Learn how to cook rice that’s perfect every time. This is my go-to method for fluffy rice, and it doesn’t get any easier – all you need is a medium saucepan with a tight-fitting lid.
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How to Cook White Rice Video Tutorial
In my video tutorial, I’ll show you my tried-and-true method for cooking white rice on the stovetop. It’s not just about getting proportions right; the right method is KEY to getting the fluffiest, perfectly cooked rice that’s never dry or mushy.
This is a recipe everyone should have in their recipe repertoire. It’s perfect for any recipe that calls for cooked white rice, like Chicken Fried Rice or saucy Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry.
Best Rice-to-Water Ratio for White Rice
For long-grain, medium-grain, and short-grain white rice cooked on the stovetop, the same ratio works well. Keep in mind that rice cookers require slightly less water, and shorter-grain rice will be naturally more tender and sticky due to a higher starch content. If you’re looking for an Arborio recipe, try my Risotto. For brown rice, you’ll love my Instant Pot Rice Plov.
- 1 cup white rice to 2 cups water
(Use 1 3/4 cups water for firmer individual grains)
Should You Rinse or Soak White Rice?
- Soaking white rice for long periods is not necessary as it is naturally soft and can result in mushy rice.
- Rinsing rice is a great idea for cleanliness to remove dust, chemicals, bugs, and debris. It also removes excess starch, ensuring the rice has a fluffy texture with separated kernels.
How to Rinse Rice Before Cooking
Place rice in a fine mesh colander and rinse 30-60 seconds, gently shaking it, until the water runs clear underneath. Drain well in the colander before cooking.
How to Cook Rice on the Stovetop
- Rinse the rice and drain it well so the water-to-rice ratio remains accurate.
- In a medium saucepan, combine rice, water, salt, and butter (if using) and bring to a boil over medium heat.
- Simmer – Reduce the heat to a low simmer, cover, and cook for 18 minutes. You should hear a faint hissing sound. Do not lift the lid! Keeping the lid on prevents steam from escaping, which is crucial for fluffy rice.
- Rest – Remove from heat, keep the lid on, and let it rest for 5 minutes to ensure moisture redistributes and cooks the center of each grain without getting mushy.
- Fluff – gently fluff with a fork instead of stirring so your rice doesn’t get mushy.
How to Tell When Rice is Fully Cooked?
- Set a Timer: For consistent, perfectly cooked rice every time, my best advice is to set a timer while cooking. Fully cooked rice will be fluffy and tender throughout.
- Listen for Simmering Sounds: You should hear the rice simmer and hiss while the lid is on and when the sounds stop, the rice has absorbed the water and should be removed from heat.
- Water is Absorbed: When you take off the lid, fluff with the fork, and you should not see any pooling of water at the bottom. If you see any water, cover with the lid and let it rest 5-10 minutes off the heat until the water is fully absorbed.
How to Double the Recipe Without Changing Texture
1 cup of uncooked rice will yield about 3 cups of cooked rice. To double the recipe, use the same 1:2 rice-to-water ratio, i.e., 2 cups rice to 4 cups water. When scaling up, use a pot that is large enough for the rice to expand as it cooks. Keep the cooking time the same.
What if my rice looks dried out?
If your heat is too high or your lid wasn’t tight enough, the moisture can evaporate too quickly, resulting in dry rice. If your rice seems dry, drizzle in 2 to 4 Tablespoons of boiling water, cover with the lid, and let it rest off the heat for 5 minutes. The rice will absorb the water and will become moist and fluffy.
Learning how to cook perfect white rice is so easy, and this is one of those staple lunch or dinner recipes you’ll memorize and make over and over. It’s so versatile, from Arancini Rice Balls to Shrimp Fried Rice, or paired with Baked Chicken Breast for an easy dinner.
How to Cook Rice
Ingredients
- 1 cup white rice, (long, medium, or short grain rice)
- 2 cups filtered water, or use 1 3/4 cups for firmer individual grains
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1 Tbsp unsalted butter, optional (or use olive oil)
Instructions
- Rinse your rice in a colander for 30-60 seconds or until the water runs clear then drain well.
- Combine – In a medium saucepan, add rice, water, salt and butter (if using) and bring to a boil over medium heat. Do not stir.
- Simmer – Reduce the heat to a low simmer, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and cook for 18 minutes. You should hear faint simmering and hissing sounds while it's cooking. Don't open the lid.
