The 9 Best Basmati Rice Substitutes

Where would we be without Basmati rice? For years this fluffy white rice has been a fixture in many of our cupboards and pantries.

People who use Basmati rice swear by its delicious, light flavor and beautiful texture and would never go without it. But is there a good substitute if you run out and can’t make it to the store?

What are the best substitutes for Basmati rice?

Basmati rice can be substituted for other types of long-grain rice, such as American or jasmine rice. You can also substitute non-rice alternatives for the Basmati rice, such as orzo, bulgur wheat, and cauliflower rice.

Have a recipe that calls for Basmati rice, but your pantry is empty? Don’t panic, these substitutes will keep your dish tasting delicious.

Let’s look at the 9 best Basmati rice substitutes and how to use them.

What is basmati rice?

Basmati rice is traditionally served in Indian cuisine and other South Asian cuisines. This rice is native to the foothills of the Himalayas and is still cultivated mainly in India, Nepal and Pakistan.

Basmati rice is a long-grain variety of rice and requires a warm but humid climate to thrive.

Basmati rice is often served plain, and its subtle yet delicious flavor perfectly complements stronger sauces such as curries and chili con carne.

It also absorbs flavors when cooked as part of the main dish, like a classic biryani.

Basmati rice can also be flavored with spices, especially saffron, which is used to make authentic pilau rice.

What does basmati rice taste like?

You may think that rice is a simple and boring food that is used to absorb other flavors, but Basmati rice has other ideas.

The word Basmati means fragrant in Hindi, and that perfectly sums up this delicious rice.

Basmati rice is full of flavor and aroma. Compared to other types of rice, it is spicy, nutty, and flowery.

The texture of this long-grain rice means that, when cooked correctly, the grains do not stick together.

This means that each individual grain of rice will be covered in the flavors of the food you serve it with.

Can basmati rice be substituted?

Although Basmati rice is traditionally preferred for authentic Indian cooking, you’ll be glad to know that you can substitute many other types of rice for it.

So if you only have another type of rice, you can use it instead of Basmati rice.

Alternative types of rice will have different characteristics than Basmati rice, so they may alter the flavor or texture of your dish.

They may also have longer or shorter cooking times or may require a different cooking method.

There are also rice-free alternatives that can be used as a substitute for Basmati rice.

Choosing one or the other largely depends on your dish, but some of them can work very well as a substitute for Basmati rice.

The 9 Best Basmati Rice Substitutes

So now that we’ve got you excited about Basmati rice, we need to think about what you can use as a substitute for this delicious rice.

There are many options available, so don’t be discouraged if you run out of stocks of Basmati rice.

Here are the 9 best substitutes for Basmati rice:

1. American long grain white rice

Using another type of long-grain white rice is the closest possible substitute for Basmati rice.

American Long Grain Rice is regular white rice that isn’t as aromatic as Basmati rice, but works well in flavorful dishes like curries and chili con carne.

This rice is also a good substitute for dishes that call for cold cooked rice, such as rice salads.

American long-grain white rice is cooked using the same method as Basmati rice, so it can be substituted for the same in your dish.

This substitute is less expensive than other types of rice and is also widely available in grocery stores.

Most people probably already have long-grain American white rice in their cupboards, so if you’ve run out of Basmati rice, this is an easy change!

2. Long grain jasmine rice

If you have never used jasmine rice before, you will love the subtle yet delicious flavor of this rice.

Jasmine rice is a form of long-grain white rice that tastes similar to basmati rice, but becomes wetter and stickier when cooked.

This rice has a slightly different and stronger aroma than Basmati rice, but this should not affect the overall flavor of your dish.

This makes jasmine rice the perfect substitute for basmati rice if you’re cooking Asian-inspired dishes like Thai green curry or vegetable-packed stir-fries.

Jasmine rice requires slightly less water to cook than other types of long-grain rice, but other than that it cooks exactly the same as basmati rice.

3. Popcorn rice

Popcorn rice is a hybrid of basmati, so it is not surprising that it appears on this list.

Grown in Louisiana, popcorn rice has a flavor similar to Basmati, rich and nutty. The aroma is slightly softer, so it won’t overpower the other ingredients on your plate.

Like American long-grain and Basmati rice, the texture of this long-grain rice means that when cooked properly, the grains don’t stick together.

Popcorn rice may also be known as walnut or Louisiana walnut rice and can be found in many grocery stores.

4. Cauliflower rice

It’s been hard to miss the cauliflower rice craze. Popular with people following low-carb and keto diets, this no-carb rice substitute can be a delicious, low-calorie alternative to Basmati rice.

Unlike most types of rice, which can make you feel full and bloated, cauliflower rice will add a touch of lightness to your dinner.

Cauliflower rice is quick and easy to make, but it cooks very differently than Basmati rice.

The best way to cook cauliflower rice is to sauté it in a pan, to preserve the texture and flavor of the cauliflower.

You only need a box grater to prepare the cauliflower rice, although using a food processor is a much faster method.

5. Long grain brown rice

Long-grain brown rice is the healthiest version of white rice, so it’s a great substitute if you need something to replace Basmati rice.

Brown rice is actually the same grain as white rice, but the germ and bran have been left intact.

All forms of long-grain rice have a brown or white version, so you can find American, jasmine, popcorn, and even basmati rice in the brown alternative.

