Need fluffy basmati rice in the Instant Pot fast? My kitchen-tested water ratio, perfected over hundreds of family dinners, ensures you get firm, fluffy, or soft grains every time. You'll also find quick ratios, troubleshooting tips, and a link to my basmati rice water calculator so you can get it right on the first try.
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Key Takeaways (Read This First!)
- Instant Pots require less water than stovetop cookers. Start 1:1 (soaked) to 1:1¼ (unsoaked) for fluffy, separate grains. Go up to 1:1½ for soft, kid-friendly rice.
- Soaking helps, but isn't required. A short 15-60 minute soak gives longer grains and reduces stickiness. Skip it when you're in a rush and increase the water slightly.
- Cook 4 minutes on High Pressure + Natural Release. Let the pot sit for at least 5 minutes (up to 10 minutes) before venting. That short rest finishes steaming and evens the texture.
- Remove the inner pot after release. This stops carryover cooking and prevents a soggy bottom layer, especially in small batches.
- Cooking a dal at the same time? Use the Pot‑in‑Pot method (instructions below).
- Not sure which ratio to use? Jump to my Basmati Rice Water Ratio Calculator and enter the number of cups, soak time, and desired texture.
What Makes My Instant Pot Basmati Rice Different
I cook basmati rice almost every day for our family meals. I test ratios with aged versus new basmati, soaked versus unsoaked, and different texture goals, because we do not eat rice the same way with dal, curry, and stir-fried veggies.
This post provides quick visual tables and step-by-step photos for easy reference. You can also check my interactive rice water ratio calculator to customize further. You can enter the amount of rice you have and receive custom water and cooking instructions that work in real life.
Happy Cooking!
-Sravanthi
Quick Texture Selector
Choose your rice age and soak preference, then follow the column for the desired texture. Cook for 4 minutes on High Pressure, then let it naturally release for 5-10 minutes for every row. You can scale these ratios for up to 5 cups of dry rice in a 6-quart pot without changing the cook time.
| Rice Age | Soaked? | Soft (Rice : Water) | Medium (Rice : Water) | Firm (Rice : Water) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aged | No | 1 : 1.75 | 1:1.5 | 1:1.25 |
| Aged | Yes (≥ 15min) | 1:1.5 | 1:1.25 | 1:1 |
| New | No | 1:1.5 | 1:1.25 | 1:1 |
| New | Yes (≥ 15min) | 1:1.25 | 1:1 | 1:0.75 |
Tip: Start with the medium ratio the first time you cook a new brand. Adjust up or down by 2-3 tablespoons of water per cup, if needed.
Water-to-Rice Ratio Calculator for Instant Pot
Recommended Water: - cups
Before You Cook: Rinse? Soak? Both?
Rinse: Always rinse basmati rice in cool water until the water runs mostly clear. This washes away dust and extra surface starch that can make rice gummy.
Soak (15-60 min): Soaking hydrates the slender basmati grains, helps them cook evenly, and can reduce broken grains. Drain well before cooking. When you soak, you can use the tighter 1:1 ratio.
No‑Soak Works: In a hurry? Measure, rinse, and cook. Use the 1:1¼ ratio, and you are good.
Detailed Steps
Step 1: Rinse the rice until the water runs mostly clear; drain well. Add rice, water, salt, and oil to the Instant Pot inner pot; swirl to coat.
Step 2: Pressure Cook: High 4 minutes (5 minutes for soft or PIP).
Step 3: Natural Release 5-10 minutes; quick release remaining steam.
Step 4: Lift the inner pot, rest for 5 minutes, then fluff gently and serve.
Troubleshooting Guide
When something feels off, use this quick table to diagnose and fix it on the spot, then adjust the next batch.
| Problem | Quick Fix |
|---|---|
| Rice is too soft/mushy | Reduce water by 2–4 Tbsp per cup next time. Shorten the cook time by 1 minute or vent sooner. Remove the inner pot immediately after release. |
| Rice underdone / crunchy | Sprinkle 2–4 tablespoons of hot water over the rice, cover, and steam on Keep Warm for 5 minutes, or microwave covered with a splash of water. Next time, add a little more water (especially with aged rice) or increase NPR time. |
| Sticky bottom layer | Lift the inner pot out right after NPR. Add 1 tsp of oil before cooking. Loosen gently with a silicone spatula. |
| Grains broken | Soak for shorter periods (≤60m) or skip the soak. Fluff gently; avoid forks. |
Serving Tips (Pair It Like We Eat At Home)
We eat firmer basmati with dal or rasam‑style lentils so the grains stay separate. We cook softer basmati when we plan to mix in sautéed veggies for quick rice bowls. Plain fluffy basmati is perfect under rich Indian curries, and I've added some of them below for your inspiration. Add fresh salad or raita to round out the meal.
