Say goodbye to scorched pans and gummy grains, and learn how to cook rice like a pro! These easy stovetop methods yield tender, fluffy rice every time.
cooking basics — Jump to recipe
Rumor has it that you need a rice cooker or an Instant pot to cook fluffy, tender rice at home. Well, I’m here to tell you that the rumors aren’t true. Cooking rice on the stove is quick and easy, and if you do it the right way, it works every time. Below, I’m sharing 2 foolproof stovetop methods for how to cook rice in under 30 minutes. Without fail, the rice comes out light, fluffy, and not at all gummy. So skip the fancy gadgets, and grab a saucepan with a lid! A steaming pot of perfect rice is just half an hour away.
How to Cook Rice on the Stove
These methods for how to cook rice will work with short, medium, or long grain white rice, such as jasmine or basmati. Note: they will NOT work for brown rice! If brown rice is what you have on hand, head over to this post to learn how to cook it.
Option 1: Steaming
- First, rinse the rice.Do not skip this step! It washes away starches that will cause the rice to clump together, so it’s key for cooking soft, fluffy rice. Add the rice to a fine mesh strainer set over a large bowl, and rinse until the water in the bowl runs clear.
- Then, measure the proper water to rice ratio.Measure 1 1/2 cups of water and 1 teaspoon olive oil for every cup of uncooked rice. (1 cup dry rice yields about 3 cups cooked.) Combine the rice, oil, and water in a medium saucepan, and stir to combine. Bring to a boil over high heat.
- Next, simmer.When the water starts boiling, cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid, and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 15 minutes.
- Finally, let it steam.Turn off the heat and let the pot stand, covered, for 10 minutes. Remove the lid and fluff the rice with a fork. That’s it!
Option 2: The Pasta Method
- First, rinse the rice. For this method, add the rice to a fine mesh strainer and rinse it under cool running water. Unlike with the steaming method, a quick rinse is fine here.
- Next, boil it.Add the rice to a pot filled halfway with cool water, and set a timer for 15 minutes. Bring the water to a boil, and test the rice for done-ness when the timer goes off.
- Finally, rinse it again.When the rice is tender, drain the pot, and rinse the drained rice under cold water. In this method, this second rinse is the one you don’t want to skip. It will wash away starches that will cause the rice to clump together. Set the rinsed rice aside to dry for a few minutes in the strainer. Then, enjoy!
Rice Serving Suggestions
Rice is at home in Asian dishes, Mexican recipes, and more, so it’s impossible to run out of new ways to use it. Serve it on its own as a side dish, or dress it with lime and cilantro to make cilantro lime rice. Toss it into a stir fry, or use it as the base for a healthy grain bowl. Try it in any of these recipes:
- Bibimbap
- Mango Ginger Rice Bowl
- Tamago Kake Gohan
- Best Buddha Bowl
- Portobello Burrito Bowl
- Or make your own bowl! Top the rice with a protein like baked tofu or tempeh, roasted veggies like broccoli or cauliflower, and a flavorful sauce like peanut sauce, chipotle sauce, or gochujang sauce.
For a lighter variation on any of these recipes, use a 50/50 mix of regular rice and cauliflower rice.
Store leftover rice in the fridge for up to 2 days. It will dry out with time, so reheat it with a splash of water on the stove or in the microwave. I also like to cook rice in advance and freeze it for longer storage. Check out this post for my best tips on how to freeze grains.
More Cooking Basics
If you loved learning how to cook white rice, learn how to cook one of these plant-based basics next:
- Quinoa
- Farro
- Lentils
- Couscous
- Creamy Polenta
How to Cook Rice
Prep Time: 2 minutes mins
Cook Time: 25 minutes mins
Total Time: 27 minutes mins
Learn how to cook rice on the stove! This easy 30-minute method yields soft, fluffy white rice every time - no rice cooker or Instant pot required.
Instructions
Combine the rinsed rice, water, and olive oil in a pot and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce the heat, and simmer for 15 minutes.
Remove from the heat and let it sit, covered for 10 more minutes. Fluff with a fork.
Notes
This rice-to-water ratio also works in a rice cooker using the white rice setting. If you're using a rice cooker to cook your rice, skip the olive oil.
FAQs
A 2-to-1 ratio, liquid to rice, produces soft, tender rice. Chewier rice will result from using a 1-to-1 ratio, or from adding a bit more water. I usually go with a 2-to-1 ratio for cooking a long-grain rice like basmati.
