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White basmati rice on a fork and a glass bowl of rice is underneath the fork
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5 from 23 votes

How to Cook Basmati Rice

You have come to the right place to learn how to cook basmati rice. Perfect fluffy plain rice is so simple to make when you know the correct rice to water ratio.
We give you the water to rice ratio in UK grams and mls as well as the US measurements in cups.
Tell you how much basmati rice per person to use and the cooking time needed for this rice absorption method.
It is so easy when you know-how, you will never fail again!
We also tell you how to flavour rice with spices and how to store cooked rice.
Prep Time2 mins
Active Time15 mins
Rest time5 mins
Total Time22 mins
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Asian, Chinese, Indian, Thai
Keyword: fluffy rice, Plain Basmati Rice, rice absorption method, rice to water ratio, Side Dish, UK rice, water to rice ratio
Yield: 4 People
Calories: 365kcal

Equipment

  • Scales
  • Stainless Steel Stock/Sauce Pan

Materials

Makes enough rice for 4 people, generous portion size! (see notes for correct water to rice ratio to serve less or more people)

  • 400 grams (2 cup) Basmati Rice
  • 625 ml (2 ½ cups) Cold Water

Optional rice flavouring to add during cooking

  • Optional Herbs / Star anise / Cardamon pods / Cinnamon/ Tumeric

Instructions

  • Wash the rice in a seive until the water runs clear.
    Washing basmati rice in a blue handled silver sieve with water
  • Place basmati rice into a heavy bottomed stainless steel pan. Pour in the measured COLD water
    (see notes for correct rice to water measurements)
    Basmati rice in a silver cooking pot with a cup of water being poured over the top
  • Optional - If desired, flavour the rice depending on what you are serving it with?
    Indian - Cardamon pods, tumeric or cinnamon
    Chinese - Star anise or 5 spice
    Italian - Dried herbs
    Two star anise floating on water with the rice
  • Bring to the boil with the lid off, this will take about 7 minutes.
    Basmati rice cooking boiling water in a silver pot
  • Once it reaches the boil, stir, then turn the temperature to the lowest setting.
    Turning the gas level down to a low flame indicator for simmer by hand
  • Put lid on and simmer for 8 minutes.
    DO NOT remove lid at any point, the steam needs to build up.
    Placing a clear glass lid onto the silver pot by hand
  • After 8 minutes turn off the heat.
    DO NOT remove lid.
    Leave to sit off the heat for 5 minutes with the lid still on to allow remaining steam to cook and any remaining water to soak into the rice. This is part of the cooking time do not be tempted to lift the lid!!
    Basmati rice cooking in a silver pot with a glass lid on top
  • Ok permission to remove lid now! Use a fork to fluff up the perfectly cooked rice!
    Fluffing up trice with a silver fork in a large silver cooking pot
  • The rice is ready to serve straight away. See blog post for storage and reheating advice.
    White basmati rice on a fork and a glass bowl of rice is underneath the fork

Video

Notes

Basmati rice to water ratio

Here is the correct measurement for rice to water. 
UK gram rice:water ml measurement
1 person - 100 grams rice - 250 ml water
2 people - 200 grams rice - 375 ml water
4 people - 400 grams rice - 625 ml water
6 people - 600 grams rice - 875 ml water
US cup rice : water measurement
1 person - ½ cup rice - 1 cup
2 people - 1 cup rice - 1 ½ cups water
4 people - 2 cups rice - 2 ½ cups water
6 people - 3 cups rice - 3 ½ cups water

How much does rice weigh once cooked?

100 grams (½ cup) of uncooked rice will make about 200 grams (1 cup) once cooked which is a large serving for 1 person.

Nutrition

Calories: 365kcal | Carbohydrates: 80g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 13mg | Potassium: 115mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 1mg