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Home » Easy Rice Dishes For Dinner

Basmati Rice On The Stovetop

Nov 23, 2022 · Modified: Nov 25, 2023 by Emily · Leave a Comment

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Easy to make basmati rice on the stovetop.

Ready in about 30 minutes, this basmati rice recipe makes fluffy and fragrant basmati rice. Use this basmati rice recipe as a base for curries, grilled meats, or other rice dishes, like fried rice.

Cooked basmati rice in a bowl on a marble board.
Jump to:
  • What is basmati rice?
  • Do you need to rinse the rice?
  • How to rinse rice
  • Why You'll Love This Recipe
  • Cost To Make
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Storage
  • FAQ
  • More Mains Recipes
  • Recipe
  • Comments

Making basmati rice on the stovetop doesn't have to be complicated.

Basmati rice is a soft and fluffy rice when cooked correctly.

The grains of this type of rice don't stick together like some other rice types (e.g. sushi rice).

Basmati rice is great to have as a side dish for many different dishes like curries, or even as part of a main meal when you use it in fried rice.

What is basmati rice?

Basmati rice is a type of long grain rice.

Traditionally, basmati rice is produced in India and Pakistan.

When cooked correctly, the grains of basmati rice separate, and the rice is soft, fluffy, and has a light fragrant aroma.

Basmati rice in two wooden bowls and on a wooden spoon.

There are many different ways you could cook basmati rice.

You could cook basmati rice on the stovetop, in the microwave, in a rice cooker, and even in a pressure cooker.

Do you need to rinse the rice?

In certain recipes, you do not need to rinse your rice before. In this recipe for jasmine rice on the stovetop, it is recommended to rinse the rice before use.

The reason rice is rinsed before cooking is to remove some of the starch of the rice.

Generally, if you don't rinse your rice will be more starchy, clump together, and stickier.

Rinsing the rice also cleans the rice.

How to rinse rice

One of the easiest ways to rinse rice is by placing the rice in a strainer.

Run cold or room temperature water over the uncooked rice and gently shake the strainer.

Rinse the rice until the water runs clear. At the beginning of straining the rice, the water will look cloudy.

You do not want to rinse the rice in hot water.

A bowl of cooked basmati rice.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • It's a one pot rice recipe.
  • Ready in about 30 minutes!
  • Great to use for fried rice or other rice dishes.
  • Only 2 ingredients.

Cost To Make

Estimated cost = $1.20, or $0.30 a serve

Ingredients

Please note that below is a guide for some of the ingredients we used in the recipe. The printable recipe further down the page has the complete list of ingredients, including quantities and step-by-step instructions.

Ingredients for basmati rice on the stovetop.
  • Basmati rice
  • Water

Instructions

This recipe for basmati rice on the stovetop makes about 4 cups (720 grams, 25.39 ounces) of cooked rice.

Step One: Rinse the basmati rice in room temperature water until the water runs clear.

Place the rice in a strainer and run the rice under cold or room temperature water.

It could take about 3 to 4 rinses before the water runs clear. Completely drain off all water and place in a medium sized saucepan.

Step Two: Place water in saucepan. Make sure the rice sits flat along the bottom. Place saucepan over medium to high heat and bring to boil.

Once at a boil, stir the rice, and reduce heat to bring it to a simmer. Cover with a lid and cook for 25 minutes.

Cooked basmati rice in a saucepan.

Step Three: Once cooked, turn off heat and allow the rice to rest for 5 to 10 minutes, then fluff the rice.

Close up image of cooked basmati rice.

Serving Suggestions

Use basmati rice to make fried rice, or to accompany stir fries, curries, grilled fish, or with sautéed vegetables.

Storage

Store any leftover basmati rice in an air tight container for 1 to 2 days.

To reheat, place rice in a microwave safe container and reheat in the microwave.

If you find your rice has become slightly dry, you could add a splash of water before microwaving the rice.

Alternatively, you could use leftover basmati rice to make fried rice.

FAQ

Do I need to soak basmati rice before cooking it?

No, you do not need to soak basmati rice before cooking for this recipe.

Cooked basmati rice in a white bowl.

Made this recipe? Let us know how it went in the comments below! We'd love to hear how it turned out.

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Recipe

Cooked basmati rice in a shallow white bowl on a woven coaster.

How To Cook Basmati Rice On The Stovetop

Emily
Easy to make basmati rice on the stovetop. Ready in about 30 minutes, this basmati rice recipe makes fluffy basmati rice.
PRINT RECIPE PIN RECIPE
Prep Time 2 minutes mins
Cook Time 25 minutes mins
Rest Time 5 minutes mins
Total Time 32 minutes mins
ESTIMATED COST : $1.20, or $0.30 a serve
Course Main Course
Cuisine Western
Servings 4 serves (makes about 4 cups, 720 grams, 25.39 ounces of cooked rice)
Calories 146 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 ½ cups (300 grams, 15.58 ounces) basmati rice
  • 2 ¼ cups (560 grams, 19.75 ounces) water

Instructions
 

  • Rinse the basmati rice in room temperature water until the water runs clear. (see note 1). Completely drain off all water and place in a medium sized saucepan.
  • Place water in saucepan. Make sure the rice sits flat along the bottom. Place saucepan over medium to high heat and bring to boil.
    Once at a boil, stir the rice, and reduce heat to bring it to a simmer. Cover with a lid and cook for 25 minutes.
  • Once cooked, turn off heat and allow the rice to rest for 5 to 10 minutes, then fluff the rice.

Notes

  1. Place the rice in a strainer and run the rice under cold or room temperature water. It could take about 3 to 4 rinses before the water runs clear.

Nutrition

Serving: 180grams (6.35 ounces)Calories: 146kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 2gFat: 1gSodium: 45mgFiber: 2g
Nutrition Disclosure
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it went!

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Author image.

Hi, I'm Emily! There's much more to rice than just cooking it on the stove. It's so versatile and you can create so many beautiful dishes with it. From puddings and desserts to main meals and even finger foods. There is something for everyone!

More about me →

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