How to Cook Basmati Rice

Content… What Do You Use It For? Recipe Ingredients How to Make It Recipe Variations Tips and Tricks Make-Ahead Instructions FAQs What Goes with Basmati Rice More Rice Recipes to Rave About Conclusion Watch How to Make It

What Do You Use Basmati Rice For?

Basmati rice is a long-grain rice variety that grows in India, Pakistan, and all around the Himalayas. Not surprisingly then, it’s a top pick for curry dishes. It has a nutty flavor and a gorgeous floral aroma, making it great for rice pilaf. In reality, basmati rice is a great side for just about any recipe. It also works well in soups, stews, and any other recipe where you want rice that soaks up plenty of flavors.😋

Recipe Ingredients 

1. Basmati Rice – This nutty rice comes in white and brown varieties. The closest substitute is Jasmine rice, another long-grain rice with a nutty flavor and strong aroma. Jasmine rice is quite a bit stickier, so keep that in mind when planning your meal.
2. Water absorbs into the rice as it cooks, leaving it fluffy and tender. How much you use will depend on how much rice you’re cooking, but you can use this recipe as a guide, multiplying or dividing the measurements as needed.
3. Salt – To enhance the exquisite flavor of this one-of-a-kind rice, we’ll add just a touch of salt.
4. Butter also gives basmati rice a richer flavor, but you can leave it out if you prefer. 

How to Make Basmati Rice

• Wash – Place the rice in a bowl and fill it with water. Wash and rinse it gently by hand. Repeat this 2 or 3 times until the water is not too cloudy.
• Drain the rice in a colander, then transfer it to a saucepan.
• Combine – Add butter, salt, and 1⅛ cup of water to the saucepan with the already rinsed rice.
• Heat – With the lid off, heat to medium-high and bring the rice to a boil.
• Simmer – Then, turn the heat to low and put the lid on the pan. Cook rice for 12-15 minutes or until the water has been absorbed by the rice.
• Rest – Next, take the pan off the heat and let it sit, covered, for 10 minutes.
• Serve – Finally, fluff the rice with a rubber spatula or rice paddle and serve warm.

Recipe Variations

Here are a few variations to try with your Basmati rice:

1. Pilaf: Make a Basmati rice pilaf! Saute the rice for a few minutes with diced onions and garlic. Then, cook it per recipe instructions, using chicken or vegetable broth instead of water.
2. Herbed Rice: Cook your basmati rice as usual, then add lemon juice and chopped herbs like parsley, thyme, and oregano. It goes awesomely with grilled chicken and fish.
3. Coconut Curry Rice: Cook your basmati with coconut milk and curry powder for a flavorful side dish. Or make it a one-pot meal by adding sautéed veggies and cooked chicken or beef.
4. Cheesy Mushroom Rice: Sauté sliced mushrooms in butter, then stir them and some grated Parmesan into the cooked rice for a satisfying side dish.
5. Rice Salad: Toss leftover cooked rice with diced cucumber, tomatoes, red onions, and feta cheese, then add a drizzle of lemon juice and olive oil for a refreshing and healthy salad.

Tips and Tricks

1. Here’s my number one tip for a good pot of stovetop rice: Don’t mess with it at all while it’s cooking. That means no peeking and definitely no stirring. Either can mess with the steaming process, resulting in unevenly cooked or undercooked rice. It can be hard to resist the temptation, but don’t do it! Leaving that pot alone is the only way to get perfectly cooked rice. 
2. Don’t skip the resting period. Those last 10 minutes of resting are crucial. In fact, it’s part of the cooking process. If you skip it, your rice will be overly wet and possibly undercooked or sticky. 😬
3. Don’t use a fork or metal spoon to fluff or serve basmati rice. It will break up the grains. Stick with wooden or rubber spoons instead. 
4. If you like your rice moister, add an extra ¼ cup of water.

Make-Ahead Instructions

I think you’ll find this rice tastes best straight off the stovetop, and it’s so easy you won’t mind making it fresh. That said, you can make it ahead of time if you need to. You can store portions in the fridge or freezer. It will keep refrigerated for 3-5 days or 3 months frozen in an airtight container.

To reheat it, add a tablespoon of water per cup of rice and reheat it in the microwave or stovetop. If you use the stovetop, keep the burner on the lowest heat setting while it warms back up. You can follow these instructions to heat up leftover rice too!

FAQs

What Goes With Basmati Rice

This rice is the favorite pick for curries, with good reason. It soaks up so much of the curry flavor and really rounds out the dish. Therefore, I’d make this rice as a side to complement chickpea curry or a saucy dish like chicken roti. 

It also works great in soups and stews if you want to make them a little more hearty. Try cooked basmati rice in slow cooker oxtail soup or African yam soup. Yum!

More Rice Recipes to Rave About

1. Jasmine Rice
2. Mushroom Rice
3. Coconut Rice
4. Chicken Fried Rice
5. Pineapple Fried Rice 

Conclusion

Enjoy perfectly cooked basmati rice for a pantry staple side to whatever you please! Got some fantastic stovetop rice tips for basmati or another variety of rice? Drop your best advice in the comment section below! 🙏

Watch How to Make It

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