Valentina's Corner
From regular grains to fluffy perfection – rice makes a wonderful side dish to any entree. Making homemade rice is a lot simpler than it may seem. This hassle-free easy oven-baked method for how to cook rice will result in perfect fluffy rice every time.
We will also go through popular methods of how to cook rice using an instant-pot, or stovetop. You are sure to find a method you’ll love.
Home-cooked fluffy rice makes the greatest side due to its simple nature. It acts as a blank canvas that goes well with just about anything. Rice pairs perfectly with just about any saucy Asian dish or level up the rice by turning it into cilantro lime rice to pair with any classic Mexican-inspired dish, or my new favorite, chicken shawarma– the pairing possibilities are endless.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to make. The recipe comes together effortlessly by using the oven.
- Consistent. Because of the oven’s heating, the rice will come out perfectly cooked and fluffy every time.
- Hands-free. Once the rice is in the oven, your focus may be redirected elsewhere. Just set the timer and you’re free to focus on other tasks.
- Big batches. Using an oven is ideal for bigger batches of rice. With consistent results, any portion is made to perfection every time.
- Versatile. While the rice itself doesn’t change, the flavors and spices that you add can make your dish perfectly suited for you to accompany any meal!
Ingredients for the rice
The ingredients for this rice are simple, you’re going to need:
- Rice – for this cooking time and measurements, we recommend long grain, white rice.
- Chicken broth – adding chicken broth to the rice, deepens the flavor while adding a little extra protein.
- Butter – adding butter adds richness to the butter, making it extra crave-worthy. You can opt-out if you are going for a healthier alternative.
For a full list of ingredients and quantities, see the recipe card below.
Substitutions and Variations
Different add-ins, substitutions, and variations.
- Rice: If you want to use different rice, the recipe also works with Jasmine rice, Basmati rice, or short grain rice. The cooking times will vary depending on the type of rice used.
- Cilantro lime rice: Add some fresh lime juice, and fresh cilantro, to the warm rice for an easy cilantro lime rice.
- Broth: Instead of chicken broth, you can use vegetable broth or beef broth. These alternatives will result in different flavors but you use that same water ratio.
How to Make Rice in the Oven
Here are a few short steps on how to cook rice in the oven:
Step 1 – In a large casserole dish add clean rice, water, chicken broth, and salt. Stir to combine and add cubed butter.
Step 2 – Bake rice in the oven at 400°F for 40-50 minutes, until the rice has absorbed the liquid and is fully cooked.
How to Cook Rice in an Instant Pot
Cooking rice in an instant pot is an easy method to get perfect rice every time. It takes little to no additional effort because the instant pot does all the work.
- Clean the rice: Rinse the rice continuously until the water runs clear.
- Combine: Add rice, water, chicken broth, salt, and butter to your instant pot. Shut tight and make sure the pressure valve is closed.
- Cook: Click the rice button. Allow the rice to cook until the instant pot stops. Open the valve and allow the steam to escape from the pressure valve before opening. Once done, fluff your rice up with a fork.
- Serve, and enjoy friends!
How to Cook Rice on the Stovetop
Cooking rice on the stove is the most classic method. It may be a few more steps but the outcome is still sure to be delicious. You can use a medium saucepan.
- Clean the rice: Rinse the rice until water runs clear.
- Add to pot: With the rice, liquids, and salt in a pot, bring it to a boil. Once boiling vigorously, add in the butter, and reduce to a simmer.
- Cook rice: Cover the pot with a lid, and allow it to cook over low heat until all the water is absorbed. This should take approximately 15-20 minutes. Once all the water is absorbed, remove the pot from heat and let sit with the lid on for 2 minutes. Fluff the rice and serve.
- Serve, and enjoy friends!
How to Cook Rice in a Rice Cooker
Using a rice cooker may be the most foolproof way, to cooking rice. This device makes perfect rice, with just the click of a button.
- Clean the rice: Rinse the rice until water runs clear.
- Combine: Add rice, water, chicken broth, salt, and butter to your rice cooker. Close the rice cooker with the lid.
- Cook: Turn on the rice maker and press the “white rice” button. The rice cooker will choose the time needed to cook the rice. Once your rice is done, it’ll beep, and automatically turn on “keep warm”. Fluff the rice and it’s ready to be served.
- Serve, and enjoy friends!
Serving Suggestions
Fluffy white rice is the perfect side dish and goes well with endless dishes:
- Asian Cuisine: Use this rice recipe to make the easy shrimp fried rice or use it as a side with our baked teriyaki salmon recipe.
- Stir Fries: Top your rice with your favorite beef stir fry for a delicious, well-rounded meal.
- Bowl: White rice makes for the perfect base for any bowl. Use it in a salmon rice bowl, or a california roll bowl. You can also use the rice to make a chipotle chicken burrito bowl or a simple taco bowl for a Mexican-inspired lunch.
- Vegetables: Make various vegetable sides to go with your rice, such as roasted vegetables, or oven-roasted broccoli.
REcipe FAQs
Rinsing rice removes the starch and dirt that are found in rice grains.
Freshly made rice should be served right away. Once it has cooled and is sitting out at room temperature, bacteria will start to form. Place rice in the fridge once it has cooled.
Though broth adds a depth a flavor, you can definitely use water only and omit the broth.
Yes, you’ll want to cover the rice as it is baked for even cooking so the top of the rice doesn’t become dry.
This recipe follows a 2:1 liquid, rice ratio. Meaning for every 1 cup of rice, you want to add 2 cups of liquid.
Store & Reheat
- Storage. Once cooled, cooked rice may be stored in a refrigerator for up to 4 days in an airtight container.
- Freeze. Once cooled, cooked rice can be frozen in an airtight container for up to a month. Reheat: Place the frozen rice into a warm skillet with a few Tbsp of water. Cook until rice is warm throughout. Do not reheat more than once.
- Reheat. Add rice into a pan, cover with the lid on, and warm over low heat for about 5 minutes. Add a few Tbsp of water to bring moisture back to the rice. You can also reheat in the microwave by adding an ice cube into the rice and covering the bowl with parchment paper, to keep the rice moist.
More Side Dishes
If you enjoyed this traditional rice recipe, be sure to try our other side dish recipes:
If you tried enjoyed this post How to Cook Rice (or any other recipe on my website), please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below! – We really appreciate it!
How to Cook Rice
Ingredients
- 2 cups uncooked long grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups water
- 1 tsp salt
- 4 Tbsp unsalted butter, cubed
Instructions
- Rinse your rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
- In a large casserole dish ad the rice, chicken broth, water, and salt; lightly stir.
- Add the cubed butter.
- In a preheated oven to 400°F, cook your rice for 45 minutes, covered tightly with foil. After 45 minutes, the rice should have absorbed all the liquid and be tender, fluff rice to serve.
- Serve, and enjoy friends!
Notes
- Cilantro lime rice: For cilantro lime rice add 3 Tbsp juice 3-4 Tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped.
- Cook time: Baking time might slightly vary as all ovens are different.
- Serving suggestions: Serve the baked rice as a side with entrees, in a bowl or your favorite Mexican-inspired recipes.