What Is Basmati rice and How Can I Use It?

Basmati rice rewards a little know-how: how to choose it, cook it, store it, and substitute in a pinch. Browse 74 recipes to cook with it.

What is basmati rice?

Basmati is the long, slender, aromatic rice at the heart of Indian and Persian cooking. The name means "fragrant" in Hindi, and that perfume, often described as popcorn or pandan-like, is the giveaway the moment the pot comes off the heat.

Grown mainly in the foothills of the Himalayas, it is one branch of the larger rice family. Its calling card is how it cooks: dry, fluffy, and perfectly separate.

Two things explain that. The grains are unusually long and thin, and they nearly double in length as they cook rather than swelling sideways. Good basmati is also aged for a year or more, which dries the grain further so it stays firm and distinct instead of clumping.

Cooking Basmati

Rinse first, always. Swirl the rice in cold water and drain two or three times until the water runs clear, washing off the loose surface starch that would otherwise make the grains stick. This single step is the difference between fluffy and gummy.

A 20 to 30 minute soak after rinsing is the traditional next move, and it pays off: soaked grains absorb water evenly and elongate to their full length. Drain well before cooking.

For the absorption method, use about 1 part basmati to 1½ parts water, a little less than ordinary rice because the soaked grain has already taken on moisture.

Bring to a boil, cover, drop to the lowest simmer for 12 to 15 minutes, then rest it off the heat 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork.

Resting and fork-fluffing matter here. Stir basmati hard while it is hot and the delicate grains snap; lift and separate them gently instead.

Where It Earns Its Place

Basmati is the only real choice for biryani, the layered rice-and-meat or rice-and-vegetable dish where each grain has to stay separate and carry the spice. Biryani Rice Recipe and Chana aur Sarson ka Saag Biryani show that layered approach, and Vegetable Biryani is a meat-free take.

It is just as natural in pilaf, where the rice is toasted in fat with whole spices before the liquid goes in. Exotic Spiced Pea Pilaf, Paneer Basmati Pilaf and the tangy Lemon Cashew Rice all build on that toast-then-simmer method.

Beyond Indian food, its dry, separate grain is ideal under any saucy curry or stew that needs a fluffy bed rather than a sticky one.

Substitutes

Reach for jasmine rice first. It is the other great aromatic long grain, though it cooks a little softer and stickier and smells more floral than nutty.

Plain long grain rice works for everyday meals but lacks the perfume and the dramatic elongation. For biryani specifically there is no true substitute, since the whole dish depends on long, separate grains, so it is worth keeping basmati on hand.

Buying and Storing

Look for "aged" basmati if you can find it, and note that the longest, most fragrant grade is sold as basmati while broken or shorter grains are graded lower.

White basmati keeps almost indefinitely in an airtight container in a cool, dark cupboard. Brown basmati keeps its bran and the oil in it, so store it cool and use it within a few months, or freeze it to extend its life toward a year.

Nutrition

Quick facts

Where to find basmati rice: Basmati rice is usually found in the rice & beans section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.

Food group: Basmati rice is a member of the Cereal Grains and Pasta US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.

In Chinese

巴斯马蒂大米

British (UK) term

Basmati rice

en français

riz basmati

en español

arroz basmati

How much does basmati rice weigh?

Related

Cereal Grains and Pasta

Recipes using basmati rice

There are 74 recipes that contain this ingredient.

Paneer Basmati Pilaf--Paneer Pulao

Paneer Pulao is a delightful and mildly aromatic Indian rice dish that combines basmati rice with paneer, which is a type of Indian cottage cheese.

Lemon Cashew Rice (Nibu Daar Pullao)

This delicious side dish made of cashew nuts and basmati rice is a great companion to any meal.

Biryani Rice

A scrumptious rice dish that's simple made with basmati rice. Tastes great alone or with any kind of meat you like.

Exotic Spiced Pea Pilaf

Flavorful and colorful. A classic Indian dish, the combination of yogurt, tomatoes, potatoes, rice and spices is super tasty and fills you up. Serve it as a side dish with a tangy stew or a main dish with some refreshing chutney.

Chana aur Sarson ka Saag Biryani (Basmati Rice & Curry Casserole)

This Indian dish is made with several kinds of spices, mustard greens, cauliflower and chickpeas; it's baked with basmati rice, topped with golden raisins and cashews. You can serve it as a side dish or a tasty main dish.

Vegetable Biryani

Our Indian-Tibetan friend came to our place this past Monday, this vegetarian biryani recipe was the main dish we made for him. It was quite flavorful and tasty, he certainly enjoyed it, and so did we.