The main thing to keep in mind with brown rice is that the nutty flavor is much more pronounced, and can overpower other flavors on your plate.

It will hold up well to thick, rich sauces, but it won’t work with light, fragrant dishes.

Brown rice also takes much longer to cook, and needs more water to absorb it.

6. Couscous

Couscous is a popular type of pasta commonly used in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine.

Made with flour and water, the grains - or pearls - of couscous are smaller than those of rice, but work just as well at absorbing flavors.

With a subtle flavor, couscous works with many different types of dishes.

However, many people find couscous bland, so you may want to combine it with stronger flavors and sauces.

The good thing about couscous is that it absorbs the flavors used during the cooking process very well, so you can add herbs and spices to perfectly complement your dish.

Couscous is quick and easy to make, but it requires a very different technique than rice. It is combined with boiling water and cooked briefly, before being allowed to stand and absorb the water.

To prevent the couscous from sticking together, be sure to fluff it well with a fork before serving.

7. Bulgarian wheat

Bulgarian wheat is a whole wheat, made up of small pieces of cracked wheat grains.

It is mainly used in Mediterranean salads, such as tabbouleh, and can be a good substitute for Basmati rice, both in hot and cold dishes.

Like most whole grains, bulgur takes longer to cook than white rice. Boil in water until tender, draining any excess water before serving.

8. Quinoa

Quinoa is a seed that makes a great substitute for Basmati rice. It is very nutritious and also has no gluten.

Quinoa contains twice the protein of Basmati rice, making it a great protein source for vegetarians.

This delicious little seed cooks quickly in boiling water and absorbs the remaining liquid when allowed to stand. Fluff lightly with a fork before serving.

9. Orzo

Orzo may look a lot like rice, but it’s actually pasta. One of the smallest forms of pasta other than couscous, orzo is nearly identical to rice in shape, size, and texture.

These tiny grains are a nice substitute for Basmati rice, but they don’t have the same nutty, fragrant flavor.

They are also higher in calories, so reduce your total serving by a third to compensate.

To prepare the orzo, boil it in water over medium heat until al dente, usually 8 to 10 minutes. Be sure to drain it well before serving.

Related questions

If you still have a few more rice questions on your mind, we’ve got you covered.

What is the healthiest type of rice?

Rice is a staple food for many people around the world, providing a cheap and nutritious source of energy.

There are many different varieties of rice, which vary in color, flavor, and nutritional value.

Some are packed with health-promoting nutrients, while others are described as “empty carbs”: filling and tasty, but not nearly as nutritious.

The healthiest type of rice is brown rice. Brown rice contains the bran layer and germ of the rice grain, which is where the nutritional benefits come from.

Brown rice has three times more fiber and is higher in protein than white rice. It also contains antioxidants, which have been linked to reducing the risk of health conditions, such as heart disease and certain cancers.

Choosing brown rice over white can also help regulate blood sugar and insulin, a hormone that supports healthy blood sugar levels.

This can make it a good option for people with diabetes. These qualities also help stave off hunger, keeping you feeling fuller for longer.

What is the best type of rice for fried rice?

If you haven’t tried making fried rice with leftover rice, you’re missing out! Ready in minutes, fried rice is a great way to use up leftovers and reduce food waste.

The best type of rice to use for fried rice depends on the dish you are making. Chinese fried rice is typically made with long grain rice.

Thai dishes often use jasmine rice, and Japanese fried rice is made with short grain rice. Basmati rice is used for Indian fried rice recipes.

But if the type of rice you have left over doesn’t match your recipe, don’t panic! All types of rice work well whatever the type of cuisine, so go ahead and make whatever you fancy.

But here’s one important thing to remember: the best fried rice dishes are made with rice cooked the day before and chilled overnight in the fridge.

This is because cold rice, from the day before, will dry out in the fridge and not have the right texture to make the perfect fried rice.

Freshly cooked rice is quite wet and clumps together in the pan, giving a heavy, dense texture to the dish.

It will still taste amazing though, so if you don’t have cold-cooked rice, cook a batch!

What is the best type of rice to use in a rice cooker?

Rice cookers are miraculous gadgets that create perfectly cooked rice with a minimum of effort.

If your boiled rice always ends up cloying, sticky, and overcooked, it might be worth trying a rice cooker.

But what is the best type of rice to use in a rice cooker? The good news is that your rice cooker can cook any type of rice to perfection.

So you can cook long grain, short grain, jasmine, basmati, American rice…..the list goes on!

And that’s not all. Rice cookers can also be used to cook other grains, such as quinoa, barley, or bulgur wheat.

If you’re feeling really adventurous, rice cookers can also be used to prepare delicious dishes like poached pears, braised short ribs, or even pizza.

What is short grain rice?

Short grain rice is used to prepare dishes that require thick, dense cooked rice. The starchy nature of short-grain rice causes it to become sticky and thick when cooked, and the grains to clump together.

It absorbs juices and flavors well and is popular in many cuisines around the world.

These are the most common types of short grain rice:

Rice pudding is a type of short-grain rice, used to make dishes like rice pudding (you could have figured that out yourself, right?).

And yes, we repeat the obvious again, but short grain sushi rice is used to make sushi.

Risotto rice is also a short grain rice used to make, erm…... risotto!

Like long-grain rice, short-grain rice is usually available in brown and white varieties.

The whole grain version is more nutritious, but short grain white rice gives a better pudding texture.