This rice cooker jasmine rice recipe walks you through a simple cooking process using the right rice ratio for fluffy, aromatic rice every time. Made with a cup of jasmine rice, cups of water, and a few pantry basics, it is an easy side dish that pairs beautifully with saucy Caribbean and global rice dishes.
Table of Contents
Jump to:
- Fluffy Rice for Everyday Meals
- Why You'll Like This Recipe
- Note from Chef Maika
- Ingredients with Steps
- Stovetop Jasmine Rice (Alternative Cooking Method)
- Culinary Glossary
- Equipment List
- Kitchen Must-Haves Reviews
- Storage and Reheating
- Substitutions
- 5 Quick Cooking Tips
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Rice Recipes
- Cooking Tips and Tutorials
- 📖 Recipe
- Have a Comment or Question?
Fluffy Rice for Everyday Meals
Cooking jasmine rice does not need to be complicated, but small details like the water-to-rice ratio, rinsing to remove excess starch, and allowing the rice to rest all play a role in achieving perfect rice.
This guide focuses on cooking jasmine rice in a rice cooker, which offers consistency and ease, especially for long-grain rice like Thai jasmine rice. With simple steps, the right amount of water, and a gentle fluff at the end, this method delivers a fluffy texture that works well for everyday meals, rice dishes, and flavorful sauces without becoming sticky or waterlogged.
Why You'll Like This Recipe
- Simple Recipe: Uses a simple rice ratio with less water for slightly drier rice that still has a fluffy texture.
- The rice cooker method makes the cooking process hands-off and reliable.
- Easy to scale using cups of rice and matching cups of water.
- Perfect Rice: Produces aromatic jasmine rice with long grains that separate easily
- Easy Side Dish: Works well as a side dish for saucy meals, stir-fries, and rice dishes.
- Stores well in an airtight container for leftovers and meal prep
Note from Chef Maika
This is my go-to rice recipe and one I make constantly because, in Haitian culture, rice is served with almost every meal. I have always loved using jasmine rice because its aromatic fragrance and fluffy texture pair so well with Caribbean Haitian dishes, which are deeply influenced by African, French, and Latin flavors and are often served with rich, saucy preparations.
My Go-To Recipe: Spooned into a stew or served alongside my favorite dishes, this simple way of cooking rice never lets me down.
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- Easy Spiced Brown Rice & Quinoa Recipe - Flavorful & Healthy
- How to Cook: Quick and Easy Rice Recipes
- Your Kitchen Assistants: Appliances That Do the Work for You
- How to Make Multigrain Rice | Purple Rice Recipe
- Spicy Tuna Rice Bowl
- Vegetarian Chickpeas and Mushrooms Curry: Easy Comfort Food
Ingredients with Steps
Rinse the jasmine rice under cold running water until the water runs mostly clear, then drain well. Transfer the rice to the rice cooker insert, add the water, onion slice, and a pinch of kosher salt, and gently stir once to distribute the seasoning.
Close the lid and cook using the white rice or standard cook setting, allowing the rice to cook undisturbed. When the cycle finishes, let the rice rest with the lid closed for a few minutes, then remove the onion slice, fluff the rice with a fork, and serve.
Stovetop Jasmine Rice (Alternative Cooking Method)
If you do not have a rice cooker, jasmine rice can also be cooked on the stovetop using a simple pot method. Rinse the jasmine rice under cold running water until mostly clear, then drain well. Add the rice, water, onion slice, and a pinch of kosher salt to a medium saucepan and stir once to combine.
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and simmer until the water is absorbed and the rice is tender. Remove the pot from the heat and let the rice rest, covered, for a few minutes before removing the onion slice, fluffing with a fork, and serving.
Stovetop Tips
This method produces results slightly different from those of a rice cooker but still yields flavorful, fluffy jasmine rice suitable for everyday meals.
- Keep the lid closed during simmering to trap steam.
- Avoid stirring once the rice begins cooking.
- Letting the rice rest improves texture and prevents excess moisture.
Culinary Glossary
This section concisely defines key ingredients and techniques related to this post to enhance understanding and improve cooking skills.
Ingredients
- Jasmine Rice: A long-grain, aromatic rice commonly used in Southeast Asian cuisine, known for its light floral aroma and fluffy texture when cooked properly.
- Long-Grain Rice: Rice with long, slender grains that stay separate after cooking, unlike short-grain rice, which becomes sticky.
