How to Cook Rice

Yumna Jawad

Updated Dec 26, 2025

5 from 474 votes

Follow this guide for how to cook rice with step-by-step instructions of the best rice to water ratio and spot-on timing for fluffy rice!

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Prep Time 2 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Comments
38

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How to Cook Rice.
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How to Cook Rice

This is a complete guide for how to cook rice. Cooking white rice is one of the first skills I was determined to master when I learned to cook from my mom. We serve white rice a few times a month with Lebanese food. It’s a versatile side dish that complements so many different recipes. Now you’ll learn how to make it easily for your family! No rice cooker or pressure cooker needed.”

Happy Cooking!
– Yumna

How to Cook Rice

Rice measured in cup.
Step 1: Measure one cup of long grain white rice into a cup and level it off. One cup of dry rice will make enough cooked rice for two to three adult servings. (Or two adults and two small children.) The cool thing about this recipe is it is proportional. Always use one part rice to 1 ¾ parts water. Adjust accordingly for the number of people you are feeding.
Rice in fine mesh sieve after rinsed.
Step 2: Use cold water and rinse the rice thoroughly in a fine-mesh sieve until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch from the rice which can make it gummy.
Pouring water on top of rice.
Step 3: Put the rice and water in a heavy-bottomed saucepan I also recommend adding salt in this step. I use half a teaspoon of salt per cup of rice. But feel free to adjust to your taste preference.
Rice covered in water.
Step 4: Now, without covering the saucepan, bring the water to a boil.
Stirring rice.
Step 5: Next, stir the rice in order to evenly distribute, but don’t over do it.
Saucepan covered towards end of cooking when it’s steaming.
Step 6: Turn the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and cook for 18 minutes. Do not lift the cover to check on the rice. If you do, heat and steam will escape, and this can affect the rice’s texture. When the time is up though, take the saucepan off the heat. Again, without removing the cover, let the rice sit and steam for at least five minutes.
How to Cook Rice.

How to Cook White Rice

Author: Yumna Jawad
5 from 474 votes
Follow this simple guide for how to cook white rice with step-by-step instructions of the best rice to water measurement and spot-on timing for fluffy rice!
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Prep Time2 minutes
Cook Time18 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Servings4 servings

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Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 cup white rice
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 ¾ cup water

Instructions

  • Measure the rice into a cup and level the top.
  • Rinse the rice in a fine mesh sieve thoroughly in cold water until the water is clear.
  • Pour the rice into a saucepan over medium-high heat. Sprinkle with salt, then add the water and bring mixture to a simmer uncovered, about 5 minutes.
  • Using a wooden spoon, stir the rice in the pan to evenly distribute it, but don’t over stir.
  • Lower the heat to low, cover with a lid and cook for 18 minutes without opening the lid. Then turn the heat off.
  • Remove the saucepan from the heat. Allow the rice to rest covered for 5 minutes in order to absorb all the liquid and steam.
  • Fluff the rice with a fork to separate the grains, and serve.

Equipment

Notes

Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container. They will last up to 5 days in the fridge. To reheat, add a little bit of water to the rice. 
Freezing: You can freeze rice for up to 6 months. For easy storage and quick defrosting, package thin – easily defrosted portions – in ziplock freezer bags that can be stacked in the freezer. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the microwave or stovetop with a splash of water.

Nutrition

Calories: 169kcal, Carbohydrates: 37g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 293mg, Potassium: 53mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Calcium: 13mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.

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Recipe Video

Recipe Tips

  1. Don’t forgot to rinse the rice before cooking: Rinsing rice under cold water until the water runs clear removes excess surface starch that might make your cooked rice gummy or sticky.
  2. Let the rice rest. After cooking, turn off the heat and let it sit, covered, for 5–10 minutes. This helps any remaining steam absorb into the grains and avoids mushy spots.
  3. Fluff with a fork, don’t stir with a spoon. This loosens then grains without mushing them.
top down shot of white rice in a white bowl on a table

Recipes to Make with White Rice

FAQs

How long does rice take to cook?

Unprocessed white rice needs 15 to 20 minutes on the stove top and at least five additional minutes to steam off heat after done cooking.

How much water do you need to cook rice?

The short answer is it depends on the variety you are making. When in doubt, refer to the package directions.
Long grained rice and Indian basmati rice: 1 part rice: 1 ¾ parts water
Jasmine rice: 1 part rice: 1 ½ parts water
Sushi rice: 1 part rice: 1 part water

fork in rice

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5 from 474 votes (463 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. Zalena says:

    Love your recipes. Just wondering if you have a recipe for basmati rice? I don’t cook white rice. I usually parboil rice but occasionally cook basmati, but I cannot master a fluffy rice, but perfect on the parboiled. Thank you.

    Reply
  2. Valerie says:

    My Puerto Rican husband loves white rice, and I have never mastered making it right. I’ve tried other recipes, but yours is the BEST! Thank you so much for helping to make it simple, effective and possible to cook good rice! It’s such a basic thing, yet hard to do right when you’re not raised on it. Yours is the best way I’ve found, always comes out great. Thank you so much!

    Reply
    1. Yumna J. says:

      Aww, thank you so much! I’m so happy you find my recipe helpful and effective every time! That’s amazing!!

      Reply
  3. Sonny todd says:

    Thank you so much. My dish was perfect, thanks to your easy to follow directions!

    Reply
    1. Yumna J. says:

      Amazing!! Thank you, Sonny!

      Reply
  4. Somaya says:

    1000/10 recipe. After maybe 6 failed attempts to cook good rice I finally made my first perfect batch because of you. Thank you sooo very much. Best rice recipe ever!!!

    Reply
    1. Yumna J. says:

      Yay, it makes me so happy you liked it!! Thanks, Somaya!

      Reply
  5. Anne says:

    Wos the first time in my life I prepared fluffy white rice! I decided at last minute to look at your website to see if you had instructions for cooking rice. Low and behold, yes you did! I followed the instructions and the result was a beautiful fluffly white rice. Thank you so much for the instructions. We forget sometimes that the way we cook isn’t always the best way or we do not obtain the results we were looking for. I also followed your risotto instructions and that was a success as well. Thank you!

    Reply
    1. Yumna J. says:

      So happy you found the instructions easy to follow and liked how your rice turned out! Love that you enjoyed the risotto too. Thank you so much!

      Reply
  6. Rose says:

    What rice are you using that you are picking out stones? I’ve not heard of anyone needing to do this.

    I find the rinsing thing interesting. I regularly cook 4 cups rice (2 c rice, 4 c water). I’ve never rinsed it in my life. It only comes out “gummy” if I forget about it and cook it too long.

    Perfect rice cook on any amount of rice up to 4c for us is:

    1) Bring water to a boil
    2) Add dry rice, stir, cover, reduce burner to low heat
    3) Cook 20 minutes – do not lift lid
    4) remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes – do not lift lid
    5) remove lid, stir, serve, enjoy

    Perfect every time

    Reply
    1. Yumna J. says:

      I added that tip as a precaution; it’s uncommon to find stones in rice and other dry goods but not unheard of. Thanks for sharing your formula for perfect rice!

      Reply

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