How To Cook Rice

If your rice is ever too stodgy or too hard, you're not alone. Rice is really easy to screw up — but once you've got the technique down, it's also really easy to get right. And once you have your beautiful bowl full of rice you'll be halfway to having this dinner table. Here's how to cook a perfect pot of rice on the stovetop every single time.

1. RINSE THE RICE.

Ugh, I know, rinsing is annoying, but it takes 20 seconds and gets rid of dusty starches that may result in excess stickiness. Just place your rice in a fine-mesh sieve and rinse under cold water until the water runs clear.

2. ALWAYS REMEMBER 1:2. 

For most types of rice, you'll always use a ratio of 1 part rice to 2 parts water, which you can scale up or down. (Double-check your rice packaging to be sure.) Feel free to swap in chicken or vegetable stock for more flavour.

3. BRING WATER TO A BOIL. 

Then stir in rice and salt. And if you want to add a tab of butter, too, go for it — your rice will taste 10x better.

4. GET A STEADY SIMMER. 

After adding the rice, the temperature of your water will drop significantly, and it'll stop boiling. Let it come back to a gentle simmer (otherwise you run the risk of your water cooking off faster than your rice gets tender).

5. DO NOT TAKE OFF THE LID. 

Cover the saucepan and reduce heat to low. Though it will be tempting, keep the lid on! You don't want to mess with the steam. This is very important!

6. ALWAYS CHECK AT 18 MINUTES FOR WHITE RICE. 

I always set a timer for 18, knowing that it probably will be perfect, but could need another minute or two. Let the rice be your indicator, not the water. If there's a little water leftover, it's totally fine! Just tilt the saucepan slightly to drain it out. (Cooking brown rice? Check at 30 minutes.)

7. LEAVE IT ALONE!

Turn off the heat, replace the lid, and let it rest for a few minutes in the steamy saucepan. Patience is a virtue, my friend. 

8. FLUFF IT UP. 

Use a fork. Easy peasy.

If you have a rice cooker, the game is a lot easier. Use the same magic ratio and throw everything into the rice cooker, which does all the work for you. When the machine says it's ready, the same "leave it alone" and fluffing instructions apply.

Editor's Note: This recipe was updated on 23 December 2020.