How one can prepare dinner basmati rice in a microwave – I suppose the title says all of it. Sure, the method of cooking completely fluffy basmati rice is not only utilizing the stovetop, however utilizing a microwave oven when you want it.
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I will be sharing extra recipes on this sequence, overlaying various kinds of rice, as cooking strategies change, whether or not you are utilizing a stovetop, rice cooker, or microwave.
This recipe, nonetheless, provides two methods to prepare dinner excellent basmati rice in a microwave. One methodology entails evaporating all of the water, whereas the other-a frequent follow in Bengali homes-requires boiling the rice after which draining the water (referred to as “maar” in Bengali). I personally want the second methodology as a result of it is how I’ve at all times seen rice made at house, although sometimes on a stovetop, not in a microwave. Individuals say this methodology ends in fluffier rice. I’ll clarify each strategies within the recipe, so you’ll be able to select the one which fits you greatest.




It may appear a bit sophisticated, proper? Whereas a meal like “bhat-dal-aloobhate” (rice, lentils, and mashed potatoes) sounds easy in Bengali, even primary dishes require figuring out the proper option to prepare dinner them.
As I write this in March 2026, I needed to share some easy microwave cooking strategies for on a regular basis meals. Please let me know what different microwave recipes you want me to cowl, particularly those who sometimes require a stovetop. I will do my greatest to create them for you.
Elements


See recipe card for portions.
Water to Rice Ratio whereas cooking Basmati Rice within the microwave
This is a fast information to water-to-rice ratios:
- For cooking rice till all water evaporates: Use 2 cups of water for each 1 cup of normal basmati rice.
- For cooking rice by boiling after which draining: Use 3.5 cups of water for each 1 cup of normal basmati rice.
- I will be dedicating a separate put up particularly to brown rice ratios.
Steps for cooking Basmati Rice in a microwave -with photos
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To arrange the rice, start by inserting one cup (about 200g) of Basmati rice right into a bowl. Whereas I want utilizing complete grain aromatic rice, be happy to make use of some other selection you want.


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Subsequent, wash the rice totally to take away additional starch. The simplest means is to rinse it below a operating faucet. If that is not attainable, add water to the bowl, stir the grains, after which drain and exchange the water two or 3 times till the water runs clear. Watch out to not break the rice grains throughout washing.


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As soon as washed, soak the rice in recent water for 20 to half-hour, then drain the water fully.


- Cooking the rice within the microwave utilizing the evaporation methodology
Switch the soaked rice to the microwave-safe bowl, ideally a glass bowl with a lid.


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Add 1 / 4 teaspoon of salt.


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Pour two cups of water into the bowl.


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Place the bowl within the microwave with out overlaying it with the lid and warmth on excessive for five minutes.


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Lastly, cowl the bowl with a lid and proceed cooking for 9-10 minutes at excessive.


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As soon as cooked, take away the bowl from the oven. With this methodology, there isn’t any want to empty any water. Merely use a fork to frivolously fluff the rice. Your basmati rice, completely cooked within the microwave utilizing the evaporation methodology, is now able to get pleasure from!


- Boiling rice within the microwave – one other methodology
Till soaking, the steps are the identical. Begin by transferring the soaked rice to the microwave-safe bowl and pouring 3.5 cups of water into it; a glass bowl is really useful, and a bigger one is greatest for this course of. Add 1 / 4 teaspoon of salt to the water.


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Place the bowl with out the lid within the microwave and warmth it on excessive for five minutes.


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Keep in mind the exact ratio: 1 cup of rice to three.5 cups of water. Any additional water might be drained after the rice is cooked.
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Put the bowl again into the microwave, lined. Cook dinner on excessive for 8-9 minutes.


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You would possibly want an additional 2-3 minutes, so control it.


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With this boiling methodology, you have to to empty the water. Use a strainer to take away all of the water whereas the rice remains to be scorching.


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Performed! The rice is able to serve.


Gear wanted to prepare dinner basmati rice in a microwave


To prepare dinner rice within the microwave, you will want a microwave-safe bowl, ideally a glass one with a lid. If a lid is not accessible, a microwave-safe plate might be positioned on high. Keep away from utilizing aluminum foil within the microwave.
Storage
You’ll be able to preserve cooked basmati rice within the fridge for one to 2 days if obligatory.
Prime tip
At any time when attainable, select aged, long-grain basmati rice. Be certain to not overfill the bowl with rice, because it expands considerably after cooking.
Steadily Requested Questions – Cooking Basmati Rice in a Microwave
Basmati rice is a high-quality, long-grain rice with a pleasing scent, primarily grown within the Himalayan areas of India and Pakistan. It is recognized for its distinctive nutty style, flower-like scent, and lightweight, fluffy texture that does not stick collectively.

