How to Cook Basmati Rice in Microwave

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure to learn more.

Spicy, nutty, and floral, basmati rice is filled with flavor and aroma that is soft and fluffy when properly cooked. If you are looking for a quick and easy way to cook basmati rice, the microwave is the best option.

Basmati is cooked perfectly in the microwave in a simple way. In fact, the microwave makes cooking rice so quick and every grain is separate from the other when done the right way.

How do you cook basmati rice in a microwave? Rinse and soak the basmati rice for at least 30 minutes before cooking in the microwave.

Place 1 cup of washed basmati rice and 2 cups of fresh water into a microwave-safe bowl with a vented lid. Microwave on high power for 5 minutes, then lower the heat to medium and nuke for an additional 15 more minutes.

Let the dish sit in the closed microwave for 5 minutes to allow carryover heat to subside. Carefully remove the lid and fluff with a fork.

Compared to other cooking methods such as rice cooker and instant pot, the microwave is the fastest way to cook basmati rice. Furthermore, cooking rice in a microwave rice cooker provides quality results every time.

In this article, we are going to share the best methods and tips to cook fluffy and flavorful basmati rice in the microwave. Answered below are frequently asked questions about microwaving basmati rice to perfect doneness every time.

Can you cook basmati rice in the microwave?

Yes, you can cook basmati rice in the microwave. With proper microwave instruction, it is perfectly cooked without an issue.

Before cooking the basmati rice in the microwave, rinse the rice and soak for at least 30 minutes to fasten the cooking process. The rice will absorb some of the water and soften the grain’s texture.

Microwave is the quickest and easiest compared to other cooking methods such as stovetop and rice cooker.

Water ratio for basmati rice cooking is crucial to avoid from crunchy or drying up, and excessive water making the basmati soggy. Therefore, it should be done depending on the amount of rice in a standard ratio of 1:2 basmati rice to water.

Basmati rice is microwave for about 20 minutes and then allowed to rest for a few minutes to allow residual heat to continue steaming the grains.

Is it safe to cook basmati rice in the microwave?

Yes, it is safe to cook basmati rice in the microwave. As long as the rice is cooked in a microwave-safe container with a vented lid, then there is minimal concern for danger.

Consider soaking the basmati rice for 30 minutes before microwaving. This will help the water absorption process and make the grains moist and fluffy.

Also, rinsing the rice before cooking will remove the thin layer of starch that naturally occurs on the surface of the polished grains, preventing the cooked rice from sticking and clumping together.

What is the ratio of water to basmati rice in the microwave?

The ratio of basmati rice to water is 1:2 when the basmati rice is not rinsed and soaked before the cooking process begins. However, the ratio drops up to 1:1.5 when basmati rice has been rinsed and soaked at least 30 minutes since the grains have already absorbed some water.

The water to basmati rice ratio is important because it ultimately affects the doneness of the grains when cooked. If there is too much water, the grains will be soggy and mushy, but not enough water will result in chewy, crunchy and uncooked basmati rice.

Tips to cook basmati rice in a microwave

Cooking basmati rice in a microwave is simple and straightforward. However, there are a couple of hidden tricks to make fluffy and moist basmati rice, simply follow the microwave tips listed below:

Cooking duration depending on the power of the microwave used and the amount of rice has been cooked.
Consider to choosing a microwave-safe bowl wisely. When the bowl is made of plastic, cooking time may take a few minutes less than a bowl made of Pyrex or glass.
Adding handful of diced carrots, sweet corn, and peas along with salt and oil will provide variation that will enhance the flavor.
Rinse and soak the basmati rice for half an hour before the cooking process in the microwave for the rice grain to absorb enough water to soften the grains to fasten the process.
The ratio of basmati rice and water must be 1:2 to prevent the rice from being waterlogged due to excess water or dying out due to less water. If the rice has been soaked, then adjust the ratio to 1:1.5.
Set the microwave on high power function for the initial microwaving, then lower to medium heat for the second round.

Best way to cook basmati rice in the microwave

If you are in a hurry but looking for the best way to cook basmati rice, microwave is your number one option for quick and easy success. For improved results, soak the basmati rice in water for 30 minutes in advance.

Rinse well and transfer 1 cup of basmati rice and 2 cups of water into a microwave-safe container.

Cover the bowl with a vented lid and start microwaving on high power for 5 minutes, then cover the dish and continue to microwave on medium power for 15 minutes.

Let it stand for 5 minutes in the closed microwave before serving. After 5 minutes elapses, fluff the rice with a fork, season to taste and serve.

More Helpful Information

Basmati rice has a bit of hard grain compared to others. However, it does not mean that it cannot be done in the microwave.

Before cooking basmati rice in the microwave, it is advisable to rinse and soak in water for the grain to absorb water to soften the texture, thus speeding up the cooking rate in the microwave.

Proper ratio of water to basmati rice makes it possible to fully cook the rice, even without soaking.

Place a cup of basmati rice and 2 cups of water in a microwaveable bowl. The water and rice ratio will depend on if the rice has been pre-soaked or not.

Cook on full power for 5 minutes in the microwave with a vented lid, then continue to cook for 15 minutes or until done.

Allow the cooked basmati rice to sit in the closed microwave for carryover heat to subside for an additional 5 minutes. This will help steam and remaining hot air to cook the rice to a fluffy and moist doneness.

Once the cooking and resting time is over, use oven mitts to remove the bowl from microwave and carefully lift the lid. Fluff the cooked basmati rice with a fork and transfer to a serving dish to enjoy with your meal.