How to Make Rice Without a Recipe

Larger photo

Here's how to make perfect rice on the stove top without a recipe. Works with white or brown rice. Best for weeknight stir-fries, rice bowls, burritos, or served plain as a simple rice side dish.

• Cook time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 or more cups of cooked rice

Ingredients

• 1 cup or more long-grain white or brown rice
• Water
• Salt

Special equipment:

• Medium (2-quart) or larger pot with lid
• Large strainer

Method

1 Pour the rice a medium pot with a lid and cover with water by a few inches. Add at least 1 teaspoon of salt (more if you're cooking more than 1 cup of rice). Stir a few times to make sure the rice and water are mixed.

2 Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer. Let the water come to a rolling boil, then reduce the heat until it maintains a gentle bubbling simmer.

3 Cook the rice until barely tender: White rice will cook in roughly 10 to 15 minutes. Brown rice will cook in roughly 20 to 30 minutes. Stir the rice a few times during cooking, when you remember. Taste it as you get toward the end of cooking to test its doneness. It's ready when tender and no longer crunchy, but still a touch too firm for your liking.

4 Drain the rice: Set the strainer over your sink or a large bowl and strain the rice and cooking liquid. (The cooking liquid can be saved for other cooking projects.)

Shake the strainer a few times to fully drain the rice.

5 Return to the pot, cover, and let stand: Immediately after straining, while the rice is still hot and steamy, transfer the rice back to the pot and cover with the lid. Let stand off the heat, for 10 to 15 minutes. The steam from hot rice trapped in the pan will finish cooking the rice and help give it a perfect texture.

6 Fluff and serve: Uncover the rice, fluff with a fork, and serve.