Rice is super easy to make! No broth or butter is involved just the basics! The common mistake in cooking rice is the lack of water! With the correct water to rice proportions and 20 minutes, rice is made perfect every time!
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I love this rice recipe so much, I decided it needed a re-visit! It’s such a staple to have a handy recipe like this for that Taco Dinner or 4-ingredient Beef Chili cooking in the crockpot. I too, literally have this taped on the inside of my cupboard door along with my Taco Seasoning mix! It’s the only way I make rice!
How to Cook the Perfect Rice
A few things to mention before we jump in, water is key to cooking the perfect pot of rice! Too much and your rice will be mushy! Too little and it’ll be hard. With these proportions, there’s no concern! I also want to mention this recipe works specifically for white grain rices like Jasmine, basmati and other white sorts. Brown rice on the other hand can be used, just increase the cooking time by 10 minutes!
Now that I recapped a few things make this in the instant pot, crockpot, oven or stovetop! It’s the perfect ratio and creates the perfectly fluffy grains!
How to Cook Rice on the Stovetop:
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How to Cook Rice
Ingredients
White Rice Recipe:
- 2 cups white long grain rice, (Jasmine)
- 2 TBSP oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 3 1/2 cups boiling water
Instructions
How to Cook Rice on the stove:
- Heat oil in a medium sized saucepan. Add uncooked rice and stir to coat.
- Add the salt and pour in boiling water. Cover and reduce heat to low.
- Cook rice 20 minutes without opening lid.
- Fluff and serve!
Notes
- Note: this water to rice ratio is the best! Follow the chart below for every 1 cup of the different rices:
- long grain rice use 1 2/3 - 2 cups water.
- short grain rice use 1 1/4 of water.
- brown rice use 1 3/4 cups of water.
Nutrition (per serving)
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Fluff that rice!
Q&A
What are the different types of rices?
The commonly top three rices sold at the grocery stores are long grain rice (jasmine), short grain rice (sushi rice), and brown rice (Uncle Ben’s). Many other selections are available but those are the popular ones to choose from. For a complete list and photos of different types of rice, check out this post.
How much water do you need for rice?
A rule of thumb to remember in how much water to use is the 2 to 1 water to rice ratio. For an example for every cup of rice use 2 cups of water. This recipe, on the hand is 1/2 cup less to this rule which makes perfect rice and harder to screw up on the mushy factor!
How do you add flavor to rice?
Many different kinds of spices and seasonings can be added and that can done when adding the uncooked rice to the pot so it simmers into the rice.
How do you make orange rice?
Orange rice is made by adding red spices like Goya Sazon or condiments like ketchup. Spices that are red, yellow or orange will give your rice a hue, commonly seen in Spanish rice.
Is rice Healthy for you?
White rice has been stripped of its germ and bran which is the most nutritious part of the grain. Whole wheat (brown rice) is much healthier than white rice as those remain during the processing part. White rice is said to be enriched with vitamins and less nutritional. Read more on this “Is white rice healthy or bad for you” article.
Why is it hard?
If your final product of grain is hard, either the water content was lacking or the cooking time was not enough. To ensure the best results when cooking rice, add the correct water proportion and set the timer. Fluff the rice after the set time and if the time allows let it steam for an additional 10 minutes.
Why is my rice mushy?
Mushy rice is a result of too much water or over cooking. It’s better to go a little under than over with rice.
Do you have to rinse rice?
Most packaged rice’s come well washed. However, if you are intentionally trying to remove the starchy content from the rice like, when making Sushi rice then give it a good rinse. Furthermore, it won’t hurt to take the extra step and wash it.
How long do you cook rice?
All white rices typically cook in a 20-minute time frame. Brown rice, on the other hand, takes 30-minutes.
Tips For Making Rice:
- Add a packet of Goya Sazon to make Orange rice!
- Use leftovers to make Chinese Fried Rice, (Day old rice is recommended.)
- Toast your rice before adding the water, to bring out the best of your rice!
- Swap out the oil for butter.