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rice in a orange dish with cilantro and peppers on the side

How to Cook Rice Perfectly

Isabel Laessig
Cook rice to perfection every time following my guide on How to Cook Rice Perfectly! Makes the fluffiest stove-top rice in only 30 minutes.
5 from 2 votes
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Portuguese
Servings 8
Calories 230 kcal

Equipment

  • pot with lid

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups water
  • 2 chicken bouillon cubes or 2 tablespoons powdered chicken bouillon; vegetable bouillon may also be used
  • 1 small onion whole
  • 2 cups long grain rice uncooked
  • 4 tablespoons butter salted, or vegan alternative
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions
 

  • In a deep pan on the stove, bring water to a boil. Once boiling, add in chicken bouillon and give the water a good stir.
    4 cups water, 2 chicken bouillon cubes
    adding chicken bouillon seasoning in a pot of boiling water
  • Add your onion to the center of the pan.
    1 small onion
    adding an onion to boiling water
  • Reduce the heat to low, then add in the rice. Make sure to surround the onion; don't pour the rice over the top of it.
    2 cups long grain rice
    adding rice to a pot
  • Cover the pan and do not touch it for 30 minutes, until the rice is fully cooked and tender. I know it's tempting to stir, but it's crucial you leave it alone and don't touch it!
    adding the lid onto a pot
  • Once 30 minutes is up, take off the lid, then remove and discard the onion.
    removing onion from pot
  • Stir in butter until melted and fully combined.
    4 tablespoons butter
    adding butter to pot of rice
  • Your rice will be fluffy and beautiful. Taste to see if you need to season with salt. Serve, and enjoy!
    1 teaspoon salt
    rice in a pot

Video

Notes

  • Always pay attention to the size of pot you are using. For instance, if you are only making one portion of rice, there is no need to use a large 4-quart pot. Instead, make sure to use a pot which "comfortably" holds the amount of water needed with about 1-2 inches left between the water and lid. This will give enough room for the water to evaporate.
  • Rinsing the rice before cooking will eliminate the extra surface starch on the rice, which keeps the extra starch from staying in the cooking liquid.
  • Always use a pot with the correct fitting lid.
  • Salt your water before boiling.
  • Cook rice without peeking or stirring! This is crucial. You don't want to disturb the rice while it cooks.
  • Be sure to maintain a gentle simmer over low heat while the rice is cooking. The water does not need to be at a hard boil.
  • Always let your rice sit and rest after cooking.
  • Fluff rice with a fork before serving for best results.
Making Rice in the Instant Pot
  1. Add water and rice to your pressure cooker.
  2. Place a whole small onion or half of a large onion in the center of the pot. Sprinkle chicken bouillon in the water with the rice.
  3. Close and seal the lid. Cook on high pressure for 5 minutes, then let it naturally release pressure for 10 minutes.
  4. Remove the onion and add butter. Stir through until all the butter melts. Serve, and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 230kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 4gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 16mgSodium: 487mgPotassium: 78mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 185IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 23mgIron: 1mg
Keyword how to cook rice perfectly, how to make the perfect rice, perfectly cooked rice
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