Cooking rice on the stove is straightforward and requires no special equipment. All you need is a large pot and a spoon or fork. When does rice start boiling? Is there a particular way to cook rice on the stove?
Rice starts boiling soon after it hits the water. Before adding rice to the pot, heat the cooking water until it boils. Then, add the rice and stir. Put the lid back on and bring the pot back to a boil. Turn down the heat until the pot simmers gently, and let the rice cook for 20-50 minutes, depending on the variety.
How Long Does It Take Rice To Boil?
Rice takes between 20 and 50 minutes to boil, depending on the variety:
After boiling your water, turn the heat to medium-low so the rice gently simmers. If you cook rice at a vigorous boil, too much water evaporates, and the rice won’t cook through.
Does Rice Go In Before The Water Boils?
No, don’t add rice to the water before it boils. Wait until the water boils vigorously so the rice starts cooking when it hits the water.
If you add rice before your water boils, the grains stick together. They absorb too much water and can clump together.
How Do You Know When Water Starts Boiling?
If you’re new to cooking, the best place to start is with the basics. Here’s what happens as the water heats and starts to boil:
- First, steam rises from the water.
- Then, the pot’s lid gets cloudy as the steam heats the pot.
- The water makes noise as bubbles prepare to form.
- Bubbles rise to the top of the water, slowly at first. If you stir the water, the bubbles settle.
- Many bubbles form, and you can’t stir them down.
Wait until step five before you add rice or pasta. Though adding your food in step four is tempting, you’ll slow down the process if you add rice before boiling the water. It will take longer for the food to cook.
Is There A General Rule For Boiling Rice?
There’s a general process to follow to cook rice. Follow this step-by-step guide to cook perfect rice on the stove.
Heat A Large Pot Of Water
Fill a large pot halfway with water. Some encourage measuring water according to how many cups of rice you cook. But the more I cook rice on the stove, the more I find it unnecessary to measure.
I fill my largest pot halfway with water and heat it on the stove. Keep the lid on while your pot heats, ensuring all the steam stays in the pot. I like to salt my cooking water rather than my rice. So, as I put my pot on the stove, I add ½ teaspoon of salt to the cooking water.
Add Your Rice and Stir
Rinse your rice first to remove excess starch. Then, add your rice once the water boils. Make sure the water is actively boiling before you add the rice. Once you’ve dumped in your rice, stir so all the grains get covered in the water.
I know my water is boiling vigorously enough if I can take the lid off my pot, and the water keeps boiling. If you add the rice before the water boils, the grains clump together and won’t cook properly.
Bring Your Pot Back To A Boil
Put the lid back on and let the water come back to a boil. Once it’s boiling again, turn the heat down to medium-low.
You want your rice to simmer gently as it cooks. If rice cooks in boiling water, the water will evaporate before the grains cook through.
Stir Down The Foam
Rice bubbles and foams as it cooks. Starch on the rice grains foams as it boils in water. As the bubbles climb up the pot, vent the lid to release the bubbles.
Don’t keep the lid off too long; your rice will cool and stop simmering. Lift the lid just enough so the foam doesn’t escape the pot.
Simmer Until Tender
Keep an eye on your rice, ensuring the pot doesn’t boil over. Keep the rice simmering for 20-50 minutes, depending on the type you’re cooking.
I taste-test a few grains to determine if my rice is done. If it’s still crunchy, I let the pot continue to simmer.
Drain and Rest
Once my rice is done, I pour it through a strainer to drain off excess water. Since I don’t worry about measuring, some water is often left over after cooking my rice.
After I strain the rice, I return it to my pot and put the lid back on. I let the rice rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Final Thoughts
Rice should start boiling soon after you add it to the cooking pot. Boil the water first, and add the rice only when the water is fully boiling. Turn the heat down to medium-low and simmer your rice until it’s tender.
