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Perfect Basmati rice made in a rice cooker! Make basmati rice in the Indian and Pakistani style without the soaking, monitoring, or temperature adjustments. This recipe shares the perfect ratios for fluffy, moist, separated basmati rice kernels that’ll get compliments every time!
I’m a little hesitant to share this ‘non-recipe’, but in my defense, this is less a recipe and more a call for everyone reading this to invest in a rice cooker.
Here’s the thing – We can all make wonderful basmati rice without a rice cooker, but the idea is to do so consistently with no thought or effort on our part.
Considering how frequently South Asians consume basmati rice, I think rice cookers are a necessity. And I’ll show you how to use them to make the perfect basmati rice, every time.
The 3 mistakes that result in ‘okay’ rice:
- Not adding enough water. Aged, long grain basmati rice needs more liquid than other types of basmati rice. You want it to be firm, each kernel separate, but soft enough to break easily between your fingers.
- Not adding salt. Not adding salt to rice is the equivalent of not adding salt while boiling pasta.
- Not adding fat. Adding just a tad bit of oil (any kind) or butter will enhance the rice and give it a moist finish, making it the perfect canvas for curries.
Ingredients for Basmati Rice in a Rice Cooker
Here’s what you’ll need.
- Basmati rice, preferably aged and long grain.
- Water.
- Oil. Optional, but lovely. You can use olive oil or a more neutral-tasting oil, but you can hardly tell the difference.
- Salt.
What Is The Basmati Rice To Water Ratio In A Rice Cooker?
This depends on the type of rice you have, particularly if it’s aged or newly harvested. If you use aged, long grain basmati rice made in India or Pakistan, you’ll need 2 cups of water per 1 cup of rice. If you’re using American-made or ‘newer’ basmati rice, try reducing the amount of water to 1 3/4 cups.
Do you have to rinse basmati rice when making it in a rice cooker?
The short answer is no, but it is a good idea in most cases. For example, aged, basmati rice is sometimes excessively starchy. If you’re making multiple cups of rice, that starch can really add up.
That said, I’ve made 1 cup of rice plenty of times without rinsing and you can hardly tell the difference.
How To Cook Brown Basmati Rice In A Rice Cooker?
If you’re using Indian or Pakistani grown brown basmati rice, increase the water ratio to 1 cup rice to 2 1/2 cups water.
If you’re using new, American-grown brown basmati rice, stick to 1 cup rice to 2 cups water.
How To Make Flavored Rice In A Rice Cooker
You can easily use this ratio and ingredients for variation:
- Add a handful of frozen peas and cumin seeds to make a matar pulao.
- Use this chana pulao (chickpea pilaf) or chicken pulao recipe to make the base in a sautƩ pan and transfer to the rice cooker.
- Use leftover curry or meat and enhance it with spices to make a fresh new pilaf with minimal effort.
What brand rice cooker is best for basmati rice?
I love the Zojirushi brand. I have the Neuro-fuzzy and was recently sent the Micom NS-WTC10 (thanks, Zojirushi!). I found the Neuro-fuzzy to work a bit better than the Micom.
Tips for making basmati rice in the rice cooker
- The rice at the bottom of the rice cooker naturally tends to be stickier, while the rice on the top is more dry. To prevent this, fluff with a rice paddle or spatula after cooking. If you cook a large quantity of rice and leave it in the rice cooker too long, it’ll stick together and form clumps.
- The cooking time will increase depending on the quantity of rice.
- To keep the rice from losing moisture or drying out, keep it covered after cooking.
- Use a quality brand of basmati rice. I suggest purchasing it at Indian or Pakistani grocery stores as it’s generally aged and more affordable there. I use Royal Chef’s Secret Extra Long Grain.
How to Store & Reheat Basmati Rice
To store basmati rice, place in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
To reheat, sprinkle a bit of water on top of the rice and microwave until heated through.
Perfect Basmati Rice in the Rice Cooker
Ingredients
- 1 cup aged, long grain basmati rice (185 g) brown or white
- 2 cups water* (see note below)
- 1 tbsp oil any kind
- 3/4-1 tsp salt or to taste
Instructions
- Optional – Wash the rice to remove excess starch and use a colander to drain well.
