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An easy step-by-step process on How to Cook The Perfect rice on the stove using a pot. Tired of sticky rice or rice stuck on your pot? Here’s a foolproof way to make the perfect fluffy basmati rice using your stovetop. So easy and ready in just 30 minutes.
Cooking rice can be such a hassle for some. Often times people wonder what the measurements should be and how long to cook it for? There are many types of rice and the cooking times and measurements vary for each type. Plus, there are also different ways to cook rice. We will be showing you how to cook white basmati rice on the stove.
Types of White Rice
Short Grain Rice: short-grain rice tends to be very sticky and soft when cooked. It might be sold under the name sushi rice. I would avoid short-grain rice if you want fluffy non-sticky rice but works great for rice puddings.
Medium Grain Rice: medium grain rice is soft, moist, chewy, and sticky in texture when cooked. Arborio and Valencia are examples of medium grain rice. If cooking rice as a side dish or as meal prep, I would avoid using medium grain rice. If you’re looking to make risotto or paella, use medium grain rice.
Long Grain Rice: long grain rice comes out firm but fluffy, and separate after cooking. You can find long-grain rice labeled as Basmati rice and Jasmine rice. This is my rice of choice as the texture makes it work as the perfect side dish that goes with everything.
What You’ll Need To Cook Stovetop Rice
Ingredients
- Basmati rice
- Butter: optional but adds a little extra flavor to the rice, or use a neutral oil
- Salt: optional
Equipment
- Pot with lid: you must have a lid for this recipe
- Bowl: to wash your rice in
- Fine mesh strainer: to rinse and drain the rice with
How to Cook The Perfect Basmati Rice on the Stove
- In a large bowl, add in your rice and cold water. Use your hands and gently rub the rice between them to clean them. Drain and repeat the process until the water isn’t cloudy anymore.
- Thoroughly drain the rice using a fine-mesh strainer before adding the rice to a pot with the butter, salt, and water.
- Bring the pot to a boil on high heat then lower the heat, cover it with your lid, and let simmer for 15-20 minutes. It’s done when all the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is tender. If not, add a splash of water and simmer a few more minutes until the rice is tender. Do not lift your lid before this, try to only check on your rice once as opening the lid lets all the steam escape.
- Keeping the lid on, remove the pot from the heat and let it rest for 5-7 minutes before fluffing it with a fork or spatula and serve.
Why Do You Wash Rice?
When you rinse your rice, you are removing its starchy coating. This extra step helps your rice from clumping together as well as it coming out with a gummy texture. You can also wash and rinse your wash in your fine mesh strainer but using a bowl helps save some water!
What Is Simmering?
Simmering your rice is when you lower the temperature to just under the boiling point. You’ll see that the water with your rice is still bubbling but gently. Lowering the heat helps the rice cook evenly as if you leave it on a boil, the rice around the end of the pot will cook and burn faster than the rice in the middle.
How To Store Leftover Rice
Once your rice has cooled, transfer it to an airtight container and store it in your fridge for 3-4 days. Things like fried rice require leftover rice so it’s always a good idea to cook extra and store it for later!
How To Reheat Leftover Rice
When reheating rice, I recommend you add 1-2 tbsp of water into the container of rice before microwaving it for 2-3 minutes on high. The water helps keep the rice from drying out when reheating.
Can You Freeze Rice?
Yes! Let your rice cool then transfer them into the portion size of your choice in a freezer-safe Ziploc bag. You can reheat it the same way as regular leftover rice but longer for the rice to be hot throughout. While some say frozen rice can last 6-8 months, I use mine within 1-2 months.
Making Flavorful Rice
To make my plain white rice a little more flavorful, I like to add a bit of salt and butter. However, you can also add seasonings such as garlic powder, onion powder, etc to the rice before simmering! You can also cook your rice in chicken broth instead of water for more flavor.
Some Recipes That Goes Well With Rice
Now that you’ve mastered how to cook basmati rice on the stovetop, here are some delicious recipes to serve with your rice!
- Sriracha Chicken Broccoli Skillet
- Baked Teriyaki Salmon
- Spicy Chicken Stir Fry
- BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
- Chickpea Cauliflower Curry
- Easy Butter Chicken
- Creamy Tuscan Salmon
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How to cook rice on the stove
Ingredients
- 1 cup Basmati rice
- 1¾ cup Water
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter, or neutral oil
- ½ tsp salt
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add in your rice and cold water. Use your hands and gently rub the rice between them to clean them. Drain and repeat the process until the water isn’t cloudy anymore.
- Thoroughly drain the rice using a fine-mesh strainer before adding the rice to a pot with the butter/oil, salt, and water.
- Bring the pot to a boil on high heat then lower the heat, cover it with your lid, and let simmer for 15-20 minutes. It’s done when all the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is tender. If not, add a splash of water and simmer a few more minutes until the rice is tender. Do not lift your lid before this, try to only check on your rice once as opening the lid lets all the steam escape.
- Keeping the lid on, remove the pot from the heat and let it rest for 5-7 minutes before fluffing it with a fork or spatula and serve.
Notes
- Use any long-grain white rice
- You can use neutral oil instead of butter, or skip completely
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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