Fluffy Rice on the Stove

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Let me show you how to make Fluffy Rice on the stove that is so good, you're going to want to serve it with everything! If you struggle with making rice on the stove, this recipe is for you. It's ready in just 35 minutes and turns out perfectly fluffy, buttery, and flavorful. Plus, it's easy to follow!

Stovetop Rice

When I started cooking for myself, one of the very first dishes I wanted to learn how to make was my mom's famous Portuguese rice. It's one of my favorites! So uniquely flavorful and fluffy that my friends would always ask for it when they visited.

I have to be honest with you: I totally flubbed that first attempt at making that tasty, fluffy rice I love so much. As it turns out, cooking rice on the stove can be a real challenge! You have to have the right ratio of water to rice, the pan has to be the right size and type, and you can't mess with it too much or it won't cook properly. There are a lot of factors that make rice harder than it seems to get right; believe me, I know.

After that first try, my journey to learning how to make perfect stovetop rice truly began. This fluffy rice recipe is the result of years of experience cooking rice, and I promise you it's an easy guide to follow. If you're not confident in your rice-making abilities, you're about to be!

Jump to:

• Stovetop Rice
• What's the best way to cook white rice?
• Stove White Rice Ingredients
• Do I need to rinse rice before cooking?
• How to Make Stovetop Rice
• White Rice Recipes
• Rice to Water Ratio
• Fluffy Rice Recipe Tips
• Storing and Reheating Leftover Rice
• Rice on the Stove FAQ
• What to Serve with Stovetop Rice
• Stovetop Rice
• How to Cook Rice on the Stove
• Reviews

What's the best way to cook white rice?

Truthfully, there's no best way to cook white rice. Each method has its pros and cons, and as long as you follow the recipe steps as instructed, your rice will taste delicious and be the perfect texture.

Instant Pot White Rice

• Pros:
  • The fastest way to cook rice
  • Very fluffy and well cooked
• Cons:
  • Requires an Instant Pot!
  • Can't easily check for doneness, requires exact timing.
• See my Instant Pot White Rice Recipe for instructions.

Microwave White Rice

• Pros:
  • Very accessible - you just need a bowl and microwave.
  • Fast! It's done in minutes.
  • Great for dorms and hotel rooms
• Cons:
  • Can be messy
  • Bowl will be extremely hot after microwaving
  • There isn't much flexibility for add-ins
• See my Microwave Rice recipe for instructions.

Rice Cooker White Rice

• Pros:
  • Cooks rice just about perfectly every time
  • Doesn't require timers or checking
  • Works well with added ingredients
• Cons:
  • Requires a rice cooker!
  • Versatility depends on the quality of the rice cooker
  • Tends to spatter water and make a mess

Stovetop White Rice

• Pros:
  • Accessible, all you need is a pot with a lid and a stove
  • Easy and mess free!
  • Great for adding in other ingredients, like onions.
• Cons:
  • Can be finicky
  • Requires the right kind of pot
• Keep reading for the recipe instructions!

Stove White Rice Ingredients

• White Rice: This recipe is tuned to long-grain white rice, which is standard in the US. If you're making a different variety such as Basmati rice or Jasmine rice, make sure to check the package; water ratios differ per variety!
• Water: The flavor of the water will absorb into the rice, so make sure you're using filtered water. For extra flavor, you can use chicken broth or add a squeeze of lemon or lime juice.
• Salt: Salt will bring out the depth of the flavor of rice, which is mild and gently sweet. Avoid table salt, and instead opt for kosher salt or sea salt.
• Butter: My secret to the best rice ever? Add a bit of butter! The butter will coat the rice and add this mouthwatering buttery flavor that takes rice from plain to perfect. Salted or unsalted butter will work; just add more salt for unsalted butter.

How to Make Stovetop Rice

• Portuguese Rice - my favorite rice in the world! Made with chicken bouillon and onion for extra flavorful rice.
• Spanish Rice and Beans - All the hearty, filling benefits of rice and beans, made in one pot!
• Rice-a-Roni - This gluten free twist on boxed rice-a-roni is super creamy and flavorful!
• Cauliflower Rice - It's not really rice, but it's super delicious and low carb, to boot!

Rice to Water Ratio

If you rinse the rice, you may need to use less water. I rinse the rice until the water runs clear, then use a ratio of 1 cup rice to 1½ cup water. For rice that hasn't been rinsed, use 1 cup rice to 2 cups of water.

Washed Rice	1 cup rice to 1½ cup water
Unwashed Rice	1 cup rice to 2 cups water

Fluffy Rice Recipe Tips

• The pan can make a big difference. You want a wide, shallow stainless steel or tempered pan; deep saucepans are not ideal, as the simmering water will overcook the rice on the bottom and under cook the rice on the top.
• Make sure you have a well-fitting lid! The lid needs to fit very well to ensure that the steam is trapped.
• Don't open the lid when the rice is cooking! Opening the lid multiple times during cooking can release all the steam and lead to the rice not cooking thoroughly. Only start checking it once a full 17 minutes have passed, or you can see no more water between the grains and it's no longer bubbly.
• Rinsing rice makes a huge difference, but it's not strictly necessary. I like the cleaner and less sticky texture of rice that has been rinsed, but it depends on the way you'd like to cook your rice! For stickier rice, don't rinse it.
• Not all kinds of rice cook the same! Basmati, jasmine, and short grain rice will have different water requirements and cook times. You can use the same cooking method, but check the packaging for water ratios! Note that brown rice cooks completely differently and will take up to an hour to cook completely.

Storing and Reheating Leftover Rice

• Freezer: Freezing cooked rice is a great way to prep it for later meals! Pack it into an airtight container, then freeze for up to 6 months. I like to store it in 2-3 serving size amounts to allow for easy thawing.
• Refrigerator: You can store cooked rice in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days. It will start drying out as time goes on, so it's best to eat leftovers quickly!
• Thawing: Thaw leftover rice in the fridge overnight, or place it in the microwave in a covered bowl with extra water and heat at 20% power for 3 minutes.
• Reheating: To keep rice moist and fluffy when reheated, place it in a microwave-safe bowl and add a splash of water. Then place a lid on it and microwave for 1 minute, or until hot and steamy, mixing well halfway.

Rice on the Stove FAQ

What to Serve with Stovetop Rice

• Chinese Prawns - a reader favorite recipe for a reason! Sticky, spicy, and mouthwatering!
• Spicy Chinese Chicken - Super easy and super delicious, this tender chicken is the perfect protein to add to rice!
• Mongolian Beef - this 20 minute beef is begging for a bed of rice to be served on!
• Chicken Stir Fry - Stir fries are a classic for pairing with rice! Add it right into the pan with the other ingredients or serve the rice s a side dish.
• Lemon Butter Chicken - One of my favorite dishes to serve with rice. Add a little lemon juice and some chopped onion to the rice for an amazing side. I serve this all the time, and I've never seen plates scraped so thoroughly clean!
• Instant Pot Mississippi Pot Roast

Stovetop Rice

Once you try this guide on how to cook rice on the stove, I guarantee you're going to love making rice. Fluffy rice becomes so easy to achieve following this recipe! I've spent years perfecting making rice, and even owning a rice cooker, I prefer to make it on the stove using this method. Did you try it? Let me know in the comments below and with a rating!