Learn how to cook perfect white rice on the stove top, in an instant pot or in a rice cooker! Just follow these tested and perfected methods for cooking white rice and you'll have light and fluffy rice every time!
Rinse the rice under cold water in a fine mesh strainer for 30 seconds, or until the water runs clear.
Add the rice, water and salt to the Instant Pot.
Place the lid on the Instant Pot and make sure the steam valve is in the “sealing” position.
Use the “manual” button to set the Instant Pot pressure to high for 3 minutes.
Once the Instant Pot finishes and beeps, allow the pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes.
After 10 minutes, move the steam valve to “venting” and release any remaining pressure.
Remove the lid and fluff the rice with a fork.
Serve immediately after removing the lid or transfer to a bowl and cover until ready to serve.
Rice Cooker White Rice
Rinse the rice under cold water in a fine mesh strainer for 30 seconds, or until the water runs clear.
Add the rinsed rice to a rice cooker.
Add the water and salt, making sure all of the rice is covered by the water.
Place the lid on the rice cooker.
Set the rice cooker on “white rice” mode. Cook for 45 minutes.
After the cooking time is finished, allow the rice to rest in the rice cooker for 10 minutes.
Remove the lid and fluff the rice with a fork.
Serve immediately after opening the lid or transfer to a bowl and cover until ready to serve.
Stovetop White Rice
Rinse the rice under cold water in a fine mesh strainer for 30 seconds, or until the water runs clear.
Combine the water, rinsed rice and salt in a medium saucepan.
Cover the pan and place on the stove over high heat.
Bring the rice and water to a boil, this should take approximately 8-10 minutes.
After the rice begins to boil, turn the heat down to medium low, maintaining a gentle simmer.
Set a timer for 10 minutes.
Remove the lid and check to see if the rice is done.
If it is not, set another timer for 2 minutes and continue checking the rice every 2 minutes until the rice has absorbed all of the water.
Once the rice has absorbed all of the water, remove it from the heat and place the lid back on the saucepan.
Let sit for 10 minutes off the heat, then remove the lid and fluff the rice with a fork.
Notes
The serving size displayed is 6 cups. This is the amount of cooked rice resulting from 2 cups of uncooked rice, using one of the methods above.
Salt is an optional addition. If serving the rice with a salty main dish or sauce, you may omit the salt in the rice.
Each of these recipes can be doubled or tripled. The cooking time will remain the same for the Instant Pot and Rice Cooker, but the stovetop method may take an additional 5-10 minutes for the additional rice to absorb the additional water.