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All you need to know to make that perfectly soft and fluffy Jasmine rice in a rice cooker, in Instant Pot, and on the stove every single time.
Rice has been part of my diet ever since I started eating solid food as a tiny person 🙂 This is a common scenario in most (if not all) Asian households in Asia. We have rice growing up probably 3 meals a day, or at least 2 meals a day. Our favorite rice is Jasmine rice.
WHAT IS JASMINE RICE (KHAO HOM MALI)
Jasmine rice is also known as Thai fragrant rice (Khao hom Mali). It is considered long-grain rice and it’s only slightly sticky after being cooked. Jasmine rice is being grown primarily in Thailand. I remember mom often said that Jasmine rice cost more compared to the local grown Indonesian long-grain white rice. Jasmine rice is being consumed a lot in Southeast Asia. It is named as such because of its aroma similar to Jasmine flower and also its white appearance like that of Jasmine flower.
HOW TO STORE JASMINE RICE
Jasmine rice or pretty much any white rice can be stored pretty indefinitely if being stored properly. However, jasmine rice will lose its fragrance over time. To prolong its shelf life and to maintain that amazing aroma of jasmine rice here’s what you can do:
1. Avoid buying too big of a bag
I know it’s more economical, but if you are not going to consume it often, the jasmine rice will lose its fragrance, though still pretty much edible if you don’t care much about that
2. Store in a cool dry area
3. Air-tight container
If the rice comes in a resealable bag, you can leave them in there. If not, I usually transfer it to an air-tight container
HOW TO PREPARE JASMINE RICE FOR COOKING IN RICE COOKER, INSTANT POT, OR STOVE TOP
Whether you will be cooking Jasmine rice in a rice cooker, in an Instant Pot, on the stove, or in the microwave, the steps for preparing jasmine rice is the same
1. RINSE THE RICE
It is important to rinse the rice in several changes of water until the water runs clear. Failure to do so will result in your rice being more “sticky”
2. DO NOT LET THE RICE SOAK
It is never necessary to soak jasmine rice before cooking generally speaking. So after you rinse the rice make sure you drain off the water right away and do not let the rice soaks as this will throw off the water to rice ratio later
3. DRAIN OFF WATER COMPLETELY
Use a large stainless steel strainer to drain off the water completely. Using a strainer is very effective to make sure no more water collects in between as this will affect the end result with your rice being too soft and mushy
HOW TO COOK JASMINE RICE IN A RICE COOKER
1. After washing jasmine rice and drain off the water, place them in the inner pot of the rice cooker
2. Water to rice ratio for rice cooker
When you cook rice in a rice cooker, very little water is lost during the cooking process compared to when you cook the rice on the stove. I like to use water to rice ratio of 1:1 for rice cooker
For example:
1 cup of rice will use 1 cup of water
2 cups of rice will use 2 cups of water
IMPORTANT NOTE: whatever cup you use to measure the rice, you will use it to measure the water too. DO NOT USE A DIFFERENT CUP.
3. Set the rice cooker setting
My rice cooker can be set to “white rice” and that’s what I use. It usually takes about 20 minutes to cook white rice
4. Wait for 10 minutes
Once the rice cooker is done with cooking, wait for 10 minutes before opening the lid. Why? The rice will still continue to absorb the water. Opening the lid too soon and you will find the rice will be still a bit wetter and softer
5. Fluff the rice
It is important to fluff the rice after they are cooked. Why do we need to fluff the rice you would ask? Fluffing the rice helps to separate the rice grains so they won’t clump together. Use either a rice paddle (usually comes with the rice cooker) or fork (be careful not to scratch the inner pot). Just gently turn the rice around with a rice paddle or use a fork to fluff it
HOW TO COOK JASMINE RICE IN INSTANT POT
1. After washing jasmine rice and drain off the water, place them in the inner pot of Instant Pot
2. Water to rice ratio for Instant Pot
Similar to a rice cooker, when you cook rice in Instant Pot, very little water is lost during the cooking process compared to when you cook the rice on the stove. I like to use water to rice ratio of 1:1 for Instant Pot
For example:
1 cup of rice will use 1 cup of water
2 cups of rice will use 2 cups of water
IMPORTANT NOTE: whatever cup you use to measure the rice, you will use it to measure the water too. DO NOT USE A DIFFERENT CUP.
3. Choose which setting you will use
You can cook rice with Instant Pot by using “Pressure Cooker” setting or “Rice” setting
For Pressure Cooker: Close the lid and turn steam release valve to “sealing”. Press “Pressure Cooker” and make sure it’s on “High Pressure”. Set the timer to “3 minutes”
For Rice: Close the lid and turn steam release valve to “sealing”. Press “Rice” and it will automatically set the timer
4. Wait for 10 minutes
Once the timer is up, wait for 10 minutes and then release pressure fully (if using pressure cooker setting). Wait for 10 minutes too if you are using “rice” setting
5. Fluff the rice
It is important to fluff the rice after they are cooked. Why do we need to fluff the rice you would ask? Fluffing the rice helps to separate the rice grains so they won’t clump together. Use either a rice paddle (usually comes with Instant Pot) or fork. Just gently turn the rice around with a rice paddle or use a fork to fluff it
HOW TO COOK JASMINE RICE ON STOVE TOP
1. Wash the jasmine rice in several changes of water and drain off the water completely
2. Water to rice ratio for cooking on the stove
I like to use water to rice ratio of 1.5:1 when cooking rice on the stove
For example:
1 cup of rice will use 1.5 cups of water
2 cups of rice will use 3 cups of water
IMPORTANT NOTE: whatever cup you use to measure the rice, you will use it to measure the water too. DO NOT USE A DIFFERENT CUP.
