How To Cook Fluffy Basmati Rice On The Stove
Hey there, friend! Wondering how to cook perfect basmati rice on the stove? You’re in the right place. I’m here to show you just how simple it is to make fluffy, delicious rice—no rice cooker, no sticking, and no draining required. So, let’s get started! Keep reading, and don’t forget to pin this for later.
SAVE THIS RECIPE 💌
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
I love basmati rice because it’s delicious and so easy to cook! Unlike other varieties, it never lets me down. With my recipe, it turns out light, fluffy, and perfect every single time. It’s also a clear favorite with my kids!
Basmati rice makes the perfect side dish for so many meals—think curries, stews, baked or grilled chicken, and so much more. And the best part? Leftovers can be transformed into a flavorful chicken fried rice that everyone will love.
📝 Recipe Ingredients
Basmati rice, salt, and water – are all you will need.
🍚 How To Wash Basmati Rice?
The rice needs to be washed! First of all, depending on its origin, it can be quite dirty—you’ll notice how murky the water gets when you rinse it. Secondly, washing the rice removes surface starch, which helps minimize sticking and ensures the rice turns out light, fluffy, and airy. Some people even claim that unwashed rice can have an unpleasant smell.
Method 1: Using a Mesh Colander: Place the basmati rice in a fine mesh colander and hold it under cold running water. Gently stir the rice with your fingers as the water runs through to remove excess starch. Keep rinsing until the water runs clear. This method is quick, mess-free, and perfect for small batches of rice.
Method 2: Rinsing in a Bowl: Add the basmati rice to a large bowl and fill it with cold water. Use your hand to gently swirl the rice around, releasing the starch into the water. Drain the cloudy water and repeat the process 5-6 times, or until the water becomes clear. This method is ideal if you’re washing a larger amount of rice.
How To Cook Basmati Rice On The Stove
Step 1: In a medium-sized saucepan, combine water and rice.
Step 2: Bring the rice to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low so it continues to simmer gently. Keep an eye on it.
Step 3: Once the water level matches that of the rice, IMMEDIATELY reduce the heat to the lowest setting and cover with a tight-fitting lid.
Step 4: Set a timer for 10 minutes and let the rice simmer undisturbed.
Step 5: Once 10 minutes are over, turn off the heat and remove the pan from the burner. DO NOT lift the lid. Let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes.
After resting, gently fluff the rice with a fork to separate the grains, then serve.
Recipe Variations:
- Cook with Coconut Milk: For an extra boost of flavor, try cooking your rice in coconut milk! It adds a creamy, rich taste that’s perfect for pairing with dishes like my Balinese Chicken. I’ve found that using 1 cup of rice, 1 cup of water, and 1 cup of coconut milk creates the perfect balance for light, flavorful coconut rice.
- Cook with Chicken Stock: My personal favorite way to cook rice is in broth. Whether it’s chicken, lamb, beef, or vegetable stock, the rice absorbs all the rich flavors, making it incredibly delicious. Use 2 cups of broth for every 1 cup of rice. Not only does this method make the rice taste amazing, but it’s also packed with nutrients from the broth. Delicious, nourishing, and satisfying—this is my kind of dish!
Recipes FAQs
I hear this question all the time. Is rice gluten-free? The answer to this question is simple, all-natural forms of rice, whether it’s white, brown, or wild rice, are gluten-free. Rice is a great option for people who are sensitive or allergic to gluten. If you have coeliac disease or an autoimmune disease triggered by gluten you are absolutely safe to eat rice. You can learn more by visiting Beyond Celiac website
The ratio for perfect fluffy basmati rice is 1 to 2. One cup of rice – two cups of cold water. One cup is usually enough for our family of four.
No, once you rinse the rice thoroughly, you can go ahead and cook it.
Rinse the rice until water runs clear and make sure to use the right rice-water ratio.
Method 1: Using a Mesh Colander: Place the basmati rice in a fine mesh colander and hold it under cold running water. Gently stir the rice with your fingers as the water runs through to remove excess starch. Keep rinsing until the water runs clear. This method is quick, mess-free, and perfect for small batches of rice.
Method 2: Rinsing in a Bowl: Add the basmati rice to a large bowl and fill it with cold water. Use your hand to gently swirl the rice around, releasing the starch into the water. Drain the cloudy water and repeat the process 5-6 times, or until the water becomes clear. This method is ideal if you’re washing a larger amount of rice.
🍴 What To Serve With Basmati Rice:
- Pan-Fried Chicken Drumsticks (simple recipe)
- Easy garlic lemon chicken dinner
- Baingan Bharta – Indian Roasted Eggplant
How To Cook Fluffy Basmati Rice On The Stove
SAVE THIS RECIPE 💌
We’ll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Ingredients
- 1 cup basmati rice thoroughly washed
- 2 cups water
- ⅓ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Wash the rice in a mesh colander under running water for a minute or two. Transfer the rice into a medium-sized saucepan.1 cup basmati rice
- Add water and a pinch of salt if using. For 1 cup of rice, you will need 2 cups of water2 cups water, ⅓ teaspoon salt
- Bring water to the boil and lower the heat to medium-low so that water continues to bubble gently. Watch the rice closely.
- Once the water has leveled with rice, IMMEDIATELY lower the heat to a minimum, cover the saucepan with a tight lid and let the rice simmer for 10 minutes.
- Once 10 minutes are over DO NOT OPEN THE RICE. Take the saucepan from the heat and let it rest for 5-10 minutes. Time to enjoy the perfect basmati rice!
Notes
- Wash the Rice Always wash basmati rice thoroughly before cooking to remove dirt and excess starch. This ensures light, fluffy rice with separate grains.
- Rice-to-Water Ratio Stick to the correct ratio of water to rice for the best results (e.g., 1 cup of rice to 2 cups of water for plain rice). Adjust ratios for variations like coconut milk or broth.
- Do Not Skip Resting After cooking, let the rice rest with the lid on for 5–10 minutes. This step is essential for fully absorbing any remaining steam and achieving perfect texture.
- Fluff Gently Use a fork to fluff the rice after it has rested. Avoid stirring too vigorously, as this can break the grains and make the rice mushy.
- Avoid Peeking Do not lift the lid during cooking or resting. Trapped steam is crucial for even cooking and perfect results.
- Adjust Seasonings If cooking rice with broth or coconut milk, taste and adjust salt as needed before cooking since these ingredients may already contain salt.
This is very helpful, thanks!