Biryani Rice Recipe

Fragrant Indian chicken biryani layered with saffron-streaked basmati rice, tender potatoes, and a spiced yogurt-tomato sauce with cardamom, cloves, and cumin. Served with sweetened whipped yogurt.

Hawaiian Pork Chops

Meaty loin chops cooked in a tropical barbecue sauce, sweetened with pineapple. A taste of the islands.

Simple Jamaican Rice & Peas

Made quick and easy by using canned (unsweetened) coconut milk and canned kidney beans, this is a great accompaniment to jerk chicken.

Brown Jasmine Rice Salad

A vibrant chilled rice salad tossing wild and basmati rice with snow peas, green beans, cucumber, oranges, and Granny Smith apples in a ginger-soy-honey-lime sauce. Fresh, crunchy, and full of contrast.

Vegetable Biriyani

Fragrant basmati rice baked with turmeric, cinnamon, cloves, and coriander, then tossed with golden cashews and plump raisins. A vegetarian biryani bursting with warm Indian spices.

Seafood-Rice Salad

Chilled seafood rice salad loaded with scallops, shrimp, crab, and blanched broccoli over fluffy basmati, all tossed in a bright lemon vinaigrette. Feeds a crowd in just 10 minutes of prep.

Mushroom Brunch Rice

Basmati rice simmered in chicken broth with sliced mushrooms and a bay leaf. A simple, fragrant 4-ingredient side dish ready in 35 minutes.

Jamie's Chilli Con Carne

Hearty ground beef simmers with chickpeas, kidney beans, carrots, and peppers in a cumin-spiked tomato base. This crowd-feeding chili serves 12 and tastes even better the next day.

Biriani

Layered chicken biryani with yogurt-marinated chicken, garam masala, fried onions, and basmati rice tempered with whole cloves, cinnamon, and cumin seeds. Fragrant, spiced, and deeply satisfying.

Pork Cutlet with Orange & Thyme(Keebler)

Cracker-crusted pork cutlets pan-fried and finished in a fresh orange juice and thyme sauce. No egg wash needed, just press and chill for a crust that sticks on its own.

Sweet & Sour Bean Stew

One-pot bean stew with navy beans, basmati rice, butternut squash, and raisins in a sweet-and-sour broth. Vegetarian, hearty, and on the table in under an hour.

Scott's Curry Spinach

Curry spinach with creamed corn baked until hot and saucy. Five pantry ingredients, vegan, and served over basmati rice. An unexpected weeknight side or meatless main.

Salmon with Chipotle Sesame Vinaigrette & Fried Basmati Rice

Seared salmon over loaded seafood fried basmati rice with oysters, shrimp, scallops and crawfish, drizzled with chipotle sesame vinaigrette. A Southwestern-Asian mashup plate with bold layered flavors.

Herbed Rice with Julienne Potatoes

Indian-spiced basmati rice cooked with julienne potatoes, coconut, green chilies, turmeric, and whole spices in ghee. A fragrant vegetarian one-pot pilaf.

Khichadi From Maja

Khichadi cooks basmati rice and moong dal with cinnamon, cloves, mustard seed, and asafetida, then folds in toasted nuts, coconut, currants, and garam masala. Ayurvedic Indian comfort one-pot.

Spiced Green Beans & Rice (Sem Pullao)

Sem Pullao with green beans, basmati rice, mustard seeds, cumin, and turmeric cooked in one pot. A fragrant Indian vegetarian side dish ready in 40 minutes.

Gujar Ka Pullao (Carrot Rice)

Gujar Ka Pullao (Indian carrot rice pilaf): fragrant basmati cooked with caramelized onions, grated carrots, and whole spices like cardamom, clove, cinnamon, and cumin. A vibrant, naturally vegan side from Northern India.

Crusty Persian Rice with Cinnamon & Pistachio

Persian crusty rice (tahdig) with saffron, cinnamon, orange zest, pistachios, and golden raisins. A showstopping basmati rice with the prized golden crust broken over fluffy steamed grains.

Tempeh Teriyaki (Vegan)

Vegan tempeh teriyaki stir-fried with shiitake mushrooms, snow peas, and onions in teriyaki sauce with toasted sesame oil. Served over brown rice for a hearty plant-based dinner.

Kedgeree

Kedgeree blends flaky smoked fish with curried basmati rice, hard-cooked eggs, cream, and lemon. The classic Anglo-Indian breakfast that turns leftover fish into something brilliant.

Southwestern Rice & Pinto Bean Salad

Very healthy and nutritious salad. Flavor is great too.

Rice with Peas

Indian matar pulao with basmati rice, green peas, and black mustard seeds tempered in hot oil. A fragrant, simple one-pot rice side dish served with dal and vegetables.

Corn & Rice Medley

Serve up this scrumptious side dish at your next barbecue or family gathering.

