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Learn how to cook perfect rice the Portuguese way, on the stove, without fail. Once you try making Portuguese rice, you’ll make it this way all the time! It’s so simple and delicious.
This easy rice recipe takes just 30 minutes to cook and has the most amazing flavor and texture! It’s the best rice recipe for making perfect, fluffy rice every time.
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Best Rice Recipe
If you are Portuguese, rice is a staple in your home. I grew up enjoying Portuguese cuisine, especially Portuguese rice, almost every night of the week.
All of my friends loved my mom’s Portuguese rice and would tell me how different it is from regular American rice! At the time, I didn’t “get it”. It was only after trying instant rice at a friend’s house that I really understood: Portuguese rice is the best rice in the world!
This is the only rice recipe I’ll make, and it’s fool-proof. Seriously, there’s no messing up making rice this way. Sometimes I even make it in the Instant Pot. My kids and their friends love this easy rice recipe just like I did growing up, and there’s a good reason for that!
Portuguese Rice Ingredients
The key to the incredible flavor of this white rice recipe is the chicken bouillon and the onion. The flavors seep up into the rice as it cooks and makes every bite flavorful!
These are the simple ingredients you will need to make perfect fluffy rice:
- Uncooked long-grain rice
- Water
- Small onion, whole
- Chicken bouillon cubes or powdered chicken bouillon
- Salt
- Butter
White Rice to Water Ratio
For perfect rice, use a 2-1 water for rice ratio. As an example, for 2 cups of long grain rice, I use 4 cups of water. This is a good way of knowing how much water to use for rice no matter what portion size you’re making!
How to Cook Rice on the Stove
I’ll let you in on a little secret: you won’t even touch this rice for the full 30 minutes that it’s cooking.
In fact, do not stir it until it is cooked! Put the lid on, and do not look at it again! This is the best way to cook rice. I even use it to make Teriyaki Bowls with Pulled Pork!
- How to boil rice: bring water to a boil.
- Add small onion to the center of the pan.
- Pour over chicken bouillon and salt.
- Reduce heat to low and pour in the rice to surround the onion.
- How to cook rice in a pot: Cover and do not touch (seriously, do not even think about touching it!) for approximately 30 minutes, until the rice is fully cooked and tender.
- Remove and discard the onion.
- Stir in butter, serve, and enjoy your fluffy white rice recipe!
For full ingredient measurements and more recipe tips, scroll to the recipe card below!
Stovetop rice really is that easy! There’s no need for a rice cooker or other appliance to make steamed rice. All you need to learn how to cook perfect rice every time is a pan and your stove!
What to Eat with Rice
Easy rice recipes like this one are perfect for topping with your favorite foods or serving as a side. Here are some of my favorite dishes to make with Portuguese rice:
- Teriyaki Pulled Pork Rice Bowl
- 5-Ingredient Chicken Stir-Fry
- Chicken Birria Tacos
- Asian Beef Stir Fry
- Pork Fried Rice Recipe
- Tuna Yum Yum Bowl
I also love enjoying this rice as-is! It’s that delicious. Once you know how to make rice like Portuguese rice, you’ll want to use it for so many recipes! I guarantee it.
How long does rice take to cook?
One of the biggest questions I get about my Portuguese rice is how long to cook rice on the stove. The good news is, cooking rice on stove is easy to do and really doesn’t take very long!
It will take just 30 minutes for your perfect stovetop rice to completely cook.
You can even make my perfect rice in the Instant Pot – try my Instant Pot White Rice recipe!
How long does cooked rice last?
You can keep cooked white rice in the fridge for about 4 to 5 days. I recommend pairing it with other recipes if you find you made too much, but trust me – it’s so delicious, it won’t last that long!
How to Reheat Rice
To reheat your rice, add it to a microwave-safe bowl and microwave on high for 1 to 2 minutes or so.
I find adding a little extra liquid when reheating rice is important, so you can add either a little extra butter or just a bit of water. Cover the container with a paper towel when reheating.
More Cooking Guides
- How to Make Pulled Pork
- How to Make Rice-a-Roni
- How to Make Creamy Mashed Potatoes
- Zesting Limes
- How to Boil Crab Legs
- How to Make Teriyaki Sauce
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📋 Recipe
How to Cook Perfect Rice (Portuguese Rice)
Equipment
- Pan with a lid
Ingredients
- 2 cups uncooked long grain rice
- 4 cups water
- 1 small onion whole
- 2 chicken bouillon cubes or 2 Tbsp. powdered chicken bouillon
- 1 tsp. salt
- 4 Tbsp. butter
Instructions
- Bring 4 cups of water to a boil.
- Add 1 small onion to the center of the pan.
- Pour over 2 chicken bouillon and 1 tsp. salt.
- Reduce heat to low and pour in the rice to surround the onion.
- Cover and do not touch* for approximately 30 minutes, until the rice is fully cooked and tender.
- Remove and discard the onion.
- Stir in 4 Tbsp. butter.
- Serve, and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- How to reheat rice: Microwave on high 1-2 minutes with a bit of water or a pat of butter.
- DO NOT TOUCH the rice while it’s cooking! I know it can be tempting to stir it, but trust me: don’t do it! The rice will perfectly cook without you touching it.
Always delicious!!! Thank you for sharing. I’ve cooked it using these ingredients in a rice cooker too so i can do it in advance for a family party and bbq too. Gorgeous.
That’s awesome, Sofie! Thank you so much for sharing – we’re so glad you enjoyed it!
Do you wash rice first before cooking, and can you use jasmati rice?
Hi Debbie! You do not need to wash the rice before cooking – I wouldn’t, personally. We’ve never used jasmati rice, but I think it should work just fine. I would just check the water ratio outlined on the packaging before cooking it to be sure.