Say goodbye to scorched pans and gummy grains, and learn how to cook rice like a pro! These easy stovetop methods yield tender, fluffy rice every time.
Rumor has it that you need a rice cooker or an Instant pot to cook fluffy, tender rice at home. Well, I’m here to tell you that the rumors aren’t true. Cooking rice on the stove is quick and easy, and if you do it the right way, it works every time. Below, I’m sharing 2 foolproof stovetop methods for how to cook rice in under 30 minutes. Without fail, the rice comes out light, fluffy, and not at all gummy. So skip the fancy gadgets, and grab a saucepan with a lid! A steaming pot of perfect rice is just half an hour away.
How to Cook Rice on the Stove
These methods for how to cook rice will work with short, medium, or long grain white rice, such as jasmine or basmati. Note: they will NOT work for brown rice! If brown rice is what you have on hand, head over to this post to learn how to cook it.
Option 1: Steaming
- First, rinse the rice. Do not skip this step! It washes away starches that will cause the rice to clump together, so it’s key for cooking soft, fluffy rice. Add the rice to a fine mesh strainer set over a large bowl, and rinse until the water in the bowl runs clear.
- Then, measure the proper water to rice ratio. Measure 1 1/2 cups of water and 1 teaspoon olive oil for every cup of uncooked rice. (1 cup dry rice yields about 3 cups cooked.) Combine the rice, oil, and water in a medium saucepan, and stir to combine. Bring to a boil over high heat.
- Next, simmer. When the water starts boiling, cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid, and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 15 minutes.
- Finally, let it steam. Turn off the heat and let the pot stand, covered, for 10 minutes. Remove the lid and fluff the rice with a fork. That’s it!
Option 2: The Pasta Method
- First, rinse the rice. For this method, add the rice to a fine mesh strainer and rinse it under cool running water. Unlike with the steaming method, a quick rinse is fine here.
- Next, boil it. Add the rice to a pot filled halfway with cool water, and set a timer for 15 minutes. Bring the water to a boil, and test the rice for done-ness when the timer goes off.
- Finally, rinse it again. When the rice is tender, drain the pot, and rinse the drained rice under cold water. In this method, this second rinse is the one you don’t want to skip. It will wash away starches that will cause the rice to clump together. Set the rinsed rice aside to dry for a few minutes in the strainer. Then, enjoy!
Rice Serving Suggestions
Rice is at home in Asian dishes, Mexican recipes, and more, so it’s impossible to run out of new ways to use it. Serve it on its own as a side dish, or dress it with lime and cilantro to make cilantro lime rice. Toss it into a stir fry, or use it as the base for a healthy grain bowl. Try it in any of these recipes:
- Bibimbap
- Mango Ginger Rice Bowl
- Tamago Kake Gohan
- Best Buddha Bowl
- Portobello Burrito Bowl
- Or make your own bowl! Top the rice with a protein like baked tofu or tempeh, roasted veggies like broccoli or cauliflower, and a flavorful sauce like peanut sauce, chipotle sauce, or gochujang sauce.
For a lighter variation on any of these recipes, use a 50/50 mix of regular rice and cauliflower rice.
Store leftover rice in the fridge for up to 2 days. It will dry out with time, so reheat it with a splash of water on the stove or in the microwave. I also like to cook rice in advance and freeze it for longer storage. Check out this post for my best tips on how to freeze grains.
More Cooking Basics
If you loved learning how to cook white rice, learn how to cook one of these plant-based basics next:
How to Cook Rice
Ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked white rice, well rinsed
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Combine the rinsed rice, water, and olive oil in a pot and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce the heat, and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and let it sit, covered for 10 more minutes. Fluff with a fork.
Nice recipe. Thanks.
Excellent recipe. Little to no poetry. Just the facts. In fact our son’s East Indian mother-in-law gave it the seal of approval by observing that the the individual grains were separate and not glued together. This from the people that grows and who knows.
Thank you!
Worked for me! I love to add pineapple to rice. Works to add it right before the water is evaporated.
First time rice cooker(dad) i was nervous but i Followed your instructions and it was easy for me to follow. Thank You!
So glad it came out well!
You have a good chicken and rice recipe?
I didn’t have enough rice to make in my instant pot but was making chicken and broccoli for dinner so I gave your recipe a try. Perfect, fluffy rice! Thank you!
I’m so glad your rice was perfect!
done this one a couple dozen times,
out of so many stovetop rice recipes
this one is easiest to remember and do!
from another source first i rinse in a strainer in a bowl of water and change the water 7X.
Other recipes add flavorings which smell and taste fantastic, e.g. 2 tsp of dry Tandoori seasoning at the boil
I did not know you rinse rice and I’m 78.
thats perfect thank you for all your recipes
What does that 1 tsp of oil do for the rice during the cooking process?
Hi Patricia, it just assures that the rice won’t stick to the bottom of the pan as it cooks.
I truly enjoy all your recipes. Do you use specific brand of rice to make Sushi or any short grain rice? I find Sushi rice has lot of starch and it’s really hard to work with it. Thank you.
~Preti
Hi Preti, I’ve been using Lundberg sushi rice lately (it’s at whole foods), but any brand of sushi rice will work. It is sticky but that’s what holds it all together, so you definitely want that.
Love it well explained. Thank you
I prefer to season my rice after is cooked, I find its texture gets more gummy if I cook it with salt.