How to Cook White Rice

By
Saad Fayed
Saad Fayed
A restaurateur and food writer, Saad Fayed has published hundreds of recipes and articles about Middle Eastern cuisine.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 02/15/24
Tested by
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Tested by Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Total: 25 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Yield: 3 cups

You don't need a rice cooker to make foolproof rice. Use this recipe to make basic white rice in a saucepan on the stovetop. It's easy and will come out right every time if you follow a few simple steps.

Basic white rice in a bowl
The Spruce

Ratio of Water to Rice

There are several keys to cooking perfect rice. The first is the ratio of water to rice: For plain white rice, use 2 cups of water for 1 cup of uncooked long-grain rice. This will result in 3 cups of cooked rice.

Temperature

Another key to rice perfection is temperature. You want to bring the rice to a boil, then immediately reduce the heat so it simmers for the remaining cooking time. Keep an eye on the rice, and don't walk away until it's covered and simmering.

Timing

Finally, cooking time is important. Use a timer to ensure you cook the rice for the required time. Don't forget to check the rice after 15 minutes. If the pot seems dry, but the rice isn't tender, add 1 or 2 tablespoons of water and continue to cook according to the recipe's directions.

To Soak or Not to Soak

You might have heard that you have to soak rice before you cook it, but it's not necessarily true for all long-grain white rice, and it's definitely not needed for this basic recipe. However, rinsing the rice before cooking helps create the best texture, as it removes some of the surface starches.

The Perfect Side-Kick

Plain white rice is an excellent and inexpensive side dish that won't overshadow the main course; plus, it's hard to find a dish that rice doesn't complement. Remember that rice is a blank canvas to which you can add countless ingredients for extra flavor, and it does a good job of soaking up the sauces of whatever you pair it with, too. Once you discover how well this method works, you won't hesitate to cook rice for dinner more often.

Tips for Making Perfect Rice Every Time

  • Timing is everything—The exact time required to cook rice depends on your stove and the kind of pot you use. When you find the ideal time, the stove setting, and the pot that works in your kitchen, write it down. Follow that formula exactly every time you cook rice.
  • Steam it—Taking the rice off the heat and letting it steam with the lid on for 5 to 10 minutes makes for fluffy rice.
  • Same method, different rice—This cooking method can be adapted to different types of white rice, such as basmati, jasmine, etc. You may have to adjust the amount of water and cooking time.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO MAKE PERFECT RICE
Bellemain-micro-perforated-stainless-steel-colander
A Handy Colander
Amazon Made In 4-Quart Stainless Clad Saucepan
A Saucepan with a Cover
OXO Good Grips 3-Piece Angled Measuring Cup Set
A Liquid Measuring Cup

"Rice may be a simple food, but learning how to cook it properly is tricky. This technique is a good start for basic long-grain white rice. Precision is key to repeating it successfully, so set your timer and take notes on the exact time and settings for your stove." —Colleen Graham

How to Make Basic White Rice/Tester Image
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 1 cup long-grain white rice

  • 2 cups water

  • 1/2 teaspoon fine salt

  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, optional

  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley, optional

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for basic white rice
    The Spruce 

  2. Rinse 1 cup long-grain white rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Drain in a colander and set aside.

    Rinsed and strained white rice
    The Spruce

  3. In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups water to a boil. Add the 1/2 teaspoon fine salt, stir, and then add the rinsed and drained rice. Stir with a fork.

    White rice in a pot with water
    The Spruce

  4. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let simmer until the water completely evaporates, about 15 minutes. Check the rice for doneness. If the rice is still too firm and there's water in the pot, replace the lid and let the rice simmer until tender, about 5 minutes longer.

    Cooked white rice in a pot
    The Spruce

  5. Remove from the heat, add 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, if using, and fluff with a fork. Transfer to a plate and serve garnished with 1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley, if desired.

    Basic white rice in a pot garnished with parsley
    The Spruce

Feeling Adventurous? Try This:

  • Stock exchange—For a hint of flavor, use stock instead of water.
  • Add oil—Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil (or other flavored oil) to the water once it comes to a boil.
  • Aromatic garnishes—In the serving dish, top the cooked rice with finely chopped green onions or chives.
  • Frozen peas—Add frozen peas to the cooked rice while it's still in the saucepan, and let the residual heat from the rice thaw the peas.
  • Lime and herb infusion—For Mexican dishes, add a tablespoon of lime juice, and some chopped fresh cilantro to the rice.

How to Store and Keep Rice

  • Rice will keep in the refrigerator, covered, for up to a week. It may become a little dry, so when you reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave, add a couple of tablespoons of water.


  • Rice also freezes beautifully. It's often helpful to freeze leftover rice in 1-cup increments so you can easily incorporate it into a meal later, or use it to supplement a recipe. You can defrost it in the fridge before reheating, or add it to a pot of chili or soup in its frozen state, for example, and it will thaw quickly.

Helpful Links

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
34 Calories
0g Fat
7g Carbs
1g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories 34
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 180mg 8%
Total Carbohydrate 7g 3%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 5mg 0%
Iron 0mg 0%
Potassium 9mg 0%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)