How to make white rice- 5 different ways!

Here are 5 quick and easy ways to make white rice using an oven, stove, crockpot, instant pot, and rice cooker.

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Most people would probably agree that making white rice can be intimidating and hard to get perfect rice every time. In theory it is easy to cook, but I think it can be very tricky to get just right.

Play around with these 5 different ways to cook rice and let me know your favorite!

White Rice vs Brown Rice

We have all heard that brown rice is healthier than white rice, but have you ever wondered why?

After doing a little research, I learned that brown rice is the same grain as white rice, but with more nutrients and fiber. To get white rice, many of the nutrients are removed to get it to a “polished state”. Since brown rice is less processed and has more nutrients and fiber, it is considered healthier.

Different cooking techniques

There are multiple different ways to cook rice and therefore a variety of rice to water ratios and cooking times.

STOVETOP

The directions on the back of your white rice package are going to be your best bet here. It is typically a 2:1 ratio of water to rice. For example, 2 cups of water to 1 cup of dry white rice.

Bring water to a boil.
Add salt, butter (if using) and rice.
Return water to a boil.
Once at a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer.
After about 17 minutes, your rice should be perfect! Fluff with a fork as you serve.

To be honest, I am not a fan of making white rice on the stove. It seems like it always boils over and I have to always watch it. When I am in the kitchen, I want easy and as little stress as possible. That is why I RARELY cook my rice on the stove.

OVEN

It is so nice to throw everything in the oven and forget about it until the timer goes off. I love making rice in the oven and is a great way to meal prep for the week.

Preheat oven to 375°F.
Boil 1 and 3/4 cup of water in the microwave.
Add 1 cup of white rice, boiling water, 2 Tbsp butter, and 1 tsp salt into a 2 quart baking dish. Cover tightly with foil.
Bake for 22-27 minutes, or until water is absorbed.
Let rest 5 minutes and then fluff to serve.

If making rice for a large crowd, the oven is the way to go!

INSTANT POT

I love cooking my white rice in the instant pot, mostly because it is one of the few times I pull out the appliance. After getting our instant pot a few years ago, I still haven’t mastered it and not sure I will. With a crockpot, I am just not sure it is worth having both.

Anyhow, I have made countless batches of white rice in the instant pot and it is my preferred method of cooking rice.

Rinse the rice in a colander to get rid of extra starch. This helps prevent your rice from becoming gluey. Be sure to let it drain well so it doesn’t throw off the rice to water ratio.
Add a 1:1 ratio of water to rice into the instant pot. For example, if you had 1 cup of rice, add 1 cup of cold water.
Lock the lid and set to PRESSURE COOK for 3 minutes.
Let it naturally release for 10 minutes and then open the lid.

If you want to double or triple the rice in an instant pot, that is a wonderful idea! Use the same ratio of one-to-one and the same cooking time.

Wanting to try brown rice in the Instant Pot or wild rice? Green Healthy Cooking has a wonderful post that will help!

RICE COOKER

I would never recommend going out and buying a rice cooker, unless you eat rice every single day. I am not a fan of having an appliance that only serves one purpose. However, if you happen to have one you can use it to make wonderful rice!

Rinse rice in a colander to get rid of extra starch. This step is optional, but I am a fan!
Use a 1:1 ratio of rice to water and add to the rice cooker bowl.
Place the lid on top and make sure it is sealed.
Turn it on and hit start. Some rice cookers may have a few different settings. Be sure to look at your manual if you have any questions on your settings.
Most rice cookers will take 20-30 minutes to prepare perfect white rice. When it is done, let it sit for about 5 minutes.
Fluff rice and serve.

CROCKPOT

As far as practicality goes, the crockpot is probably one of the best appliances a kitchen can have. There are many uses for crockpots, such as cooking rice. Throw a crockpot liner in there and clean-up is a breeze!

Use 1 tablespoon of butter and spread around bottom and sides of crockpot. You could also use a non-stick spray. This will help with rice sticking to the pan.
Use a 2:1 ratio of water to rice and add into the crockpot. Sprinkle with a little salt if you want.
Cover and cook on high for about 1.5 to 2.5 hours, stirring occasionally.

Reheat white rice

I am a huge fan of meal prep and one ingredient I love to have in the fridge is cooked rice. It is an easy side to so many dinners like, _______.

To reheat the cooked rice in the microwave, put desired amount in a microwave safe bowl. Sprinkle with a little bit of water. To prevent the rice from drying out, drape a damp paper towel over the top.

If you would rather reheat on the stove, put it in a pot and sprinkle with water. Heat with a lid on at a low heat. Stir frequently and serve when hot. Don’t forget to fluff.

Can I freeze rice?

Yes, absolutely! Whenever I make rice for my family of four, I double or triple the batch. If I can use it within a few days for other meals, we will. Here at Living Practically, the goal is zero food waste. After having it in the fridge for 2-3 days, I put it in a freezer bag and stick in the freezer. In a couple of weeks, I simply grab it, let it thaw in the fridge for a few house and reheat in the microwave or on the stove.

Frequently Asked Questions

Rice is covered in starch and when it hits the boiling water, that starch gets sticky. As they continue cooking, the grains of rice will stick together and form clumps. Rinsing rice before cooking can help this problem.

When rice is hard or crunchy, that means you did not have enough water. Add 1/2 cup water and return to a simmer.

Many pans we use today have non-stick properties. When they wear off, our food tends to stick to the bottom. Adding a little more water or butter can help with this.

What to serve with white rice

Here are some of our family’s favorite meals to enjoy with rice.

What you need to know…

It is not an easy question, how to make white rice perfect?
There are multiple ways to make white rice, using a variety of appliances, and ratios.
You can make white rice with the stove, oven, crockpot, instant pot, and a rice cooker.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you will come back for more!

How to make white rice- 5 different ways!

White Rice vs Brown Rice