How to Cook Rice the Right Way

By The Cooking World, Editorial Staff

February 24, 2023

How to Cook Rice

In this week's recipe, we are back with our kitchen 101 series.

Rice is a staple food that's enjoyed by millions of people around the world. It's versatile, easy to cook, and pairs well with a wide variety of dishes. However, despite its popularity, cooking rice can sometimes be a challenge.

If you've ever ended up with a pot of mushy, overcooked rice or undercooked grains that are still hard and crunchy, you know how frustrating it can be. That's why it's essential to learn how to cook rice the right way. In this recipe, we'll show you the proper techniques to always achieve perfectly cooked rice. Whether you prefer fluffy long-grain rice, short or medium-grain, these tips and tricks will help you get it right. So, let's get started!

PREP TIME

2 minutes

COOK TIME

18 minutes

serves

800 g (3 cups)

Ingredients

200 g (1 cup), short-, medium-, or long-grain white rice
300 g (1¼ cups) water
3 g (½ teaspoon) kosher salt

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Special Equipment

Fine-Mesh Sieve

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Instructions

Rinse the rice in a fine-mesh sieve until the water runs clear. Alternatively, you can rinse the rice in a bowl with several changes of cold water, draining carefully between rinses. Rinsing rice before you cook it is key — it washes away the starch that would otherwise make the grains of rice clump up and stick together.
Combine rice, water*, and salt in a medium saucepan. Give everything a gentle stir. Bring to a boil, then cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and reduce heat to low, aiming for the lowest possible flame. Cook rice, without opening the lid for 18 minutes.
Remove pan from heat. Let stand at least 15 minutes or until ready to use. Uncover and fluff cooked rice with a fork before serving.

*A good way to know if you add the right amount of water to cook rice is to drag a spoon from one side of the saucepan to the middle, and if the rice rises just above the water, you have added the right amount of water.