- Kosher Salt: A coarse-grain salt commonly used in cooking that dissolves evenly and allows for better seasoning control.
- Aromatic Rice: A category of rice varieties, including jasmine and basmati, that naturally release a fragrant aroma during cooking.
Techniques
- Rinsing Rice: The technique of washing rice under cold running water to remove excess surface starch, helping prevent a gummy or sticky texture.
- Excess Starch: A loose starch coating on rice grains that can cause clumping if not rinsed away before cooking.
- Rice-to-Water Ratio: The amount of water used in relation to the amount of rice, which directly affects texture and doneness.
- Resting Rice: Allowing cooked rice to sit with the lid closed for a few minutes so the steam finishes the cooking process and the moisture redistributes evenly.
- Fluffing Rice: Gently separating cooked rice grains with a fork or rice paddle to release steam and maintain a fluffy texture.
Equipment List
Here's what you'll need to make this recipe with ease:
- Rice Cooker: Used for consistent, hands-off cooking and even heat distribution.
- Measuring Cups: Ensures the correct rice-to-water ratio for fluffy jasmine rice.
- Fine-Mesh Strainer: Helps rinse the rice thoroughly and remove excess surface starch.
- Rice Paddle or Fork: Used to gently fluff the rice without breaking the grains.
- Small Bowl: Helpful for holding the rinsed rice briefly or removing the onion slice after cooking.
Kitchen Must-Haves Reviews
Find a collection of my reviews of kitchen equipment that I have purchased or recommend. Kitchen Must-Haves - Find other tools I use here.
My Review: I absolutely love my Zojirushi NS-LGC05XB Micom Rice Cooker & Warmer. It’s hands down one of my favorite kitchen appliances. What really sold me is how precise it is; every batch of rice or quinoa comes out perfectly fluffy and evenly cooked, no guesswork needed. I also appreciate the variety of settings it offers, whether I’m making brown rice, multigrain rice, white rice, sushi rice, or even quick-cooking something simple, it handles it effortlessly. And let’s not forget the charming little songs it plays when it starts and finishes such a fun, quirky touch that always makes me smile while cooking.
My Review: I bought three Asvel Rice Container Bins to organize my pantry, and they’ve been perfect! Their sleek, compact design fits neatly side by side in my tight pantry, while each container includes a measuring cup, a pour spout for easy dispensing, and a handle for convenience. I used my chalkboard label stickers (check out my post on storage organization) to identify what was on the side, and that's it! They hold a good amount of rice, about 4 pounds, and I’ve had no issues with spills or durability. For such a low price, these containers are a fantastic buy for anyone looking to organize their dry goods efficiently.
My Review: The Japanese-Style Rice Washer Strainer is a versatile kitchen tool that's perfect for rinsing rice, grains, vegetables, and more. I primarily use it for rinsing rice before cooking, and it works beautifully for other grains as well. I love that it doubles as both a bowl and a strainer. You can fill it with water and easily drain it from the side, making the process quick and efficient. It's a must-have for anyone who values functionality and convenience in the kitchen! Update: I've recently used it to rinse lentils to make my lentil soup, such a great tool. I've read some reviews that gave it a low score because you can't use it to wash quinoa. I agree. But this is the ideal size for washing rice and other larger ingredients. Also, check out my rice category. Also, I saw a collapsible version, but I have never tested this one. But you can check it out for yourselves.
Storage and Reheating
Learn how to properly store leftovers and reheat them to keep them fresh and flavorful. Learn more about Understanding Food Temperature Safety Zones: Cook, Store & Serve Safely.
Storage Instructions
- Allow the cooked jasmine rice to cool slightly before storing.
- Transfer the rice to an airtight container and refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- For the best texture, store the rice plain, without sauces.
Reheating Instructions
- Sprinkle a small amount of water over the rice to add moisture.
- Cover loosely with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel.
- Reheat in the microwave in short intervals, fluffing between rounds until heated through.
- For stovetop reheating, warm gently over low heat with a splash of water and cover until steaming.
Food Safety Tip: Reheat rice until hot all the way through and avoid reheating more than once to maintain quality and safety.
Substitutions
Find easy ingredient swaps to fit dietary needs or what you already have in your pantry.
Dairy-Free
- Yay! This recipe is already dairy-free.
Gluten-Free
- Bonus! This recipe is also gluten-free.
