Imagine a side dish that transforms your ordinary meal into a culinary adventure - this Instant Pot Basil Lime Rice is about to become your new kitchen obsession! Bursting with bright, zesty flavors and incredibly easy to prepare, this Thai-inspired rice will transport your taste buds to a tropical paradise without spending hours in the kitchen. In just 20 minutes, you'll create a restaurant-quality side dish that's guaranteed to impress your family and guests with its vibrant herbs and citrusy kick.
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 20 mins
Cuisine: Thai
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup jasmine rice
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Rinse the jasmine rice thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear, which helps remove excess starch and prevents clumping.
- Add the rinsed rice, water, and salt to the Instant Pot inner pot, stirring gently to combine all ingredients.
- Close the Instant Pot lid, ensuring the valve is set to "Sealing" position.
- Select the "Rice" setting or manually set to high pressure for 12 minutes. If your Instant Pot doesn't have a rice setting, use manual high pressure.
- Once cooking is complete, allow a natural pressure release for 5 minutes, then carefully perform a quick release to release remaining pressure.
- Open the lid and fluff the rice gently with a fork to separate the grains.
- Stir in fresh lime juice, mixing thoroughly to distribute the citrus flavor evenly.
- Fold in the chopped fresh basil, allowing the herbs to release their aromatic oils into the warm rice.
- Let the rice sit for 2-3 minutes to absorb the final flavors before serving.
- Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with additional fresh basil leaves if desired.
Tips
- Rice Rinsing Matters: Always rinse your jasmine rice thoroughly to remove excess starch, which prevents sticky, clumpy results.
- Water Ratio is Key: Stick to the
- 5:1 water to rice ratio for perfectly fluffy grains every time.
- Fresh Ingredients Make a Difference: Use freshly squeezed lime juice and just-chopped basil for maximum flavor impact.
- Natural Pressure Release: Allow a 5-minute natural release to help the rice finish cooking and become perfectly tender.
- Fluffing Technique: Use a fork to gently separate rice grains, creating a light and airy texture.
- Timing is Everything: Add lime juice and basil after cooking to preserve their bright, fresh flavors.
- Optional Garnish: Consider topping with extra basil leaves or a sprinkle of lime zest for an extra flavor boost.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 160kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 3g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
