” or “White Rice” and I couldn’t remember how much water or how long to cook the rice.
I just had to tell you how perfect my rice turned out with your instructions…I will for sure be telling anyone who will listen to me how to cook their rice!!
I’m going to try this for every day, but could anyone recommend how I multiply or do this to feed 18 to 20 people ? Perhaps in a tray in the oven
I had to leave a review here, because I keep using the ratio over and over again. Thank you, for converting me from a rice cooker ONLY type of girl!! Never was able to make rice, probably because I want to check it constantly (a big no no I suppose). Turns out perfect every time!!
Rice soaks up any arsenic in the ground it’s grown in. While Asian and California rices are better than many other areas, _all_ rice today has significant arsenic. If you eat rice regularly (and we all hope to eat it for 80+ years!), don’t ommit rinsing – and even soaking it. So like this page says, reduce water accordingly.
I think my husband was more impressed by this perfect rice than the delicious meals I’ve been turning out with your recipes and advice. Probably because I have in the past occasionally made some great meals, but my rice has always been a stodgy mess.
Perfect rice! years of cooking stodgy basmati and being disappointed sorted in 2 mins of finding your method. So happy!
A blessing!
Hi,
How about cook basmati with a rice cooker ?
Is it the same water to rice ratio ? How about the cooking time ?
Hi Nagi
Thank you so much for all your recipes, I love your blogs you quite often make me chuckle and love dozer. I have tried many of your recipes which are great and now my rice always comes out great and fluffy, thanks so much your a gem keep them coming, good luck with your renovations
I’ve made basmati rice twice using this method and it’s been perfect both times! Couldn’t be any easier. Only way and only rice I’m cooking from now on!