How long do you leave rice on the stove? ›
Once boiling, lower heat to a simmer and cover. Ensure it's simmering and not boiling or the rice can cook too quickly. Simmer until water is completely absorbed and rice is tender – about 15-25 minutes (will depend on size and freshness of rice). Drain off any excess water if there is any (there shouldn't be).
How many cups of water for 2 cups of rice? ›
For tender grains of rice that easily separate, such as in a pilaf, use 2 cups of water for every 1 cup of rice. You can also use another liquid like stock in this 2:1 ratio. For slightly chewier, fluffy white rice, use 1 1/2 cups of water for every cup of rice, or a 1.5:1 ratio.
Do you boil water before adding rice? ›
Bring water to a boil before adding it to the rice.
Meanwhile, bring 2 parts of water to a boil. Pouring already boiling water on top of the rice helps control the exact amount of water you're adding, something that's important for basmati and jasmine rice because they're on the starchy side and can end up gummy.
What is the correct way to cook rice? ›
How To Cook Rice
- Remember the ratio. For most types of rice, you'll always use a ratio of 1 cup rice to 2 cups water, which you can scale up or down. ...
- Bring the water to a boil. Then, stir in your rice and salt. ...
- Get a steady simmer. ...
- Don't take off the lid. ...
- Check at 18 minutes. ...
- Leave it alone. ...
- Fluff it up!
How long does it take to cook rice in a rice cooker? That depends on a few factors: how much rice you start with, the type of rice and the rice maker model. In general, though, count on 20 to 30 minutes for 1 cup of white rice.
What is the golden rule for cooking rice? ›
What is the golden water-to-rice ratio? For white rice, the general rule is always one part rice to two parts water. An easy way to remember it is to use the 1-2-3 method. One cup of dry rice cooked with two cups of water makes three cups of rice – or about six servings.
Do you cook rice on the stove with the lid on or off? ›
Swirl the rice in the pan (or stir once) to make sure it's well distributed. Put a lid on and turn the heat down to as low as possible. If you cook the rice on too high a heat, it will cook too quickly and may end up chalky in the centre. Simmer gently for 10 mins and do not take the lid off.
Do you cook rice until all the water is gone? ›
Simmer for around 10 minutes (white rice) or 20 minutes (brown rice), until all of the water is soaked up. This gently steams the rice. Never ever stir the rice. Steaming the rice creates air pockets which result in a lovely fluffiness.
Do you put salt in white rice? ›
Any cooking show fan knows that salting your pasta water is a cardinal rule of most celebrity chefs. The same goes for rice—not only does salt impart flavor, but it keeps the rice grains from sticking together in unsavory clumps.
There's only four steps to cooking rice on the stove: Rinse, Boil, Simmer, Steam. Let me explain. Start with rinsing your rice. This removes excess starch from the surface of the rice, and ensures that the cooked rice is not clumpy or mushy.
Should you cook rice covered or uncovered? ›
Bring to a boil, then cover pot with a tight-fitting lid and reduce heat to low, aiming for the lowest possible flame. Cook rice, undisturbed—that means NOT opening the lid! —for 18 minutes.
Should rice be covered in water? ›
Times may vary for other types of rice).
- Rinse the rice.
- Place the rinsed and drained rice into a heavy-bottomed pot. Add enough water to cover the surface of the rice with 1 inch of water and bring to a boil. ...
- Turn the heat down, as low as it will go, and cover with a tight-fitting lid.
Then, measure the proper water to rice ratio.
Measure 1 1/2 cups of water and 1 teaspoon olive oil for every cup of uncooked rice. (1 cup dry rice yields about 3 cups cooked.) Combine the rice, oil, and water in a medium saucepan, and stir to combine.
How much water do I mix with rice? ›
Rice to water ratio – 1 cup of rice to 1.5 cups of water for rice cooked on the stove. Increase to 2 cups of water per 1 cup of rice for oven and microwave.
How many cups of rice for 2 people? ›
One cup of dry rice will make enough cooked rice for two to three adult servings. (Or two adults and two small children.) The cool thing about this recipe is it is proportional. Always use one part rice to two parts water.
What is the ratio of water to converted rice? ›
How to Cook Converted Rice. Cooking parboiled rice is essentially the same as cooking most other types of rice. Use a 2:1 water to rice ratio, just as you would other long-grain rice.