Coconut Shrimp Surprise

Shrimp simmered in a coconut milk sauce with tomatoes, leeks, orange juice concentrate, mint, and Thai chili paste, served over basmati rice. A one-skillet dinner with sweet, spicy, and creamy notes in every spoonful.

Lamb Curry with Cardamom Cashew Rice

Lamb curry marinated overnight with garam masala, cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, and garlic, then simmered in lamb stock and finished with yogurt and lemon. Served on basmati rice with toasted cashews and golden sultanas. Mild, fragrant, family-friendly.

Paella #2

Paella with shrimp, mussels, clams, chicken, chorizo, and sole in saffron rice with sherry and artichoke hearts. A loaded Spanish-style one-pan feast.

Risotto with Cashew Nuts (Marguerite Patten)

Cashew nut risotto with basmati and wild rice, mushrooms, red pepper, peas, and Parmesan. A British-style rice dish from legendary cook Marguerite Patten.

Lamb, Raisin & White Bean Polov (Pilaf)

In other parts of Central Asia this dish is made with red beans and I have it made with beef, horse, camel, chicken, and venison for the meat instead of the lamb. It is excellent anyway it comes.

Lamb, Raisin & White Bean Polov (Pilaf)

In other parts of Central Asia this dish is made with red beans and I have it made with beef, horse, camel, chicken, and venison for the meat instead of the lamb. It is excellent anyway it comes.

Bejeweled Pilaf

A showstopping Persian jeweled rice (javaher polow) layered with saffron-glazed carrots, barberries, currants, pistachios, almonds, orange peel, and rose water. Topped with a golden tah dig crust.

Fragrant Pilaf

Fragrant pilaf with basmati rice, chickpeas, fresh tomatoes, mustard seeds, and turmeric finished with cilantro and cayenne. A vegan Indian-inspired rice dish in 45 minutes.

Fruited Rice with Mushrooms & Almonds

Basmati rice studded with five dried fruits, sliced mushrooms, slivered almonds, and cinnamon. A fragrant side dish that pairs beautifully with veal or poultry.

Un Stuffed Bell Pepper Soup (Vegan)

Vegan unstuffed bell pepper soup with brown basmati rice, tomato paste, and loads of diced peppers in a savory tamari broth. All the flavors of stuffed peppers without the stuffing.

Spiced Rice Pilaf

Spiced brown basmati rice pilaf cooked with whole cloves, a cinnamon stick, and chicken broth, finished with warm raisins and slivered almonds. A fragrant, diabetic-friendly side.

Basmati Rice

Curry basmati rice with your choice of vegetables, designed for easy meal prep. Cook the rice, pack with raw veggies, and microwave at work for a hot, healthy lunch in minutes.

Kedgeree (Breakfast)

Kedgeree is a traditional British breakfast food originating in India. Made with smoked haddock, a lean white fish high in protein, it is subtly spiced. Consider using unsmoked fish and substituting brown rice for the traditional white basmati.

Rosemary Rice with Walnuts

Rosemary basmati rice with toasted walnuts, sauteed onion, celery, garlic, and tamari. A fragrant, savory vegetarian side dish with nutty crunch and herbal depth.

Colin's Curry

Authentic slow-simmered Indian curry with freshly toasted and ground whole spices, served over fragrant cardamom-turmeric basmati rice. Use any pre-cooked meat for a deeply spiced homemade curry.

Crusty Persian Rice with Cinnamon & Pistachios

Traditional Persian tahdig rice with saffron, cinnamon, pistachios, golden raisins, and candied orange zest. Fluffy basmati on top, shatteringly crisp golden crust on the bottom.

Sadiq's Rice Pudding

Light basmati rice pudding made with skim milk, raisins, and vanilla, folded with whipped topping for a creamy, airy texture. A low-fat Indian-inspired dessert.

Spiced Green Beans & Rice

Basmati rice cooked with fresh green beans, black mustard seeds, cumin, turmeric, and asafetida in one pot. This South Indian-inspired side dish is vegan, fragrant, and ready in 40 minutes.

Vangi Bath

Vangi bath: South Indian rice dish with eggplant, toasted coconut, and a fresh-ground spice blend of coriander, urad dal, dried chiles, cinnamon, and hing. Vegetarian one-pot from Karnataka.

Daal-Nepali Lentil Soup Gift Package

Nepali daal lentil soup gift package bundles orange lentils, basmati rice, and a homemade curry spice blend into a decorative jar. A thoughtful homemade food gift.

Spring Kichadi

Spring kichadi with basmati rice, mung beans, seasonal vegetables, and a ghee-toasted spice base of cumin, mustard seeds, and turmeric. A gentle, nourishing Ayurvedic one-pot meal.

All 74 recipes