How to Make the Perfect Jasmine Rice Posted on 30 January 2025 By Thai Food Direct 0 Jasmine rice is a versatile and fragrant staple food that pairs with a wide range of meals. However, many find it tricky to cook perfectly, whether it’s burnt, undercooked, or takes longer than expected. Jasmine rice is a versatile and fragrant staple food that pairs with a wide range of meals. However, many find it tricky to cook perfectly, whether it’s burnt, undercooked, or takes longer than expected. Getting the right texture and aroma every time can seem like a challenge. With a few simple tips and techniques, you can easily cook jasmine rice to perfection, making it the ideal accompaniment to a dish. In this post, we share how you can make the perfect jasmine rice, offering you our tips, tricks, and techniques for how to cook it like a pro. Mastering this skill will not only save time in the kitchen but also enhance home cooked meals to a restaurant standard. How to Cook Jasmine Rice Cooking jasmine rice to perfection may seem challenging at first, but with a little practice, it’s easy to master. Whether you're cooking it on the stove or using a rice cooker, the key is consistency and attention to detail. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to cook jasmine rice perfectly every time using the stovetop method. Rinse the Rice: First, begin by rinsing the jasmine rice under cold water to remove excess starch. This helps prevent the rice from becoming sticky. Rinse until the water runs clear, then drain the rice well. Measure the Rice and Water: For every 1 cup of jasmine rice, you want to use 1.5 cups of water. This ratio typically works well for most, but you can adjust it based on your preference for firmer or softer rice. If you prefer softer rice, add a bit more water. Boil the Water: Bring some water to a boil in a medium saucepan over high heat. Optionally, you can also add a pinch of salt. Once the water is boiling, you can then add the rinsed rice to the pan. Reduce the Heat and Simmer: Stir the rice once to separate the grains, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the saucepan with a tight-fitting lid and let it simmer for 15-18 minutes, depending on your stove and rice type. Avoid lifting the lid during this time. Let the Rice Rest and Fluff: Once cooking is complete, remove the saucepan from the heat and let it sit for 5-10 minutes with the lid on to allow the rice to steam and become fluffier. After resting, gently fluff the rice with a fork to separate the grains before serving. Tips for Perfect Jasmine Rice Every Time By following the recipe outlined above, you should achieve perfectly cooked jasmine rice. However, there are a few additional tips that can enhance your cooking and ensure consistently great results: Use Fresh, Quality Jasmine Rice The quality of the rice you use directly impacts the final result of how it comes out when it's cooked. Fresh jasmine rice tends to be fluffier and more aromatic, producing a better texture and flavour. Choose high-quality jasmine rice from a well-known brand as this will give you the best results. Always check the packaging date to ensure you're using rice that's not too old. Rinse the Rice Properly You also want to make sure to rinse your rice before cooking it. Rinsing jasmine rice before you cook it helps to wash away excess starch, which can make the rice sticky and clumpy. Rinsing also prevents the rice from becoming too pulpy as it cooks. A gentle rinse under cold water until it runs clear is all you need, and then you can get to cooking. Use the Right Cooking Pot Size Choosing the right size pot or saucepan is also important when cooking jasmine rice properly. A pot that's too large will cause the water to evaporate too quickly, while one that's too small might not allow the rice to cook evenly. A medium-sized pot with a tight-fitting lid is ideal, as it ensures the rice steams evenly and doesn't dry out. Avoid Stirring During Cooking Once the rice is added to the boiling water, avoid stirring it. Stirring can break the grains and lead to a sticky, mushy texture. Let the rice cook undisturbed until it’s finished. Only stir if it's needed during the cooking process, allowing the grains to absorb water evenly, resulting in fluffy, separate rice. Avoid Overcrowding the Pot It's important not to overcrowd the pot with too much rice when cooking. When rice is packed too tightly, it doesn’t cook evenly, and you’re more likely to end up with clumps or undercooked grains. For best results, stick to the recommended rice-to-water ratio and cook in batches if needed. This ensures each grain has enough space to cook properly, achieving a uniform texture. How to Avoid Common Jasmine Rice Mistakes Although cooking jasmine rice is simple, there are a few common mistakes that people often make. By avoiding these, you can ensure perfect, fluffy rice every time. Below are some common mistakes that people make them cooking jasmine rice and how you can avoid them; Using Too Much Water Adding too much water to the jasmine rice when it's cooking will make it soggy and overly soft. The right water-to-rice ratio is essential for achieving fluffy, tender grains. Stick to 1.5 cups of water for every cup of rice, and avoid adding extra unless it's needed for example if it looks too dry during cooking. Not Letting the Rice Rest Many people make the mistake of serving rice immediately after cooking. If you don't let rice rest after cooking, it can become pulpy and sticky, as the steam hasn't had a chance to redistribute and finish the cooking process. Resting the rice allows the steam to redistribute evenly, resulting in a better texture. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes off the heat before fluffing and serving. Lifting the Lid Too Early Lifting the lid during cooking releases steam, which can affect the cooking time and texture of the rice. Keep the lid on to trap the steam, allowing the rice to cook evenly and fully. Try to avoid checking the rice until the cooking time has passed. Add Jasmine Rice to Your Cooking Repertoire By following the steps, tips, and advice shared in this post, you’ll be able to cook perfect jasmine rice every time. If you're looking to incorporate jasmine rice into your cooking and are searching for delicious, high-quality rice, why not shop with Thai Food Direct? As an authentic Thai and Oriental food retailer, we stock a wide range of fresh, frozen, and dry produce sourced directly from Thailand. Amongst our range of rice, we offer several options of jasmine rice from the popular Royal Umbrella brand, available in pack sizes, including 1kg, 2kg, 5kg, and 10kg. We also offer a broad range of other food products to complement your rice and complete your dish, so you can find everything you need for your next meal in one place. Experience the taste of Thailand by shopping with Thai Food Direct for jasmine rice, and enhance your cooking.