White Rice Recipe (Perfect and Fluffy)

Fluffy white long grain rice in a bowl with a spoon.

White Rice Recipe (Perfect and Fluffy)

This stovetop method for long grain white rice comes out perfectly fluffy every time, no rice cooker needed! Just use the correct water-to-rice ratio or 1.5:1 and follow my simple tips.

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American, Cajun

Keyword rice

Prep Time 3

Cook Time 17

Steam time 10

Total Time 30

Servings servings

Calories 122kcal

Author Lauren LeBlanc

Equipment

Fine mesh sieve
Medium to small heavy pot
Fork or silicone spatula

Ingredients

1 cup long-grain white rice
1 teaspoon unsalted butter optional
1 ½ cups chicken broth or vegetable broth, water
½ teaspoon kosher salt

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

RINSE: Rinse rice in cold water with a fine mesh strainer until the water runs clear, at least 30 seconds. Agitate the rice with your fingers to rinse it well. Set the strainer on a clean dish cloth for a few minutes to absorb some of the water.
1 cup long-grain white rice
TOAST: Optional. Melt butter over medium heat in a small but heavy sauce pot. Add rinsed and drained rice and toast for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the grains are lightly golden brown.
1 teaspoon unsalted butter
SIMMER: Add rice (if skipped the toasting step), chicken broth, and salt to a small but heavy pot. Bring to a boil, then immediately reduce heat to a low simmer. Cover and cook for 15-20 minutes (17 minutes is perfect for me) until rice is tender and all the liquid is absorbed. Do not uncover until the rice has been simmering for at least 15 minutes.
1 ½ cups chicken broth, ½ teaspoon kosher salt
CHECK: After at least 15 minutes, check the rice. The rice is done when all of the liquid has been absorbed. If there is still any liquid left, close the lid and continue cooking for another few minutes.
STEAM: Once all the liquid has been absorbed, remove the pot from heat. Fluff the rice with a fork. If the rice is sticking at all, it should become fluffy after steaming. Cover the pot again to steam for 10 minutes off heat. Don't skip this step!
SERVE: You should be left with perfectly cooked fluffy rice. Serve with your favorite dinner, like red beans or gumbo.

Notes

Long grain white rice ratio = 1.5 cups liquid to 1 cup rice.
1 cup uncooked rice = 3 cups cooked rice, which is about 4-6 servings.
If you skip toasting the rice, make sure to drain it very well on a tea towel for a few minutes to absorb excess water.
Store leftover rice in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 2-3 days. Make sure the rice is fully cooled before storing it, and never store hot rice in the refrigerator.
Freeze rice in a freezer safe container for about 1 month.
How to reheat rice: Rice is usually best fresh, but it is possible to reheat it. Add your rice to a microwavable safe plate or bowl with a splash of water. Microwave for 30-60 seconds until heated.

Nutrition