• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

RecipeTin Eats

Fast Prep, Big Flavours

Small book

My cookbook "Dinner" now available!

  • My RecipeTin
  • My cookbook!
  • Recipes
  • Recipes By Category
    • Christmas ⭐️
      • Starters
      • Mains
      • Sides: Warm & Hearty
      • Sides: Light & Fresh
      • Desserts
      • Breads
      • Christmas Leftovers
    • Iconic + cult classics
    • Mains
      • Chicken
        • Chicken mince
      • Beef Recipes
        • Ground Beef (Mince)
      • Pork
      • Lamb
      • Turkey
      • Shrimp / Prawns
      • Salmon
      • Fish recipes
      • Salad Meals
    • Quick and Easy
    • Soups
    • One Pot
    • Stews
    • Slow Cooker
    • Sides
      • All
      • Salads & veg
      • Show Off Salads
      • Rice (all)
      • Fried rice recipes
      • Rice (plain)
      • Potato
    • Pasta
      • All
      • Pasta bakes
      • Pasta salads
    • Sweet
      • Cakes
      • Candy
      • Cheesecakes
      • Cupcakes & Muffins
      • Cookies
      • Puddings & Cosy Desserts
      • Bite Size
      • Pies
      • Slices & Bars
      • Frosting & Icing
      • Ice cream
    • Cuisine
      • Asian
        • All
        • Stir fries
        • Noodles
        • Soups
        • Chinese
        • Japanese
        • Korean
        • Thai
        • Vietnamese
      • French
      • Greek
      • Indian
      • Italian
      • Mediterranean
      • Mexican
      • Middle Eastern
      • South American
    • Dietary
      • Gluten Free
      • Low Calorie
      • Vegetarian
    • Other Categories
      • BBQ
      • Breakfast
      • Burgers
      • Cocktails
      • Party Foods
      • Rice Recipes
      • Roasts
      • Sandwiches & Sliders
    • Cookbook recipes
  • Collections
  • About
    • Me
    • RecipeTin Meals
    • Free Recipe Books
    • Contact
    • Nitty Gritty
      • Policy: Use of Recipes & Images
      • Privacy & Disclosure
Home Indian Recipes

How to cook Basmati Rice

By:Nagi
Published:3 Mar '20Updated:8 Dec '20
246 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)
Bowl of Qeema - Indian Curried Beef Mince over basmati rice
Qeema – Easy Indian Curried Beef Mince
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

Hungry for more? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all of the latest updates.

Close up of a pile of fluffy Basmati Rice

Basmati Rice (simple method, fluffy rice!)

Author: Nagi
Prep: 1 minute min
Cook: 12 minutes mins
Resting: 10 minutes mins
Side Dish
Indian, Middle Eastern
5 from 123 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 @recipe_tin.

Life of Dozer

His favourite spot in the house – for food potential no doubt!

Dozer the golden retriever under dining table

Previous Post
Mediterranean Baked Chicken Dinner
Next Post
Cherry Tomato Salad with Basil

Hi, I'm Nagi!

I believe you can make great food with everyday ingredients even if you’re short on time and cost conscious. You just need to cook clever and get creative!

Read More

Free Recipe eBooks

Join my free email list to receive THREE free cookbooks!

Related Posts

Bowl of Qeema - Indian Curried Beef Mince over basmati rice

Qeema – Easy Indian Curried Beef Mince

Freshly made One-pan Baked Butter Chicken

One-pan Baked Butter Chicken

Vindaloo served over white rice

Vindaloo

More Indian Recipes

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Cooked this? Rate this recipe!




246 Comments

  1. Elizabeth Jennings says

    December 3, 2023 at 11:53 pm

    5 stars
    I love this! I finally feel confident cooking rice, this method has never failed.

    Reply
  2. Jo says

    November 22, 2023 at 7:49 pm

    Just turns out perfect every time! Thanks Nagi.

    Reply
  3. Adriana says

    November 20, 2023 at 6:56 pm

    5 stars
    Hi Nagi, I love to cook but have had trouble with basmati rice. I used to always rinse the starch off the rice! I used your method and it turned out just perfect! Thank you so much. Yummy with my curried prawns.

    Reply
  4. Nari in Thun says

    November 7, 2023 at 7:11 am

    5 stars
    Another wow!
    The simplest yet the best Basmati I‘ve tried. And I did it! – if anyone knows how big challenge it is, for a Korean to cook fluffy rice 😂

    Reply
  5. zidane says

    October 31, 2023 at 2:27 pm

    nice information and good article thank you

    Reply
  6. Carol Ross says

    October 7, 2023 at 5:48 am

    5 stars
    Wow. I’m useless at rice. This turned out PERFECT! I will say it didn’t take nearly as long as the recipe says, but I could see it had absorbed the liquid early do I just added more, gave it a quick fold then turned it off. Fantastic, thank you for saving me from awful rice!

