Steaming Rice: The Perfect Timing For A Delicious Dish

Steamed rice is a versatile dish that can be served with almost anything and is easy to make. The cooking time depends on the method used, but generally, it takes around 15-20 minutes to cook. You can make steamed rice on the stove, in a rice cooker, or in an instant pot pressure cooker. The stove-top method typically takes 13-15 minutes, while the oven method takes about 35 minutes, and the microwave method takes 12 minutes. The rice cooker and instant pot methods are convenient as they automatically switch to a 'keep warm' setting when the rice is ready.

How to cook steamed rice on the stove

Steamed rice is a great side dish to have with many meals, and it's super easy to make on the stove. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Rinse the Rice

Use a fine-mesh strainer to rinse the rice under cool running water. Keep rinsing until the water in the bowl or sink runs clear. This step is important as it washes away excess starch, which can make your rice clumpy and gummy. However, some people choose to skip this step, especially when making long-grain white rice.

Step 2: Prepare the Water

For every cup of uncooked rice, you'll need 1.5 cups of water. Some people also add a teaspoon of olive oil or a knob of butter, but this is optional. Put the water (and oil/butter, if using) in a medium saucepan and bring it to a boil over high heat.

Step 3: Add the Rice

Once the water is boiling, carefully pour the rice into the saucepan. Give it a quick stir, then cover the pan and reduce the heat to low.

Step 4: Simmer

Let the rice simmer gently for around 15-20 minutes. Don't be tempted to lift the lid or stir the rice during this time, as this will affect the cooking process.

Step 5: Steam the Rice

After the simmering time is up, turn off the heat and let the pan stand, still covered, for about 10 minutes. This allows the rice to finish cooking in the residual heat and helps it absorb any remaining water.

Step 6: Fluff and Serve

Finally, remove the lid and use a fork, spatula, or rice paddle to fluff up your perfectly cooked rice.

Tips for Perfect Rice:

• Use the right rice to water ratio: too much water will make your rice mushy, while too little will leave you with hard, uncooked rice.
• Don't skip the resting/steaming step: this is an important part of the cooking process and will ensure your rice is nice and fluffy.
• Use a heavy saucepan with a tight-fitting lid to prevent steam from escaping.
• Don't stir the rice while it's cooking, as this can make it gluey.
• Avoid using a large pot for a small amount of rice, as this can cause the water to evaporate too quickly and lead to scorched rice.

Variations:

You can experiment with different types of rice and liquids to create interesting flavours and textures:

• Try using chicken, vegetable, or mushroom stock instead of water for more savoury rice.
• For extra fragrance, replace the water with tea or coconut milk.
• For softer rice, increase the water ratio to 1 cup of rice to 2 cups of water.
• For firmer rice, reduce the water ratio to 1 cup of rice to 1.3 cups of water.

Happy cooking!

How to cook steamed rice in the oven

Ingredients

• 1 cup of rice (long grain, medium grain, or short grain)
• 1.5 cups of water

Method

• Preheat your oven to 200°C/390°F (180°C fan forced).
• Rinse the rice two to three times until the water runs clear.
• Place the rice and boiling water in a small casserole dish with a lid (or use a pan and foil).
• Cover with the lid and bake for 35 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and let it stand for 10 minutes.
• Fluff the rice with a fork and serve!

Tips

• Using boiling water helps the rice cook more evenly, as the water doesn't need time to come up to temperature in the oven.
• This method is best for cooking large batches of rice, as it cooks more evenly than on the stove.
• Avoid the temptation to lift the lid and release steam, or to stir the pot.

How to cook steamed rice in the microwave

Cooking rice in the microwave is a convenient and quick way to prepare rice, without needing a rice cooker. It is also a great way to free up space on your stovetop! Here is a simple and effective way to cook steamed rice in the microwave.

Step 1: Prepare the rice

Rinse the rice in a fine sieve under cold running water until the water runs clear. Drain the rice and place it in a microwave-safe bowl.

Step 2: Add water and cook

Add water to the bowl. The amount of water you need depends on the quantity of rice you are cooking. A good rule of thumb is to cover the rice with water by about 2cm. An easy way to measure this is to place your index finger on top of the rice and ensure the water reaches the first joint.

Once you have added the water, place the bowl in the microwave and cook on high for 5 minutes. Then, cook on medium for a further 7 minutes. The cooking time may vary depending on the strength of your microwave, so keep an eye on it!

Step 3: Let the rice rest

Remove the bowl from the microwave and cover it. Set the rice aside for about 3 minutes to allow it to rest. Then, use a fork to separate the grains and serve.

Tips:

• This method works for long-grain, medium-grain, and short-grain rice varieties.
• The cooking times provided are based on a 900-watt microwave. You may need to adjust the cooking time depending on your microwave's wattage.
• If you are cooking a larger quantity of rice (more than 2 cups of uncooked rice), you may need to increase the cooking time.
• For perfectly fluffy rice, be sure to rinse the rice before cooking to remove any excess starch.

Now you know how to cook steamed rice in the microwave, you can enjoy perfectly cooked rice any time!

How to cook steamed rice in a rice cooker

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of rice
• 3 cups of water

Method:

• Rinse the rice in the pot under cold running water. Use your hands to move the rice around gently to clean the grains. Pour out the water once it starts to change colour. Repeat this process 2 times. Make sure to drain all the water when finished.
• Add the rice and cold water to the rice cooker in a 1:1.5 ratio. For 2 cups of rice, you will need 3 cups of water.
• Turn on the power and start cooking. It typically takes about 15-20 minutes.
• The rice cooker will automatically switch to a 'keep warm' setting. Let the cooked rice rest for another 5 minutes and fluff with a fork.

Tips:

• Do not lift the lid or stir the rice while it’s cooking. That’s the surefire way to ruin it! Lifting the lid releases the steam and can lead to undercooked or unevenly cooked rice.
• If you want to jazz up the rice you’re making, try replacing the water with tea or coconut milk for extra fragrance and flavour.
• If you’re in a hurry, you can eat the rice as soon as the cooker switches to 'keep warm'. However, waiting 5-10 minutes allows the moisture to evaporate and, along with the heat, distribute evenly through the grains.

How to cook steamed rice in an instant pot

Preparation

Rinse the rice under cold running water. Continue rinsing until the water is clear, then drain the rice thoroughly in a fine-mesh sieve. This step is important as it helps to get rid of excess starch on the surface of the rice, preventing it from becoming gluey.

Cooking the Rice

Add 1 cup of rice and 1 cup of cold water to your Instant Pot. Close the lid and ensure the venting knob is in the sealing position. Pressure cook on high for 3 minutes, then allow for a natural release for 10 minutes. After this, turn the venting knob to the venting position to release any remaining pressure.

Final Steps

Open the lid and fluff the rice with a fork. If the rice is a little wet, let it rest for a few minutes to allow the moisture to escape.

Tips

• The cooking time remains the same regardless of the amount of rice you are cooking.
• For perfect steamed rice, use a 1:1 rice to water ratio.
• For best results, use the same cup to measure both the rice and the water.
• For white rice (jasmine, basmati, or long-grain), pressure cook on high for 3 minutes, then allow for natural release.
• For white sushi rice, pressure cook on high for 5 minutes, then allow for natural release.
• For brown rice (basmati), pressure cook on high for 22 minutes, then allow for natural release.
• For short-grain brown rice, pressure cook on high for 24 minutes, then allow for natural release.
• For red rice, pressure cook on high for 30 minutes, then allow for natural release.
• For wild rice, pressure cook on high for 30 minutes, then allow for natural release.

Frequently asked questions