- Rest – Remove the pan from the heat* and let it rest covered for 5-10 minutes.
- Fluff with a fork and serve hot.
Notes
*Check for Doneness: I like to open the lid and check the rice after 18 minutes. If there is a little excess liquid, the rice should re-absorb it as it rests. If it seems too dry, add a drizzle of boiling hot water and stir in a pat of butter then cover and let it rest for perfectly moist rice. How to Freeze Cooked Rice: Having portioned rice in the freezer is great for quick weeknight meals like Shrimp Fried Rice. Frozen cooked rice can be heated directly from the freezer without thawing.
- Cook and Cool rice to room temperature.
- Portion into freezer-safe zip lock bags, removing as much air as possible.
- Freeze, laying flat, for up to 3 months in the freezer.
- To Reheat, remove from packaging, sprinkle 1 Tbsp of water over the rice and reheat portions covered in a microwave-safe container for 2-3 minutes.
Nutrition Per Serving
Filed Under
Easy Rice Recipes to Try Next
Rice is so versatile and easy to cook, which is why it’s one of my favorite grains to cook for dinner. If you love rice as much as we do, you’ll love these tasty rice dishes.
- Cilantro Lime Rice
- Chicken and Rice Soup
- Instant Pot Chicken and Rice
- Mushroom Rice Pilaf
- Parsley Rice
- Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
- Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet
- Fish Taco Bowls
- Apple Rice Pudding
Hi. How do I find a tight fitting lid. All the lids that I see have a venting hole on them. How can I cook rice with the venting holes? I would appreciate any kind of ideas you might have for me.
Hi Colleen. You can look online at stores like Amazon to see if they sell universal lid sets without vent holes. I have successfully made this in a vented lid. If there’s too much steam or pressure in the pot, the vent will allow just the right amount to escape so your rice isn’t soggy (which can be the result of not letting any steam escape).
I always cook my rice in chicken broth! Chicken broth gives the rice more flavor. Of course, you can’t use chicken broth if you are making something sweet!
Natasha sorry for the question not about the food:) what kind of container you use to keep the rice.
Hi Kasia, I use Mason Craft & More airtight containers (amazon affiliate link)
just a tip. I never measure rice or liquid. Whattttt???? yes never couple hand fulls rice wash or fry in hot butter n oil key is add enough liquid to come up first knuckle of pointing finger. while rice is lying even and flat in pot even frying pan works every time. cover and follow the direction listed here
Thank you so much for sharing that with us, Joseph!
I always rinse my rice. If it is not rinsed it will come out clumpy. When rinsed every grain is separate.
Hi Carmen, Thank you so much for sharing that with me. Rinsing rice is optional and depends on personal preference. There are some good reasons to rinse your rice though and we listed a few in the recipe post.
I followed this recipe to a tee (I didn’t rinse my rice) and it came out perfect! Thanks Natasha for helping me cook white rice!
Hello Stephanie, thank you for your comments and feedback. So glad that you loved it!
When I cook my rice, I wash my rice first in cold water and drain. I boil water 1st and add salt. Then I add rice and turn the burner down as low as it gets. My rice bubbles up and boils over my pan. What am I doing wrong?
Hi Karen, it should be barely at a simmer – you should just be hearing a hissing sound and not boiling. If the heat is too high or the saucepan is too small, it is more likely to bubble over.
How is converted rice different from other types of rice? I grew up using Uncle Ben’s converted rice so I curious what the difference is.
Hi Cathy! You may find this article about Converted Rice helpful. 🙂
I love your recipes bit this is very disappointing. How do you not wash the rice? Do you eat your veggies and fruits without washing? Wash off the pesticides and dust that are stuck to rice before cooking. All the countries where rice is a staple, it’s a common practice to was rice because they know how rice is processed and stored. It isn’t hygienic.
And your rice doesn’t look great either. Grains don’t look separate and it looks so sticky. So, this is a good recipe for sticky rice.
Hi Ria, you do make some valid points. Please see my section in the post above titled “Should I Rinse Rice or Soak Rice?” Also, I added a note in the first step of the instructions. Thank you for bringing that to my attention.
Natasha you should always rinse the rice many times before cooking and you must make sure that you don’t put too much water as it gets soggy. I was born and raised in China so I am very particular with my rice. By the way I am Russian. I use a lot of your recipes and I love them.
Thank you, Irene! I’m glad you love my recipes.