How to Cook Rice (VIDEO)

Learn how to cook rice perfectly every time. This is our go-to method to make fluffy white rice and it doesn’t get any easier. No more gummy or hard rice! To cook rice on the stove, all you need is a medium saucepan with a tight-fitting lid.

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Watch How to Cook Rice:

Anyone can make this easy white rice! It is perfect for any recipe that calls for cooked white rice like our Fried Rice and is excellent served under saucy Chicken Broccoli Stir Fry.

• Step 1: Add white long-grain rice, salt, and butter (if using) to a medium saucepan.
• Step 2: Pour in water and bring to a boil over medium heat.
• Step 3: Reduce heat to a low simmer, cover and cook with the lid on for 18 minutes.
• Step 4: Check rice. If there’s any water on the bottom, cover and let it rest 5 minutes off the heat to absorb then serve.

White Kind of Rice Should I Use?

This tutorial is written for long-grain white rice. Our go-to rice is Jasmine rice, but Basmati long-grain white rice will also work here. We prefer long-grain white rice because it stays fluffy and the grains remain separate after cooking.

Should I Rinse or Soak Rice?

• Rinsing is optional and we usually skip that step. Rinsing removes the extra starch on the outside of the rice, making it slightly less sticky. To rinse, place rice in a fine mesh colander and rinse 20 seconds or until the water runs clear underneath.
• Soaking Jasmine rice or white rice is not recommended because it is naturally soft and can result in mushy rice.

How do you know when the rice is cooked?

• Set a Timer: For consistent perfectly cooked rice every time, our best advice is to set a timer while cooking. Fully cooked rice will be fluffy and tender all the way through.
• 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.
• See that 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 rest 5-10 minutes off the heat until water is fully absorbed.

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 frozen without needing to thaw. Here is the process we use to freeze rice.

• 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. Sprinkle 1 Tbsp of water over the rice and reheat portions covered in a microwave-safe container for 2-3 minutes.

To Cook 2 Cups of Rice:

1 cup of uncooked rice will yield 3 cups of cooked rice. If you need more, you can easily scale the recipe up or down, just keep in mind the rice to water 1:2 ratio (1 cup rice to 2 cups water). To double the recipe, use 2 cups of rice and 4 cups of water.

Can I Substitute the Water?

For more flavorful rice, you can substitute water with chicken broth or vegetable broth. We love to use chicken broth in our Creamy Chicken and Rice recipe to amp up the flavor.

Cook’s Tip: My mother’s rice was always so buttery and wonderful growing up. You can amp up the flavor of rice by stirring in softened or melted butter to taste after the rice is cooked.

What to Serve with White Rice:

Rice is so versatile. You can put it into rice soup, serve it as a plain buttery side, and it’s also amazing served under stir fry. Some of our favorite recipes to serve over rice are:

• Chicken Stir Fry – easy and so saucy
• Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry – loaded with tender beef
• Beef Stroganoff – the creamy sauce is excellent over rice
• Sweet & Spicy Chicken – shredded baked chicken breast
• Beef Stir Fry – with bell peppers and mushrooms

Print

How to Cook Rice (Easy VIDEO Tutorial)

5 from 4 votes

Prep Time: 2 minutes

Cook Time: 18 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Learn how to cook rice perfectly every time. This is our go-to method to make fluffy white rice and it's so easy. To cook rice on the stove, all you need is a medium saucepan with a tight-fitting lid.

Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com

Skill Level: Easy

Cost to Make: $1-$2

Keyword: how to cook rice, how to cook white rice

Cuisine: American

Course: Side Dish

Calories: 194 kcal

Servings: 4 people (makes 3 cups cooked rice)

Ingredients

• 1 cup long grain white rice (we used Jasmine rice)
• 2 cups water
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1 Tbsp butter optional, or added to taste

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

1. In a medium saucepan, add 1 cup rice, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 Tbsp butter (if using) to the pan.
2. Add 2 cups water and bring to a boil, uncovered, over medium heat.
3. Reduce heat to a low simmer, cover with a tight fitting lid and cook for 18 minutes. You should hear faint simmer and hissing sounds while it's cooking.
4. After 18 minutes, remove lid and check rice. If there is any excess liquid on the bottom, remove from heat, cover and let it rest 5-10 minutes to absorb then serve hot.

Nutrition Facts

How to Cook Rice (Easy VIDEO Tutorial)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 194 Calories from Fat 27

% Daily Value*

Fat 3g5%

Saturated Fat 2g13%

Cholesterol 8mg3%

Sodium 324mg14%

Potassium 53mg2%

Carbohydrates 37g12%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 3g6%

Vitamin A 89IU2%

Calcium 17mg2%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition Disclosure