When it comes to picking the right rice for your recipe, there are literally thousands of types to choose from! Two of the most popular, though, are basmati and white rice. Read on to learn the differences between basmati rice vs white rice, and to take the guesswork out of planning your next meal.
What’s the Difference Between Basmati Rice and White Rice?
When meal planning, it’s important to use the best ingredients possible to make your dishes sing. But what differentiates basmati vs white rice? In truth, it’s a bit of a trick question! Basmati rice is one type of white rice, of which there are thousands of varieties. Still, take a deeper look and you’ll see that both types of rice have their own unique features.
- The term “white rice” refers to rice that has been milled and polished to remove its outer husk, bran and germ. White rice can refer to regular oryza sativa rice, jasmine, basmati, arborio and more. Brown rice, on the other hand, has its bran and germ layers intact, so it is higher in fiber and certain nutrients than white rice.
- While white rice can have long, short or medium-length grains, basmati rice is a long-grain type of rice. Native to the Indian subcontinent, basmati is one of the world’s most popular types of rice. Another, jasmine, can be distinguished from basmati by its sweet, floral scent and slightly soft texture.
- White rice has a neutral flavor and fluffy texture. Basmati is fragrant and nutty, with light, separate grains.
- Though traditional Success® boil-in-bag white rice and basmati rice can be used in similar ways, basmati is ideal for curry dishes, pilafs, biryanis and other dishes where its aroma and delicate texture will stand out.
- From a nutritional standpoint, basmati rice vs white rice is a fair fight. Like all types of rice, these varieties are gluten-free. Since they are milled, neither is a whole grain, like brown rice. However, basmati rice has a slightly lower glycemic index and tends to have more nutrients that regular white rice.
- As mentioned, basmati rice is available in white and brown varieties. Brown basmati rice is a whole-grain food that is rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals. To make enriched white rice, manufacturers add certain vitamins and minerals back into processed white rice.
Cooking Basmati Rice vs White Rice
As with most things, different cooks have different ways of making basmati rice and white rice. Still, most agree that both kinds are best boiled on the stove, seasoned with a little salt. To cook basmati rice, a ratio of 1:1.5 (or 1 cup of rice to 1 1/2 cups of water) is ideal. For white rice, many people prefer a 1:2 ratio of rice to water.
Prefer not to tinker with measuring cups and stress over the uncertainty of how much water to use for perfect rice? No measure, no mess Success® Rice takes the guesswork out of making rice — whether you’re craving white, brown, basmati or jasmine — with delightfully delicious, fluffy results every time.
Success® Rice Products That Make It Easy
A shortcut that never requires you to skimp on quality, Success® Rice offers premium results, with zero stress. Want to know the real difference between basmati and white rice? Load up on these pantry superstars and taste it for yourself! With little prep and perfect results every time, Success® boil-in-bag basmati rice and Success® boil-in-bag white rice are the dinner companions you’ll want on your permanent guest list. Ingredients you can rely on, that adapt to almost any kind of recipe and that pair well with a slew of tasty ingredients, these are the type of pantry must-haves no kitchen should be without. Find your favorites at your local grocery store and online.
Explore the Flavors: Recipes with Basmati & White Rice
From fragrant tikka masala to zesty Spanish rice, there’s no end of recipes that rely on basmati or white rice for consistently enjoyable results. Grab a box of Success® Rice, tie on an apron, and try something new today!
Buffalo Chicken and Rice Casserole
White rice takes on the bold flavors of buffalo chicken wings in this crowd-pleasing, weeknight-friendly dish. Saucy, tangy, creamy and rich, this dish is sure to inspire pleas for seconds.
Seafood Rice Dish with Shrimp and Mussels
Take a trip to España tonight with this seafood-crowded white rice dish. A simple riff on the beloved classic, this recipe combines juicy chicken thighs, crisp white wine, plump mussels and shrimp into an easy dish any cook can pull off.
Asian Fusion Paella Spanish Fried Rice
With a dose of chorizo, a dash of smoked paprika and a surprising splash of soy sauce, this fusion dish is as surprising as it is delicious. Impress your dinner guests with this stunning way to prepare fluffy white rice.
Summer Corn and Rice Salad
There’s a world of ingredients you can add to rice but we’re partial to the bounty of herbs, sweet corn and juicy tomatoes in this seasonal salad. Brought together with punchy vinaigrette and the brisk zing of green onions, basmati rice becomes the star of a knock-out dinner.
Chicken Tikka Masala
Light and aromatic, Success® boil-in-bag basmati rice is the perfect foil for chili-laced tikka sauce in this 25-minute dish. For weeknights or on lazy weekends, served alongside other curries or alone, made fresh or to repurpose leftover basmati rice, this dish provides everything you want from a warming meal.
Grilled Hawaiian Chicken Coconut Rice
Crowd the grill with juicy pineapple rings and tender, marinated chicken for a tropical feast the whole family will devour. Cooked in coconut milk, instead of water, basmati rice becomes a creamy, rich, irresistible side.
Spanish Rice
Smoky, savory, saucy and seasoned, this white rice dish is a perfect complement to grilled or roasted proteins, including smoke-kissed shrimp, oven-crisped tofu or juicy chicken thighs. Short on time? Pair this satisfying dish with a green salad, and have dinner on the table in 15 minutes flat.
Sweet and Sour Chicken and Rice
Turn to this tasty takeout alternative when the craving for tender chicken, crisp vegetables and a tart, sweet sauce can’t be ignored. A dish that uses minimal ingredients, this one can be made with whichever type of Success® Rice you have on hand — white, basmati, brown or jasmine — and turn out perfectly every time.
Easy Smoked Sausage and White Rice Skillet
Transform a package of white rice into a complete meal with this popular recipe. A nod to fan-favorite sausage and peppers, this skillet supper invites broccoli, fluffy grains and mozzarella cheese to the party for a dinner nobody will be able to resist. Fans of spice will want to turn up the heat with chili flakes, hot sauce or by using spicy sausage for this dish.
Mushroom Chicken Risotto
Elegant enough for company, this 20-minute meal can also be relied on to brighten up weeknights when you’re short on time. Creamy and savory, flavored with garlic butter mushrooms, tender morsels of chicken and a tempting blend of broth, wine and parmesan, it’s a white rice dish that has a little something for everyone at the table.
Coconut Chicken Rice Bowl
Coated in a silky red curry and coconut glaze, chicken and peppers become a fragrant, Thai-inspired partner for light basmati grains. A 30-minute meal that feels like it took much longer to prepare, this dish practically guarantees empty plates.
