How To Cook Basmati Rice
by Sommer Collier — last updated on Jan 9, 2025 
How To Cook Basmati Rice – Learn authentic Indian Basmati Rice Cooking Directions so that it is light and fluffy every single time!
Why We Love This Basmati Rice Recipe
Have you ever wondered how to cook authentic Indian Basmati Rice, just like what you order at your favorite Indian restaurant? This is the recipe you need to try! The rice turns out light and fluffy, making it the perfect complement for rich and hearty curries like tikka masala.
Basmati rice is actually incredibly easy to cook; it just takes a little bit of patience for the rice grains to soak. But once you try it, you’ll never go back. It is the ultimate side dish to serve with any Indian food.
Ingredients You Need
- Basmati rice – this is key, don’t use any other variety
- Salt – gives the rice flavor
- Water – the rice absorbs the water making it light and fluffy
How To Cook Basmati Rice
This easy method for Basmati Rice Cooking is exactly how it’s prepared in India. Once you taste it, you’ll be glad you took the time to soak the rice.
- Wash. Place the rice in a large sieve, with a fine-grade mesh. Set the sieve over a bowl in the sink. Rinsing the rice with cold water, dunking the sieve down into the water, and shaking gently. Then dump out the starchy water and repeat with clean water. Wash and rinse the rice FIVE times to remove all excess starch. The water should be pretty clear on the last wash. Try not to handle the rice too much, as it might break the long grains into pieces.
- Soak. Dump the rice into the bowl. Add lukewarm water and 2-4 tablespoons salt. Add 2 tablespoons at first. Then taste the water. It should taste like seawater. If it doesn’t add more salt. Pour the rice into the bowl. Add salt and lukewarm water. Let the rice soak in the saltwater for 2 hours.
- Drain. Carefully drain the rice, pouring it through a sieve.
- Simmer. Place in a medium saucepot or pan over high heat on the stovetop. Add and rice and 3 ½ cups of fresh water to the pot. Cover and bring to a boil. Then lower the heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes, covered with a lid. When the rice is done, there will be vent holes in the top of the rice, and all the liquid will have been absorbed.
- Rest. Remove from heat, and rest covered for 5 more minutes.
- Serve. Gently fluff the rice with a fork and serve.
Serving Suggestions
If desired, garnish the fluffy basmati rice with fresh cilantro, a pinch of turmeric or saffron, or a squeeze of lemon for extra flavor!
The light, fragrant rice pairs beautifully with a variety of dishes. Enjoy it alongside rich curries like paneer tikka masala, butter chicken, or chickpea curry. It also complements grilled meats such as tandoori chicken, as well as hearty vegetarian options like saag with paneer. Serve it with a side of homemade naan bread or a crisp cucumber raita for a complete and satisfying meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, but, you should. Basmati Rice is soaked in room temperature water before cooking to release and enhance the natural flavor of the rice. It tastes better when it has been soaked.
If your basmati rice is sticky once cooked, you either did not rinse it well enough, or you added too much water to the pot.
Basmati Rice is a long grain rice (naturally gluten-free!) that gets its name from its enticing aroma, soft, silky texture, and distinctive long, curved grains. The word basmati literally means ‘fragrant’ in Hindi.
The aging process is different than other rice aging processes, which sets it apart from most varieties of rice. Basmati Rice gains its unique nutty flavor and fragrance from the elongated aging process. Typically Basmati Rice ages for 9 months. However, premium brands of Basmati Rice can age up to 18 months.
You can store this dish in airtight containers in the fridge for 4 to 6 days. You can also store your cooked rice in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Looking for More Rice Recipes? Be Sure to Try:
- Mushroom Rice Pilaf
- Triple Pork Fried Rice
- Roasted Cauliflower Rice
- Black Rice Recipe (Forbidden Rice)
- Chipotle Rice (Copycat Recipe)
- Indian Curry Rice
- Mediterranean Wild Rice Recipe
- 4-Ingredient Spanish Rice
- Caribbean Confetti Rice
Basmati Rice Cooking Directions
Video
Instructions
- Place the rice in a large sieve, with a fine-grade mesh. Set the sieve over a bowl in the sink. Rinse the rice with cold water, dunking the sieve down into the water, and shaking gently. Then dump out the starchy water and repeat with clean water. Wash and rinse the rice FIVE times to remove all excess starch. The water should be pretty clear on the last wash. Try not to handle the rice too much, as it might break the long grains into pieces.
- Dump the rice into the bowl. Add luke warm water and 2-4 tablespoons salt. Add 2 tablespoons at first. Then taste the water. It should taste like sea water. If it doesn’t add more salt.
- Let the rice soak in the saltwater for 2 hours.
- Carefully drain the rice, pouring the rice and water back through the sieve.
- Place in a medium saucepot over high heat. Add the rice and 3 ½ cups fresh water to the pot.
- Cover and bring to a boil. Then lower the heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes. When the rice is done, there will be vent holes in the top of the rice, and all the liquid will have absorbed.
- Remove from heat, and rest covered for 5 more minutes.
- Gently fluff the rice with a fork and serve.
Thank you so much for this recipe. I’ve tried for years to make my basmati rice like my favorite Indian restaurants and have always failed until I tried your method. Although I have always added salt to my rice cooker, I never thought to soak my rice in salted water (esp. for 2 hours) first. I began 1-1/2 cups of uncooked basmati rice (Khazana brand, which I highly recommend), and I soaked it in lukewarm water in 1-1/2 TBS of Morton’s coarse kosher salt (which is what I always cook with). At the end of 2 hours, I drained the rice, but didn’t rinse it, and then cooked it in my rice cooker as I normally do, but I omitted adding salt. I found the rice separated beautifully, but it lacked flavor. I think the next time, I will still add salt to the rice cooker. If you have any further suggestions for me, I would be happy to hear them! Thank you again!
Are the nutritional facts for cooked or uncooked rice? .75c
Hi Rochelle,
The nutritional facts are always calculated on the final product, so cooked rice. Hope this helps!
Thanks for the recipe. Tried today . Came out well except the cooked rice was salty even after taking care not to add to much salt when soaked in salt solution (step no. 3).
Question:
After step no. 4 the rice is still covered with a coating of salt water which makes the cooked rice a bit salty, which is not good. I request your feedback on this.
Best wishes,
Jay
Singapore
Hi Jayakumar,
You can certainly rinse the rice at this point, but that is not how it is usually done in India. Did you add in the salted water for cooking or did you place it in fresh water as directed?
This looks like a great way to switch up my rice game. Can’t wait to try it!
Excellent recipe, thank you.
Question: can you freeze the cooked rice and how?
You can add star anise, or some cumin while cooking, to make the rice more fragrant. A dash or lime juice will make sure the grains dont stick to each other. I prefer to add a spoonful of ghee (clarified butter) while cooking basmati. Try it, you will love it.
Love these fool proof instructions since so many times I over cook the rice and it becomes so mushy. Thank you!!
This turned out perfect tonight! Can’t wait to try it again!
I have a friend that loves to use basmati rice but often complains the texture isn’t what she wants. I need to share this with her.
LOVE how this rice turns out just right every time! So tasty too!
This looks like a great way to switch up my rice game. Can’t wait to try it!