How to cook basmati rice in a microwave - I suppose the title says it all. Yes, the process of cooking perfectly fluffy basmati rice is not just using the stovetop, but using a microwave oven if you need it.
Jump to:
- Debjani's Note
- Ingredients
- Water to Rice Ratio while cooking Basmati Rice in the microwave
- Steps for cooking Basmati Rice in a microwave -with pictures
- Equipment needed to cook basmati rice in a microwave
- Storage
- Top tip
- Frequently Asked Questions - Cooking Basmati Rice in a Microwave
- Pairing Basmati Rice
- Recipe Card
- Have you tried the basic Basmati Rice cooking in microwave recipe from Debjanir Rannaghar!
- Here's how to cook Basmati Rice in a microwave Pin for your Pinterest Board
Debjani's Note
I'll be sharing more recipes in this series, covering different types of rice, as cooking methods change, whether you're using a stovetop, rice cooker, or microwave.
This recipe, however, offers two ways to cook perfect basmati rice in a microwave. One method involves evaporating all the water, while the other-a common practice in Bengali homes-requires boiling the rice and then draining the water (called "maar" in Bengali). I personally prefer the second method because it's how I've always seen rice made at home, though typically on a stovetop, not in a microwave. People say this method results in fluffier rice. I will explain both techniques in the recipe, so you can choose the one that suits you best.
It might seem a bit complicated, right? While a meal like "bhat-dal-aloobhate" (rice, lentils, and mashed potatoes) sounds simple in Bengali, even basic dishes require knowing the right way to cook them.
As I write this in March 2026, I wanted to share some simple microwave cooking methods for everyday meals. Please let me know what other microwave recipes you'd like me to cover, especially those that typically require a stovetop. I'll do my best to create them for you.
Ingredients
- Basmati Rice
- Salt
- Water
See recipe card for quantities.
Water to Rice Ratio while cooking Basmati Rice in the microwave
Here's a quick guide to water-to-rice ratios:
- For cooking rice until all water evaporates: Use 2 cups of water for every 1 cup of regular basmati rice.
- For cooking rice by boiling and then draining: Use 3.5 cups of water for every 1 cup of regular basmati rice.
- I'll be dedicating a separate post specifically to brown rice ratios.
Steps for cooking Basmati Rice in a microwave -with pictures
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To prepare the rice, begin by placing one cup (about 200g) of Basmati rice into a bowl. While I prefer using whole grain fragrant rice, feel free to use any other variety you like.
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Next, wash the rice thoroughly to remove extra starch. The easiest way is to rinse it under a running tap. If that's not possible, add water to the bowl, stir the grains, and then drain and replace the water two or three times until the water runs clear. Be careful not to break the rice grains during washing.
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Once washed, soak the rice in fresh water for 20 to 30 minutes, then drain the water completely.
- Cooking the rice in the microwave using the evaporation method
Transfer the soaked rice to the microwave-safe bowl, preferably a glass bowl with a lid.
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Add a quarter teaspoon of salt.
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Pour two cups of water into the bowl.
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Place the bowl in the microwave without covering it with the lid and heat on high for 5 minutes.
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Finally, cover the bowl with a lid and continue cooking for 9-10 minutes at high.
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Once cooked, remove the bowl from the oven. With this method, there's no need to drain any water. Simply use a fork to lightly fluff the rice. Your basmati rice, perfectly cooked in the microwave using the evaporation method, is now ready to enjoy!
- Boiling rice in the microwave - another method
Until soaking, the steps are the same. Start by transferring the soaked rice to the microwave-safe bowl and pouring 3.5 cups of water into it; a glass bowl is recommended, and a larger one is best for this process. Add a quarter teaspoon of salt to the water.
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Place the bowl without the lid in the microwave and heat it on high for 5 minutes.
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Remember the precise ratio: 1 cup of rice to 3.5 cups of water. Any extra water will be drained after the rice is cooked.
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Put the bowl back into the microwave, covered. Cook on high for 8-9 minutes.
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You might need an extra 2-3 minutes, so keep an eye on it.
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With this boiling method, you will need to drain the water. Use a strainer to remove all the water while the rice is still hot.
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Done! The rice is ready to serve.
Equipment needed to cook basmati rice in a microwave
To cook rice in the microwave, you'll need a microwave-safe bowl, ideally a glass one with a lid. If a lid isn't available, a microwave-safe plate can be placed on top. Avoid using aluminum foil in the microwave.
Storage
You can keep cooked basmati rice in the refrigerator for one to two days if necessary.
