Confession…I grew up eating the rice that you boil in a bag. If not that, then some other boxed form of rice that was done in 5-10 minutes. When I began cooking for myself, I had no idea how to cook rice outside of the highly processed version.

I followed instructions on the package, and even “researched” Food Network and the internet. I tried recipes with vinegar, cooked over high heat, and cooked over low heat, but time after time, I failed. The outcome would be too sticky, too hard, only half cooked and even sometimes scorched at the bottom. It was frustrating, to say the least. But, I love rice and rice dishes, therefore I had to keep trying.

Then one day, I took all the lessons and strung them together to create the PERFECT rice. I taught this method to my two oldest daughters, and they get it right, EVERYTIME, so here I am, sharing it with you.

Rice to water ratio

Read on for my step-by-step method for making white rice. But first, let’s dispel some popular practices. Have you ever heard or read, “to make perfect rice, you must use a two-to-one ratio”? Meaning, for every two cups of water or liquid, you use one cup rice when cooking. I found this to result in mushy, overly sticky rice. This was hardly the rice that could be served in a gumbo or a fried rice dish.

The perfect rice-to-water ratio is actually one and a half to one. Meaning, for every one cup rice, use one and a half cups of liquid when cooking. The results in a fluffy rice that can be used for and in any dish.

What type of white rice to use?

When cooking white rice on the stove, the rice you use whether short grain, medium grain, or long grain depends on the dish you are preparing. Short grain rice’s rice is typically served sticky due to the starch content. Because of this, short-grain rice is typically used in sushi and rice puddings.

Medium-grain rice is shorter and moister than long grain but not quite as starchy as short.” This rice is great for risotto. Long-grain rice such as basmati or jasmine has less starch and therefore separates after cooking (properly). Basmati is my favorite. I buy it in 25lb bags at a time.

How to cook white rice on the stove?

For this method, we will be utilizing a long grain rice.

• Step 1: Rinse the rice 2-3 times or until the water runs clear. This step is important to release some of the added starch. This results in fluffy rice that can be sticky but also separates easily. I put my rice in a bowl or pot, fill it with water, scrub in a circular motion with fingertips, then drain through a fine mesh colander, and repeat the process.
• Step 2: In an appropriately sized pot, add rinsed rice, and cold water utilizing the correct ratio. For example, if you are cooking one cup of rice, add one and a half cups of cold water.
• Step 3: Over medium to high heat, bring rice and water to a vigorous boil.
• Step 4: Cover pot with lid, then turn heat to low
• Step 5: Allow to cook for 15-17 minutes. This is the sweet spot. Most instructions will tell you to allow the rice to cook for 20 minutes. The rice usually comes out overcooked. I usually pull mine around 15 minutes.
• Step 6: Remove from heat and remove lid. If you keep the pot on the heat source, it will continue to cook the rice.
• Step 7: Fluff with a fork immediately. Rice will continue to steam in the pot, fluffing it right away will allow some of the steam to escape.

Here’s a video on exactly how to do this:

How to cook white rice in the instapot?

Again, assuming you’re using a long grain rice, the first step is exactly the same as if you were cooking the rice on the stove. Here’s how to do it:

• Step 1: Rinse the rice 2-3 times or until water runs clear. Place rice in a bowl or pot, fill it with water, scrub in a circular motion with fingertips, then drain through a fine mesh colander, repeat the process.
• Step 2: Place cold water and rice inside the instapot. For the instapot, the ratio is one to one. For every one cup of rice, also add one cup of water.
• Step 3: Pressure cook rice for 3 minutes then allow to naturally release for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, turn the release valve to allow remaining steam to escape.
• Step 4: Remove lid and fluff rice immediately. If rice is still too wet, allow to continue to steam in instapot a few more minutes with the power off.

How many servings of rice?

The suggested serving of rice is ½ cup per person cooked rice or ¼ cup dry rice per person. If rice is being served as a main course in the case of something like a fried rice, the serving size would need to be increased.

What to serve with white rice

White rice can be served with many flavors and cuisines due to it’s extremely mild flavor. It can be served alone or as a bed for soups, stews, and gravy-based dishes. Here are some delicious ideas for serving white rice based on the meal you’ll be serving your rice in.

Breakfast

• Rice pudding/ Rice Porridge
• Breakfast fried rice
• Breakfast rice bowls
• Breakfast burritos

Lunch

• Rice and Beans
• Mexican Fiesta Salad
• Chicken and Rice Soup
• Hoppin’ John

Dinner

• Jambalaya
• Beef tips and rice
• Stuffed Bell Peppers
• Red Beans and Rice
• Purple Hull Peas

 

What to do with leftover rice?

Place leftover rice in an airtight container and refrigerate for 3-5 days. The leftover can be added to soups, stews, and stir-frys throughout the duration. I almost always make a double portion of rice for my family in order to have leftovers. Whatever we don’t finish for dinner will be used as a rice porridge for breakfast the next morning.

Can you freeze rice?

Yes! Separate and spread out rice on a shallow baking sheet, place baking sheet in freezer or deep freezer. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer bag or other airtight container, freeze up to three months.

Can rice be reheated?

Yes, leftover rice can be reheated on the stove over low heat. If the bottom of the pan becomes sticky, add a little water. Leftovers can also be reheated in the microwave.