Basmati Rice Recipe

Rice is my go-to side dish with many of our main dish recipes. It is budget friendly and with these simple steps it comes out perfectly every time.

You can easily add your favorite spice to change the flavor and taste. It is easy to cook basmati rice in the saucepan on the stovetop. If you loved our Rice Bowl Recipes, Stick of Butter Rice, Jasmine Rice Recipe and Crock Pot Rice then you are going to love these rice recipe.

What is Basmati Rice?

Basmati Rice and white look very similar but are different. Basmati Rice is mainly grown and harvested in India and Pakistan. It has a nutty flavor and pair perfectly with Indian Food.

We have served it with Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala and Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe and everyone loved it.

Ingredients

• Uncooked Basmati Rice – We usually use the long grain rice

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and ingredients in the recipe card.

Variations Ideas

Feel free to change the flavor of the perfect basmati rice recipe. Here are some delicious additions or variations.

• Minced Garlic Cloves
• Cinnamon
• Onions

How to Make Basmati Rice

Step 1 – Rinse the rice in a fine mesh strainer with cold water until the water starts to run clear to remove any excess starch from the rice. 

Step 2 – Place the rinsed rice, water, butter and salt in a medium sized pan. 

Step 3 – Heat over high heat until mixture is boiling. Cover the pot with a tight fitting lid and reduce the heat down to medium low to simmer the mixture. Cook for 12-15 minutes until most of the water is absorbed into the rice. This is called the absorption method.

Step 4 – Remove the pan from the heat and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. Remove the lid, fluff the rice with a fork and then it’s ready to serve and enjoy! 

Expert Tips

• Doubling the Recipe – If you are making more batches of the rice make sure that you use a large pot so that rice doesn’t get gummy and you may have to increase the cooking time.  Watch closely and the rice is done once the water has been absorbed.
• Lid – When cooking the rice it is important to use a tight fitting lid. This helps to lock in the moisture to create the best rice.
• Boil Mixture – Before topping the large pot with a lid, bring the mixture to a boil. This helps to create the right temperature to make fluffy rice.
• Cooking Rice – It is important when cooking rice, that you do not lift the lid. Follow these steps as written as we have timed it just right for the best rice.
• Rest Rice – After cooking the rice, we recommend allow the rice to rest as it absorbs the water.

Serving Suggestions

Making rice is staple side dish recipe that we enjoy with many meals. It is the perfect side dish for Greek Chicken Kabobs, Grilled Chicken Drumsticks, Grilled Teriyaki Steak or Easy Crock Pot Pork Chops.

I even love to serve with Crockpot Beef Tips with a side of Air Fryer Broccoli for a complete meal idea.