To cook white rice perfectly, follow these steps:
Ingredients
- 1 cup white rice (short, medium, or long grain)
- 1.5 cups water (for stovetop method)
Stovetop Method (Recommended)
- Combine rice and water in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Do not rinse the rice unless concerned about cleanliness.
- Bring to a gentle simmer ; once the water surface bubbles gently and becomes foamy, reduce heat to low and cover with a lid.
- Cook for 13 minutes without stirring or lifting the lid. The water should be fully absorbed.
- Remove from heat and let the rice rest, covered, for 10 minutes to steam and finish cooking.
- Fluff the rice with a fork before serving
Alternative Methods
- Oven method: Preheat oven to 200°C (390°F). Combine 2 cups rice with 3 cups boiling water in a casserole dish with a lid. Bake for 35 minutes, then rest covered for 10 minutes before fluffing
- Microwave method: Place 1 cup rice and 2 cups boiling water in a microwave-safe container. Microwave on high for 12 minutes (for 1100-1200W microwaves), then rest covered for 10 minutes and fluff
Tips
- Avoid stirring during cooking to prevent gummy rice.
- Letting rice rest covered after cooking improves fluffiness.
- Water-to-rice ratio can vary slightly depending on rice type; for example, basmati rice typically uses a 2:1 water-to-rice ratio
- Rinsing rice is optional; some prefer to rinse to remove starch, but it can make rice softer and less fluffy
This method yields fluffy, evenly cooked rice suitable for most white rice varieties
