How To Cook Fluffy Basmati Rice On The Stove

A bowl of perfect basmati rice sits fluffy and inviting in a green bowl, accompanied by a pair of wooden chopsticks against a light-colored background.

5 from 1 vote

How To Cook Fluffy Basmati Rice On The Stove

Find out how to cook basmati rice on the stove. No draining, no sticking, or burning. Just fluffy, airy basmati rice every time. Perfect side dish for any family dinner.

Prep Time5

Cook Time10

Resting time10

Total Time25

Course: dinner

Cuisine: asian

Diet: Gluten Free

Keyword: basmati rice, how to cook rice

Servings: serves

Calories: 169kcal

Author: Elena Elliott

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 water
2 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.

Nutrition