Are you wondering how to cook brown basmati rice? Which method is the best and the fastest?
No matter which way you try, brown basmati rice has the most straightforward process. Let’s break down each method in this article to cook fluffy and delicious brown basmati rice!
What Are the Benefits of Using Brown Basmati Rice?

Brown rice is available in three varieties: long-grain, medium-grain, and short-grain. Most people often use medium-grain brown rice and forget to explore the other two options.
Thankfully, I accidentally purchased a packet of brown basmati rice instead of regular, and realized how much better it is!
Due to its long-grain nature, brown basmati rice has several culinary benefits. It has a non-sticky and less chewy texture than regular brown rice. Additionally, it has a distinct taste, making it more delicious.
When I was cooking pilaf, I also noticed that brown basmati rice absorbs more flavors than regular brown rice. This makes it perfect for elaborate rice dishes like fried rice, curries, and biryani.
If you are having some guests over, brown basmati rice also offers a better dish presentation with its thin and long grains.
How to Cook Brown Basmati Rice?
Forget about everything else. The biggest benefit brown basmati rice has over regular brown rice is its cooking time.
Brown basmati rice takes almost half the time of regular basmati rice, making it a tastier and quicker alternative.
There are four different ways to cook brown basmati rice. Let’s take a look at them.

Method 1: Using a Stove
You will be surprised to find out that brown basmati rice’s preparation is similar to regular brown rice’s.
Let’s take a look at how to cook fluffy brown basmati rice.
1. First, rinse one cup of brown basmati rice twice or thrice to remove any impurities. There is no need to soak it, as soaking is required to reduce the cooking time. Brown basmati rice already cooks quickly!

2. Strain the brown basmati rice grains using a sieve. Ensure that the drained water runs clear.

3. Transfer the rinsed brown rice grains to a cooking pot. Then, add two cups of water for each cup of brown basmati rice.
4. Next, add half a teaspoon of salt for each cup of brown rice to the cooking pot. You can skip this step if you use this rice to prepare any other dish.

5. Place the cooking pot on the stove and turn the heat to medium-high. Let the water simmer.
6. Once the water starts boiling, close the lid and reduce the flame to medium-low.

7. Let the brown rice cook for at least 25 to 30 minutes with the lid on a medium-low flame.
8. Don’t open the lid repeatedly to see if the rice has cooked. Instead, check once after 20 minutes.
9. Turn off the stove when the brown basmati rice is done cooking. If it hasn’t cooked fully, add four to five tablespoons of water and cook it for a few more minutes.

10. Gently fluff the rice using a fork or a wooden spoon, and your brown basmati rice is ready!

Keep in mind that brown basmati rice is softer than regular brown rice but still has a chewy texture. Therefore, don’t overcook the rice to achieve a tender texture!
Method 2: Pilaf-Style Brown Basmati Rice
This is just another way of cooking brown basmati rice on a stove with a few modifications.
In this method, you need to toast the basmati rice with spices or herbs and then boil it. The extra ingredients make the rice more flavorful than plain-boiled ones!
Here are the steps you need to follow:
1. Add one tablespoon of neutral-flavored oil, like vegetable or canola, in a cooking pot.

2. Next, add any flavorful ingredients or spices that you prefer to the pot and lightly fry them. I have used cardamom and bay leaves. You can also opt for cloves, fresh or dried Italian herbs, or paprika.

3. Then, combine one cup of rinsed brown rice with the spices. Toast and sauté the basmati grains until they turn aromatic. You will love the fragrance, trust me!

4. Pour two cups of water into the cooking pot. Don’t forget to adjust the water content as per your rice measurement.

5. Cook the brown rice on a medium-high flame until the water starts boiling. Then, turn the heat to low and close the lid tightly.

6. Let the rice cook on medium-low heat for at least 30 minutes. I recommend a higher cooking time, so the grains can absorb all the extra flavors.
7. Turn off the stove once the rice has boiled.

8. Fluff the cooked brown basmati rice before transferring it to a bowl. This way, the grains won’t stick to each other.

If the rice has absorbed all the water and hasn’t cooked, add four to five tablespoons and cook for a few minutes again.
Method 3: Using a Microwave

I prefer cooking brown basmati rice in my microwave to reduce the cooking time even more!
Cooking brown basmati rice on the stove takes about 25 to 30 minutes, whereas it takes 15 to 20 minutes in the microwave. The method is even easier than the stovetop one.
1. Take a microwave-safe bowl and fill it with one cup of brown basmati rice.
2. Pour two cups of water and half a teaspoon of salt into one cup of brown basmati rice.
3. Add one teaspoon of butter to the rice to ensure that the basmati rice turns out soft!
4. Combine everything and place the bowl in the microwave. Set the microwave’s timer to 20 minutes.
5. Check the rice after 10 minutes. If it requires more water, add a few tablespoons and microwave again for another 10 minutes.
That is all you need to do to cook perfect brown basmati rice in the microwave!
Method 4: Using a Pressure Cooker

I highly recommend using a pressure cooker if you like soft brown basmati rice. A pressure cooker reduces the classic chewiness of brown rice and makes it tender.
The only drawback of cooking brown basmati rice in a pressure cooker is that it may turn a little sticky.
1. First, transfer the rinsed rice to a pressure cooker.
2. Add two and a half cups of water and half a teaspoon of salt for one cup of brown basmati rice.
3. Close the pressure cooker’s lid and lock it tightly.
4. Cook the rice on a medium-high flame until the pressure cooker reaches high pressure. You might hear it whistle or see the pressure regulator shaking a bit.
5. Then, reduce the heat and let it cook for about 20 minutes.
6. Turn off the heat and allow the pressure to release naturally for at least 10 minutes. Don’t open the lid during this time!
7. Once the pressure is fully released, open the lid and fluff the rice.
Final Thoughts
There are very few differences between the cooking method of brown basmati rice and regular brown rice.
Yet, the final results are astonishing, as cooked brown basmati rice is much more flavorful and has a lovely texture.
Try it out once, and you won’t go back to regular brown rice!
FAQs
How much water do you put in brown basmati rice?
You need to add two cups of water for each cup of brown basmati rice. If you are using a pressure cooker, increase it to two and a half cups of water.

How long to cook brown basmati rice?
Brown basmati rice takes 25 to 30 minutes to cook on the stove, 15 to 20 minutes in the microwave, and 20 to 25 minutes in the pressure cooker.
How to cook brown basmati rice Indian style?
You just need to toast the brown basmati rice in vegetable oil with cloves, cinnamon sticks, and cardamom pods. Add 2 cups of water and ½ teaspoon of salt, and boil the rice for 30 minutes on low heat.
Do you cook white basmati rice the same as brown rice?
White basmati rice requires 1 ½ cups of water, whereas brown rice requires 2 cups of water for one cup of rice. White basmati rice also has a cooking time of 15 to 20 minutes, while it is at least 25 minutes for brown rice.
How long does it take to cook brown basmati rice in a rice cooker?
Cooking brown basmati rice in a rice cooker takes almost half the time required for regular brown rice. Most rice cookers can prepare brown basmati rice within 25 to 30 minutes.
Do I need to soak basmati rice before cooking?
You don’t need to soak brown basmati rice before cooking because it doesn’t take long to cook. However, you can soak the rice to increase its nutritional value.
How do you make brown basmati rice not sticky?
Cooked brown basmati rice is fluffy with well-separated grains. It won’t turn sticky after boiling. You can still add some oil or salt to prevent mushy brown basmati rice.