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Home » Recipes » Rice

Published: Mar 17, 2023 · Modified: Apr 8, 2023 by Kelly Bloom · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

Fluffy Steamed White Rice

Jump to Recipe

This foolproof steamed white rice recipe will solve the sticky, soggy rice problems you may be having. There's a little secret to getting fluffy steamed white rice, and it's not on the box or bag of rice!

blue and white porcelain bowl full of steamed white rice.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

If you're like me, consistently getting fluffy steamed white rice has been a struggle.

You will love this simple approach to making steamed white rice on your stovetop. This method is foolproof, resulting in fluffy, tender long grain white rice every time.

Jump to:
  • Why You Will Love This Recipe
  • Ingredients For Steamed White Rice
  • How to Make Fluffy Steamed White Rice
  • How Can I Jazz Up White Rice?
  • Steamed White Rice Serving Suggestions
  • Related Recipes
  • Substitutions and Variations
  • Equipment
  • Storage
  • Tips for Success
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Food Safety
  • Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love
  • 📖 Recipe
  • Connect with Smells Like Delish!

Ingredients For Steamed White Rice

There are several varieties of white rice available, and these instructions are for the long grain type of white rice.

You can use regular long grain white rice, long grain basmati rice, and even long grain jasmine rice. The cooking time will be the same for all off these long grain varieties.

  • Long grain rice - uncooked. You can use Mahatma, store brand, or even Jasmine or Basmati long grain white rice.
  • Water
  • Sea salt

dry grain in a bowl with a wooden spoon.

Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

How to Make Fluffy Steamed White Rice

The secret to making fluffy, perfectly steamed white rice is using less water. Yes, by not following the rice package instructions, you will get a much better steamed rice.

Measure And Rinse The Rice

  1. Measure your rice and put it in a sieve.

  2. Next, rinse the rice under cool or cold water for about 30 seconds. Long grain rice does not have much of a starchy coating, so 30 seconds is usually enough. Shake to drain excess water.

colander with drain for rinsing.

Bring To a Boil - Then Cover

  1. Add the water and the salt and the rinsed rice.

  2. Bring saucepan with rice and water to a quick boil for 1 minute. Cover with a lid.

  3. Reduce heat and cook on low for 10 minutes.

PRO TIP: The instructions on most bags of rice call for 2 cups of water for every 1 cup of rice. You are going to reduce the water by ⅛th. That would be 1 ¾ cup of water for each 1 cup of rice.

sauce pan with water and grain it it.

Fluff The Steamed Rice & Serve

  1. After 10 minutes, remove from the heat and set aside COVERED for an additional 10 minutes. Don't remove the cover during this unheated 10 minutes.

  2. After the 10 minutes have passed, remove the cover lid and fluff your perfect foolproof steamed rice with a fork.

  3. Serve steamed white rice with your favorite main dish that is best suited for fluffy white rice.

saucepan with fluffed rice.

How Can I Jazz Up White Rice?

Looking for more than just white steamed rice? Here are some fabulous variations!

  • Broth - For a dramatic difference, infuse your rice with flavored cooking water or use broth.
  • Cheese - Adding grated cheese to the final 10 minutes of cook time will give you a creamy rice.
  • Vegetables - A dry vegetable soup mix is a delicious option to make a rice pilaf.
  • Herbs and Seasonings - Everything from Annatto, Saffron, Cilantro, and Chil powder make flavorful additions to your steamed white rice.
  • Fried - Yes, make fried rice from your cooled, steamed white rice!

Steamed White Rice Serving Suggestions

Serve hot steamed white rice immediately with your meal. It's a perfect side dish to our Bourbon Chicken Skillet, Panda Express String Bean Chicken, or Chicken Mozambique also!

blue and white porcelain bowl full of steamed white rice.

Related Recipes

  • Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice
  • Steamed Mantou Buns
  • Chicken Dum Biryani
  • Coconut Rice In Rice Cooker
  • Orange Fluff Salad
  • Aroma Rice Cooker Instructions

Substitutions and Variations

Here are a few scrumptious variations using this recipe as a base:

  • Ghanaian Jollof Rice - Ghanaian Jollof rice is a mixture of tomatoes and vegetable all cooked up with white rice. Our recipe is easy to make also.
  • Cilantro Lime Rice - Cilantro Lime rice is a flavor treat. See our Instant Pot Cilantro Lime rice for a great version of it.
  • Longhorns Rice Pilaf - The popular Longhorn Steakhouse Rice Pilaf recipe!
  • Chimichurri Rice - Argentinian rice with tons of flavor that's super each to fix

Equipment

Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. Below are some of my favorite pieces of equipment that I use when making this recipe for steamed white rice.

