White rice is one of the most versatile and budget-friendly staples in the kitchen. Serve it as a simple side dish, make fried rice, or build a rice bowl. It's easy to cook perfectly fluffy rice at home.
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Ingredients you'll need
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White rice - The star of the show. Long-grain white rice gives you light, fluffy grains that don't clump together. You can also use jasmine rice if you prefer.
Water - Simple, cool water is all you need. The right rice-to-water ratio is the secret to perfect texture.
Salt - Just a little brings out the natural flavor of the rice. Don't skip it! We use kosher salt.
Optional garnish - Fresh lime wedges, chopped parsley, cilantro, green onions or chives (not pictured).
📖 See the recipe card for quantities and preparation.
How to make white rice
Bring the water to a boil in a medium saucepan.
Once the water is boiling, add the rice and salt. Stir to break up any clumps. Lower the heat to medium when the water comes back to a boil.
Simmer the rice, uncovered, until most of the water has cooked out and the rice is visible on the surface, about 7-10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking to the bottom. At this point, the rice will have a "watery" consistency but should not sink to the bottom when stirred.
Give the rice one final stir, making sure to scrape the bottom of the pan, then lower the heat to low and cover the pan.
Cook the rice for approximately 20 minutes. Give it one quick stir halfway through the cooking time (after about 10 minutes), gently turning the rice from the bottom to the top. Cover immediately.
Uncover and fluff the rice with a fork. Serve with lime wedges and garnish with a sprinkle of parsley, cilantro, green onions, or chives, if desired.
Recipe tips and notes
- After covering the pot and lowering the heat, stir the rice only once halfway through the cooking time. Over-stirring activates starch and makes the rice sticky.
- Use low heat once the pot is covered. Too high of heat is the most common reason rice burns on the bottom and develops a smoky flavor.
- Don't peek! Keep the lid on during the entire cooking time so the steam stays trapped. The rice needs consistent steam to cook properly.
Serving suggestions
White rice is incredibly versatile and pairs beautifully with so many dishes. Here are some of my favorite ways to serve it:
- Pair it with beans for a hearty, comforting meal. These Cuban-style red beans or my popular quick Cuban-style black beans go perfectly with white rice.
- Transform it into bacon fried rice for a quick and flavorful one-pan meal.
- Serve it in soup. My Cuban-style beef soup and chicken and rice soup are both excellent choices.
- Use it as a base for your favorite proteins and vegetables. Try it with beef and broccoli or these simple ground beef bowls.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, I recommend rinsing your rice every time. Rinsing removes excess surface starch, which helps prevent gummy or sticky rice and gives you lighter, fluffier results.
Place the rice in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse under cold running water, gently stirring with your fingers, until the water runs mostly clear (usually 1-2 minutes).
For long-grain white rice, use a 1:2 ratio (1 cup rice to 2 cups water). For example:
1 cup rice → 2 cups water
1½ cups rice → 3 cups water
2 cups rice → 4 cups water
Scale the recipe up or down as needed. Make sure to use a large enough pot to accommodate larger amounts and adjust the salt accordingly. I use 1 teaspoon of kosher salt per 1 cup of rice.
Storing and reheating
Refrigerator: Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
Freezer: Allow the rice to cool completely, then transfer to freezer-safe bags or an airtight container. Label with the contents and date, and freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheating: Reheat in a nonstick skillet or in the microwave until the rice is steaming hot throughout. Add a splash of water or broth when reheating to help restore moisture.
Food safety: According to USDA recommendations, do not leave cooked food out for longer than two hours, or for more than one hour if the temperature is above 90°F. Reheat leftovers to an internal temperature of at least 165°F. For more information on food storage and safety guidelines visit U.S. Department of Agriculture and foodsafety.gov.
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📖 Recipe
How to Make White Rice
Ingredients
- 3 cups Water
- 1½ cup Long Grain White Rice rinsed with cool water and drained well
- 1½ teaspoon Salt we use kosher salt
Instructions
- Bring the water to a boil in a medium saucepan.
- Once the water is boiling, add the rice and salt. Stir to break up any clumps.
- Lower the heat to medium when the water comes back to a boil.
- Simmer the rice, uncovered, until most of the water has cooked out and the rice is visible on the surface, about 7-10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking to the bottom. At this point, the rice will have a "watery" consistency but should not sink to the bottom when stirred.
- Give the rice one final stir, making sure to scrape the bottom of the pan, then lower the heat to low and cover the pot.
- Cook the rice for approximately 20 minutes. Give it one quick stir halfway through the cooking time (after about 10 minutes), gently turning the rice from the bottom to the top. Cover immediately.
- Uncover and fluff the rice with a fork. Serve with lime wedges and garnish with a sprinkle of parsley, cilantro, green onions, or chives, if desired.
Notes
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Nutrition
The nutritional information above is computer generated and is only an estimate. There is no guarantee that it is accurate. This data is provided as a courtesy for informational purposes only.
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