How to cook jasmine rice stovetop

Picture this: you’re hosting a dinner party and have decided to prepare a lovely Asian-inspired meal, featuring a fragrant stir-fry and a delicately flavored sauce. The one thing that seems to be missing is the perfect side of jasmine rice to complement your dish. Perhaps you’ve always relied on pre-packaged rice or have never ventured beyond brown rice. Now, standing in your kitchen, the question arises–how do I cook jasmine rice on the stovetop to achieve that light, fluffy texture?

To cook jasmine rice stovetop, rinse 1 cup of jasmine rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Combine the rinsed rice with 1 ½ cups of water and a pinch of salt in a pot. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes. Once done, remove from heat and let it sit, covered, for another 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving.

Cooking jasmine rice on the stovetop is a straightforward process that yields fluffy and aromatic results. First, start by measuring your rice; use one cup of jasmine rice for a side that serves about two to three people. Rinse the rice in cold water in a fine-mesh strainer to remove excess starch, which helps prevent the rice from becoming gummy. Swirl the rice in the water with your hands and drain it until the water runs clear, indicating that most of the starch has been rinsed away.

Next, combine the rinsed rice and water in a saucepan. The typical ratio is 1 cup of jasmine rice to 1 ½ cups of water. This ratio can be adjusted slightly based on how soft or firm you prefer your rice; for a bit softer texture, increase the water slightly. Add a pinch of salt for flavor.

Bring the pot to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low to simmer, and cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid. Allow it to cook for 15 minutes without lifting the lid, as this helps the rice to steam and become fluffy. After 15 minutes, turn off the heat but keep the lid on, allowing the rice to sit undisturbed for an additional 10 minutes. This resting period is crucial as it lets the steam finish cooking the rice and settle.

Finally, remove the lid and fluff the rice gently with a fork to separate the grains. Be careful not to overmix or mash the rice. Serve your perfectly cooked jasmine rice alongside your delicious meal, and enjoy the delicious fragrant aroma that fills your kitchen!