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A plate of well-made basmati rice.
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4.80 from 5 votes

4 Ways to Cook Basmati Rice

A comparison of 4 different methods of cooking basmati rice on the stovetop.
Prep Time2 minutes
Cook Time12 minutes
Total Time14 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Indian
Keyword: basmati rice
Servings: 6
Calories: 136kcal
Author: Puja

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Basmati rice
  • 1 tbsp ghee (or oil)
  • 3 black peppercorns (optional)
  • 2 pods cardamom (optional)
  • 2 cloves (optional)

Instructions

Method 1: No-Soak Rice

  • Start by rinsing the rice until the water runs clear.
  • Add double the amount of water as rice to a pot. Add a dollop of ghee or oil and fragrant spices of your choice.
  • Heat the water over a medium-high flame with the lid off. When the water starts to boil, reduce the flame to low and add a lid. Simmer for 12 minutes.
  • Transfer the rice to a plate and fluff with a fork.

Method 2: Soaked rice

  • After rinsing the rice, add at least double the amount of water as rice to the pot. Leave it to sit for 30 minutes.
  • After 30 minutes, pour out the water and fill with double the amount of water as rice. Add a dollop of ghee or oil and fragrant spices of your choice.
  • Heat the water over a medium-high flame with the lid off. When the water starts to boil, reduce the flame to low and add a lid. Simmer for 12 minutes.
  • Transfer the rice to a plate and fluff with a fork.

Method 3: Sauteed Rice

  • Heat a pan over medium high heat. Add ghee. Add rinsed rice to the pan. Saute the rice until golden and fragrant.
  • Add double the amount of water as rice to a pot. Add a dollop of ghee or oil and fragrant spices of your choice.
  • Heat the water over a medium-high flame with the lid off. When the water starts to boil, reduce the flame to low and add a lid. Simmer for 12 minutes.
  • Transfer the rice to a plate and fluff with a fork.

Method 4: Boiled Rice

  • Heat oil or ghee in your pan. Add in the fragrant spices of your choice. Allow them to sizzle in the hot oil.
  • Add 4 times the amount of water as you will be making rice. Bring the water to a boil.
  • Add the rice and cook for 8 minutes.
  • Use a mesh strainer to drain the water from the rice. Fluff and serve.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 136kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 41mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.04g | Vitamin A: 0.4IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 0.3mg