One key tip for cooking rice is to rinse the uncooked grains thoroughly until any residue is removed and the water runs clear. This process helps to reduce the amount of arsenic in the rice and removes particles like dust, dirt, and bran. “I’ve seen how they collect rice in the paddies and how it’s processed in the factories,” says Min Kim Bryant, a market analyst at CR. “The same reason I wash my produce is why I wash my rice.”
For thicker grains, such as wild rice, sushi rice, or brown rice, some experts suggest soaking them for around 30 minutes to help soften them.
Cooking rice on the stove
Whether or not you have a rice cooker, it’s useful to know how to cook rice on the stove. Begin by selecting a large pot. “Many people cook rice in these itty-bitty teeny little pots and wonder why the bottom is overcooked, and the top is undercooked,” explains JJ Johnson, chef and owner of Fieldtrip, a rice-centric restaurant in New York. “It’s because the rice doesn’t have room to expand.”
Unlike using a rice cooker, precision is key when cooking on the stove. Follow these water-to-rice ratios:
- 1½ cups of water for 1 cup of long-grain white rice
- 1¼ cups of water for sushi rice
- 2¼ cups of water for short-grain brown rice
First, bring the rice and water to a boil over high heat, then reduce it. Cover the pot and let it simmer until the water is completely absorbed. For white rice, set a timer for 20 minutes, and for brown rice, set it for 45 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and let it sit for 10 minutes, then fluff the rice — using a paddle if you have one.
More rice cooking tips
- For added flavor, cook the rice with broth or a combination of water and coconut milk. You can also season it with spices like saffron or turmeric.
- Avoid stirring the rice while it’s cooking.
- To prevent the grains from sticking together when cooking on the stovetop, add a little oil.
- You can give freshly cooked stovetop rice a crispy texture by adding some oil to the pan and sautéing it.
- Make a large batch of rice, divide it into meal-sized portions, and freeze it for later use. When reheating, add a tablespoon of water and microwave it, or warm it in a saucepan with a bit of oil or water.
- Use leftover rice for making rice pudding, adding to soups or stews, or preparing fried rice.
