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How to Cook White Rice Recipe

Robyn Stone

Updated Feb 26, 2024

Learn how to cook white rice using this easy, no-fail recipe! Perfect every time for using short, long grain, jasmine, or basmati white rice! A foolproof rice recipe for fluffy, white grains every time.

Fluffy white rice in a white Dutch oven with a wooden spoon. // addapinch.com - 1

In high school, my Mom wanted to make sure that I knew how to cook the essentials before I left the nest and was out on my own at college. Along with biscuits , oven-baked chicken , and roasted vegetables , another one of the essentials she taught me was how to cook white rice. While it sounds simple enough, it can be intimidating to even the most seasoned cooks. There are a few tips and tricks that she shared with me then that make the best white rice I’ve ever tasted and make it foolproof every time.

This rice is perfect for serving alongside so many dishes. I love to serve it with dishes to soak up the sauces like my Teriyaki Chicken , Chicken Cacciatore , and my Red Beans & Rice . I also love it served with a big bowl of Chili or Vegetable Soup . You can also add it burritos , fajita bowls , and use leftover cooked and cooled rice in my fried rice recipe . It truly is so versatile!

The Best White Rice Recipe

To make the best white rice, you’ll need only four ingredients. You’ll need the following:

Water , chicken broth or stock , or vegetable stock – you can use your choice of water, chicken broth or stock , or vegetable stock in this recipe. If I am making it to serve with chicken, I try to make it with chicken broth. It adds so much flavor to the rice.
White rice – this recipe works for short-grain, long-grain, basmati, or jasmine.
Butter – while the butter is optional, it does add flavor to the rice.
Salt – the salt is also optional but adds so much flavor.

A measuring cup of uncooked white rice on a marble slab. // addapinch.com - 2

Ratio of White Rice to Liquid

A handy tip that she taught me when I learned how to cook white rice was to use the following ratio:

1 cup white rice : 2 cups liquid

Uncooked white rice in a colander. // addapinch.com - 3

Step-by-Step Instructions

Rinse. To make your rice, you’ll begin by rinsing your uncooked rice. Rinse the rice in a colander with cold water until the water runs clear. This helps the rice from clumpy or sticking together as it cooks and makes for the fluffiest rice!

Cook. As you rinse the rice, bring your liquid (water, broth, or stock) to a boil in a large saucepan or Dutch oven. Stir in butter, salt, and rice. Place the lid onto your pot, reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook without disturbing for 20 minutes.

Fluff. Then, remove from the heat, remove the lid, lightly fluff the rice with a fork, and serve!

Storage Tips

How to Store Rice

Allow the rice to cool completely and then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

How to Freeze Rice

Allow the cooked rice to cool completely and then store it in the freezer for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container.

Fluffy white rice with a metal fork in a white Dutch oven. // addapinch.com - 4

More Rice Recipes We Love

How to Cook Brown Rice

Spanish Rice Recipe

Fried Rice Recipe

Shrimp Creole

Jambalaya

Here’s Mama’s White Rice recipe. I hope you love it as much as we do!

Ingredients

▢ 4 cups water , chicken stock or vegetable stock
▢ 2 cups white rice , short-grain, long-grain, basmati, or jasmine
▢ 2 tablespoons butter , optional
▢ 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

Rinse rice until the water runs clear. Add water chicken broth, or vegetable stock to a large saucepan or Dutch oven set over medium heat. Stir in salt and add butter, if using. Bring to a rolling boil and stir in the rice.
Cover with a tight fitting lid and reduce the heat to medium-low and cook without disturbing or removing the lid for 20 minutes.
Remove from the heat, remove the lid and lightly fluff with a fork and serve.

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Enjoy! Robyn xo