0 from 57 votes
Perfect Coconut Rice (with a Secret Ingredient!)
How to make PERFECT coconut rice every time! A quick and easy, versatile side dish for curries, soups, bowls, and beyond! Just 3 ingredients and 1 pot required.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 4 (~1/2-cup servings)
Calories: 194 kcal
Course:
Side Dish
Cuisine:
Thai , Vegan
Ingredients
COCONUT RICE
- 1 cup jasmine, basmati, or long grain white rice (or sub brown rice* — see notes)
- 1 cup light coconut milk (canned)
- 1 cup water (or coconut water for more intense coconut flavor)
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp organic cane sugar* (optional for sweet rice — leave out if using coconut water)
- 2 Tbsp desiccated or unsweetened shredded coconut (optional // for more coconut flavor and a bit of texture)
FOR SERVING optional
- finely minced cilantro
- Lightly toasted coconut flakes
Instructions
- Add rice, coconut milk, water (or coconut water), sea salt, sugar (optional), and desiccated or shredded coconut (optional), to a large saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, lower heat to a simmer and cover. Ensure it’s simmering and not boiling or the rice can cook too quickly.
- Simmer until water is completely absorbed and rice is tender — about 20-25 minutes (will depend on type, size, and freshness of rice). Drain off excess water if there is any (there shouldn’t be).
- I like to turn off the heat, remove the lid, fluff with a fork, put the lid back on, and let rest for 10 minutes so the moisture redistributes to prevent mushy rice. Taste test and add additional salt if desired. This rice is delicious alongside curries, soups, bowls, and more! Option to garnish with cilantro and lightly toasted coconut flakes.
- Store cooled leftovers covered in the refrigerator up to 5-6 days, or in the freezer up to 1 month. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop with a little oil or water until warm.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- *Brown rice results in a less fluffy, slightly nutty result. It’s still delicious but isn’t classic.*Find our Instant Pot version here.*Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated with unfortified rice and without optional ingredients. *We enjoyed the taste without sweetener but think most people would prefer it. *We tried maple syrup but felt the flavors were not complementary — not sweet enough at a small amount, and when enough was added to achieve the right sweetness, it tasted like a dessert, not a savory dish.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1(half-cup serving)
Calories
194
(10%)
Carbohydrates
36.4g
(12%)
Protein
3g
(6%)
Fat
4.3g
(7%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
0g
Monounsaturated Fat
0g
Trans Fat
0g
Cholesterol
0mg
(0%)
Sodium
150mg
(6%)
Potassium
0mg
(0%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
0g
(0%)
Vitamin A
0IU
(0%)
Vitamin C
0mg
(0%)
Calcium
0.33mg
(0%)
Iron
0.36mg
(2%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4(~1/2-cup servings)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 194
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1(half-cup serving) | |
| Calories | 194 | 10% |
| Carbohydrates | 36.4g | 12% |
| Protein | 3g | 6% |
| Fat | 4.3g | 7% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0g | 0% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 0g | 0% |
| Trans Fat | 0g | 0% |
| Cholesterol | 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium | 150mg | 6% |
| Potassium | 0mg | 0% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 0g | 0% |
| Vitamin A | 0IU | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 0mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 0.33mg | 0% |
| Iron | 0.36mg | 2% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.