At a certain point in their culinary journey, every home cook needs to learn how to make rice—it’s one of the most important and versatile staples you can learn how to cook. Even if you don’t want to eat it at every meal, rice as an ingredient can be used in countless recipes, so it’s essential that you know how to prepare it properly. It may seem daunting at first, but it's really not hard at all; here’s how to make perfect rice at home!
Step 1: Pick your desired type of rice
Wild, brown, or white. If you want just plain old white rice, simply skip ahead to step 2. But if you’re cooking brown or wild, you’ll have to soak them in water first before adding them to your pot. Note: Rinse the brown and wild rices before soaking them. Soak 1 part of brown or wild with 2 parts water overnight. The next day... rinse, drain and proceed with step 2. For example: if you have 1 cup of dry brown rice, soak it in 3 cups of water overnight (1:2 ratio). If you use long-grain white rice... well then go directly to step 2. Long grain rice does not require pre-soaking because it has less starch than other types of rice. Step 2: Pick your desired type of water for cooking your rice and bring it to a boil. Make sure that you pick enough water so that there is about an inch more than what will be absorbed by your uncooked amount of raw rice when combined with its pre-soaked counterpart(s). This way, there will be enough liquid left over for each grain to fully absorb into itself while still being able to swim freely within itself when done properly.
Step 2: Add water
Use 3 parts water for every 1 part of dry rice and boil until all of it is absorbed. (This will typically be about 20 minutes.) This may vary based on your pot, but you’ll figure out how long it takes after a few tries. Once all of the water has been absorbed, turn off heat and let sit for 5-10 minutes with lid on before serving. Voilà! Perfectly cooked rice, ready in under 30 minutes. It's as easy as that! You can use these proportions to cook brown rice or even wild rice. I also love adding veggies like edamame or frozen peas halfway through cooking—just add them during step 1 when you add in your water. Now go enjoy your perfect bowl of rice! And if you want more tips on how to save time in your kitchen, check out my quick and healthy meal prep ideas here. Happy cooking!
Step 3: Cover
Cover your body, head and any exposed skin with long sleeve shirts, pants and socks. In cold weather conditions you may also want to wear gloves. This is important because if you get frostbite on your fingers or toes it will be difficult for you to do everyday tasks such as getting dressed or driving. You can prevent frostbite by dressing warmly in winter conditions. If there is snow on the ground, try not to walk through it as snow can insulate against heat from escaping from your feet. Wear waterproof boots and shoes when walking through snow as well. Make sure that your clothing fits properly and isn’t too loose so that it doesn’t trap in body heat. Also avoid wearing cotton clothing as cotton does not allow for proper air circulation around your skin. Wearing synthetic fabrics such as polyester and wool are best. To keep your hands warm, wear mittens instead of gloves which will help protect against heat loss. Mittens are warmer than gloves because they have less surface area therefore trapping more warmth inside them. Remember to cover all areas of exposed skin including ears, neck and face to prevent frostbite from occurring due to wind chill factors.
Step 4: Heat up
Add 1 tablespoon of butter and stir until melted. Add 3/4 cup of rice and pour in 1 cup of broth. Bring it to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover with a lid and cook for 15 minutes without stirring. Turn off heat and let stand 10 minutes without removing lid (you should still hear some simmering). Fluff with fork when done. If you'd like to add veggies or meat during cooking time, do so after you've turned off heat but before letting stand covered for 10 minutes. Just make sure your total simmering time doesn't exceed 25 minutes per recipe instructions or else your dish could end up burned or mushy; always check before serving. For more flavor, try adding salt and pepper as well as chopped fresh herbs such as parsley or cilantro just before serving.
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Step 5: Check on it every now and then, use a timer if needed
Heat 2 cups of water in a medium saucepan over high heat until it boils. Add 1 cup white basmati rice and a pinch of salt, stir once or twice, then reduce heat to low, cover tightly and simmer for 15 minutes. Turn off heat, leave covered and let stand for 10 minutes. If you're using brown rice or another whole grain, which takes longer to cook through, start checking after 40 minutes. And if you are cooking other grains in addition to or instead of rice in that saucepan—try adding them before step 5 so they can be ready when your main star is done. This method works best with shorter-grain rices like basmati and jasmine; long-grain rices like arborio may not absorb enough liquid to become tender without additional liquid added at some point during cooking. The general rule: Stick with short-grain rices if you plan on eating them as porridge (think savory dishes like risotto), but use long-grain varieties for plated meals. Longer-cooking grains will give you more chew than short-grained ones will; however, each has its own distinct flavor profile and texture that makes it ideal for certain recipes (for example, arborio's starchy texture lends itself well to creamy dishes). So, choose based on what you want to do with it. White rice tends to be less nutritious than brown because of processing methods, but both versions offer fiber and B vitamins. For a complete meal, serve your grains alongside vegetables and protein sources such as tofu or chicken breast. You can also try making one of these healthy fried rice recipes !
An easy way to get started? Try some delicious Indian recipes made with basmati rice . Or whip up a pot of red beans and rice , perfect for serving alongside greens sautéed in olive oil . Need something heartier?