3. Bring the measured liquid to a rolling boil
4. Add in rice
5. Bring back to a boil
6. Lower the heat to medium-low and cover with a tight-fitting lid
7. Let the rice cook for 20 minutes over medium-low heat
8. Wait 10 minutes
After 20 minutes, turn off the heat and wait for 10 minutes before opening the lid
9. Fluff the rice
HOW TO STORE LEFTOVER COOKED JASMINE RICE
The methods below are applicable to other types of cooked rice too
1. IN THE REFRIGERATOR
You can keep cooked rice in the refrigerator for 5-7 days. Once the rice is cooked and has cooled down completely, transfer to a container with a lid and keep in the refrigerator
2. FREEZER
Once you freeze the cooked rice, the shelf life can extend up to 1 month. Here’s what you can do to freeze rice:
Option 1: Portion out the rice and wrap in several layers of plastic wrap and then keep them in large freezer bags
Option 2: Portion out the rice into a smaller freezer-friendly container
HOW TO REHEAT LEFTOVER COOKED JASMINE RICE
1. MICROWAVE
If the rice is frozen, there’s no need to thaw it. Thawing the rice will make the rice mushy after reheating. Simply add about 1 tablespoon of water/cup of rice, to the rice. Cover it with another plate or moist paper towel to create that “steaming” effect and microwave on high for about 1 minute or maybe less, you will have to experiment on the time. It may take a bit longer for frozen rice
2. ON THE STOVE
Transfer the rice to a saucepan or skillet. Add one tablespoon of water/1 cup of rice, to the rice and let it reheat over medium-low heat until the rice is heated through. This may take a few extra minutes for frozen rice
RECIPES TO USE UP YOUR LEFTOVER JASMINE RICE
CHINESE FIVE-SPICE SIZZLING STEAK STIR-FRY RICE BOWL
20-MINUTE THAI RED CURRY SAUSAGE FRIED RICE
EASY ONE-PAN MISO GINGER SALMON FRIED RICE
CHEESY KIMCHI RICE CAKES
NASI BAKAR BUMBU RENDANG (INDONESIAN RENDANG GRILLED RICE)
How To Cook Fluffy Jasmine Rice (Rice Cooker, Instant Pot, Stove Top)
Ingredients
- 1 cup white jasmine rice
- water amount depending on what you use to cook the rice. See instruction below
- ¼ tsp salt optional
You will need one of the following:
- Instant Pot
- Rice Cooker
- Saucepan if cooking small quantity
- Dutch oven if cooking large quantity
I recommend this to drain off water after washing the rice:
Instructions
Prepare jasmine rice:
- Rinse the rice in several changes of water until the water runs clear. Washing off the extra starches will make your rice not sticky after cooked
- Use a large stainless steel strainer to drain off the water completely. Using a strainer is very effective to make sure no more water collects in between as this will affect the end result with your rice being too soft and mushy
Cooking jasmine rice in a rice cooker:
- Use a 1:1 water to rice ratio. 1 cup of rice means you will need 1 cup of water. Use the same cup you are using to measure the rice to measure the liquid. Add the rice into the inner pot of the rice cooker. Add in water and salt (if using)
- My rice cooker can be set to “white rice” and that’s what I use. It usually takes about 20 minutes to cook white rice. Set yours to something similar with your rice cooker
- Once the rice cooker is done with cooking, wait for 10 minutes before opening the lid. Why? The rice will still continue to absorb the water. Opening the lid too soon and you will find the rice will be still a bit wetter and softer
- Fluff the rice gently with the rice paddle or a fork (be careful not to scratch the inner pot). I suggest using the rice paddle if you have one. Fluffy jasmine rice is ready to be served
Cooking jasmine rice in Instant Pot:
- Use a 1:1 water to rice ratio. 1 cup of rice means you will need 1 cup of water. Use the same cup you are using to measure the rice to measure the liquid. Add the rice into the inner pot of Instant Pot. Add in water and salt (if using)
- Choose the setting: Pressure cooker or Rice. For Pressure Cooker: Close the lid and turn steam release valve to “sealing”. Press “Pressure Cooker” and make sure it’s on “High Pressure”. Set the timer to “3 minutes”For Rice: Close the lid and turn steam release valve to “sealing”. Press “Rice” and it will automatically set the timerCooking time will be the same whether you double or triple the recipe
- Once the timer is up, wait for 10 minutes and then release pressure fully (if using pressure cooker setting). Wait for 10 minutes too if you are using “rice” setting
- Fluff the rice gently with the rice paddle or a fork. Fluffy jasmine rice is ready to be served
Cooking jasmine rice on the stove:
- Use a 1.5 :1 water to rice ratio. 1 cup of rice means you will need 1.5 cups of water. Use the same cup you are using to measure the rice to measure the liquid.
- Bring the measured liquid to a rolling boil in a saucepan. Add the rice and salt (if using) in and bring it back to a boil then lower the heat to low and cover with a tight-fitting lid. It's important that the heat is on low or it may boil over and water may dry up too quickly and you get a crust or uncooked rice at the bottom of the pot
- Let the rice cook for 20 minutes over low heat and then turn off the heat and wait for 10 minutes before opening the lid. The rice is still absorbing the liquid and continue cooking over residual heat
- Fluff the rice gently with the rice paddle or a fork. Fluffy jasmine rice is ready to be served
12 comments
I followed these directions exactly and used the rice setter on my Instant Pot – the rice was cemented to the bottom and stickier than when I used the stove top. What am I doing wrong?
Sorry it didn’t work for you. The rice setting can be a bit tricky sometimes. I prefer to use the pressure cooker setting. But it sounded like it might need an extra water and/or you want to make sure you rinse the rise until the water runs clear so it won’t be starchy.