Updated on June 25th, 2022
Delicious, aromatic, and pleasantly presentable, jasmine rice is a handy way to up a dinner menu or impress your family. Plus, it’s a regular inclusion for those who’re fond of Asian and Thai cooking. It’s one dish that pairs perfectly with spicy stir-fries, beef, fish, and seafood. Plus, if you’re offering your family a tasty helping of curry, jasmine rice is a fantastic addition to the table.
So, if you’re not sure about how to prepare it, this article will be of tremendous help. Of course, many assume jasmine rice can be cooked at the same duration as most others, but there are a few tricks you’ll also need to know. And here, you’ll get the whole idea, plus other handy ways to make it happen.
Tips for Cooking Jasmine Rice
Making the best jasmine rice recipe goes beyond just knowing how long it should cook. Other factors are involved, so if you want to get splendid results with every try, it helps to note them.
Get the Water Right
Unlike standard white rice, jasmine rice quickly softens when cooked. So, adding the same amount of water as you would with the former isn’t advisable. Many times, you end up with oversoft jasmine rice because you use more water than needed. So, compared to regular rice that needs about one and a half cups of water for each cup, use only one and a quarter cups for jasmine rice.
To Rinse or Not to Rinse?
As opposed to general beliefs, you don’t need to rinse jasmine rice. And while many recipes insist this move helps create fluffiness, it’s hardly true. As such, you can cook jasmine rice with the recommended 1¼ cups of water for each cup without first rinsing it. It’s because most types, especially the retail ones, are already clean of both debris and excess starch.
Still, some people may feel the need to do so, especially if the rice was gotten from a new source, like a farm. And others even going as far as soaking it before cooking. So, to help, here’s a lowdown on how to keep the water content in check.
- Reduce the water content by two tablespoons if you rinse.
- Reduce the water content by three tablespoons if you rinse and soak for one hour
And if you need to rinse, do so by swishing the rice in a bowl of water. Then, drain in a colander and repeat until the water is apparent.
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Always Fluff
After cooking the rice, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the fragrant aroma and tasty appearance. But don’t jump on it yet, as you’ll need to fluff the rice before serving. Remember that jasmine rice has softer grains compared to regular white rice. So, fluffing it with a rubber spatula or rice paddle ensures the grains won’t break when you serve.
Cooking Time for Jasmine Rice
Jasmine rice mostly takes the same time to cook in almost every cooking method. But it helps to be specific about each type, so you can be particular about running your recipe.
On the Stovetop
Put the measured water in a saucepan and add the rice. Remember to adjust the liquid per whether you’re rinsing, soaking, or not. Then, let it reach a simmer over medium-high heat without covering the pot. Take the heat to medium or low and cover, then cook for 12 minutes, or until the rice fully absorbs the water. Then, turn off the heat, stand the rice while covered for 10 minutes, and fluff.
In a Slow Cooker
Grease the inside of the crockpot with cooking spray so the rice doesn’t stick to it. Then, add the rice with water and cook on LOW for an hour and a half. You can stir the rice at the one-hour mark, so it evenly cooks. If some grains are still hard, consider adding a few water sprinkles and cooking again on LOW for another 20 minutes. And once it’s tender, fluff, and serves as you please.
In an Instant Pot
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Add the water and rice to the pressure cooker and cover the lid. Then, set the instant pot to ‘Rice,’ to cook on LOW for 12 minutes. Let the rice rest for 15 minutes afterward before unsealing and removing the cover. By this time, the pressure in the pot would’ve been fully released, but if not, carefully do so annually. Fluff the rice, and it’s ready to serve.
How Long to Cook Jasmine Rice
No-Rinse Jasmine Rice (3 to 4 Servings)
Ingredients
- One cup jasmine rice
- 1¼ cups water
Instructions
- Add the rice and water to a saucepan- preferably one with a tight-fitting cover. Place the pot on medium-high heat with the lid off and let the rice reach a rapid simmer.
- Minimize the heat to medium or low and cover with the lid. Ensure to leave the lid on for the full 12 minutes or until all the water has been absorbed.
- Put the saucepan down with the lid still on and stand for 10 minutes. This waiting period is important as it allows the remaining moisture to soak into the rice.
- Fluff the jasmine rice with a spatula or rice paddle and serve as desired.
You can also check this video recipe for more ways to determine the cooking time for jasmine rice.
