How to Cook Perfect Rice on the Stove
on Sep 30, 2022
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A foolproof recipe for cooking white rice.
How to Cook Rice
This is it—the foolproof recipe for making perfect rice on the stove. If cooking rice makes you nervous, know that you are not alone. Even really accomplished cooks get intimidated by plain old rice.
My mother had a friend who made extravagant, authentic Chinese meals, and then sent her husband to go pick up rice from the local Chinese restaurant. Another friend of mine headed up one of the best test kitchens in the country, and when she has a chili party she asks one of the guests to bring the rice.
But we’re going to solve the rice-phobic issue today. Rice is too awesome not to know how to make easily. It’s the most perfect side dish for so many different meals, and soaks up sauces like a dream. Pair a scoop of fluffy rice with anything from Asian dishes like Chicken, Broccoli and Sugar Snap Pea Stir Fry, Spicy Stir Fried Beef and Vegetables or Lemon and Scallion Chicken Stir Fry. Or serve it with Mustard and Maple Pork Kebabs or Citrus Basil Shrimp Kebabs. There are few foods I can think of that don’t partner well with rice.
What Goes with Rice?
I serve rice at least a couple of times a week, with dinner — it’s so easy to make, it’s perfect for soaking up sauces, balancing out a slightly spicy main dish, and when all else fails, it’s what a picky eater will eat. Asian dishes of all kinds always pair perfectly with rice (I guess unless its a noodle dish, but even then, sometimes!).
Do You Need to Rinse Rice Before Cooking?
For basic long grained white rice, no, you do not. Other types of rice do need rinsing first to remove excess starch, but for your basic long grain rice you do not need to wash it first.
What is the Ratio of Water to Rice?
The basic water to white rice ratio is 2 cups water to 1 cup rice. You can easily, double and even triple the recipe; just make sure you are using a pot large enough to hold the rice as it cooks and expands. Other rice varieties, like brown and Arborio, can be a little different in terms of proportions and timing, but this 2 to 1 ratio is how you’ll get perfect white rice every time.
What Does Simmer Mean?
Once you bring your water to a boil, and season it with salt and perhaps a bit of butter, you’ll add your rice and allow the water to just return to a boil. Then you’ll quickly reduce the heat, cover the pot, and keep the water and rice at a simmer, which basically means just below the boiling point. You want the top of the liquid to be bubbling, but gently, not at a full boil, which could also cause the water to bubble up out of the pot.
How to Make Rice
Bring the water to boil in a medium saucepan. Add the salt and butter and allow the butter to melt.
When the water has returned to a boil, stir in the rice. Let the water return to a light simmer. Stir again, cover the pot and turn the heat down to low. Keep the rice simmering slightly, and keep the pot covered (you may have to peek after a few minutes to make sure the heat is at the correct temperature, but then let it cook, covered). Start checking to see if the rice is tender and all of the liquid is absorbed at about 17 minutes. It may take up to 25, especially if you are making a larger quantity of rice.
When the rice is cooked, turn off the heat and let it sit for another couple of minutes to finish absorbing any liquid. Take off the lid, fluff the rice with a fork and let it sit for another 2 minutes or so, so that some of the excess moisture in the rice dries off.
How Long to Cook White Rice
A cup of white rice will take about 17 minutes to cook, but larger amounts may take a few extra minutes. Leaving it covered on the stove for a few minutes after it’s tender will allow it to finish absorbing all of the water and then fluffing it with a fork will get your rice nice and …well, fluffy.
How Long Will Rice Keep?
Cooked rice lasts in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, so you can make extra to serve later in the week, or to use in different dishes. Leftover rice cdan be used in dishes like Kimchi Fried Rice, Shrimp Fried Rice, Vegetable Fried Rice, and Chicken and Rice Soup.
How to Reheat Rice
To reheat cooked rice in the microwave, place it in a microwave safe bowl and sprinkle a bit of water on top, then drape a damp paper towel over the top before heating it, to make sure it doesn’t dry out. You can also reheat it in a pot: give it a generous sprinkle of water, and heat with the lid on over low heat, stirring and fluffing frequently. For more details, see How To Perfectly Reheat Rice On The Stove And In The Microwave. And if you have an instant pot, see How to Cook Perfect Rice in an Instant Pot.
How to Cook Rice: Rice is too awesome not to know how to make easily. Learn how to make perfect rice every time.
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If you want a similar little bulleted list of info and a recipe for brown rice, here is How to Cook Perfect Brown Rice on the Stove. And if you’re in the mood for quinoa, check out How to Make Perfect Quinoa on the Stove or try How to Cook Perfect Farro on the Stove. Also see this recipe for perfect rice pilaf, and a whole bunch of ideas for using leftover rice.
