How Long Does it Take to Cook Rice: Perfect White Rice Recipe

There are many different methods of cooking rice and each method has its own advantages and disadvantages depending on what you want out of your meal. For those who love rice, it’s important to know how long rice takes to cook on the stovetop, in a rice cooker, by the absorption method, in a pressure cooker, in a slow cooker, and in a microwave.

So how long does rice take to cook? 1 cup of white rice will take approximately 15 minutes on a stovetop, 26 minutes in a rice cooker, 4 minutes in a pressure cooker, 2 hours in a slow cooker, 9 minutes in a microwave, and 20 minutes using the absorption method.

The rice to water ratio is one of the most important factors in cooking this staple food. If you aren’t careful about the amount of water, your rice could turn out too wet or too dry. Here is where you will find guidelines for the successful preparation of the different types of rice.

In this article, we are going to use the same recipe to make fluffy softer rice. You are also going to learn about the three different methods used to cook rice. Lastly, I will show you how to use six pots and appliances used to cook rice.

Water to Rice Ratio

The rice to water ratio for white rice is 1 cup of rice to 2 cups of water. The rice to water ratio for brown rice is 1 cup of rice to 6 cups of water. Both types of rice will give you 3 cups of rice. Double or triple the batch as needed, just make sure that your pot can accommodate its expansion during cooking time!

Use the table below to calculate your required rice to water ratio.

Rice (prepared using stovetop method)	Water Volume
Basmati Rice	1:1.5
Black Japonica Rice	1:2
Brown Medium/Short Grain Rice	1:2
Brown Long Grain Rice	1:1.75
Converted (Parboiled) Rice	1:2.25
Jasmine Rice	1:1.75
Sushi (Calrose) Rice	1:1.33
Texmati Rice	1:1.75
Wild Rice	1:2
White Long Grain Rice	1:2
White Medium Grain Rice	1:1.5
White Short Grain Rice	1:1.25

PRO TIP: For best results, the basic recipe is a cup of long-grain white rice with two parts water. It is a good idea to use a measuring cup so you don’t have excess water. For the cooking process heat, the water up using medium-high heat combine rice once simmering, and reduce it to low heat.

Rice Cooking Methods

There are 3 different ways to cook rice, each of which requires a specific amount of rice and water. Boiling takes 12 times as much water as uncooked rice; the absorption method uses 5 times more and steams 2-1/2 times more. The rice to water ratio can also be altered to cook risotto and pilaf dishes, consult a recipe.

1. How Long Does Rice Take on a Stovetop

Cooking rice in boiling water on a stovetop is an easy and inexpensive way to make a healthy meal. The key to cooking perfect rice every time is the ratio of water to rice, which can be adjusted according to your preferences. Follow these easy instructions for how to cook rice on a stovetop.

In a medium saucepan use the correct rice to water ratio, 1 cup rice to 2 cups water. Rinse rice with a fine mesh strainer removing excess starch and debris, Bring water to the boil in a large enough pot for rice to expand by 3 times its size. 1 cup of white rice takes 15 minutes uncovered and simmering. When time is up turn off the heat and cover the pot for 5-6 minutes, uncover and fluff the rice up. Serve.

Dry Rice (1 cup = 240ml)	Water or Stock	Cooking Time	Yield
Basmati	1 3/4 cups	15 mins	3 cups
Brown	2 – 2 1/2 cups	45-50 mins	3 – 4 cups
Parboiled	2 – 2 1/2 cups	20 – 25 mins	3 – 4 cups
Jasmine	2 cups	15 mins	3 cups
Arborio (sticky)	2 cups	15 mins	3 cups
White (medium/short)	1 1/2 cups	15 mins	3 cups
White (long)	1 3/4 – 2 cups	15 mins	3 cups
Red rice, black rice, and others (follow manufacturers cooking instructions)

2. How Long Does Rice Take Using the Absorption Method

Some people believe that cooking rice by the absorption method can make their meals better. Not all rice types like the absorption method but Basmati, brown, and white grains of rice turn out well if the method is carried out correctly. Let’s look at how this process works.

