Jasmine rice is a variety of long-grain rice that is typically grown in southeast Asia, especially in Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia. It’s also known as Thai fragrance rice as it has a lovely floral aroma and taste. In fact, some people even find Jasmine rice to be pleasantly nutty. 

What makes jasmine rice unique is its ability to stick together without having a sticky sushi rice-like texture. It can also be used as a vessel for delicious curries, and Jasmine rice even does well as a complementary side dish to a grilled chicken breast or fish filet.

Considering how filling and delicious jasmine rice is, you must know how to cook it well. There are a lot of different methods out there, each with its own benefits and challenges. Let’s learn how to cook a perfect batch of jasmine rice – it’s easy!

What Is the Proper Ratio of Water to Jasmine Rice?

To cook jasmine rice, the amount of water you need will vary, depending on the cooking method you’re using. 

In general, you will use less water to cook jasmine rice than you would normally use to cook other varieties of white rice. This is because the grains are longer in jasmine rice, and the uncooked rice is softer, so it requires less water to fully cook through. 

How Are Jasmine Rice and Basmati Rice The Same? 

Jasmine rice is similar to basmati rice in many ways, but there are some key differences. 

The first lies in their origin. Jasmine rice comes from Southeast Asia, specifically Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. Meanwhile, basmati rice is produced further west in countries like India, Nepal, and Pakistan. 

Jasmine also has a few more nutrients than basmati. It contains more fats and carbohydrates, with jasmine rice containing 205 calories per cup.

In fact, jasmine rice grains are also typically slightly shorter than basmati rice grains, even though they are both considered long grain rice. They are both considered aromatic rice, but jasmine rice tends to be slightly sweeter than basmati.

Cooking basmati rice correctly results in dry, fluffy grains. This requires the rice to be soaked in water for at least 30 minutes before cooking. On the other hand, jasmine rice doesn’t need a long soak and can simply be rinsed before being cooked or steamed with a specific ratio of water.

The biggest difference lies in the cuisines they’re used for. Basmati is used more in Middle Eastern to Indian and Asian cuisines, while jasmine is primarily used in Southeast Asian cuisines.

Should Jasmine Rice Be Rinsed Before Cooking?

Giving your rice a good rinse is always a good idea, whether you’re working with jasmine rice or any other type of rice. Washing your rice helps each rice grain separate for a fluffy texture, and can also help get rid of excess starch.

Excess starch can affect the taste or your rice and give it an unpleasant gummy texture, so it’s best to remove it prior to cooking. A simple but thorough rinsing process can make your rice taste a whole lot better. 

Swirl the rice in the pot with water, carefully pour the water out without dumping the rice, and repeat that process five to ten times to clarify the water. 

Does Rinsing Remove the Nutrients? 

The only downside to rinsing your rice is that it may reduce the levels of certain nutrients in it. In particular, levels of folate, iron, niacin, and thiamin levels are reduced with every rinse.  

But, these nutrients are relatively common in our diet, and we are more likely to make them up in other areas, so the benefits of washing your rice definitely outweigh the downsides. 

Can Unwashed Rice Make You Sick? 

Unwashed rice, on its own, can’t make you sick. But it could increase your risk of sickness. In the flooded rice paddies that the rice is grown in, the grains tend to absorb small amounts of arsenic. 

However, washing your rice is a way to reduce the amount of arsenic found in rice, and if you soak your rice overnight, before you wash it, you can reduce arsenic levels by up to 50 percent. 

After looking at all the pros and cons, it is definitely a good idea to thoroughly wash your jasmine rice (and all of your rice) before you cook it!  

How To Make Jasmine Rice on the Stovetop 

The first cooking method we’ll talk about is the standard stovetop method. This method is simple and effective, and most people will have the proper tools to do it.  

Combine 1 Cup Rice and 1 ⅓ Cup Water 

After washing your rice and draining out the excess rinse water, place your rice in the pot. For each cup of rice you are making, add 1 ⅓ cups of water. 

This is different than if you’re cooking other types of white rice. Cooking other types of white rice requires about two cups of rice for every cup of water. So, make sure you know which type of rice you’re cooking so you don’t add too much or too little water. 

Once the rice and water are in the pot, cover it with a lid. It’s best if the lid fits very well so minimal steam escapes.

Bring Water to a Boil, Then Reduce to a Simmer 

Next, turn your stove up to high or medium-high and wait for the water to boil. As soon as the water reaches a boil, turn the heat down to low. Take the pot off the heat if it begins to boil over and leave it for a minute before putting it back onto the low heat. 

Simmer on Low Until Water Is Absorbed 

Next, allow the rice to simmer. Keep the rice simmering until all of the water is absorbed. As the rice gets close to done, you’ll see bubbles creeping up through the grains. You’ll know it’s done when virtually all of the water has been absorbed.

Turn Off Heat and Leave Covered Until Fluffy 

Once the water is all absorbed, take the rice off the heat, but leave it covered for just a bit. Steaming rice, especially jasmine rice, is helpful for getting the rice to stick together. 

Fluff With a Fork and Enjoy 

After it has steamed, simply fluff your rice up with a fork or with a rice paddle and serve it up. Your rice will be warm and sticky, and will smell amazing, too!

How To Make Jasmine Rice in an Instant Pot 

Jasmine rice also cooks very well in an instant pot. Instant pots are a type of pressure cooker that resembles a rice cooker. It uses high pressure and heat to cook rice quickly, and it does a great job doing so.

