Learn how to cook jasmine rice with our step-by-step instructions! When cooked, this aromatic long-grain rice is known for its fragrant, floral aroma and slightly sticky texture. It’s the perfect complement to Thai curries, stir-fries, and more!
Jasmine rice, primarily grown in Thailand, is a type of white rice that has a subtle floral aroma and a soft, slightly sticky texture after cooking, which sets it apart from other rice varieties. It’s best served with Asian-style meals like sticky orange cauliflower and Thai eggplant green curry!
Knowing how to cook jasmine rice is actually quite a simple process, whether you’re working with an Instant Pot or a regular pan on the stovetop. If prepared properly, the result is a fluffy, fragrant bed of grains that perfectly soaks up sauces and balances the flavors of your main dish.
Do I need to rinse jasmine rice?
Rinsing jasmine rice before cooking isn’t mandatory, but it’s often recommended to remove excess starch, which can cause the rice to turn out overly sticky.
If you choose to rinse it, adjust the water ratio slightly since the rice will retain some moisture. This helps to prevent mushy rice and ensures the grains remain separate from one another.
How to cook jasmine rice
Now that you have a better idea of what this grain is and how to prep it, it’s time to learn how to cook jasmine rice! Follow along for stovetop and Instant Pot methods:
Stovetop
- Rinse the rice: If you prefer, you can rinse the rice in a fine mesh strainer and drain it well.
- Boil the water: In a pot, bring the water to a boil. Use a 1:1.5 rice-to-water ratio if you’ve rinsed the rice. Increase the ratio to 1:1.75 if you haven’t rinsed it.
- Cook the rice: Add the rice to the boiling water and reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot with a tight fitting lid and let the rice simmer for 12-14 minutes until the water absorbs.
- Let it rest: Once the water has absorbed, turn off the heat and let the rice sit, covered, for 5 minutes before fluffing it with a fork.
Instant Pot
- Rinse and drain: Begin by rinsing the jasmine rice under cold water until the water runs clear, then let it drain thoroughly.
- Water ratio: For every cup of jasmine rice, use just a little less than 1 cup of water, considering the rice is already moist from rinsing.
- Pressure cook the rice: Add the rinsed rice and water to the Instant Pot. Secure the lid, set the valve to sealing, and cook on high pressure for 4 minutes.
- Natural release: Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.
Top tips For Cooking Rice
- Rinsing: Rinsing jasmine rice is optional but recommended. It removes excess starch, reducing stickiness and ensuring each grain remains separate.
- Rest after cooking: Remember to let the rice sit after cooking for the perfect fluffiness.
- Use a fork to fluff: This helps keep the grains intact and prevents mushy rice.
Flavor enhancing ideas
Since jasmine rice has a delicate flavor, it pairs well with a variety of seasonings. These are some of my favorite ways to enhance its natural taste:
- Herbs and spices: You can add fresh herbs like cilantro or spices like cardamom during the cooking process.
- Citrus twist: For a zesty flavor, add a bit of lemon or lime zest.
- With vegetables: Sauté onions, garlic, or ginger and mix them into the cooked rice for an aromatic addition.
- Cooked in broth: Cook your rice in some vegetable broth instead of water for added depth of flavor.
- Toasted: Lightly toast the rice in a bit of oil before adding water to bring out a nutty flavor.
Should you salt your rice?
It’s common practice to heavily salt pasta water before cooking your pasta. Is the same true for rice? Yes and no! You can salt your rice if you’d like it to have a richer, more savory flavor – but it’s not necessary for creating great rice.
Recipes with jasmine rice
Here are some more of my favorite mains to add a side of steamed jasmine rice to:
- Sticky Garlic Cauliflower Recipe
- General Tso’s Cauliflower
- Eggplant Coconut Curry
- Banana Thai Curry
- Collard Green Potato Curry
FAQs for cooking jasmine rice
The ideal ratio for jasmine rice to water varies slightly depending on whether or not you rinse the rice. Typically, it’s a 1:1.5 ratio (example: 1 cup of rice and 1.5 cups of water) if rinsed and 1:1.75 if not. You need a little less water if you rinse the rice, as it will already be a bit wet!
Jasmine rice is done when it’s tender, the grains have a slight bite, and the water is completely absorbed. The rice should be fluffy and not mushy.
Yes, jasmine rice can be cooked in a rice cooker. Use the same water-to-rice ratio as the stovetop and let the rice cooker handle the rest!
Ingredients
Instant Pot
- 1 cup jasmine rice
- 1 cup water
Stovetop
- 1 cup jasmine rice
- 1 ½ – 1 ¾ cups water
Instructions
Instant Pot
- Rinse: Begin by rinsing the jasmine rice under cold water until the water runs clear, then let it drain thoroughly.
- Cook: For every cup of jasmine rice, use just a little less than 1 cup of water, considering the rice is already moist from rinsing. Add the rinsed rice and water to the Instant Pot. Secure the lid, set the valve to sealing, and cook on high pressure for 4 minutes.
- Rest: Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.
Stovetop
- Rinse: Begin by rinsing the jasmine rice under cold water until the water runs clear, then let it drain thoroughly.
- Cook: In a pot, bring the water to a boil. Use a 1:1.5 rice-to-water ratio if you've rinsed the rice. Increase the ratio to 1:1.75 if you haven’t rinsed it. Add the rice to the boiling water and reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let the rice simmer for 12-14 minutes until the water absorbs.
- Rest: Once the water is absorbed, turn off the heat and let the rice sit, covered, for 5 minutes before fluffing it with a fork.
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