How to Make Good Rice on the Stove

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Rice is one of those staple foods that is worth knowing how to make well. When made well, rice has a wonderful flavor, texture, and aroma. It should not be bland, gummy, or unevenly cooked. Rice is a simple yet tasty staple that compliments just about any dish or can even be enjoyed with butter and salt all by itself. In this post, I show you how to make good rice on the stove

“Oh my gosh, that smells SO good! What are you making?” a friend’s mom asked me once.

“Oh, just rice” I replied nonchalantly as I stirred the bubbling pot on the stove. I didn’t know why the smell of rice was catching her attention.

“Rice?! That is the BEST rice I have ever smelled. Can I taste some?….(upon tasting a few minutes later) That is the BEST rice I have ever tasted. How do you make it?”

Believe it or not, I have had this same conversation with several people throughout my years of cooking. Apparently, lots of people have spent many years of their life eating rice that is underwhelming and lacking in flavor and texture. I wouldn’t have known it, until people started reacting this rice.

Before I go on, I must give credit to the wonderful lady who taught me this method of making rice, Mrs. Rodriguez. Originally from Columbia, she introduced us to some of the wonderful recipes from her culture such as her Colombian Red Beans recipe. Her method of making rice, which involves lightly sauteeing the rice grains in olive oil before cooking, is the only method I have used. It always gets rave reviews.

Apart from the ingredient amounts, you’ll see that this method of making rice is a bit different. But somehow it produces delicious flavor and texture every single time.

FAQ’s

Can I use regular short grain white rice?

No, I have tried this method using generic short grain white rice, and it was lacking in flavor and texture. Using an aromatic rice such as basmati or jasmine is a sure way to result in more flavorful rice.

Can I make this in the Instant Pot?

Yes, I make this in the Instant Pot when I am pressed for time. The flavor and texture is not as good as when I make it on the stove, but honestly it is a close second. Scroll down to find the section in this post where I explain how to make rice in the Instant Pot.

Ingredients

I truly believe that often times, the quality of the ingredients directly impacts the flavor of the finished dish. Different types of rice will impart different flavors, and different oils will too. I strongly encourage you to use these exact ingredients in order to get the best flavor for your rice.

• 2 cups basmati rice
• 2-3 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
• 4 cups boiling filtered water

Tips for Making Rice on the Stove

• I like to use an electric kettle to boil the water as it is faster, but if you don’t have a kettle, you can boil the water on the stove in a separate pot or kettle.
• Avoid using tap water if you can. Tap water will cause the flavor of the rice to taste like..well..tap water. Using filtered or spring water is ideal for the best tasting rice.
• Using your ears is the best way to know when to add the water. Listen for a light sizzling. You are not trying to fry or brown the rice grains, just lightly sautee them. Listen for a light sizzle and keep stirring to avoid burning or browning. Then add the boiling water and crank the stove heat to high.

Ways to Enjoy Rice

Rice is a versatile side to any meat, vegetable, beans, or sauce. Cilantro lime rice pairs well with burrito bowls and fajitas. Saffron rice is a must for a Mediterranean or Greek-themed meal.

You can experiment with cooking your rice in broth (chicken, beef, etc.) and adding sauteed, diced veggies and seasonings for a quick and flavorful rice pilaf.

You can also just enjoy a bowl of rice with butter and salt!

How to Make Rice on the Stove

I prefer to cook my rice on the stovetop as there is something about the bubbling and occasional stirring that results in a better texture and flavor than what the Instant Pot would make. However, I often use the Instant Pot to make rice because it is much more convenient. I’ll explain how to do that below.

First, add the uncooked rice to the pot and drizzle a little olive oil over it. Stir well to coat the rice grains in the olive oil.

Next, turn the stovetop heat to medium heat. Start your kettle (or other method of boiling water).

Stir the rice around occasionally to avoid browning as you wait for the water to boil. (Now, usually what happens for me is that around the time the water finishes boiling, I start to hear the rice sizzling quietly in the pot. Once I hear this, I know that it is time to add my water.)

Note– prior to adding the boiling water to the rice, I do NOT let my rice grains start browning or burning. I am just looking for a light sizzling sound, but NOT frying or browning. I think maybe the flavor of the olive oil starts to infuse into the rice at this point.

When you hear the rice beginning to sizzle, add the hot/boiling water. There is usually a loud steaming sound. Don’t be alarmed! This is how you know your timing was good. Then, crank the stove heat to high, and bring the rice to a rolling boil, stirring occasionally.

Let the rice boil until the water is at or just below the rice. The rice will be bubbling at this point.

Then, turn the stove to low/simmer, stir one more time, and place the lid on the pot. Let the rice simmer on the lowest heat for 15 minutes.

This might sound like a complicated process, but its more just about timing. but after a couple times, you’ll get the hang of it. My biggest tip is to USE YOUR SENSES. Listen for that light sizzling sound. That’s the biggest key!

Enjoy!

How to Make Rice in the Instant Pot

When cooking rice in the Instant Pot, the biggest thing to remember is that the rice-to-water ratio is different. In my stovetop rice, my rice to water ratio was 2:4. However, when you cook rice in the Instant pot, the ratio is 1:1. So, 2 cups of rice and 2 cups of water. I like to add in an extra half cup of water to ensure the rice doesn’t get dry.

So,

• 2 cups of rice
• 2.5 cups room temp filtered water
• 1-2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

When making rice in the Instant Pot, you don’t need to boil the water ahead of time or listen for the sizzling. You just put the rice, olive oil, and water into the Instant Pot and give it a good stir. Then secure the lid on the Instant pot, and press the “Rice” button for 12 minutes.

With this method of making rice, you still get some of that good olive oil flavor, even though it’s not quite the same as the stovetop method. The Instant Pot sure gets the job done though, and sometimes that’s what matters!

More Easy and Delicious Recipes

• Simple Lemon Chicken Pasta (No Dairy Ingredients)
• Easy Sheet Pan Potatoes with Bacon and Asparagus
• Mediterranean Quinoa Salad with Chicken
• The BEST Colombian Red Beans
• Easy Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas

Hey! I’m glad you’re here! Give this recipe 5 stars if you try it and enjoy it.

Wherever you find yourself today…take time to nourish yourself!

Warmly, Caroline