The primary distinction between basmati and common rice is that basmati grains are slender and change into for much longer when cooked, usually doubling in dimension. They continue to be mild, separate, and do not stick, making them ultimate for dishes like pulao and biryani. Common long-grain rice, whereas additionally lengthy, would not develop as a lot throughout cooking.
Sure, it is best to cowl the rice midway by means of microwave cooking. Please confer with the detailed basmati rice recipe supplied right here for extra particular directions.
When utilizing the evaporation methodology, one cup of rice cooked in two cups of water sometimes yields about three cups of cooked rice. Nonetheless, when you want the discarding water methodology, you have to three and a half cups of water for each one cup of rice, with the surplus water being drained after cooking.
Pairing Basmati Rice
These are my favourite dishes to serve with [this recipe]:
Recipe Card
How one can prepare dinner Basmati Rice in a Microwave
How one can prepare dinner basmati rice in a microwave – I suppose the title says all of it. Sure, the method of cooking completely fluffy basmati rice is not only utilizing the stovetop, however utilizing a microwave oven when you want it.
Elements
- 1 cup basmati rice 200g
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For cooking rice till all water evaporates
For cooking rice by boiling after which draining the water
Directions
Prep Work
To arrange the rice, start by inserting one cup (about 200g) of Basmati rice right into a bowl. Whereas I want utilizing complete grain aromatic rice, be happy to make use of some other selection you want.
Subsequent, wash the rice totally to take away additional starch. The simplest means is to rinse it below a operating faucet. If that is not attainable, add water to the bowl, stir the grains, after which drain and exchange the water two or 3 times till the water runs clear. Watch out to not break the rice grains throughout washing.
As soon as washed, soak the rice in recent water for 20 to half-hour, then drain the water fully.
For cooking rice till all of the water evaporates
Now, let’s prepare dinner the rice within the microwave utilizing the evaporation methodology.
Place the soaked rice in a microwave-safe bowl, ideally fabricated from glass.
Add 1 / 4 teaspoon of salt.
Pour two cups of water into the microwave-safe bowl,
Place the bowl within the microwave with out placing the lid on, and prepare dinner on excessive for five minutes.
ensure to take care of the ratio of 1 cup of rice to 2 cups of water.
Put the lid on the bowl and place it within the microwave. Cook dinner on excessive for an additional 9-10 minutes.
As soon as cooked, take away the bowl from the oven. With this methodology, there isn’t any want to empty any water.
Merely use a fork to frivolously fluff the rice. Your basmati rice, completely cooked within the microwave utilizing the evaporation methodology, is now able to get pleasure from!
For cooking rice by boiling after which draining the water
Take the soaked rice right into a microwave-safe bowl that has a lid, ideally a glass bowl, and a bigger one is greatest for this course of.
Add 1 / 4 teaspoon of salt to the water.
Begin by pouring 3.5 cups of water into the microwave-safe bowl to cowl the rice.
Place the bowl within the microwave with out placing the lid on and warmth it on excessive for five minutes.
Keep in mind the exact ratio: 1 cup of rice to three.5 cups of water. Any additional water might be drained after the rice is cooked.
Put the bowl again into the microwave, lined with the lid. Cook dinner on excessive for 8-9 minutes.
With this boiling methodology, you have to to empty the water. Use a strainer to take away all of the water whereas the rice remains to be scorching.
The rice is able to serve!
Notes
- To prepare dinner rice within the microwave, you will want a microwave-safe bowl, ideally a glass one with a lid. If you do not have a lid, a microwave-safe plate positioned on high will work. Keep away from utilizing aluminum foil within the microwave.
- You’ll be able to preserve cooked basmati rice within the fridge for one to 2 days if obligatory.
- For greatest outcomes, use aged, long-grain basmati rice when you can. Watch out to not overfill the bowl, as rice expands considerably when cooked.
Vitamin
Serving:150g |Energy:365kcal |Carbohydrates:80g |Protein:7g |Fats:1g |Saturated Fats:0g |Ldl cholesterol:0mg |Sodium:308mg |Potassium:115mg |Fiber:1g |Sugar:0g |Vitamin A:0.07IU |Calcium:35mg |Iron:1mg
Have you tried the essential Basmati Rice cooking in microwave recipe from Debjanir Rannaghar!
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