How To Cook Jasmine Rice Perfectly, 3 Ways

Rice is a food that’s versatile enough to include in nearly any meal. Whether you’re looking for a quick lunch or dinner recipe, you may have wondered about the different types of rice and how to cook them. Jasmine rice is one of the most common types of rice and there are several ways to cook it, depending on what kitchen tools and equipment you have.

With just a few ingredients, you can easily cook jasmine rice at home. Let’s first look briefly at what Jasmine rice is and how it’s different from your typical white rice.

Jasmine Rice vs. White Rice

If you’re not sure about the difference between jasmine rice and other types of rice, you’re not alone. There are thousands of varieties of rice across the world, but in the U.S. all the rice types can be divided into three different categories based on the size of the kernels: long-grain rice, medium-grain rice, and short-grain rice.

Some varieties of rice are also known for their unique flavor and aroma. U.S. jasmine rice is one of these types. Jasmine rice fits into the long-grain category and is also a type of white rice. When you order white rice at a restaurant or purchase it in the grocery store, it will be jasmine rice most of the time. However, there’s also brown Jasmine rice which has different nutritional values and a nuttier flavor. 

You can usually cook jasmine rice the same way you would cook any other white rice, but check the specific type of rice you’re using if you’re not sure about cooking times. We’re going to look at how to cook jasmine rice in a rice cooker, Instant Pot, or on a stove. 

With white rice like jasmine rice, cooking the rice perfectly means getting the texture right. Before you cook your rice, no matter what method you’re using, rinse the rice first. This helps you achieve the right texture and keeps the rice from being too sticky. Aside from rinsing your rice, the key to achieving the perfect texture is getting the ratio of water to rice correct. 

Let’s dive into the best ways to cook jasmine rice at home.

How to Cook Jasmine Rice on the Stove

One of the most simple ways to cook jasmine rice is to cook it on the stove. This doesn’t require any special tools and you can use this method as long as you have a saucepan, pot, or other similar cookware. The trickiest part is getting the ratio of water to rice correct as well as the cooking time. 

Here’s the best way to cook jasmine rice on the stove:

• Add rice and water to a saucepan. The ratio is 1 cup of rice to 2 cups of water.
• Bring the water to a boil
• Once the water is boiling, cover the saucepan and reduce the heat to low
• Simmer the rice for about 9-10 minutes
• Turn off the heat and keep the saucepan covered for 10-15 minutes
• Check the rice to see if the water is absorbed
• Uncover the saucepan and fluff the rice before serving

Cooking jasmine rice on the stove is the simplest way to cook it without any extra tools. All you need to get started is your rice, water, and a saucepan. You can also choose to add butter and salt to the water before boiling for some extra seasoning.

How to Cook Jasmine Rice in the Instant Pot

The Instant Pot has become a favorite kitchen appliance and it’s easy to see why. It makes meals for busy families even simpler since it allows you to cook meat, eggs, and even rice quicker than you would be able to on the stove. If you have access to an Instant Pot, most have a rice function that can be really handy when you need a simple way to make rice.

Here’s how to make Jasmine rice in the Instant Pot:

• Add your rice and water to the Instant Pot using the ratio of 1 cup of water to 1 cup of rice
• Close the lid of the Instant Pot and make sure the vent is closed
• Press the rice cooker button– the timer should set automatically, but you may need to adjust based on the amount of rice you’re cooking
• Once the timer goes off, let it naturally release for 15 minutes before opening the lid
• Manually release any remaining pressure and open the lid once you’re ready to serve

Instead of using the rice function, you can also set your Instant Pot to manual for about 5 minutes to pressure cook your rice.  The Instant Pot can be an efficient way to cook rice, especially if you need to step away from the kitchen to take care of other tasks. This makes it a great option for busy parents who are trying to get dinner or lunch ready with little ones at home.

How to Cook Jasmine Rice in a Rice Cooker

If you make rice a lot, it might be worth investing in a rice cooker. This makes the process simple because all you have to do is add the rice and water to the rice cooker and press a button. This allows you to easily cook rice while you prepare the rest of your meal.

Here’s how to cook Jasmine rice in a rice cooker:

• Place the correct ratio of water to rice in your rice cooker. The ratio of 1 cup of rice to 1 cup of water works here as well.
• Set the rice cooker to the correct setting. What setting you choose will depend on the type of rice cooker. If it has a white rice setting, you can use this for jasmine rice
• Let the rice cook until the timer goes off
• Once the rice is finished, wait for 10 minutes before opening the lid to ensure all the water is absorbed
• Open the lid and fluff the rice with a fork before serving

If you cook a lot of rice in your home, having a rice cooker can be a handy tool to have in your kitchen. While the texture or taste won’t be much different than the other methods, it’s a straightforward way to cook rice and cleanup is a breeze.

Ways to Serve Jasmine Rice

After mastering the various methods of cooking jasmine rice, it’s time to think about how to serve it. There are no limits to the possibilities when it comes to unique ways to serve rice for lunch or dinner. Whether you choose to make it on the stove or in the Instant Pot, you can use jasmine rice to make:

• Rice pudding
• A side dish for chicken, fish, or pork
• Burrito bowls
• Fried rice
• Soup or stew

Something to keep in mind is that rice doesn’t stay good forever, even if it’s dried. While it does stay fresh for a while, jasmine rice will lose some of its flavor and fragrance over time. If you purchase a large bag of rice, be sure to store it in a cool, dry place and keep it in an air-tight container so that it doesn’t lose its freshness prematurely.

Cooking the Best Jasmine Rice

Rice is a staple in most American diets and there are many ways to include it as part of your lunch or dinner meals. Jasmine rice is the most common white rice in the U.S., and it’s simple to cook whether you choose to make it in a rice cooker or on the stovetop.

Even though white rice often gets a bad rap due to its high carb content, it’s actually a good source of potassium, magnesium, and folic acid. If you’re a fan of jasmine rice, try it in one of the dinner recipes below!

Jasmine Rice Recipes

• Healthy Chicken and Rice
• Coconut Shrimp and Rice
• Barbecue Beef Sausage with Rice
• Fresh Lemon Chicken with Rice

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Amarita/Shutterstock.com.