Add the rinsed rice, 2 cups water, and salt to a pot on the stove. Bring to a boil over high heat.
Once the water is boiling, stir the rice once, reduce heat to low, cover with a lid and simmer rice, without uncovering the pot, for about 18-20 minutes.
Remove pan from heat and let rice rest covered for about 5-10 minutes to firm up.
Remove lid and fluff rice with a fork. Serve immediately or chill to store for later.
NOTES
Rinse the rice. Rinsing the rice in a fine mesh strainer removes dusty starch that can lead to sticky or gummy grains.
Use the correct water to rice ratio. Generally, use the 1:2 rice to water ratio when cooking rice. Some types of rice require more water (like brown or wild rice) while other types of rice require a little bit less water (sushi rice). Check the section below for more details on the rice to water ratio for each rice type.
Add rice to cold water and bring to boil. Some sources recommend adding the rice to boiling water but I find that the cooking rice this way, leaves it hard and crunchy plus it takes longer to cook. If you want soft and fluffy rice, you should add the rice to cold water and bring it to boil.
Use a tight-fitted lid. Use a good lid so the steam and moisture don't escape during the simmering cook time.
Cook the rice on low heat. Cooking rice on low guarantees that you will have well-cooked rice that is not over- or undercooked.
Don't uncover or stir the rice during cooking. It's very important not to uncover or stir the rice once it starts simmering because otherwise the steam will escape and the rice won't cook properly. Be patient and don't mess with the steam.
Let the rice rest covered for at least 5 minutes. Turn off the heat, move the saucepan aside and let it sit covered for 5-10 minutes. While the rice rests, its grains cool off slightly and firm up. If you stir the rice as soon as it's cooked, while it's still very hot and moist, the grains can break up and get mushy.
Fluff the rice with a fork. After the rice has rested, you can fluff it up with a fork gently without squishing the rice. Keep it covered until you are ready to eat.
Add a pinch of salt and butter, or cook in broth. If you want to add some flavor to your rice, you can add a pinch of salt, 1 Tbsp butter or even cook it in broth instead of water. This is optional but it guarantees delicious flavor!
What is the Rice to Water Ratio
Generally to cook rice, use a 1 to 2 rice to water ratio (for every cup of rice, use 2 cups of water). Different types of rice require slightly different water to rice ratios though.
Long-grain rice: 1 cup of rice to 2 cups of water
Brown rice: 1 cup of rice to 2 1/2 cups of water
Basmati or Jasmine rice: 1 cup of rice to 1 1/2 cups of water
Sushi rice: 1 cup of rice to 1 1/4 cup of water
Wild rice: 1 cup of rice to 3 cups of water
If you like firmer, drier rice, reduce the water by a few tablespoons and reduce the cooking time by a few minutes. If you like wetter, softer rice, increase the water by a few tablespoons. Also, depending on the type of rice, some of them require a little bit longer cooking time like wild rice and brown rice (about 40-45 minutes). See package instructions for exact cooking time.
NUTRITION
Nutrition Facts
How To Cook Rice
Amount Per Serving
Calories 225
% Daily Value*
Sodium 398mg17%
Potassium 70mg2%
Carbohydrates 49g16%
Protein 4g8%
Calcium 22mg2%
Iron 0.5mg3%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.