Coconut rice is a simple yet delicious dish that pairs perfectly with curries, stir-fries, chicken, or beef. In fact, it complements almost any protein-rich or vegetable-based meal. To learn how to prepare this flavorful rice, follow the steps below.
Ingredients
Using a Regular Pot
- 2 cups basmati rice
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 3 cups water
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
Using a Rice Cooker
- 2 cups Thai jasmine rice
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 2 cups water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon sweetened shredded coconut
Steps
Using a Regular Pot

Place the rice in a strainer or sieve. Add 2 cups of basmati rice to the strainer or sieve and rinse under running water until the water runs clear. Be careful not to let the rice spill out. You can place a bowl under the sieve to catch any stray grains.
Drain the rice. After rinsing, transfer the rice to a pot and add 1 cup of coconut milk, 3 cups of water, and a teaspoon of salt.
Place the pot on the stove. Stir continuously to prevent the rice from clumping.
Reduce the heat and simmer the rice for 10-12 minutes. If the water evaporates too quickly and the rice is still undercooked, add a bit more water and stir to ensure even cooking.

Serve and enjoy. You can serve the rice on its own or pair it with beef, chicken, or mixed vegetables.
Using a Rice Cooker
Add the rice to the rice cooker. Measure 2 cups of Thai jasmine rice and pour it into the cooker.
Add the remaining ingredients. Pour in 2 cups of water, 1 cup of coconut milk, and 1 tablespoon of shredded coconut. Use a plastic spoon to mix the ingredients thoroughly, ensuring the coconut flavor is evenly distributed and preventing the rice from clumping.

Close the lid and start the cooking mode.
Once the rice cooker switches to the “keep warm” mode, you can let it cook for an additional 10-15 minutes. This step depends on the time needed for the ingredients to cook evenly.
Fluff the rice. After cooking, use a rice paddle to fluff the rice, enhancing its flavor and texture.

Savor the dish. You can enjoy it with plain rice or pair it with chicken, vegetables, or beef. Additionally, it can be combined with shrimp, clams, or other types of seafood.
Tips
- This rice recipe yields enough for 8 servings.
- You can freeze the rice if needed.
What you'll need
- Strainer or sieve
- Pot
- Stirring spoon
- Rice serving plate (optional)
