Foolproof white rice recipe! Achieve perfectly cooked white rice, that's fluffy, every time. Elevate your meals with this simple technique.

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This recipe has gone through extensive testing to bring you the most accurate, authentic and delicious recipe you'll find on the internet.

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Overhead shot of a pan of fluffy white rice.

Perfectly cooked white rice - it's simple, but essential! My foolproof method delivers fluffy, delicious rice every time. A blank canvas for all your favorite dishes.

A pot of boiled white rice with a white spoon digging in. — Perfectly Cooked White Rice

Okay, okay, I know what you're thinking: 'White rice? Really?' But hold on! This simple grain is the unsung hero of Southern cooking.

It's the perfect canvas for everything from gumbo to red beans and rice, and mastering it is essential. This isn't just any white rice recipe - it's THE guide for cooking perfect, fluffy rice every single time!

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What makes this recipe so yummy
Groceries you'll need: Ingredients
Recipe walkthrough: Instructions
Perfect Water to Rice Ratios
Variations and Flavor Enhancements
Necessary gear: equipment
Recipes that always include plain white rice on the side
How to store leftovers
Mel's kitchen notes
Troubleshooting Guide
Perfectly Cooked White Rice
💬 Comments

What makes this recipe so yummy

This recipe is perfect for allowing the flavors of your dish to truly shine. Mushy, sticky, or undercooked rice can distract from the flavors and ruin the overall experience.

Fluffy, well-separated grains provide the ideal texture and subtle taste, enhancing rather than competing with the other ingredients in your meal. It's the unsung hero that ties everything together!

Groceries you'll need: Ingredients

Ingredients to make the best fluffy white rice.

Long Grain White Rice
Unsalted Butter
Salt
Water

See recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities.

Recipe walkthrough: Instructions

This is an overview of the recipe steps. For more detailed instructions visit the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

A collage of four images showing how to make perfectly cooked white rice, recipe steps 1-4.

Step 1: Measure out the rice then rinse under cold water. Use your hands to massage the rice, then drain and repeat two more times. Drain again.
Step 2: Add the measured water.
Step 3: Add the butter and salt then cover the pot.
Step 4: Bring to a boil then reduce the temperature to allow to simmer (see full instructions in the recipe card below).

Overhead shot of a pot full of perfectly cooked white rice.

Step 5: Once the rice has cooked fluff the rice using a fork (or like me, a plastic spoon). Allow to cool slightly.

Hint: Once the rice is cooked try not to stir too often as it will make it mushy. Just once when cooking is completed, then maybe two more times after 5-ish minutes.

Perfect Water to Rice Ratios

A table for detailing the water to rice ratios.

Variations and Flavor Enhancements

Cooking with Broth: Using chicken broth or vegetable broth instead of water can give some great added flavor.
Aromatics: Try adding some garlic, bay leaf, thyme, etc.
Butter or Oil: Adding a little butter or oil can improve the texture and flavor.
Toasting the Rice: Toast the rice before cooking for a nuttier flavor.
Dirty Rice: A southern variation on a rice recipe which includes everything from above.
Coconut Rice: Coconut rice is an excellent variation of rice, it's so rich and fragrant.

Close up picture of a pot of perfectly cooked white rice.

The Cagle Diaries

Necessary gear: equipment

The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

I use a medium saucepan that has a good fitting lid. You can use this same recipe for use in a rice cooker too. I do it all the time.

I have an affiliate link for the type of pot in the recipe card below.

Recipes that always include plain white rice on the side

How to store leftovers

Store leftover rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Rice does freeze well. Store in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months.

Mel's kitchen notes

The most important thing in cooking the perfect rice, is to never lift the lid while it's cooking! My pot has a great see-through lid so you can watch for boil-over and get that simmer just right.

An overhead shot of a pan full of fluffy white rice.

Troubleshooting Guide

Rice is Too Sticky:
- Cause: Too much water, not rinsing.
- Solution: Use less water, rinse the rice thoroughly.
Rice is Too Dry:
- Cause: Not enough water, overcooking.
- Solution: Add a little more water during cooking, reduce cooking time.
Rice is Burnt to the Bottom:
- Cause: Too high heat, not enough water.
- Solution: Use lower heat, add more water at the beginning.
Rice is Undercooked:
- Cause: Not enough cooking time, not enough water.
- Solution: Add more cooking time, add a little more water and continue cooking.
Rice is Mushy:
- Cause: Added too much water during cooking.
- Solution: Gently cook off the excess water, cooking uncovered to allow the moisture to dissipate.

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