How to Cook Stovetop Rice Perfectly (VIDEO)
Learn how to cook stovetop rice perfectly. Every. Single. Time. It was always a mystery to me when I heard people had trouble cooking rice. I still can’t quite understand it. So here is the most basic and easiest recipe for cooking rice with all my secret (or not so secret) tips and tricks.
I learned how to cook rice from my mom. It was so long ago I don’t even remember when it was. The recipe is very easy and the secret lies in the ratio of rice to water. Of course! The basic recipe is for every one cup of rice, you need the same exact cup of water. That’s it. You add more water, rice might become mushy. You add less, it might be partially hard. So far, I haven’t met a rice that this didn’t work for. As you can see from the pictures, the end result is a fluffy-type of rice. If you want more of a sticky consistency, you will need more water.
How to Cook Rice VIDEO
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If you like to read, instead of watching, read on for the detailed instructions on how to cook stovetop rice perfectly.
How to Cook Stovetop Rice Step-by-Step
To start off, measure out one cup of rice, using a measuring cup. We love eating Basmati Rice in this house, but this recipe works for any kind of white rice (I did not test this with a brown rice and this will not work with wild rice).
Wash the rice using a sieve and a small bowl. The water doesn’t have to be perfectly clear. In fact, I think I never got it to do that. As soon as it seems to be clear, you just need to move the grains a bit, and the water is clouded again. Let the rice drip off excess water and transfer it to a small saucepan.
Now using the same exact measuring cup, add one cup of water to the rice.
Add half a teaspoon salt and one tablespoon oil (I like using Olive oil). Bring everything to a boil, mixing constantly. As soon as the contents of the pot start to boil (don’t let it come to a rolling boil), reduce the heat to lowest setting and cover the pot. Immediately set the timer to 15 minutes.
As soon as the 15 minutes are up. Take off the rice from the stove. It can rest for several minutes, but should not stand on the hot stove, otherwise the rice on the bottom will become hard.
Fluff the rice with a fork, and it’s ready to be served!
Additional Tips for Perfect Rice
- Since all stoves are different (and the heat level is different in different countries), you might need to test the level you cook at. At home we always cooked with the heat on level 2. But the first time I cooked here in Germany, the rice at the bottom was hard and partially burned. So I had to reduce the heat to level 1 (lowest setting on my stove). So you might need to adjust the heat accordingly.
- If you are cooking on a glass top or ceramic stove, don’t bring the rice to boil on the highest heat. Bring it to boil on medium-high. It takes a bit longer, but the rice comes out perfect. In my experience, if you bring the rice to boil at the highest heat, the stove doesn’t cool down fast enough when you reduce the heat, and the rice at the bottom becomes hard.
The beauty of this method is that you don’t even need a measuring cup to get this right. Just use a cup/glass that you have and make sure to use the same amount of water as you do rice.
So now you know how to cook rice perfectly:) Enjoy!
Awesome Recipes to use this Rice in
Lastly, if you cook stovetop rice using this method, make sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating here! I’d love to hear back from you and will do my best to answer and respond to every comment. And of course, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram if you make this recipe. I’d love to see the photos of the recipes you have made!
How to cook rice
Ingredients
- 1 cup rice, e.g. Basmati
- 1 cup water
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Rinse rice until water runs mostly clear.
- Add rice to a small saucepan.
- Add water, olive oil and salt to the rice and bring to boil.
- As soon as water starts to boil, cover, reduce heat to lowest setting (level 1 for me) and cook for 15 minutes.
- Remove from stove and fluff with a fork. You can let it rest for a bit, but it is not required.
Notes
If interested, learn how to cook barley, as well. Another great grain to serve as a side dish or use in other dishes.
Looking for ideas on what to serve with rice? Check out this Article from All Women’s Talk: 7 Yummy Foods to Serve with Rice.
6 Comments
Dorothy Ball
Great post! Cooking stovetop rice perfectly is truly an art! It’s all about finding that balance between water, heat, and timing. Personally, I find using a good quality rice and measuring the water accurately makes a huge difference. Oh, and don’t forget to resist the temptation of lifting the lid while it’s cooking – that steam is crucial! Thanks for sharing these helpful tips, it’s a game-changer for anyone looking to elevate their rice game! 🍚🔥😄
emkayskitchen
Awe, thanks! Everything you say is so true. I forgot to mention the temptation of opening the lid :)) But it really is true. I usually cook with a glass lid so I can observe what is happening. That does seem to help with the temptation:)
zone
Great post! Cooking stovetop rice perfectly is truly an art!
emkayskitchen
Glad you liked the post, Zone!
Jose Rodriguez
This guide on cooking stovetop rice perfectly is a must-read! It breaks down the process step-by-step, ensuring fluffy, delicious rice every time. A great resource for both beginners and seasoned cooks! Thanks for sharing.
emkayskitchen
Glad you liked it, Jose!