Basic White Rice
Updated Feb. 19, 2025
- Total Time
- 1 hour 20 minutes
- Prep Time
- 5 minutes
- Cook Time
- 25 minutes, plus 50 minutes soaking and resting
- Rating
- Comments
- Read comments
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Ingredients
- 1½ cups/300 grams medium- or short-grain white rice (see Tip)
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)
270 calories; 0 grams fat; 0 grams saturated fat; 0 grams monounsaturated fat; 0 grams polyunsaturated fat; 59 grams carbohydrates; 5 grams protein; 1 milligram sodium
Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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Preparation
- Step 1
In a fine-mesh strainer, rinse the rice under cold running water for 30 seconds. Drain completely. Add the rice and 1¾ cups (400 milliliters) water to a heavy-bottomed small (2-quart) saucepan with a tight-fitting lid. Set aside to soak for at least 30 minutes and up to 8 hours at a cool room temperature.
- Step 2
Place the pot over medium heat, uncovered, and heat until the water bubbles vigorously around the edges of the pot. Cover, reduce the heat to the lowest possible setting and cook, without lifting the lid, for 15 minutes.
- Step 3
Remove the pot from the burner and let the rice rest, still covered, for 15 minutes. Uncover and gently fluff the rice to let excess steam escape: Using a paddle or wooden spoon, turn the rice over so the rice on the bottom is on top. Cover and let the rice rest for a final 5 minutes before enjoying.
- When it comes to rice, “medium” and “short” refer to the length of the grain, but these terms also signal differences in texture, notably softness and stickiness. When buying white rice at the store for this recipe, look for Asian or Californian varieties, such as sushi rice, which comes in both medium- and short-grain, and Calrose rice, which is a reliable, easy-to-find medium-grain variety.
Private Notes
Comments
I have never had a stove that would go low enough to cook rice correctly on top. About 20 years ago I started to bake my rice at 250f and it turns out perfect every time. I turn on stove to 350. Start rice on stove top like normal. When rice/water is boiling I put in oven with tight lid and lower temp to 250. The rice can be left in the oven a long time without over cooking so you have time and room on the stove top to finish the mains. White rice 20 to 30 minutes, brown rice 1 hour.
I am not spending an hour and 20 minutes to make rice.
Will this method work for other rice like basmati, jasmine?
Is this a joke? Rice is too easy! Get a heat diffuser, it's great for simmmering everything. 1 cup Rice, rinse well 1 1/2 cup Water, Pinch of salt Bring to a Boil, cover, reduce heat to Low Simmer 15 or so Minutes. Turn off heat and let sit till ready to eat! Perfect every time!
If you’ve had good Cuban food, you’ve had good white rice. Recipe is EZ & from the book-Memories of a Cuban Kitchen: 4 cups water, 2 cups long grain white rice, 2 TBSPs pure Spanish olive oil, 2 teaspoons salt. Combine all in large saucepan or pot. Bring to a boil on high heat, uncovered, until water has mostly been absorbed & small craters form on top of rice, 10-15 minutes. Stir rice w/ a fork, cover, reduce heat to low, & cook until the rice is fluffy. Don’t lift lid during this step. Enjoy!
I don't know how I feel about leaving a grain soaking in water for 8 hours at room temperature. Sounds like a potential breeding ground for various bacteria. I'd be comfortable with up to an hour soaking at room temp, but if I'm going beyond that, it's going into the fridge to soak.