To cook rice by the absorption method bring 2 cups of water, including a pinch of salt, to a boil then add a cup of rice and stir. Return to a boil and cook for 4-5 minutes. Stir again, and reduce heat to low. Cover and leave for 8 minutes, do not lift the lid. Fluff rice and serve.

Check out how I cook rice using the absorption method using my favorite cooking pot a Dutch oven (also known as a French oven or Cocotte).

Dry Rice (1 cup = 240ml)	Water or Stock	Cooking Time	Yield
Basmati	1 1/2 cups	15 mins	3 cups
Brown	2 cups	22 – 25 mins	3 cups
White	1 1/2 cups	15 mins	3 cups

3. How Long Does Rice Take in a Pressure Cooker

Did you know that there is a quick and easy way to cook rice in a pressure cooker or an Instant Pot? It’s true! All it takes is about 10 minutes or less to make perfect fluffy rice. Follow these easy instructions for how to cook rice in a pressure cooker.

Add 1 cup of white rice and 2 cups of cold water. Cook on high pressure for 3 minutes and finish with a 10-minute Natural Release. Perfect rice every time: 1. Use the cup measure supplied with your appliance. 2. Stick to the water to rice ratio, or the rice could be undercooked or soggy rice, hard, chewy, burnt, watery, mushy, or sticky rice.

Dry Rice (1 cup = 240ml)	Water or Stock	Cooking Time	Yield
Basmati	1 1/2 cups	High pressure 4 mins Natural release 10 mins, quick	3 cups
Brown	1 1/4 cups	High pressure 22 mins Natural release 10 mins, quick	2 1/2 cups
Jasmine	1 cup	High pressure 4 mins Natural release 10 mins, quick	2 cups
Aboriao (sticky)	2 cups	High pressure 5 mins Manual pressure valve release, 10-second bursts until no more steam	2 cups
White (short/medium)	1 1/2 cups	High pressure 8 mins Natural release 10 mins, quick	3 cups
White (long)	1 3/4 – 2 cups	High pressure 3 mins Natural release 10 mins, quick	3 cups
Wild Rice	3 cups	High pressure 25 mins Full natural release 10 mins	2 cups

4. How Long Does Rice Take to Cook in a Rice Cooker

Rice takes between 25 and 35 minutes to be cooked in a rice cooker. The type of rice cooker doesn’t matter the rice cooker, through sensors, knows when the rice is cooked and turns off or switches to the keep warm setting. 1 cup of white rice cooks for 26 minutes and 3 cups cooks for around 35 minutes.

A rice cooker can cook both white and brown rice compared to the other methods you use slightly less water. The rice to water ratio in a rice cooker is 1 cup of uncooked long-grain rice to 2 cups of water. The cooking time for brown rice is still longer than for white. “Cooking rice in a rice cooker is an easy process that can be done by anyone, it will also save you time and money.” Follow these simple steps the make the perfect fluffy rice every time.

Rinse starch and debris off rice by rinsing 1 cup of rice under tap water until the water runs clear. Add 2 cups of water to the rice cooker then add cleaned rice. Set the appliance to cook setting, do not lift the lid, or cook times will increase when finished let it sit for 5 minutes before paddling the rice to fluff it up.

Dry Rice 2 cups (1 cup = 240ml)	Water or Stock	Cooking Time	Yield
Basmati	2 1/2 cups	30 – 35 mins	4 cups
Brown Rice	3 cups	65 – 70 mins	4 cups
Jasmine Rice	2 cups	25 mins	4 cups
White Rice (medium/short)	2 cups	30 – 35 mins	4 cups
White Rice (long)	2 1/2 cups	30 – 35 mins	4 cups
Red rice, black rice, and others (follow manufacturers cooking instructions)

Learn how to cook rice in a rice cooker! I will show you how I cook rice in my Black & Decker rice cooker it turns out light and fluffy every time…

5. How Long Does Rice Take in a Slow Cooker

Slow cookers are an excellent way to make sure rice is cooked evenly without overcooking and burning. It might be an easier option for you to also save time and energy especially if you are preparing a meal in another of the cooking pots that you would normally use to cook your rice. If you’re looking for a new way to cook rice, give this technique a try! 