Top tip
Whenever possible, choose aged, long-grain basmati rice. Make sure not to overfill the bowl with rice, as it expands significantly after cooking.
Frequently Asked Questions - Cooking Basmati Rice in a Microwave
Basmati rice is a high-quality, long-grain rice with a pleasant smell, mainly grown in the Himalayan regions of India and Pakistan. It's known for its unique nutty taste, flower-like scent, and light, fluffy texture that doesn't stick together.
The main difference between basmati and regular rice is that basmati grains are slender and become much longer when cooked, often doubling in size. They remain light, separate, and don't stick, making them ideal for dishes like pulao and biryani. Regular long-grain rice, while also long, doesn't expand as much during cooking.
Yes, you should cover the rice halfway through microwave cooking. Please refer to the detailed basmati rice recipe provided here for more specific instructions.
When using the evaporation method, one cup of rice cooked in two cups of water typically yields about three cups of cooked rice. However, if you prefer the discarding water method, you will need three and a half cups of water for every one cup of rice, with the excess water being drained after cooking.
Pairing Basmati Rice
These are my favorite dishes to serve with [this recipe]:
Recipe Card
How to cook Basmati Rice in a Microwave
Ingredients
- 1 cup basmati rice 200g
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For cooking rice until all water evaporates
- 2 cups water
For cooking rice by boiling and then draining the water
- 3.5 cups water
Instructions
Prep Work
- To prepare the rice, begin by placing one cup (about 200g) of Basmati rice into a bowl. While I prefer using whole grain fragrant rice, feel free to use any other variety you like.
- Next, wash the rice thoroughly to remove extra starch. The easiest way is to rinse it under a running tap. If that's not possible, add water to the bowl, stir the grains, and then drain and replace the water two or three times until the water runs clear. Be careful not to break the rice grains during washing.
- Once washed, soak the rice in fresh water for 20 to 30 minutes, then drain the water completely.
For cooking rice until all the water evaporates
- Now, let's cook the rice in the microwave using the evaporation method.
- Place the soaked rice in a microwave-safe bowl, preferably made of glass.
- Add a quarter teaspoon of salt.
- Pour two cups of water into the microwave-safe bowl,
- Place the bowl in the microwave without putting the lid on, and cook on high for 5 minutes.
- make sure to maintain the ratio of one cup of rice to two cups of water.
- Put the lid on the bowl and place it in the microwave. Cook on high for another 9-10 minutes.
- Once cooked, remove the bowl from the oven. With this method, there's no need to drain any water.
- Simply use a fork to lightly fluff the rice. Your basmati rice, perfectly cooked in the microwave using the evaporation method, is now ready to enjoy!
For cooking rice by boiling and then draining the water
- Take the soaked rice into a microwave-safe bowl that has a lid, preferably a glass bowl, and a larger one is best for this process.
- Add a quarter teaspoon of salt to the water.
- Start by pouring 3.5 cups of water into the microwave-safe bowl to cover the rice.
- Place the bowl in the microwave without putting the lid on and heat it on high for 5 minutes.
- Remember the precise ratio: 1 cup of rice to 3.5 cups of water. Any extra water will be drained after the rice is cooked.
- Put the bowl back into the microwave, covered with the lid. Cook on high for 8-9 minutes.
- With this boiling method, you will need to drain the water. Use a strainer to remove all the water while the rice is still hot.
- The rice is ready to serve!
Notes
- To cook rice in the microwave, you'll need a microwave-safe bowl, ideally a glass one with a lid. If you don't have a lid, a microwave-safe plate placed on top will work. Avoid using aluminum foil in the microwave.
- You can keep cooked basmati rice in the refrigerator for one to two days if necessary.
- For best results, use aged, long-grain basmati rice if you can. Be careful not to overfill the bowl, as rice expands significantly when cooked.
Nutrition
Have you tried the basic Basmati Rice cooking in microwave recipe from Debjanir Rannaghar!
Please inform me of your experience, and feel free to send a photo to [email protected]. Additionally, you can find me on various social media platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Pinterest, Google News, X, and Thread. Don't forget to use the hashtag #debjanirrannaghar when sharing your attempts at my recipes or if you have any questions or recipe requests.
Here's how to cook Basmati Rice in a microwave Pin for your Pinterest Board
About Debjani Chatterjee Alam
I am Debjani Chatterjee Alam. A CSR specialist by profession and a food writer, food blogger, and food photographer as well. I live in Kolkata along with my Husband Mehebub who is an architect by profession, my daughter Pasta, and also my dog daughters Coffee and Luchi.
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