- Add the rice, water, oil, and salt to the rice cooker and stir to combine.
- Choose Normal (Regular/Sushi) Rice setting. For Brown rice, select Brown Rice Setting.
- Once finished cooking, fluff with a rice spatula/paddle and remove promptly to prevent the rice from getting mushy toward the bottom of the cooker.
This worked out really well in Cuckoo rice cooker. Thanks for the recipe and advice!
Wonderful! Thanks for sharing, Greg!
I haven’t had great experiences making rice on a stove top – it was always either too mushy or burned at the bottom or not cooked through. After getting a rice cooker I realized the type of rice I use also makes a big difference. This recipe turned out great using basmati rice. Will definitely be making again especially during Ramadan.
Thanks so much, Sofia! I’m happy you tried it. Rice cookers are definitely the easiest way to make rice!
The recipe was great ! If want to start with 3 cups of aged rice how much water do I use ? The same ratio 6 cups or less for more rice ?
Thanks, Richard! Yes, same ratio, but be sure to remove promptly on to a platter because the larger quantity has a tendency to bunch together if left too long.
I have a microwave rice cooker – don’t use rice often so expect the designs you mentioned would not be a good investment.
Am changing to basmati rice so would appreciate any info you can share.
Hi Anne, I’m not sure about how microwave rice cookers work but I would try starting with the same ratio as suggested for regular rice cookers. Let me know if you try!
Thank you! I made American white basmati rice in my cheap old Panasonic rice cooker and it turned out perfectly! So delicious. I am excited to try brown basmati next.
Delighted! Thank you for sharing, Kate!
The best recipe Iāve found for my basmati rice and thank you for sharing!!
Yay! Thank you, Jessica!
Excellent in my Korean Cuckoo brand rice cooker!
Wonderful. Thanks for letting me know and for sharing your review!
If you are using the Zojirushi, then are you filling past even the 4 cup jasmine line for 4 cups rice?
Hi Michael! That’s a good question. I try not to cook 4 cups of basmati rice in it. I have filled it past and it sputters from the top and really packs the rice which isn’t ideal.
Hey! I bought long grain indian rice and the instruction calls for soaking the rice for 45min, Is it necessary also for the rice cooker?
thanks!
Hi Aleksandra. No, you don’t have to soak. The instructions on the package assume stovetop cooking. One of the many benefits of the rice cooker!
Awesome! Seems really fortuitous that you use a Neuro-Fuzzy, I just bought one the other day. Good to know I can add more than just water and rice to it. The quick start recommends 1 1/4 water per cup for long grain, but I’ll have to try with a bit more water next time and compare.
You will love it! I think that ratio would work for some types of long-grain rice such as Jasmine. Yes, basmati (especially aged) needs more water for best results.
thank you for sharing your tried-and-true rice cooker method š I LOVE rice but only use my rice cooker š its often hard to find the right proportions when I try different kinds of rice types š
It’s the best way to make rice for sure! Thank you, Carolina!
Thanks for sharing this! Do you have any advise on the rice cooker brand we should choose?
I recommend Zojirushi! I have been using the Neuro-fuzzy for many years and love it but I’m sure others are just as good!
Greetings to you! Hope you and your family are well and happy.
I was told I can find real brown Basmati rice at Trader Joe’s.
I have found that if you soak real Basmati brown rice overnight, it cooks the same time as the real white Basmati rice.
I do not eat white rice nor white potatoes because it is just too starchy for me.
I use red potatoes, sweet potatoes, the darker the better.. I always cut them and rinse the starch out and then dry when needed.
Have you tried using the rice cooker on the instant pot? I need to check that out. cause I have not.
Thank you and take care…
Hi Laura! Thanks for your well wishes! I’ll have to look for that rice at TJ’s. What a great tip on the brown basmati. I have tried using the rice setting but so far haven’t worked on perfecting it just for rice. The rice cooker just makes it hard to try anything else š