Whoever said cooking rice is easy…
must be Asian.
And supposedly, it should be. But take it from me (yes, I’m Asian), cooking rice can be trickier than it looks.
Cooking it time and time again doesn’t guarantee that rice will always come out fluffy. There are bound to be a few hiccups here and there.
For instance, your rice can end up dry, undercooked, or crunchy.
Don’t worry—I’ve been there. And I’m here now to answer your question about “Why my rice is undercooked?”
Water-to-Rice Ratio
Don’t tell me this first one surprised you. Cooking white rice to fluffy perfection is a delicate art of balance.
Ask yourself how much water you used when cooking your rice.
Using too little will likely cause your rice to be dry and undercooked. Using too much will cause it to become mushy and overcooked.
For reference, here’s a breakdown of the ideal water-to-rice ratio for different rice varieties:
- Long-grain rice: 2 cups of water to 1 cup of rice
- Short-grain rice: 1 cup and 2 tbsp of water to 1 cup of rice
- Brown rice: 2 ½ cups of water to 1 cup of rice
Type of Rice
What variety did you use?
Each type of rice has a unique set of characteristics, which affect the way it is cooked.
Long-grain rice like Jasmine or Basmati has less starch than short-grain rice like Arborio and sushi.
This means that it dries out more easily. Long-grain rice can become more crunchy if water evaporates too soon during cooking.
Short-grain rice is more forgiving in this regard because of its higher starch content. Its tendency to stick together makes it less likely to become crunchy.
Stovetop vs. Rice Cooker
Long-grain rice cooks quicker on the stovetop than short-grain rice.
- Long-grain rice: 18-20 minutes
- Short-grain rice: 20-30 minutes
- Brown rice: 45-50 minutes
When it comes to using the rice cooker, there’s already a built-in setting for the variety of rice you’ll use. Using a rice cooker for rice is almost always a fool-proof method.
Soaking Rice
Soaking your rice before cooking can help prevent it from being undercooked.
Pre-soaked rice cooks faster if you soak it for:
- Long-grain rice: 30 minutes to 2 hours
- Short-grain rice: usually doesn’t require soaking
- Brown rice: 4-6 hours or up to overnight
Make sure you use cool water and keep the rice fully submerged.
The amount of water used during cooking will also be reduced. The general rule is to decrease the cooking water by about ¼ to ⅓ cup per rice.
Soak your rice at room temperature for up to 3 hours. If you’re doing an overnight soak, refrigerate to prevent fermentation.
Cooking time will be significantly reduced to:
- Long-grain rice: 10-15 minutes
- Brown rice: 25-30 minutes
Rinsing Rice
It’s also beneficial to rinse your rice even after soaking it. This way, any excess starch that leaches out during soaking is removed.
Avoiding Undercooked Rice
Now that we know the cause of the problem, it’s time to pull out the big guns.
Measuring Cups
Accuracy is essential in measuring your water-to-rice ratio. It is advisable to use measuring cups to get the proportions right.
Eyeballing won’t be your friend when it comes to this bit of cooking.
Right Pot
Heavy-bottomed. Tight-fitting lid.
Look for a pot with these two characteristics, and you’ll be good.
And avoid opening that lid. It’s tight-fitting for a reason.
Low Heat
Cooking rice requires patience. Don’t rush it by cooking your rice on high heat.
The goal is fluffy and not dry or crunchy. This entails cooking the grains evenly.
Let them absorb liquid gradually by simmering them in low heat.
Avoid Stirring
It’s a major no-no, Foodies! Cooking rice requires a hands-off approach.
If you constantly stir your rice while it cooks, it will result in a dry texture.
Troubleshooting Undercooked Rice
Undercooked rice situations come in different forms.
Which one best suits you?
It’s undercooked with liquid left, but the timer’s done
So, the aforementioned cooking times aren’t set in stone.
If your rice is still undercooked with liquid left in the pot, just continue cooking it.
Just remember to cook it on low heat for an extra 5 minutes or more. And that’s with the lid on, okay?
It’s too dry, with no liquid left
If this is your case, the water-to-rice ratio is off. But it’s easy to fix, so no worries.
Just add about ¼ cup of boiling water to the pot. Cook on low heat with the lid on for another 5 minutes.
Allow your rice to rest for about 10 minutes after.
It’s soft on the outside but hard on the inside
Almost is never enough, right? And it is when it comes to your white rice.
It’s almost cooked but not quite there yet. For this one, you’ll need to microwave your rice.
Just put your rice in a microwavable bowl, seal it with a microwavable lid, and microwave for 2 minutes. Or for as long as the rice releases steam.
Rice Cooker?
If there’s still water in the pot, you can continue cooking for 3-5 minutes increments.
But if your rice cooker is failing you now, maybe it’s time to invest in a new one. After all, this is the easiest way to cook rice.
While foolproof, it may be a sign that your rice cooker is defective if it’s causing undercooked rice.
Tips for Reheating Rice Without Drying It Out
Before reheating your rice, add a sprinkle of 1-2 tbsp of water per cup of rice used.
Stovetop
A non-stick pan is an ally. Still, it’s advisable to add a small amount of oil or butter.
Heat the rice over medium heat while stirring frequently.
Microwave
Put your rice in a microwave-safe container. Cover it with a damp paper towel.
Heat for 30-second intervals while stirring in between. Allow it to rest for about a minute before serving.
Oven
Have large quantities of cooked rice to reheat? Opt for the oven method.
Just preheat the oven to 300°F. Spread the rice evenly in a baking dish. Cover with a foil and heat for 15-20 minutes.
Rice Cooker
Typically, rice cookers already have a built-in reheating function. So, there you go.
FAQs
Can I eat undercooked rice?
It can be problematic to eat undercooked rice. Digestion-wise, it would be harder to digest. Raw or undercooked rice may also contain bacteria that can cause food poisoning.
Why is my brown rice always undercooked?
It takes longer to cook brown rice than its white counterpart. This may be the reason why yours always ends up undercooked. Cook it for 40-50 minutes on the stovetop.
Why is my rice hard the next day?
Leaving rice overnight in the fridge will harden it. This is caused by the hardening of the starch content in the rice because of the change in temperature.
Just add some water, then reheat it.
Can I stir-fry my undercooked rice?
Yes. Doing so can actually give you softer and chewier rice. Add some seasoning and other ingredients, as well, and it’ll be a tasty dish.
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