One of the most common cooking questions is simply: how much rice should I cook? Too little and people go hungry; too much and you're eating leftover rice for days. Here's a straightforward guide to basmati rice portions for every situation.
Standard Portions of Dry Basmati Rice
| Situation | Dry rice per person | Cooked weight (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Side dish (with curry, stew) | 60–75g | 150–190g |
| Main meal (rice as the base) | 80–100g | 200–250g |
| Children (under 10) | 40–50g | 100–125g |
| Batch cooking (per portion) | 75g | 190g |
As a general rule, basmati rice roughly triples in weight when cooked — 100g of dry rice yields approximately 300g of cooked rice. This is slightly more than standard long grain rice due to basmati's unique elongation during cooking.
How Many Cups Is That?
If you prefer measuring by cup rather than weight, one standard cup (240ml) holds approximately 185–200g of dry basmati rice — enough for 2–3 people as a side dish. Use the 1:1.5 ratio (one cup of rice to one and a half cups of water) for best results.
Cooking for a Group
When cooking for larger numbers, scale up using the table below:
| Number of people | Dry rice needed (side dish) | Dry rice needed (main) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 120–150g | 160–200g |
| 4 | 240–300g | 320–400g |
| 6 | 360–450g | 480–600g |
| 8 | 480–600g | 640–800g |
Tips for Batch Cooking Rice
Cooked basmati rice keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container. It also freezes well — portion it into individual servings before freezing for easy weeknight meals. Always reheat rice thoroughly until piping hot, and never reheat it more than once.
If you cook rice regularly for a family, buying in bulk makes real sense. Daawat Basmati Rice is available in 5kg, 10kg, and 20kg bags — significantly better value per kilogram than buying 1kg packs repeatedly, and the quality is identical.