  • 2 or 3 quart Saucepan
  • Colander

Storage

Cover and store leftover steamed white rice in the refrigerator for up to four days. To reheat, place in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Microwave for 1 minute, then stir. Continue to microwave in 1 minute increments until heated through.

Tips for Success

  • Choose a pot with a tight fitting lid.
  • If your pot lid has a vent hole, cover with foil.
  • If you like your rice buttered, add the butter when fluffing with a fork.
  • Ignore the rice to water ratio on the rice package. Use 1 ¾ cups of water for each 1 cup of dry, uncooked long grain rice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I double or triple this steamed white rice recipe?

Yes, just make sure you are using a pot large enough to accommodate the expanding rice.

Can I add spices and herbs?

Yes, this Steamed White Rice recipe is a basic recipe for many rice pilafs, or seasoned rice dishes. Add your spices, seasonings, and herbs to the water with the rinsed rice.

Can I freeze steamed rice?

Yes, store it in the portion size you will want to use it. Freeze, and then defrost. Microwave and serve as a side, or add to soups.

What kind of rice makes the fluffiest cooked rice?

Long grain rice makes the fluffiest rice. Long grain" is just a generic classification for rice whose milled grains are at least three times as long as they are wide. Common varieties are usually simply labeled "long grain," but you might know them as basmati, Carolina, jasmine or Texmati.

What are USA rice brands?

They are: American Rice, Doguet's Rice, Falcon Rice Mill, Farmers Rice Milling, Hoppe Farms, Louisiana Mill, Lowell Farms, Mars Food, Producers Rice Mill, Rice Tec, Riceland Foods, Riviana Foods, Sem Chi Rice Products, Specialty Rice, and Sunwest Foods.

Food Safety

  • Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
  • Wash hands after touching raw meat
  • Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
  • Never leave cooking food unattended
  • Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
  • Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

See more guidelines at USDA.gov.

Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love

  • slow cooker soy honey garlic chicken served on top of rice in a bowl with chopsticks.
    Crockpot Soy Garlic Chicken
  • platter of grilled Thai pork skewers (moo ping) with cilantro garnish and spicy peanut dipping sauce.
    Moo Ping (Thai Pork Skewers)
  • Thickened peanut sauce in a pitcher and a dipping bowl.
    Easy Thai Peanut Dipping Sauce
  • Satay grilled chicken quarters on serving platter with peanut sauce nearby.
    Satay Grilled Chicken Leg Quarters

📖 Recipe

blue and white porcelain bowl full of steamed white rice.
Print Recipe SaveSaved!
5 from 3 votes

Fluffy Steamed White Rice

This foolproof steamed white rice recipe will solve the sticky, soggy rice problems you may be having. There's a little secret to getting fluffy steamed white rice, and it's not on the box or bag of rice!
Prep Time5 minutes mins
Cook Time22 minutes mins
Total Time27 minutes mins
Course: Side Dishes
Cuisine: Asian
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 169kcal
Author: Kelly Bloom

Equipment

  • Cuisinart Contour Stainless 2-Quart Pour Saucepan with Cover,Silver
  • Colander

Ingredients

  • 1 cup long grain rice Basmati, Jasmine, regular long grain, or brown long grain
  • 1 ¾ cup water
  • ½ to 1 teaspoon salt
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Rinse the rice under cool or cold water for about 30 seconds. Long grain rice does not have much of a starchy coating, so 30 seconds is usually enough.
    1 cup long grain rice
  • Add the water into a 2 quart sauce pan.
    PRO TIP: The secret to making fluffy, perfectly steamed white rice is using less water than the package states.
    1 ¾ cup water
  • Add the salt and the rinsed rice to the water in the saucepan.
    ½ to 1 teaspoon salt
  • Bring to a quick boil for 1 minute.
  • Cover with a lid. Reduce heat and cook on low for 10 minutes.
  • Remove from the heat and set COVERED for an additional 10 minutes. Don't remove the cover during this unheated 10 minutes.
  • Last, remove the cover lid and fluff your perfect fool proof steamed rice with a fork.
  • Serve with your favorite main dish that is best suited for fluffy steamed white rice.

Notes

  • Choose a pot with a tight fitting lid.
  • The instructions on most bags of rice call for 2 cups of water for every 1 cup of rice. You are going to reduce the water by â…›th. That would be 1 ¾ cup of water for each 1 cup of rice.
  • If your pot lid has a vent hole, cover with foil.
  • If you like your rice buttered, add the butter when fluffing with a fork.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 169kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 0.3g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 298mg | Potassium: 53mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.1g | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 0.4mg
Keyword : fool proof steamed rice, steamed basmati rice, steamed jasmine rice, steamed white rice

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