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.
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!
Jump to:
- 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
- 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.
- 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).
- 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
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.
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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.
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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Perfectly Cooked White Rice
Equipment
- 1 4.5 Quart Pot
Ingredients
- 2-½ Cups Long Grain White Rice
- 2-¾ Cups Water
- 2 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter
- 1 teaspoon Salt
Instructions
- Measure out the rice and rinse under cold water, using your hands to massage the rice well. Drain and rinse again until the water is not so starchy and white.2-½ Cups Long Grain White Rice
- Once you have drained all the water that you can, measure the water and add to the rice.2-¾ Cups Water
- Add the butter and salt and cover with a lid that fits well. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then once it is boiling turn down the heat until you see the rice on a slow simmer. Start your timer, cook for 15 minutes on this low simmer.2 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter, 1 teaspoon Salt
- Once the 15 minutes is up, remove the lid and turn off the heat. Fluff the rice with a fork, or spoon then allow to rest 5 minutes. Fluff again, then serve.
Notes
Nutrition
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