How to cook rice | Steamed Rice Recipe | Recipe to cook rice perfectly with step by step instructions

How to cook rice | Steamed Rice recipe is just 3 ingredient, pretty easy to make, vegan, Gluten free, a must food in almost every Indian home and across the country.

Rice is such a versatile dish that it can be served with anything and everything from Masoor dal tadka, Chana masala, Rasam or Chana dal palak, it tastes amazing.

For more interesting rice based recipes, please check out the following on the blog –

Pineapple Zarda / Meethe chawal

Vegetable fried rice

Vegetable pulav

How to cook rice | Steamed Rice Recipe

If you ever have faced the situation where your rice turns gummy or too hard, let me tell you, you’re not alone. When I started cooking, the first thing I learnt in the kitchen was how to cook rice.

Cooking rice is really easy, but if you don’t follow the proper technique, it can easily be screwed up.

We eat rice daily, so I find myself making it every single day. This method of how to cook rice has been tested all the time since many years.

It’s the way I have been cooking rice for decades, for me, its the only way I cook rice. And now, I have taught to make it to my grown up boys also and they make it comfortably by following these points.

Here I have shared some important points on how to cook a perfect pot of rice in a pan on stove top. Follow these and your rice will never disappoint you.

Rinse the rice well

Rinsing your rice doesn’t take much of your time. It allows rice to get  rid of dusty starches that may result in excess stickiness once the rice is cooked.

Rinse the rice at least thrice or until the water runs clear.

Soak the rice

Yes, you need to soak the rice foe at least 20 minutes. This step will help to cook rice faster and saves on fuel too.

Remember the ratio of rice to water

For most types of rice, the ratio 1:2 works well. Always use a ratio of 1 cup rice to 2 cups water, which you can always decrease or increase as per the variety of rice.

I always add less water than required in the beginning and gradually add more if required.

Bring the water to a boil

Always make it a point to bring water to a boil first, then add soaked rice and salt.

We love a dash of clarified butter (ghee) in our rice, so sometimes I add it. Your rice will taste much better.

Get a steady simmer while cooking rice

After adding the rice, continue to cook it on high flame.

Once it comes back to a rolling boil,  then let it simmer on low flame. Cover the pan and let it cook in the steam.

Don’t take off the lid

Keep the lid on as you don’t want steam to escape. The lid allows the rice to cook uniformly.

Check at 15 minutes. 

For long grain Basmati white rice, it takes around 15 to 18 minutes. If you see that rice needs few more minutes let it cook for 2 to 3 more minutes.

Leave it as it is

Turn off the heat, with the lid on, let it rest for a few minutes in the pan.

Fluff it up in while serving

Use a fork or tail end side of rice spoon to gently fluff rice to make sure that the grains don’t stick to each other.

Step by step instructions and pictorial presentation to make How to cook rice | Steamed Rice Recipe

To prepare perfect rice, rinse it well twice or thrice, till the water runs clear.

Soak rice for 20 minutes at least.

Meanwhile add 2 cups of water in a pan and switch on the stove. Bring it to boil and add salt. At this stage add ghee (optional), I haven’t.

After that put soaked rice and stir once. Keep the flame on high for  few minutes as after adding the rice, the temperature of your water will drop significantly. So continue to cook it on high flame.

Once the water starts to absorb, reduce the flame and cover the rice with lid.

Maintain a steady simmer, and let it cook covered in the steam. After stipulated time turn off the heat, with the lid on, let it rest for a few minutes in the pan.

While serving use a fork or tail end side of rice spoon to gently fluff rice to make sure that the grains don’t stick to each other.

Serve hot with with your choice of Chicken curry, Beetroot pomegranate raita and Waldorf salad.

Print Recipe

How to cook rice | Steamed Rice Recipe

How to cook rice | Steamed Rice recipe is 3 ingredient, pretty easy to make, vegan, Gluten free, a must food in almost every Indian home and across the country.

Prep Time20 minutes mins

Cook Time20 minutes mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Indian

Keyword: how to cook rice, how to make perfect steamed rice, steamed rice recipe

Servings: 4

Author: Lata Lala

Ingredients

• 1 cup Long grain Basmati rice
• 2 cups Water
• 1 tsp salt

Instructions

• To prepare perfect rice, rinse it well twice or thrice, till the water runs clear.
• Soak rice for 20 minutes at least.
• Meanwhile add 2 cups of water in a pan and switch on the stove. Bring it to boil and add salt. At this stage add ghee (optional), I haven't.
• After that put soaked rice and stir once. Keep the flame on high for  few minutes as after adding the rice, the temperature of your water will drop significantly. So continue to cook it on high flame.
• Once the water starts to absorb, reduce the flame and cover the rice with lid.
• Maintain a steady simmer, and let it cook covered in the steam. After stipulated time turn off the heat, with the lid on, let it rest for a few minutes in the pan.
• While serving use a fork or tail end side of rice spoon to gently fluff rice to make sure that the grains don't stick to each other.
• Serve hot with with your choice of Chicken curry, Beetroot pomegranate raita and Waldorf salad.

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