To prepare slow cooker rice rinse 1 cup of rice under tap water until the water runs clear. Cleaning the rice of starch/debris helps prevent the rice from becoming sticky and gluggy. Place rice in the slow cooker and pour 1 1/2 cups of water over it. Cover and cook on low for 2 -2 1/2 hours until water is absorbed.

Halfway through the cooking time, you might want to fluff with a rice paddle or plastic spoon but do so quickly as steam will escape and cooking time will increase.

Dry Rice cup (1 cup = 240ml)	Water or Stock	Cooking Time	Yield
Basmati Rice	1 1/2 cups	2 – 2 1/2 hours (low)	2 cups
Brown Rice	2 cups	2 1/2 – 3 hours (low)	2 cups
Jasmine Rice	1 1/2 cups	2 – 2 1/2 hours (low)	2 cups
White Rice (medium/short)	1 1/2 cups	2 – 2 1/2 hours (low)	2 cups
White Rice (long)	1 1/2 cups	2 – 2 1/2 hours (low)	2 cups
Wild Rice	2 cups	2 1/2 – 3 hours (low)	2 cups

Related read How Rice Cookers Work

6. How Long Does Rice Take in a Microwave

If you’re looking for an easy way to cook rice, look no further than your microwave. The process is quick and straightforward and doesn’t require any special tools or equipment. So how do you cook rice in a microwave oven?

To remove starch rinse 1 cup of rice in a sieve until the rinsing water runs clear. In a microwave-safe dish, large enough for rice expansion, add rice and 1 1/2 cups of water. Cook on high for 11 minutes, fluff rice and replace the lid sit for 3 minutes. Fluff rice again and serve. Instructions are based on a 1200-watt microwave.

Dry Rice (1 cup = 240ml)	Water or Stock	Cooking Time	Yield
Basmati	1 1/2 cups	9 – 11 mins (High)	2 cups
Brown (glutinous whole rice grains)	1 1/2 cups	12 mins (High)	2 cups
Brown (Long grain rice)	3 cups	30 mins (70% power)	2 cups
Jasmine (Short grain rice)	1 1/2 cups	9 – 11 mins (High)	2 cups
Arborio (sticky rice, Sushi rice)	1 1/2 cups	9 – 11 mins (High)	2 cups
White	1 1/2 cups	9 – 11 mins (High)	2 cups
Wild rice, red rice, black rice, and others (follow manufacturers cooking instructions)

Resources: How to Cook Rice in a Microwave Rice Cooker

Should You Rinse Rice Before Cooking?

Rinsing rice before cooking washes away excess starches and other debris from the surface of the rice. This stops the rice from boiling in starch, in turn, your rice will become light and fluffy not sticking and clumpy. It also improves the taste and texture of your meal. Using a strainer run water over the rice until water runs clear.

Rinsing rice before cooking of course is optional, for example, long to medium grain dishes benefit where we want the rice grains separate and fluffy. On the other hand, short-grained rice that is meant to be sticky and mushy will still be sticky and mushy when cooked.

Should you rinse rice after cooking? The choice is totally personal I am not jumping into that debate. Suffice it to say if you are going to rinse rice “AT ALL” makes sense to do it before cooking to remove starch, debris, poisons, and toxins…

Fluffing Your Rice: Don’t miss this step

Why should you fluff rice? What you are trying to achieve is grain separation and ensuring the rice does not clump, or become gooey, sticky, or mushy rice. This can happen if you leave the rice inside the warm pot it was cooked in fluffing.

How to fluff your rice! When the cooking time is finished take a rice paddle and gently start turning and separating the rice from the top, slowly moving down into the pot until you have turned all the rice. Replace the lid and let the resting time begin. Turn rice again before serving.

Tip: Don’t use a fork to fluff the rice, you will break long-grained rice as well as risk scratching the inside of your cooking pot. Use a rice paddle, or a plastic spoon, gently does it and your rice will remain perfectly formed.

How to Reheat Leftover Rice

Reheat cooked rice in a saucepan or skillet. Heat pan over low to medium heat add 1 tablespoon of extra water per cup of rice. Watching that rice doesn’t stick or burn on the bottom of the pan. It should take around 5 minutes to reheat.

Reheat rice in a microwave oven. Use a microwave-safe dish and 1 tablespoon of water per cup of cooked rice. Cover the dish with up to 3 cups of rice and cook on high for minutes.

