How to Make White Rice

Cooked white rice served on a white platter, garnished with lime slices with a linen and serving spoon in the background.

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.

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword white rice

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 30

Total Time 35

Servings

Calories 203kcal

Author Elizabeth Rodriguez

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

Rinse rice until water runs mostly clear for fluffier results.

After final stir, cover and cook on low heat, do not peek or stir again.

Nutrition