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Rice is a simple yet highly nutritious grain. Once cooked, it becomes a versatile ingredient that can be enjoyed plain, paired with other dishes, served as a side, or even used as a base for delicious desserts. There are various methods to cook rice, with boiling and steaming being the most common. A key tip to achieve fluffy and non-sticky rice is rinsing it before cooking, an essential step regardless of the cooking method you choose.
Ingredients
Stovetop Cooking
2 servings
- 2 cups (470 ml) water
- ½ teaspoon (3 g) salt
- 1 teaspoon (15 ml) oil (optional)
- 1 cup (185 g) rice
Cooking Rice with a Pressure Cooker
4 servings
- 2 cups (370 g) rice
- 3 cups (705 ml) water
- 1 teaspoon (6 g) salt
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) oil (optional)
Steaming Rice
2 servings
- 1 cup rice (185 g)
- 1 cup water (235 ml)
Steps
Stovetop Cooking
Soak and rinse the rice before cooking. Place the rice in a large bowl and cover it with water. Soak the rice in clean water for about 30 minutes. Then, drain the rice using a sieve. Rinse the rice under running water for 1 minute.
- Soaking and rinsing the rice removes dirt and excess bran, resulting in fluffier and less sticky grains.
Boil the water. Pour 2 cups (470 ml) of water into a medium-sized pot. Cover and bring the water to a boil over medium heat. Adjust the rice-to-water ratio depending on the type of rice. For every cup (195 g) of rice, use the following water measurements:
- 2 cups (470 ml) for long-grain white rice, short/medium-grain brown rice, and wild rice.
- 1¾ cups (411 ml) for long-grain brown rice or Jasmine rice.
- 1½ cups (353 ml) for medium-grain white rice or Indian Basmati rice.
- 1¼ cups (294 ml) for short-grain white rice.
Simmer the rice, salt, and oil mixture. Once the water boils, remove the lid and add the remaining ingredients, stirring well. Bring the water back to a boil over medium heat. When it boils again, cover and reduce to low heat. Cook for 18 to 30 minutes, depending on the rice type.
- White rice varieties take about 18 minutes to cook.
- Brown rice varieties require around 30 minutes.
- Avoid stirring or opening the lid until the cooking time is complete.
- The rice is done when it’s soft, fluffy, and no longer crunchy when tasted.
Let the rice rest after cooking. Once the rice is cooked, turn off the heat, remove the pot, and keep it covered for at least 5 minutes. This allows the rice to steam further, absorb excess moisture, and become softer.
- You can let the rice steam for up to 30 minutes.
Fluff the rice before serving. Use a fork, spoon, or rice paddle to gently fluff the rice. Any remaining moisture will evaporate, making the rice lighter. Let it rest for an additional 2 minutes before serving. Serve the rice as a side dish, add it to soups, or mix in your favorite seasonings and vegetables for a complete meal.
- Store leftover rice in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Cooking Rice with a Pressure Cooker
Soak and rinse the rice. Place the rice in a bowl and cover it with cold water. Let it soak for about 30 minutes. Then, drain the water using a sieve and rinse the rice under running water.
- This process removes excess bran and helps prevent the rice from becoming sticky.
Add the ingredients to the pot. Combine the rice, salt, oil, and 3 cups (705 ml) of water in the pressure cooker. To enhance the flavor, you can also add herbs and spices such as:
- Minced garlic
- Chopped onions
- Bay leaves
- Dried herbs like parsley, rosemary, and thyme
- Cayenne pepper
- Paprika
Cook the rice under high pressure. For electric pressure cookers, seal the lid and cook on the high-pressure setting. For stovetop pressure cookers, lock the lid in place. Cook over high heat to build pressure (reduce heat if necessary to maintain pressure). Cooking times vary depending on the rice type:
- Jasmine rice cooks for 1 minute
- Short, medium, and long-grain white rice cook for 3 minutes
- Basmati rice cooks for 4 minutes
- Brown rice cooks for 22 minutes
- Wild rice cooks for 25 minutes
Use the natural pressure release method. Once the cooking time is complete, turn off the electric pressure cooker or remove the pot from the stove. Keep the lid locked and allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes.
- This step allows the rice to steam further and ensures the pressure drops to a safe level.
Release any remaining pressure. After 10 minutes, open the pressure valve to release any leftover pressure. Stand back to avoid steam burns.
- Once the pressure drops to 0, you can unlock and remove the lid.
Fluff and serve the rice. Use a spoon, fork, or rice paddle to gently fluff the rice and release excess moisture. Then, scoop the rice onto a plate and serve it as a main dish, side, or garnish, depending on your preference.
- Leftover rice can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Steaming Rice
Rinse the rice. Place the rice in a bowl and cover it with cold water. Soak the rice for at least 30 minutes, then drain and rinse it under running water.
- You can soak the rice for several hours before draining and rinsing to ensure it doesn’t become sticky.
Add water in the correct ratio. You can steam rice using a rice cooker or an electric steamer. Rice cookers are specifically designed for cooking rice, while electric steamers can handle vegetables and other foods as well. Both appliances come with a pot for holding the food. Remember to mix the rice and water thoroughly before cooking.
- The rice-to-water ratio for steaming is 1:1. If cooking for more people, simply increase the amounts of rice and water equally.
Add water to the steamer’s base. If using an electric steamer, pour water into the bottom of the steamer. This allows steam to rise and cook the rice.
- For smaller amounts of rice, fill the water to the lowest mark. For larger quantities, fill it to the maximum level.
- No additional water is needed for a rice cooker.
Steam/cook the rice. Cover the pot and select the rice type on the steamer (if available). When using a steamer or rice cooker, set the timer for 30 to 40 minutes. White rice varieties typically take about 30 minutes, while brown and wild rice require around 40 minutes.
Fluff and serve the rice. Once the rice is tender, remove the lid and take the pot out. Use a spoon, fork, or rice paddle to fluff the rice, then serve it as desired.
Tips
- For short-grain rice, you may need to adjust the method slightly for the best results.
- You can cook rice with various herbs, vegetables, and fruits to enhance its flavor.
