Learn how to cook perfect rice on the stove! This easy method yields fluffy white rice every time. Find my best recipe tips and serving ideas below!
Learn how to cook rice perfectly every time! Below, I’m sharing my go-to method for how to cook white rice on the stove. It’s easy to make in under 30 minutes, and it always yields tender, fluffy rice.
Sooo many people think that it’s impossible to cook perfect rice on the stove. I’m on a mission to change that! While there are some common pitfalls to cooking rice, this foolproof white rice recipe is easy to master. And once you have it in your back pocket, you can quickly whip it up to serve with curries, stir fries, and more.
You can find the complete recipe with measurements at the bottom of this post. On your way there, read my best tips for how to make rice along with with some of my favorite ways to serve it. Get ready to become a rice pro!
How to Cook Rice on the Stove
First thing’s first! Check your rice.
This white rice recipe will work with any of these types of rice:
- Long grain white rice
- Medium grain white rice
- Short grain rice
- Jasmine rice
- Basmati rice
It will NOT work with brown rice, black rice, or wild rice. To cook brown rice or another of these types of rice, click the corresponding link to find separate cooking instructions for it.
You’ll also need a medium saucepan with a tight-fitting lid. Tip: I like to make this recipe in a pan with a glass lid so that I can check the rice without removing it.
Rice to Water Ratio
The other key ingredient in this recipe is water. Using the correct water to rice ratio is essential for perfectly cooked rice!
Many white rice packages say to use 2 cups of water for every 1 cup of rice. But I find that my rice is fluffier when I use slightly less water.
I think the ideal rice to water ratio is 1 1/2 cups water to 1 cup of rice. I also add a little olive oil to the pot to prevent the rice from clumping.
When you’re ready to cook, rinse the rice. There’s debate over whether rinsing rice is strictly necessary, but I like to do it. It washes away excess starch that can cause the rice to clump together, which I think yields a fluffier pot of rice.
Place the rice in a fine mesh strainer set over a large bowl. Rinse the rice until the water in the bowl runs clear.
Combine the rinsed rice, water, and oil in the saucepan. Bring the water to a boil, then cover the pot and reduce the heat so that the water maintains a gentle simmer.
Simmer for 15 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed.
Finally, let the rice steam. Turn off the heat and let it sit, covered, for 10 minutes.
Fluff the rice with a fork and enjoy!
Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
Recipe Tips
- Remove the lid as little as possible. If your pot doesn’t have a glass lid, you may have to remove it to check the rice. But try to take it off as little as possible. Every time you remove the lid, steam escapes from the pot. If too much escapes, the rice can cook unevenly.
- Don’t skip the resting step. It can be tempting to skip letting the rice rest in the pot for 10 minutes after it simmers. Please, don’t! As the rice sits, it absorbs any residual moisture left in the pot, becoming fluffy and fully tender. Think of it this way: even though your stove isn’t on at this point, the rice is still cooking.
- Know how much you’re making. 1 cup uncooked rice yields 3 cups cooked. If you have leftovers, check out the storage and reheating instructions below!
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover rice in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
It also freezes well. Spread the grains in an even layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze for 2 hours, then transfer to an airtight container and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Reheat rice in the microwave or on the stove with a splash of water. It dries out with time, so adding a little water helps it return to a soft, fluffy state.
What to Serve with White Rice
There are so many ways to serve white rice! The simplest is to pair a scoop of rice with a cooked protein and a vegetable side dish for an easy weeknight meal. If you’re in the mood for something more elaborate, try one of these ideas:
- Use it in a rice bowl like Korean bibimbap or any of these rice bowl recipes.
- Serve it with a stir fry or curry, like my red curry, chana masala, or this coconut curry.
- Make cilantro lime rice for burritos or burrito bowls.
What are you favorite ways to serve rice? Let me know in the comments!
Want to learn how to cook rice in the Instant Pot? Check out my Instant Pot rice recipe next!
How to Cook Rice
Ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked white rice, well rinsed
- 1½ 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, or until the liquid is absorbed.
- Remove from the heat and let it sit, covered, for 10 more minutes. Fluff with a fork.
Different types of rice have different cooking times. What types of rice works with this recipe?
Hi Fran – any type of white rice like basmati or jasmine.
Worked for me! I love to add pineapple to rice.
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.