Add About 1 ½ Cups Rice and 1 ¾ Cups of Water 

For this method, you’re going to have to adjust your rice-to-water ratio slightly. In an instant pot, it’s best to cook at least 1 ½ cups of rice because the pot is so big. 

Use the “Rice” Button and Let It Cook 

With an instant pot, you just have to close the lid, press the rice button, and let the instant pot do its job. 

Because the instant pot uses high pressure to cook things, your rice will be done a little quicker than with other methods. You can have perfectly cooked rice in only 15 minutes! 

The cooker uses high pressure for four minutes and then leaves about 10 minutes for the pressure to dissipate. 

Release Pressure and Let Rest 

After about 15 minutes, it’s usually safe to open the pressure valve and let out the remaining pressure — be careful of the steam!

Again, you’re going to want to let the rice steam for a few minutes to help it stick together. But after a few minutes, your rice will be all ready to eat! 

Enjoy 

Fluff your rice with a paddle and serve it up with whatever your main course may be – and enjoy!

How To Make Jasmine Rice in a Slow Cooker

Another solid method of cooking jasmine rice is with a slow cooker. Your crockpot is good for more than soups and slow-cooking meat, so dust it off and get ready to make a bowl of your favorite jasmine rice.

Grease Any Stone Slow Cooker With Oil or Spray

If your slow cooker has a stone surface inside, the first step is to grease it down. When slow-cooking rice, it can often stick to the surface of the bowl. 

Greasing it down helps to keep everything off the walls so you can make the most out of each batch. 

Add 1 Cup Rice and 1 ¼ Cups Water 

Again, we’re going to need to adjust our rice to water ratio. For the slow cooker, you’re going to use one and a quarter cups of water for each cup of rice. 

It can be difficult to remember all of these ratios, so come back to this article for reference if you’re ever unsure. 

Use Low Heat and Cook for 1 Hour 

You’re going to want to use the low heat setting in the slow cooker. To cook jasmine rice, it will take about an hour for the rice to cook all the way. 

Stir the Rice and Add Time As Needed

If the rice is taking longer than one hour to cook, give it a quick stir and add some more time to your timer. You won’t mess up the results by opening the lid to give it a quick stir. 

If Rice is Still Hard, Add Water and Cook for 20 Minutes 

If all the water is gone and your rice is dry, tough, and not cooked all the way through, just add a splash of extra water and give it a few extra minutes to cook. 

Enjoy!

The slow cooker method is great if you’re in a pinch and have no other way to cook rice, but there are definitely better methods out there.

How To Make Jasmine Rice in a Rice Cooker  

The most tried and true method for cooking jasmine rice is in a good old-fashioned rice cooker. It only makes sense that the machine designed to cook rice would do the best job!

Determine Your Rice to Water Ratio  

First thing’s first, after you’re done washing your rice, determine your ratio. In a rice cooker, you can use a 1:1 ratio, meaning you use one cup of water for each cup of rice. 

If you like your rice on the dry side, you can add just a little bit less water. If you like it wet, add more water. You can always adjust to your preference. But the 1:1 ratio is the starting point. 

Doing this will help to make your rice fluffy, each grain clinging to the next without developing a gummy, sticky texture. 

Cook the Rice According to Your Manufacturer Instructions 

Each rice cooker is a little bit different, so double check your rice cooker instructions if you’re unsure how to proceed. Most rice cookers have a simple “warm” and “cook” switch, but others have all sorts of buttons. 

Some rice cookers even have specific settings for cakes. 

You can simply select the “cook” button, and wait for the rice cooker to signal that it’s done. 

How Should I Store Leftover Rice? 

Storing leftover rice is not as easy as it sounds. We’ve all had rice that gets put in the fridge, and the next day it’s as dry as the desert. But there are ways you can store it well for an enjoyable leftover experience. 

The first thing you need to do is ensure that you don’t let your rice sit for too long at room temperature. After your meal, place the leftover rice in the fridge. 

Rice is susceptible to the growth of a bacteria called bacillus cereus, leading to food poisoning. If your rice sits between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit for more than an hour, it could be a potential risk. 

So make sure you get your leftover rice in the fridge within an hour of cooking it. It’s best to keep your rice in tightly-stored containers to prevent excess moisture. When storing rice, you can either freeze it for a month or put it in the fridge for up to three or four days. 

Another great method of storing your leftover rice is with saran wrap in the freezer.

Simply form your rice into a ball and twist a sheet of saran wrap around it. When it’s time to reheat, you can just throw the saran-wrapped ball into the microwave, and you’ll get a steamy serving of rice that’s piping hot. 

Another hack to reheating leftover rice starts with ice! Simply place the ice cube on a tiny pile of leftover rice, then heat the place of rice for one minute.

The Bottom Line 

Jasmine rice is a delicious addition to so many different dishes and cuisines. Its comforting fragrance is so unique and distinctive – it’s hard not to have your soul warmed by it. 

And now, you know four effective methods of cooking this delicious rice. So next time you’re cooking at home, try a dish with jasmine rice and fill your kitchen with those beautiful, delicious smells that fill the room!

If you need quality jasmine rice and any other Asian grocery items delivered right to your door, head to Umamicart! We have a wide selection of Asian groceries, so you can cook in your own home without a trip to the grocery store. 

Sources

Be Careful How You Store Your Cooked Rice | University of California 

Dynasty Rice Jasmine | Directions for Me

To Rinse Or Not To Rinse: How Washing Some Foods Can Help You Avoid Illness | The Salt | NPR

​What Does Jasmine Rice Taste Like? | Electric Skillet Guide