If you like to cook white basmati rice in a pressure cooker and are wondering how to adapt the recipe for the Instant Pot, then use this Instant Pot White Basmati Rice recipe and tutorial.
White basmati rice is my favorite rice! It is light and fluffy and less sticky than other rice varieties, so it is a dream to work with. But that is not the main reason I like it so much.
For me, white basmati rice is the only rice that I can eat without any stomach troubles, which is huge since I follow a gluten-free diet. I rarely ate rice growing up, so when I started following a gluten-free diet I was surprised to find that it didn’t agree with me and brown rice was worse than white rice. After giving up so many foods going gluten-free, I was reluctant to give up on rice entirely, so I kept trying different varieties until I discovered a variety of rice I could eat without distress. Fortunately, I discovered that white basmati rice agrees with me, especially when cooked in an Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker.
Why does some rice cause stomach aches?
Rice, especially brown rice contains lectins. Some people have a negative reaction or are sensitive to lectins and will experience gastric distress when they eat rice.
When the hull is removed some of the lectins are removed. According to Dr. Gundry, author of The Plant Paradox, white basmati rice has fewer lectins than other varieties. He also states cooking white basmati rice in a pressure cooker (an Instant Pot is a type of pressure cooker) can reduce the remaining lectins by up to 50%. So people who normally experience stomach trouble with rice may be able to enjoy white basmati rice cooked under high pressure in limited quantities.
What is Basmati Rice?
Basmati rice is a long, slender-grained aromatic grown in the foothills of the Himalayas in northern India and Pakistan. Its name means “the fragrant one”. Like other rice varieties, it comes in brown rice and white varieties.
Is Basmati Rice Healthy?
First, let’s remember that defining foods as healthy is going to differ from person to person. Basmati rice has a glycemic index of 52 – 59 making it also a low to medium glycemic food. For reference, Jasmine rice has a glycemic index of 68-80. People who are following a low-glycemic diet try to stick to foods that have a glycemic level lower than 70.
How to Cook White Basmati Rice in an Instant Pot
The ratio of rice to water that I have found most effective when cooking white basmati rice in an Instant Pot is:
1 cup of white basmati rice to 1 1/4 cup water.
You can double, triple, or even quadruple these amounts to make a large batch of rice.
Cook on high pressure for 3 minutes. Use the slow release method for 7 minutes.
I have a video tutorial and a complete printable recipe below.
Instant Pot White Basmati Rice Cooking Tutorial
Below I demonstrate How I cook white basmati rice in an Instant pot – start to finish. I also cover why I like to make rice in large batches and how I store the cooked rice.
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Batch Cooking Rice
It takes the same amount of time to cook 3 cups of rice as it does to cook 1 cup. So I make a large batch and then use it to meal prep my husband’s lunches and store cooked rice in usable portions in the refrigerator or freezer to save time when making dinner. Storage directions are below the recipe.
Instant Pot White Basmati Rice Recipe
This will make approximately 9 – 10 cups of cooked white basmati rice.
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cups basmati rice
- 3 3/4 cups of water
Directions:
- Remove the rack if it is inside the pot.
- Add the olive oil to the Instant Pot
- Add the rice. Then pour the water over the rice.
- Replace the lid. Set the valve to “sealing”.
- Select manual (or the rice function if you have it). Ensure “high pressure” has been selected. Set the timer for 3 minutes.
- After it has completed cooking at high pressure for 3 minutes, it will automatically go to “low” and begin counting the time it is at “low”, this is the slow release method. When it reaches 7 minutes, quickly release the rest of the steam by using a potholder and carefully turn the valve to “venting”.
- When all of the steam has been released and the pot has unlocked, carefully remove the lid. Fluff the rice with a fork. Serve immediately or portion it into usable portions for future use.
How to Store Cooked Basmati Rice
Refrigerate rice within 2 hours of cooking it. Store cooked rice in air-tight containers or freezer bags. Cooked rice will keep in the refrigerator for 3 – 5 days and in the freezer for up to 6 months. I usually store my cooked rice in 1 cup, 2 cup, and 4 cup quantities, so I have the right size for different recipes.
How to Thaw Frozen Rice
Thaw frozen rice overnight in the refrigerator. If you have stored them in a microwave-safe container, you can thaw rice in the microwave. You can also add frozen rice directly to soups and it will quickly thaw in the heated liquid.
Printable Recipe for Instant Pot White Basmati Rice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cups basmati rice
- 3¾ cups of water
- Remove the rack if it is inside the Instant Pot.
- Add the olive oil to the Instant Pot
- Add the rice. Then pour the water over the rice.
- Replace the lid. Set the valve to "sealing".
- Select manual (or the rice function if you have it). Ensure "high pressure" has been selected. Set the timer for 3 minutes.
- After it has completed cooking at high pressure for 3 minutes, it will automatically go to "low" and begin counting the time it is at "low", this is the slow release method. When it reaches 7 minutes, quickly release the rest of the steam by using a potholder and carefully turn the valve to "venting".
- When all of the steam has been released and the pot has unlocked, carefully remove the lid. Fluff the rice with a fork. Serve immediately or portion it into usable portions for future use.
Rosemary says
What brand of basmati rice do you use ?
Celeste Gober says
Dr. Gundry recommends using the organic Indian variety of basmati rice, not any American varieties, possibly because of the weed killer glyphosate, that’s permitted in this country, but not in many other countries. I’ve been able to buy it at Whole Foods.
Geri says
What size instant pot were you using to make your big batch basmati rice? It looks like an 8qt. I have a 6qt. Will the big batch work in that? Thanks. Geri
Alea Milham says
I believe I used my 6 quart Instant Pot. It will work in a 6 quart Instant Pot.