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Perfect Steamed Rice

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Learn how to make perfectly steamed rice on the stove top, no rice cooker required. This easy 30-minute method creates soft, fluffy rice every time! Serve this white rice as a side dish with your favorite family meals like Peruvian Roasted Chicken, Southwest Salmon Bowl, or Instant Pot Kalua Pork.

A bowl of steamed rice with black pepper and sliced green onion on top.

I constantly asked “how do you do that” or “I don’t know how to do that”, which is the point behind Cooking 101. Things that I find to be simple (because I have done them a million times), broken down into easy to follow steps for those who want to learn something new.

We have a rice cooker that my daughter insists on using, but I find it harder to clean and unnecessary. This is the exact way that I have made rice for over 25 years!

A bowl of steamed white rice topped with sliced green onion.

What you will need

This recipe is for the “white” version of steamed rice, I will have to post a “brown” rice version in the future (hint: it takes twice as long to cook).

  • Water
  • Olive oil – or oil of your choice.
  • Sea salt
  • Jasmine long grain white rice.

How to make Perfect Steamed Rice

In a sauce pan, bring the water, oil, salt and pepper to a boil.

Water, oil, salt and pepper in a saucepan.

add the rice.

Rice stirred into the water mixture in a saucepan.

bring back to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 25 minutes.

Lid covering a saucepan.

Remove from heat and fluff with a fork.

Fluffing cooked, white rice in a saucepan with a fork.

Serve immediately with your favorite dinner, like Mahi Mahi with Panko and Papaya Mango Salsa.

Panko Crusted Mahi Mahi with Papaya Mango salsa on a bed of white rice.

The key is the heat. If the burner is on too high the water will boil over, and your rice will burn. If it is too low, the rice will not absorb the water and you will have crunchy rice soup. We are looking for a simmer here, not a boil. You may lose a few batches while perfecting your skills, but hey, rice is cheap!

FAQs

Can you save leftover rice?

Yes, store the completely cooled rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cooled rice can also be stored in the freezer, in an airtight container or zipper top bag for up to 2 months.

How do you reheat steamed rice?

For individual serving, place rice in a bowl with 1 tablespoon of water and microwave for a minute or so. For larger amounts, add an additional tablespoon of water and cook for additional time.
Rice can also be reheated in a sauce pan on the stove with a tablespoon (or more) of water.

Is there a correct water to rice ratio to follow?

This is a personal choice. I prefer rice that is separate and not sticky so I use 1 cup of white rice to 1.75 cups of water. For softer rice cook with 1 cup of rice and 2 cups of water.

Tools used to create this recipe

You can see the rest of my favorite kitchen tools and gadgets here in my Amazon Affiliate Page. I earn a small commission when you purchase through my links, at no cost to you, so I can keep bringing you more delicious recipes!

More delicious rice recipes

If you love this recipe, please rate it five stars and help me share on facebook and to help other readers in our community!

Enjoy!!

A bowl of steamed rice recipe with black pepper and sliced green onion on top.

Steamed Rice

Learn how to make perfectly steamed rice on the stove top. This easy 30-minute method creates soft, fluffy rice every time!
5 from 4 votes
Print Rate
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: rice, white, steamed, recipe, stove top
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Calories: 199kcal
Author: Lisa Johnson

Equipment

  • Sauce Pan with Lid

Ingredients

  • 1.75 cups water
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 0.5 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 cup Jasmine white rice or your choice of long grain rice

Instructions

  • Bring water, oil, and salt to a boil in a small sauce pan. Pour in rice and stir.
  • Cover, reduce heat and simmer for 25 minutes. Do not stir, do not lift the lid until the 25 minutes are up.
  • Remove lid and fluff with a fork.

Notes

You want the rice to simmer so that it will cook, but you do not want it to boil and burn. It may take a few tries to get used to it, but it is really easy once you get the hang of it.
Can you save leftover rice?
Yes, store the completely cooled rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cooled rice can also be stored in the freezer, in an airtight container or zipper top bag for up to 2 months.
How do you reheat steamed rice?
For individual serving, place rice in a bowl with 1 tablespoon of water and microwave for a minute or so. For larger amounts, add an additional tablespoon of water and cook for additional time.
Rice can also be reheated in a sauce pan on the stove with a tablespoon (or more) of water.
Is there a correct water to rice ratio to follow?
This is a personal choice. I prefer rice that is separate grains and not sticky so I use 1 cup of white rice to 1.75 cups of water. For softer rice cook with 1 cup of rice and 2 cups of water.

Nutrition

Calories: 199kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 3g | Sodium: 298mg | Potassium: 53mg | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 0.4mg

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One Comment

  1. So many think that eating brown rice instead of white rice is a healthier choice because
    it has more fiber. But the truth is that if you engage in frequent exercise on a weekly basis, your body will tolerate (and needs) PURE glucose that you get from white rice. Just soak the rice to remove over 30% of the arsenic. It’s not 100% but it helps. Thanks for the directions.

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