Basmati Rice Substitutes

Out of basmati rice? These are the swaps that actually work, with conversion ratios for any recipe size and notes on how each one changes the result.

Need to convert basmati rice between cups, grams, or ounces first? Open the basmati rice converter.

What to use instead of basmati rice

  • White Rice

    Ingredient swap

    1 cup basmati rice = 1 cup white rice

    White long-grain rice swaps 1:1 by volume for basmati with the same cook time and water ratio. You lose the floral aroma, so add a pinch of cardamom or a bay leaf to the cooking water if the fragrance matters to the dish.

    See white rice substitutes →

  • Jasmine Rice

    Ingredient swap

    1 cup basmati rice = 1 cup jasmine rice

    Jasmine rice swaps 1:1 by volume for basmati and brings its own gentle floral note. The grain is a little softer and stickier than basmati, but cook time and water ratio stay the same.

    See jasmine rice substitutes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I substitute for basmati rice?
There are 2 workable substitutes for basmati rice, depending on what you have on hand and which property of basmati rice matters most for your recipe. The closest swap is usually 1 cup basmati rice = 1 cup white rice. Each option below lists the conversion ratio for any recipe size, plus notes on how the swap changes the texture, flavour, rise, or browning.
Will substituting basmati rice change how my recipe turns out?
Yes, every swap trades one property for another: fat content, moisture, acidity, or protein. The notes on each substitute describe what changes in texture, flavour, rise, or browning, so you can choose the swap that matters least for your recipe. Open the basmati rice converter
How do I measure basmati rice accurately?
Weighing in grams is more reliable than scooping cups, especially when a substitute has a different density from what the recipe expects. The basmati rice converter on this site converts between cups, grams, ounces, tablespoons, and teaspoons, so you can scale a recipe up or down without losing the ratio. Open the basmati rice converter

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