Once you dial in your ratio, Instant Pot basmati becomes a weeknight no‑brainer. Bookmark this guide, try a test batch, and leave a comment with the rice brand you used so I can help you fine‑tune the water.
Recipe
Instant Pot Basmati Rice (Fluffy, Reliable, Customizable)
Rate this recipe by clicking the stars!
Equipment
- Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 1 cup basmati rice
- 1 cup water See water guide section.
- 1 teaspoon oil
- ¼ teaspoon salt optional
Instructions
- Measure & Rinse: Measure rice. Rinse in a bowl or fine strainer under cool water until the water is mostly clear. Drain well so the rinse water does not change the ratio.
- (Optional) Soak: Cover the rinsed rice with fresh water. Soak 15-60 minutes for longer grains and less stickiness. Drain completely.
- Add to Instant Pot: Add drained rice to the inner pot. Add measured water, salt (if using), and oil or ghee (if desired). Swirl gently so all grains are wet.
- Pressure Cook: Close the lid. Set High Pressure for 4 minutes for firmer or everyday fluffy textures. Use 5-6 minutes if you want soft rice or if cooking in a Pot-in-Pot.
- Natural Pressure Release (NPR): When the cooking cycle ends, let the pressure drop naturally for at least 5 minutes. For softer, more evenly cooked rice, let it sit for 10 minutes before venting the remaining steam.
- Remove Inner Pot & Rest: Open the lid. Lift the inner pot out of the cooker and place it on a trivet. This stops carryover cooking and keeps the bottom layer from getting soggy.
- Fluff & Serve: Let the rice rest for 2-3 minutes, then gently fluff it with a rice paddle or silicone spatula. Avoid rough stirring; long grains break easily while hot. Serve right away.
Notes
Water Guide (choose one)
- Soaked (≥15m) Firmer: 1 cup water
- Soaked Softer: 1¼ cups water
- Unsoaked Firmer: 1¼ cups water
-
Unsoaked Soft: 1½ cups water
(Scale water directly with rice.)
Pot‑in‑Pot (PIP) Method (Rice Above a Curry)
Cook your dal or curry in the liner and rice in a separate bowl at the same time. Setup: Place a trivet. In a heat‑safe bowl, combine rinsed rice + water (1:1 if soaked, 1:1¼ if unsoaked; 1:1½ for soft). Cook: High Pressure 5–6 minutes or adjust according to the dal cooking time. Allow 5–10 minutes Natural Release. Lift bowl carefully; fluff. Why Extra Time? Steam must travel through the liner, water, trivet, and bowl, so rice needs a minute or two more than direct cooking.Tested Tips from My Kitchen
- Meal prep tip: Cool rice on a wide tray before boxing so grains stay separate.
- Add a whole clove or small bay leaf for a gentle aroma.
- Refrigerate in airtight containers for 4-6 days. Store flat portions in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- To reheat, sprinkle about ½ tablespoon of water per cup of rice, cover, and microwave until steaming, or steam in a covered bowl over simmering water.
- Max capacity guidance: I find the sweet spot to be ~5 cups of dry basmati in a 6-quart pot and 6½ cups in an 8-quart pot. Larger amounts compress and can steam unevenly.
- Minimum batch caution: Tiny batches (<½ cup) may scorch. Add 1 teaspoon oil and scrape gently after cooking.
Ed says
Perfect!! Thank you!
Sravanthi says
My pleasure. Thank you for letting me know.
Ranjit Brar says
I haven’t tried any of the recipes yet. Just wanted to know how much coconut milk or cream to use to make coconut rice in the Insta pot
Thank you
Sravanthi says
Hi Ranjit, I usually replace water with thin coconut milk. So 1 cup of rice needs 1 cup of coconut milk (if you are soaking rice) else 1.25 cups of coconut milk. If using cream, add water to 1 or 2 tbsp of cream and use that to cook the rice.