How to make Basmati Rice in the Microwave

Name: Microwave Basmati Rice
Prep time: 1 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 16 min
Yield: 2
Ingredients: 1 cup basmati rice; 2 1/4 cups water; salt and butter to taste

by Stephanie November 1, 2025

Jump to Recipe

No stovetop? No problem! With this recipe for Basmati Rice in the Microwave, you’ll get perfectly tender, fluffy grains every time—no rice cooker needed. It’s fast, reliable, and ideal for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or small kitchens.

Table of Contents

Ingredients for Microwave Basmati Rice

1 cup basmati rice
2¼ cups water

How to Cook Basmati Rice in the Microwave (Step-by-Step)

Rinse the basmati rice thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch and helps prevent stickiness.

Add the rinsed rice and 2¼ cups water to a large microwave-safe bowl or Anyday Deep Dish. Use a bowl big enough to prevent boiling over.

Microwave uncovered on high for 15 minutes. Watch carefully around the 12-minute mark in case your microwave runs hot.

Once done, let the rice sit for 3–5 minutes to steam and finish cooking. Then fluff with a fork and serve!

Tips & Suggestions

Add a pinch of salt or a teaspoon of oil for added flavor while cooking.
Stir in a cinnamon stick or a few whole cloves for a fragrant, spiced version.
Use broth instead of water for extra flavor.
Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days—great for meal prep!

Close up of butter chicken with white rice in a black bowl

FAQ

Q: Can I skip rinsing the rice?
A: Technically yes, but rinsing helps prevent clumpy or sticky rice and ensures fluffier results.

Q: Will this work with jasmine or other rice types?
A: This timing and ratio are specifically for basmati. Jasmine rice cooks faster and usually uses a 1:2 rice-to-water ratio.

Q: Can I double this recipe?
A: Yes—just use a large enough bowl and add a few extra minutes to the cook time, checking at the 15-minute mark. I found doubling requires an extra 10 minutes of cook time. I doubled both water and rice amounts.

2-3 cups of cooked rice

Microwave Basmati Rice

Prep Time: 1 minute

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 16 minutes

Ingredients

1 cup basmati rice
2 1/4 cups water
salt and butter to taste

Instructions

Rinse the basmati rice thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch and helps prevent stickiness.

Add the rinsed rice and 2¼ cups water to a large microwave-safe bowl. Use a bowl big enough to prevent boiling over.

Microwave uncovered on high for 15 minutes. Watch carefully around the 12-minute mark in case your microwave runs hot.

Once done, let the rice sit for 3–5 minutes to steam and finish cooking. Then fluff with a fork and serve!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 104Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 22mgSodium: 3906mgCarbohydrates: 7gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 1g

Any nutritional information on justmicrowaveit.com should only be used as a general guideline. This information is provided as a courtesy and there is no guarantee that the information will be completely accurate.

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