Perfect Rice Every Time: 5 Best Cooking Techniques

There are many ways to cook rice, but not all methods are created equal. Some methods produce light and fluffy rice, while others produce sticky or crunchy grains. So, how do you know which way is best for you?

Here's a look at five different ways to make the rice: the Stovetop, Rice Cooker, Oven, Instant Pot, and Microwave.

Step-by-step instructions outlining the best 5 ways to cook rice: the instant pot, stovetop, rice cooker, microwave, and oven.

⬇️ Table of Contents

• How to Cook Rice on the Stovetop
• Rice-to-Water Conversion Chart
• How To Cook Rice In A Rice Cooker
• How To Cook Rice In The Oven
• 🍲 How To Cook Rice In The Instant Pot
• How to Cook Rice in the Microwave

How to Cook Rice on the Stovetop

There are a few different ways to cook rice on the stovetop, but the most popular method is to use a pot and cover it with a lid.

Tip: Alway rinse your rice off under cool running water. This will help ensure the rice will come out fluffy with the perfect amount of rice stickiness that rice lovers enjoy.

⚠️ The rice from America contains arsenic, a naturally occurring effect of the cultivation process. Wash your rice for safety!

Here's how to make stovetop rice:

1. Rinse the rice in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse under cold water until the water runs clear.
2. Add 2 cups of water to a pot and bring to a boil. (Check the conversion chart below for white rice and other rice.)
3. Add 1 cup of rice and a pinch of salt and stir to combine.
4. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, turn the heat off and allow the rice to cool down for 5 to 10 minutes.
5. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in 1 tablespoon of olive oil or butter. (optional)
6. Finish by fluffing the rice with a fork and serve while still warm.

Rice-to-Water Conversion Chart

Learn the amount of rice-to-water and the amount of time it takes to cook the following: Long grain white rice, Basmati Rice, Wild Rice, Jasmine Rice, Brown Rice, and Sushi Rice.

Tips for success:

• Bring rice to a boil, then lower the temperature to low.
• Cover the pot with the lid partially. You will want a slight crack of steam to be able to escape.
• Allow the rice to rest, covered, for 5 to 10 minutes once the cook timer expires.
• Fluff the rice before serving.

How To Cook Rice In A Rice Cooker

Cooking rice in a rice cooker is as close to failproof as it comes.

Here's how to make it:

1. Rinse the rice in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse under cold water until the water runs clear.
2. Add the rinsed rice to the rice cooker.
3. Add water per the packaging instructions, or use the chart above.
4. Close the lid and press the "cook" button.
5. Once the cycle is complete, let the rice sit for 5 to 10 minutes before serving, then fluff the rice.

How To Cook Rice In The Oven

Most would not think of cooking rice in the oven, yet it's a terrific method, especially if you're cooking a large batch. Oven-cooked rice is light and fluffy and less likely to stick together than stovetop rice.

Here's how to make rice in the oven:

1. Rinse the rice in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse under cold water until the water runs clear.
2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit / 176.6 Celsius.
3. Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a pot or saucepan.
4. Add 1 cup of white rice and a pinch of salt and stir to combine.
5. Transfer the rice to a baking dish and cover with aluminum foil, then bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the water is absorbed.
6. Remove the dish from the oven and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes to absorb the remaining water.
7. Fluff the rice with a fork and serve.

🍲 How To Cook Rice In The Instant Pot

Using white rice like Jasmine, add the amount of rice you'd like to cook, then add the same volume of water. Make sure to rinse the rice under cold water until it runs clear.

When using something different than white Jasmine rice, the water measurements can differ.

Use the "Rice-to-Water Conversion Chart" to see how much water volume and cook time your selection needs.

Here's how to make it:

• Secure the lid and move the pressure valve on the IP lid to sealing.
• Set the Instant Pot temperature to "Low" and select the cook setting "Low Pressure." See the control panel below.
• Timer: Set for 15 minutes
• After 15 minutes elapse, a new timer will appear on the front panel and count up from 0:00. Wait for an additional 5 to 10 minutes using natural pressure release. You have to do nothing to use the natural release. The waiting time can be adjusted depending on your favorite doneness.
• Safety Tip: Make sure the pressure pin on the lid has dropped back into the IP lid before opening. This means the pressure has been released and is safe to open.
• To serve, fluff the rice with a fork, then season how you enjoy, like adding butter.

Notes: Brown rice requires an additional 2 to 4 minutes of pressure cooking time. This depends on your preference and if you are using long-grain versus medium/short-grain.

⚠️ If the Instant Pot stops mid-cook and displays "burn" on the front panel, three possible things could have just happened.

1. Not enough water was added to the Instant Pot.
2. The plastic o-ring was not inserted into the lid.
3. The cooking time was set for too long.

How to Cook Rice in the Microwave

Microwaving rice is a quick and easy way to cook small batches. Just be careful not to overcook the rice, or it will become mushy.

Here's how to make it:

1. Rinse the rice in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse under cold water until the water runs clear.
2. In a microwave-safe bowl or dish, combine 1 cup of rice with 2 cups of water. (Rice: Jasmine)
3. Microwave on high for 5 minutes, then stir and microwave for an additional 5 minutes.
4. Remove the bowl from the microwave and let it sit for 5 minutes to absorb the remaining water covered.
5. Fluff the rice with a fork and serve.