    Reply
  7. Ro says

    October 5, 2023 at 3:17 pm

    5 stars
    Amazing

    Reply
  8. k pearson says

    September 19, 2023 at 4:03 pm

    5 stars
    Just wow. After 40 years of hit or miss basmati, I produced a perfect batch. I have periodically experienced all the problems; gummy, mush, burned bottom, partially cooked rice on the top, etc. Thank for your solution to perfect basmati. Looking forward to a beautiful vegetable byriani this week, and my Cuban red beans and rice recipe (rice cooked in the pot liquor) was a big rave.

    Reply
  9. Liz says

    September 18, 2023 at 5:36 pm

    5 stars
    Perfect recipe. I am a keen cook and even in my 60s I struggle to cook rice well. This recipe and the approach is fantastic. You can teach old dogs new tricks. Thanks Nagi

    Reply
  10. Deb says

    September 12, 2023 at 2:38 am

    Is this recipe in your cookbook along with poached chicken? I found myself coming to your site for my free recipes and thought why not support you by purchasing your book, and so I will. Seems only fitting as I have loved every single recipe! Thank you!

    Reply
  11. Mike E says

    September 3, 2023 at 7:59 am

    5 stars
    Amazing result and amazingly simple to make – just awesome!
    Thank you so, so much.

    Reply
  12. JULIE D GAMBONI says

    September 2, 2023 at 12:45 pm

    5 stars
    Perfect every single time! Finally an easy break down of each rice (I’ve followed your recipes for basmati, long grain & jasmine. Each slightly different ratios, each perfect. Every time. Thank you!!

    Reply
  13. Cindy says

    August 21, 2023 at 10:01 pm

    5 stars
    The best rice I’ve cooked, even from a rice cooker or pressure cooker! Thanks for yet another amazing recipe Nagi!

    Reply
  14. Kenneth Pratt says

    August 18, 2023 at 5:23 am

    Between the fire alarm being set off and the undercooked rice, I didn’t find this effective at all. Grim.

    Reply
  15. Julesjules says

    August 16, 2023 at 8:19 pm

    5 stars
    It was easy, simple and very good. Thanks for that

    Reply
  16. Francesca says

    August 12, 2023 at 12:11 pm

    5 stars
    Wow! Best and easiest basmati rice I’ve cooked. Thank you. This is my go to recipe for basmati rice going forward!

    Reply
  17. Tom says

    July 28, 2023 at 9:18 am

    I liked your opinion on not rinsing the rice. I never had heard of that until a year ago. I tried it and it came out gummy.

    Reply
  18. Mike says

    July 20, 2023 at 5:56 am

    5 stars
    Hey, what do you know?! this worked really well! followed it to a T, and I added some whole jeera (cumin) seeds, and some salt. It was yummy!

    Reply
  19. Amanda says

    July 15, 2023 at 12:14 pm

    5 stars
    I was extremely skeptical of this “no-rinse” rice, for that reason, I tried it with half of the recommended portion: 1/2 cup rice, 3/4 cup water. Turned stove off after 8 min 30 seconds.. left 10-15 minutes with the lid on after turning off the stove as I prepared the chicken part of my dish. Came back to write this review as the rice was perfect. Every grain was its own individual piece.. no clumps, no watery mess, cooked perfectly. I can’t believe it’s true, but it is. I followed the recipe to a T. Added some chopped cilantro to the rice which went well with the south Indian flavors in my dish. Impressed! Will definitely make my rice this way again so I don’t have to worry if it’s going to be cooked well enough.

    Reply
  20. Jonathan Haughton says

    July 12, 2023 at 3:41 am

    5 stars
    Wow, tried this last night and it was excellent. Such an easy way of cooking rice for such great results.

    Reply
Older Comments

Primary Sidebar

Hi, I'm Nagi!

I believe you can make great food with everyday ingredients even if you’re short on time and cost conscious. You just need to cook clever and get creative! Read More

Free Recipe eBooks

Join my free email list to receive THREE free cookbooks!

Meet Dozer

Official taste tester of RecipeTin Eats! Meet Dozer
As Featured On
  • Goodfood
  • Food Network
  • Better Homes Gardens
  • Taste
  • Nine
  • Network 10
  • BuzzFeed
  • Daily Telegraph
  • Women's Day

Never miss a recipe!

Subscribe to my newsletter and receive 3 FREE ebooks!

Subscribe
Recipes
  • All Recipes
  • By Category
  • Collections
About
  • About Nagi
  • About Dozer
  • RecipeTin Meals
Related
  • RecipeTin Japan
  • Food Bloggers Central
Help
  • Contact
  • Image Use Policy
© RecipeTin Eats 2023
  • Privacy Policy & Terms
Site Credits
Maintained by Zao Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled
All Rights Reserved

Subscribe to my newsletter

Sign up and receive 3 FREE EBOOKS!