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How to Cook White Rice on the Stovetop

Looking for perfect rice? We have instructions and tips on cooking white rice with white rice recipes perfect for any meal.

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Additional Time
10 mins
Total Time
45 mins
Servings: 4
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 cup long-grain white rice
  • 2 cups water
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon butter or oil (optional)

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Place the rice in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse it under cold running water for a minute or two. Rinsing removes excess starch and can help prevent the rice from becoming too sticky.
  2. Use a 2:1 ratio of water to rice. For 1 cup of rice, use 2 cups of water. If you prefer your rice a bit firmer, you can reduce the water slightly.
  3. In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the rinsed rice, water, and salt (if using). You can also add a small amount of butter or oil for added flavor, if desired. Stir briefly.
  4. Place the saucepan over high heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Once it's boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, and let the rice simmer.
  5. Let the rice simmer for about 18-20 minutes. Keep the lid on to trap steam and cook evenly.
  6. After 18-20 minutes, remove the saucepan from heat but keep the lid on. Let the rice sit undisturbed for about 5 minutes. This allows any remaining steam to finish cooking the rice.
  7. After resting, remove the lid and use a fork to fluff the rice gently. This helps separate the grains.
  8. Your long-grain white rice is ready to serve as a side dish, in stir-fries, or as a base for various dishes.
  9. If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings.