Cooking for One Grocery List
Buy groceries you can actually use up and turn into meals for one. Grab the free cooking for one grocery list!
Whoohoo! Your grocery list is on the way to your inbox.
Print

How to Make the Perfect Single Serving of Rice

A single serving of cooked white rice garnished with a sprig of parsley on a kitchen counter.

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Learn how to cook a single serving of rice on the stove with this easy and quick recipe. Perfect for solo dinners or as a base for meal prep lunches.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup of Dry Rice
  • 1 cup of Water
  • Seasoning of choice

Instructions

  1. Boil Water: In a small saucepan, bring 1 cup of water to a boil. Add a pinch of salt to the water if desired for a bit of seasoning.
  2. Rinse Rice: Add your dry rice to a bowl and rinse until the water runs almost clear.      
  3. Add Rice: Once the water is boiling, gently stir in the rinsed rice. Allow the water to return to a light simmer.
  4. Cover and Simmer: Reduce the heat to low and cover the saucepan with a tight-fitting lid. Let the rice simmer for 18 minutes, resisting the urge to peek. Keeping the lid on ensures the steam cooks the rice evenly.
  5. Rest Off Heat: After 18 minutes, remove the saucepan from the heat, still covered, and let it sit for an additional 5 minutes. This allows the rice to steam further and become perfectly fluffy.
  6. Fluff and Serve: Uncover the rice, fluff it gently with a fork to separate the grains, and serve hot. Enjoy your perfectly cooked stove top rice!

Notes

  • Type of Rice: We are using a white rice in this recipe. Great options are Jasmine, Basmati or Long-Grain Rice.
  • Rinsing Rice: Rinsing removes excess starch and prevents the rice from clumping.
  • Water-to-Rice Ratio: This 2:1 water-to-rice ratio is key for white rice. Adjust if using a different type of rice, as brown rice requires more water.
  • Avoid Stirring: Stirring rice while it cooks can release starch and make it sticky. For fluffy rice, let it be.