How To Cook White Rice On The Stove

How to cook white rice on the stove can be tricky. To get perfectly cooked fluffy white rice you are in luck because I am here to tell you how it’s done. Fluffy-cooked rice every time!

It is a good idea to keep track of how well your rice comes out when you make it. This post is just a guide, your pots and heat source will work differently.

Before you know it you will have a system that will give you perfect rice every time.

How to cook white rice on the stove top video

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How to cook white rice on the stove instructions

Follow these 3 steps to get fluffy white rice every time.

White rice can be an art to get correct every time so you will need to get your own go-to recipe. This hopefully will be the start you need to create your own perfect recipe.

Measure the rice and water

Make sure to follow your rice package measurements. Typically, rice is a 1:2 ratio but some brands are a little different.

When measuring use dry measuring cups for the rice. like the one in the picture and a liquid measure for the water. They do measure differently and you will get different results.

Measure your rice and add it to your pot. Get your water measure ready but first, we need to rinse the rice to get the starch out.

Rinse the rice

Rice is full of starch and that’s what makes your rice sticky. If you stir it in the water you will see that the water turns white. That is the starch washing off.

I like to rinse my rice 2 or 3 times before I get started. Add water and stir the rice around and then strain it. Repeat this a couple of times.

Note that you aren’t trying to get all of the starch off so two or three rinses in plenty.

Now go ahead and add the water that you measured previously.

Cook the rice

Place your rice and water on the stovetop on medium heat. Sprinkle a couple of pinches of salt into the pot and stir.

Bring the water to a boil and then turn it down to a very light simmer once the boiling begins.

It’s very important to keep the lid on the rice and not open it until you see that all of the water has been absorbed or if you can’t see through your lid give it at least 15 minutes before you open it to look.

Once it looks like it’s ready let it sit off the heat for a few minutes. Fluff the rice gently with a fork, and serve.

Now if your rice has been cooked and you are now looking to warm up those leftovers check out this guide on how to reheat rice and also learn how to store rice to ensure that you maintain its freshness as long as possible.

Ingredients

• 2 cups white rice
• 4 cups water for rinsing
• 4 cups water cooking
• 1/2 tsp salt

Equipment

• Pot
• measuring cups

What to serve with white rice from the stovetop

There are so many things that go well with white rice cooked on the stove. I would take my braised chicken on top of the rice.

Another great dish is my baked chicken thighs and braised beef.

How do you reheat rice?

It is really easy to reheat rice in the microwave. I like to heat it for a bit then fluff the rice and then reheat it some more.

You can also reheat it in a pan on the stovetop and that works great also. Put your pan on medium heat and warm the rice.

You also add a little bit of chicken stock or water to the pan to help it from sticking the chicken stock will add some great flavor.

Can you freeze rice?

Yes, you can freeze rice. Here are some steps on how to properly freeze:

1. Cook the rice as you normally would: Follow your usual method for cooking rice, whether that’s on the stovetop, in a rice cooker, or in a microwave.
2. Let the rice cool: Once cooked, spread the rice out on a baking sheet or other large surface and let it cool. This step is important because it stops the cooking process and prevents the growth of harmful bacteria.
3. Freeze the rice: Once the rice has cooled, transfer it to airtight, freezer-safe containers or resealable plastic bags. If you’re using bags, try to press out as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. If you are planning to use the rice for separate meals, consider portioning it out into individual servings before freezing.
4. Store it properly: The rice can be frozen for up to one month without losing much quality. It will be safe to eat after this time but may not taste as good. Be sure to write the date on the container or bag so you know when you froze it.