Vegetarian
- Triple threat! This recipe is also vegetarian.
Convenience
- Jasmine Rice: Swap with basmati rice. It can be used instead of jasmine rice, but use slightly less water and expect a drier, more separate grain. Or try Long-Grain White Rice, a workable substitute, though it lacks jasmine rice's aromatic quality.
- Water: Replace water with low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth to add flavor, but this may slightly alter the rice's aroma and color.
What to Avoid:
- Short-grain rice or sticky rice (texture mismatch).
- Brown rice (different cooking time and ratio).
- Instant rice (completely different cooking process).
5 Quick Cooking Tips
Cook's Notebook is your Cooking Tips Resource Guide. Become a better home cook with tips to help you cook more efficiently.
- Prevent Sticky Rice: Rinse the rice under cold water until mostly clear to remove excess surface starch and prevent a sticky texture.
- For Fluffy Rice: Use equal cups of rice and water in a rice cooker for jasmine rice to achieve a fluffy, slightly drier result.
- Let it Cook: Avoid opening the rice cooker lid during cooking, as trapped steam is part of the cooking process.
- Important Step: Let the rice rest with the lid closed after cooking so the grains finish steaming evenly.
- Fluffing the Rice: Gently fluff the rice with a fork or a rice paddle to separate the grains without breaking them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of common questions I have answered. If you have any questions, please write them in the comments below.
Yes. Rinsing removes excess starch from the grains' surfaces, helping prevent clumping and improving texture.
Sticky rice is often caused by using too much water or skipping the rinsing step.
This recipe does not require oil or butter, but a small amount can be added after cooking if desired.
Let the rice rest with the lid closed, then fluff gently to release steam and separate the grains.
Yes. Store cooled rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat with a small splash of water to restore moisture.
More Rice Recipes
Looking for another rice recipe idea? Try these:
- Haitian Djon Djon Rice Recipe (Diri Djon Djon)
- Beituti Chicken Shawarma Rice Bowl | Quick and Easy
- How to Make Multigrain Rice | Purple Rice Recipe
- Grilled Shrimp Garlic Jalapeno Butter and Cilantro Lime Rice
Cooking Tips and Tutorials
If you found this tutorial helpful, you'll love my Cook's Notebook collection. From knife skills and flavor bases to time-saving tricks and essential equipment guides, this section is packed with chef-tested lessons to help you cook with confidence.
- Winter Seasonal Produce Guide: What's In Season
- What Is HACCP and Why Every Home Cook Should Care About It
- Holiday Kitchen Safety Tips: How to Cook, Serve, and Store
- What is Salmonella? For Home Cooks | Causes and Tips
📖 Recipe
Rice Cooker Jasmine Rice (Fluffy & Simple)
Ingredients
- 2 cups jasmine rice
- 2 cups water or suggested line on rice cooker
- 1 slice onion
- Kosher salt to taste, about ¼ to ½ teaspoon
Equipment
- Rice Washer or Fine-mesh strainer
Instructions
- Save Time in the Kitchen: Read the instructions thoroughly, then gather and prep all your ingredients before cooking! Learn Prepping Tips.
- Prep the Rice: Rinse the jasmine rice under cold running water until the water runs mostly clear. Drain well.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the rinsed rice to the rice cooker insert. Pour in the water, then add the onion slice and a pinch of kosher salt. Stir gently once to distribute the salt.
- Cook the Rice: Close the lid and cook using the white rice or standard cook setting.
- When Done: Once the cycle finishes, let the rice rest for 5 minutes with the lid closed. Remove the onion slice, fluff the rice with a fork, and serve.
Notes
- Serving Note:
- One serving is about 1 cup of cooked rice.
- Recipe yields roughly 4 cups of cooked jasmine rice.
- Keep in Mind:
- Rice cooker models vary slightly in cooking time.
- Letting the rice rest helps release excess steam and improves texture.
- The onion adds a subtle aroma without overpowering the rice.
Nutrition
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Chef Maika Frederic
Chef and Educator
Haitian-American chef and educator Maika Frederic blends bold flavors with approachable recipes. With a background in both professional kitchens, classrooms, and children therapy as a trained chef, former teacher and technician she brings a thoughtful, inclusive touch to every dish. Through her platform, Just Maika Cooking, she shares diverse meals and practical tips to empower home cooks of all ages and levels.
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