Related read How to Reheat Leftover Rice in a Rice Cooker

Are you having problems getting your rice cooked the correct way? Check out my article that deep dives into How to Fix Undercooked Rice in a rice cooker. As well as a microwave, stovetop, oven, and casserole.

Related read How long does rice take to cook in a rice cooker?

Understanding Rice

Rice is a staple of many cultures and has been around for millennia. It’s also an integral part of many recipes, including fried rice, risotto, paella, pilafs, stir-fries, curries, and casseroles. One thing that all these dishes have in common is the need for cooked rice – but not just any kind will do as there are many different varieties of rice.

White rice is made from polished raw grains of rice that have been husked and then cooked while brown rice retains its and has not been polished.

There are many different types of rice, but for the most part, they all fall into two categories: long grain rice and short grain rice. Long-grain varieties have a higher amount of amylopectin starch in them which means that they will take longer to cook than their shorter counterparts. When cooked these grains become fluffy and separate easily when stirred with a fork or spoon.

Short-grain varieties on the other hand contain more amylose starch which makes them stickier when cooked and produces sticky clumps rather than soft, individual grains.

Types of Rice

White and brown rice are common, but there is a large variety available in this staple food. You can get short to long-grain white or short to long-grain brown varieties, red, and black huskless versions—the list goes on!

White Rice and Brown Rice

White rice has more amylopectin (which thickens) than brown rice; whereas brown rice contains less water so it takes longer to soften in liquid without becoming mushy with overcooking.

White Rice

Plain white rice includes long-grain rice, medium-grain rice, short-grain rice, japonica types like basmati rice, as well as semi-sweets like Calrose sushi rice.

Brown Rice

Brown rice includes long-grain rice, medium-grain rice, short-grained rice types like wild rice, brown japonica, and black glutinous varieties, as well as non-glutinous white rice such as Jasmine, Arborio, or Wehani.

Rice Comparison Chart

Properties of Rice	White	Brown	Basmati	Jasmine
Length	Short, medium & long	Short, medium & long	Long	Long
Texture	Sticky due to its starchy properties. Light & fluffy when cooked	Chewy texture as the husk is left on the grain. Light & fluffy when cooked and not sticky	Grains separate and do not stick when cooked	Soft grains with floral aromas that soak up accompanying flavors
Flavors	Mild	Nutty	Nutty & Spicy	Nutty & sweet with jasmine flavors
Use rice for	Versatile: steaming, stuffing, stir-fries & Pilaf	Casseroles, stews, stir-fries, Pilaf, and stuffing	Ideal for many uses including curries, saffron rice, Dal	Asian and Thai dishes, as well as curries & stir-fries
Growing Regions	Asia & USA	Asia & USA	India & Pakistan	Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam
Protein	8g per cup	5g per cup	4g per cup	8g per cup
Fat	0g per cup	1g per cup	2g per cup	0g per cup
Cooking Time (using boiling on stovetop method)	15 minutes	45 minutes	15 minutes	18 minutes

Video How to Cook Perfect Rice Every Time

FAQs

How long does white rice take to cook

1 cup of white rice to 2 cups of water takes approximately 17-18 minutes to cook on a stovetop.

How long does 1 cup of rice take to cook in a rice cooker?

1 cup of rice takes 26 minutes to cook in a rice cooker.

How long to cook 4 cups of rice

It takes 17-18 minutes to cook 4 cups of rice. The ratio is 1 cup of dry rice to 2 cups of water to give you 4 cups of cooked rice.

How Long Does Rice Take To Cook: Stovetop, Pressure Cooker, Rice Cooker, Slow Cooker, Microwave Oven, and Absorption Method

Now you understand the properties of rice. You have also learned how to cook the perfect pot of white or brown rice for the next time you want to cook rice using the correct proportions and cooking times for the 6 most common ways rice can be cooked.

You should now understand that rice to water ratios are crucial and should be followed very closely. These cooking methods work best for each type of rice, which is why I’ve broken down the information by type.

Cooking times can vary depending on what you’re making so always consult your recipe’s instructions before serving up a dish that could have been better! With these tips in mind, hopefully, you’ll never make another bad pot of rice again!

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