What to Serve with White Rice:
Here are ways to use that perfect rice all week long. Serve it with:
- Chicken Cacciatore
- Mongolian Beef (pictured above)
- Lemon Garlic Tilapia
- Slow Cooker Teriyaki Beef Tips
- White Chicken Chili
- Pan Seared Pork Chops with Marsala and Mushroom Cream Sauce
- Chicken Adobo (pictured below)
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How to Cook Perfect Rice on the Stove
Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon butter or oil optional
- 1 cup long grain white rice
Instructions
- Bring the water to boil in a medium saucepan. Add the salt and butter and allow the butter to melt.
- When the water has returned to a boil, stir in the rice. Let the water return to a light simmer. Stir again, cover the pot and turn the heat down to low. Keep the rice simmering slightly, and keep the pot covered (you may have to peek after a few minutes to make sure the heat is at the correct temperature, but then let it cook, covered). Start checking to see if the rice is tender and all of the liquid is absorbed at about 17 minutes. It may take up to 25, especially if you are making a larger quantity of rice.
- When the rice is cooked, turn off the heat and let it sit for another couple of minutes to finish absorbing any liquid. Take off the lid, fluff the rice with a fork and let it sit for another 2 minutes or so, so that some of the excess moisture in the rice dries off.
I cooked it but I have a lid to my pan that has a whole to vent and water came out the top is that normal or did I use a pot that was just to small please help
Some pots do have that little vent hole, and if the pot is too full, water will occasionally bubble out a little. Hopefully it didn’t affect the outcome of the rice. You may want to make sure you don’t overfill these kinds of pots.
I Still prefer Rice and plantain
nothing wrong with that!!
This is really coolNice info
I mix a 2 part water and 1 part chicken stock to get a richer taste. I use with my cajun meals.
Excellent idea!
I HAVE SEEN ON THE FOOD NETWORK TO COOK RICE LIKE PASTA IN BOILING WATER AND IT WORKED, THE RICE WAS DELICIOUS.
I can’tt make rice at all and love it basaltic or jasmine it’s always hard I do. 1 cup rice and 1 1/4 water. After boil turn to low in 7 minutes it was dry and stuck in pan and hard crunchy I give
You needed about 3/4 C more water and probably needed to lower the heat. Hope that helps!
I read somewhere after rice is cooked
take the saucepan off stove and put
a towel over the top it’ll absorb any
remaining water in rice, I’d like to
know if you put the lid on top of towel .
thanks for any info
With this method you will never burn or scorch the rice. bring to boil 8 to 12 cups of water. Add the salt, stir. Add 1 cup rice, stir once to get the rice separated and boil for 12-14 minutes testing for doneness till the rice is cooked through. Pour through a strainer and set strainer on top of the cooking pot to dry a little. Cover with lid to keep warm.
Wild rice will take much longer to cook.
No matter what kind of rice you will get perfect results every time.
Why would you need so much water?
Make the same rice again, exactly the same way: except either add less water, or leave it cooking for more time. You may have to repeat the process several times, altering one factor each time, to get it right. To determine if rice has absorbed all the water, take a fork, slide it down along the side of the pot, and pull toward the center about 1/2″. Look to the bottom to see if there’s any clear or starchy water puddling on the bottom. If so, cook for a few more minutes and check again. If the pot bottom is dry, you’re ready to shut off the heat and let it steam the last few minutes. I’ve found a lot of variability in rice cooking time in the last few years, anywhere from 20-45 minutes depending upon white vs. brown types.
It’s true, rice remains mysterious as a genre. If you find a brand you like and stick with i you will get to know that brand and how it cooks, and get more consistent results.
Followed this exactly.. and my husband said it’s not right. I don’t eat rice really so I’m unsure about the texture. It seemed hard to me but he said it’s mushy. #talent lol What could I be doing wrong? All water was absorbed in 17 minutes, I let sit as instructed, fluffed as instructed.. but.. no.
I wish there were a way to ensure everyone got perfect results every time! Some packages say to start with the rice in cold water, but this is the way I usually make it. Rice also can be different from brand to brand, so perhaps the type you used wasn’t being cooperative. I’m sorry, and hope you’ll give it another shot!
Might need to wash the rice first. It washes of the starchy powder and makes the rice fluffier.
Use less water first and then taste it, add more water if needed. Just keep this in mind, you can always add more liquid but you can’t take it out and that goes for all your foods.
Too much water
I add an onion cut a few times, it tastes like “better cabbage” when it is cooked like this.
TO LJK – Make him cook his own food or Divorce him.
TO MICHAEL YOUNG – Excellent idea!
Instead of water tey using chicken broth