How to get a perfect Steamed Rice?

Steamed rice is considered to be a very simple recipe, still the quality and texture of steamed rice can vary greatly depending on your cooking method and type of rice. Ideally, in steamed rice, we want each grain to be separate, soft and cooked perfectly. Rice grains should be fluffed, soft and not stick to each other.

I have seen recipes online that use Instant pot, pressure cooker and stove top methods. I personally do not use the pressure cooker method and have always used stove. Now, since I got the IP, I have started using IP as well. Most Instan Pots have a rice mode also, but over here I show how o do it without using that mode. i like to have more control on the settings. I like the convenience of being able to put the timer and walking away.

In terms of rice variety, I use brown and white long grain basmati rice only. There are several brand of basmati rice available in the market. I personally like India Gate classic, which come in a golden and maroon packing. Be cautious as Indian gate rice is also available in jute packing, but that is a different variety, which is a little lower grade of basmati.

This recipe can also be a part of our Indian Culinary Experience, when you join it.

Ingredients:

• Basmati Rice – 1 cup or 215 gms (soaked for 30 minutes) 
• Water – Quantity varies based on the cooking method and type of rice. See below in method.
• Salt – 1/2 tsp
• Ghee – 1 tbsp

Method

1. First wash the rice with at least 4 or 5 extracts of water. This step is important to remove all the husk, powder and other impurities from dry rice. Don’t rub the rice hard while washing, use a soft hand to rub the rice. Otherwise grains will break.
   
2. Let it soak for 20 to 30 minutes in cold water. Always use cold water to wash and soak the rice as hot water will crack the rice.
3. Drain the soak water out.

For cooking Basmati Rice using an Instant Pot

1. Transfer the rice into Instant Pot bowl.
2. For white basmati rice, using the same measurement which you used to take the rice add 1.25 times water compared to rice volume. Using the same measurement is very important, don’t switch cups.  
3. Add salt and ghee and put the lid back on, locked for high pressure cooking. 
4. Set IP for 6 minutes pressure cook at high pressure. Pressure valve should be at sealing position.
5. Once 6 minutes are over, let it naturally release the pressure. It takes about 24 minutes to naturally release the pressure. 
6. When pressure pin goes down, open the lid, fluff it with a light hand using a spatula and transfer it to a serving bowl.
   

For cooking Basmati Rice on a Stove Top

1. Put white basmati rice with water in 1:2 ratio in a pot.
2. Add salt and cook on medium low heat for 15 to 20 minutes or until 3/4 water is absorbed by the rice.
3. At this point, add ghee and switch off the heat.
4. Cover it and let it sit for few minutes. The steam will continue cooking the rice further.
5. After 10 to 15 minutes, fluff rice with a light hand using spatula and transfer to serving bowl.

5 from 1 vote

Perfect Steamed Rice

Steamed rice is considered to be a very simple recipe, still the quality of steamed rice can vary greatly depending on your cooking method and type of rice. Ideally, in steamed rice, we want each grain to be seprate, soft and cooked perfectly. Rice grains should be fluffed, soft and not stick to each other. I have seen recips online that use Instant pot, pressure cooker and stove top methods. I personally do not use the pressure cooker method and have always used stove. Now, i have started using IP as well, since I got it. I like the conveneince of being able to put the timer and walking away. 

In terms of rice variety, I use brown and white long grain basmati rice only. There are several brand of basmati rice avaiable in the market. I personally like India Glate classic, which come in a golden and mahroon packing. Be cautious and Indian gate rice is also available in jute packing, but that is a different vaiety, which is a little lower grade of basmati.

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Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time30 mins

Soak time30 mins

Total Time35 mins

Course: Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine: American, Indian

Keyword: Basmati Rice, Instant Pot, Steamed Rice

Servings: 4

Calories: 229kcal

Author: Rupali Agarwal

Ingredients

• 215 gm Basmati Rice 1 cup – soaked for 30 minutes
• Water Quantity varies based on the cooking method and type of rice. See below in method.
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 1 tbsp Ghee

Instructions

• First wash the rice with atelast 4 or 5 extracts of water. This step is important to remove all the husk, powder and other impurities from dry rice. Don’t rub the rice hard while washing, use a soft hand to rub the rice. Otherwise grains will break.
• Let it soak for 20 to 30 minutes in cold water. Always use cold water to wash and soak the rice as hot water will crack the rice.
• Drain the soak water out.

For cooking Basmati Rice using Instant Pot

• Transfer the rice into Instant Pot bowl.
• For white baskati rice, using the same measurment which you used to take the rice add 1.25 times water compared to rice volume.
• Using the same measurment is very important, don’t switch cups.
• Add salt and ghee and put the lid back on, locked for high pressure cooking.
• Set IP for 6 minutes pressure cook at high pressure.
• Once 6 minutes are over, let it naturally release the pressure.
• Open the lid, fluff it with a light hand using a spatula and transfer it to a serving bowl.

For cooking Basmati Rice on Stove Top

• Put rice with water in 1:2 ratio in a pot.
• Add salt and cook on medium low heat for 15 to 20 minutes or untll 3/4 water is absorbed by the rice.
• At this point, add ghee and switch off the heat.
• Cover it and let it sit for few minutes. The steam will continue cooking the rice further.
• After 10 to 15 minutes, fluffthe rice with a light hand using spatula and transfer to serving bowl.

Nutrition Facts

Perfect Steamed Rice

Amount Per Serving

Calories 229 Calories from Fat 36

% Daily Value*

Fat 4g6%

Saturated Fat 2g13%

Cholesterol 9mg3%

Sodium 293mg13%

Potassium 61mg2%

Carbohydrates 42g14%

Protein 3g6%

Calcium 15mg2%

Iron 0.4mg2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Hope these tips help you get your steamed rice even more perfect.

Wondering, what to cook this rice with? I used it as part of the casual family meal ideas.

You may also cook this rice with the following recipes:

Palak Dal – Spinach Lentil Soup

Punjabi Chole Recipe – No Onion No Garlic

Panchmel Dal – Five Lentil Soup

Matar Paneer – Light Everyday Recipe

Aloo Shimla Mirch – Bell Pepper Potatoes Stir-Fry

Stuffed Chickpea Flour Dumplings in Rich Tomato Nut Gravy – Shahi Gatte