Is your rice becoming too soggy or sticky, and thus you are not able to enjoy your meal? Well, it is happening as you don't know the perfect water ratio per cup of rice yet.
Once you know the answer to how many cups of rice to water, your rice will never become mushy or sticky again. A dream come true for the rice lovers!
After all, a perfect bowl of rice enhances the taste of any dish in the most delicious way possible.
In this article, we will discuss about the exact measurements to cook your rice perfectly the way you want to, along with other related topics.
Stay tuned with us to finally become a pro in cooking varied kinds of rice!
How Many Cups of Rice to Water?
Cooking rice is an art. You just need to know the exact measurement and the time it will take to cook it. Once you master these two things, it will no longer be an issue.
Instead, with time, you will find yourself becoming an expert that no matter what, your rice will always be cooked perfectly. In fact, the main reason for mushy, sticky, or soggy rice happens mostly because people don't know the exact water ratio per cup of rice.
Well, the formula is pretty simple. However, based on your cooking method, the rice to water ratio may vary.
Let's give you an estimation of how much water you will need for cooking the rice perfectly using varied methods. So, you can develop a clear idea and change it depending on your quantity.
For cooking on a stove or oven, you will require 1.5 cups of water. On the other hand, in the case of the microwave, the water has to be raised to 2 cups. And in case you wash the rice, decrease the water by 2 tablespoons for each cup of rice.
How Much Water for 2 Cups of Rice?
For cooking 2 cups of white long-grain rice, you will need about 4 cups of water along with 1 tablespoon of salt and 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil/butter. That's all for the components since you will need to cook 2 cups of rice.
Now comes the question, do you know how to cook 2 cups of rice perfectly? Well, there is an extremely easy recipe following, which will help you to cook the rice the way you want to.
It's pretty simple. Just follow as instructed to enjoy some perfectly cooked rice.
Without further ado, let's know about the step-by-step instructions to cook 2 cups of rice:
- Your first task definitely is adding water to a saucepan. And then turn on the stove to medium-high heat flame for boiling the water.
- Once the water is boiled, reduce the flame and then add salt and vegetable oil or butter. If used butter, let it melt completely before adding the rice.
- Once melted, next up, add the rice and stir by keeping the heat to a medium-low flame. After that, cover the pot with the cover and allow it to simmer for around 16 to 18 minutes. Large grains of rice can take about 25 to 30 minutes to cook properly
- If the water stops boiling in the middle of the rice grains, then understand it is cooked.
- Turn off the stove once the rice is cooked. There is a trick you can follow to understand whether the rice is cooked or not.
- The trick is to check the middle of the rice grains; if water is boiling, then it will take some more time to cook, while if there is no water, then it will ultimately mean that it is cooked.
- Next up, let the rice rest in the pan for around 10 to 15 minutes before serving. Make sure to do it as during the meantime; all the water will get absorbed.
- Lastly, fluff the rice with a fork and allow it to sit for another 2 to 4 minutes. That's all! Your rice is all ready to get served.
Note:
If you want to serve more people, then just double the ingredients. Such as, for 8 people, you will require 4 cups of white rice and 8 cups of water. The process is simple just for the change in the quantity, which varies depending on your rice amount.
Still have confusion regarding the ratio of water to use in the rice? Check out the below table for the most common kinds of rice and their water ration to help yourself:
Kind of Rice | Cups of Rice | Cups of Water | Simmer Time (Approximately) |
White Long-grain Rice | 1 | 2 | 16 to 20 minutes |
White Long-grain Rice | ½ | 1 | 16 to 20 minutes |
White Medium-grain Rice | 1 | 1 ½ | 15 minutes |
White Short-grain Rice | 1 | 1 ¼ | 15 minutes |
Brown Rice | 1 | 2 | 40 to 50 minutes |
Sushi Rice | 1 | 1 1/3 | 18 to 20 minutes |
Basmati Rice | 1 | 1 ½ | 15 to 20 minutes |
Jasmine Rice | 1 | 1 ¾ | 15 to 20 minutes |
Wild Rice | 1 | 2 | 45 to 50 minutes |
How Many Cups of Rice for 2 People?
It is a common question that many people tend to have a problem with. After all, without the correct ratio, your rice will not get cooked perfectly, resulting in a total disaster in your meal.
Generally, one cup of rice is enough for cooking for 2 to 3 adults or 2 adults alongside 2 small children. An adult is estimated to eat around 1/3 cup of uncooked rice per meal, while the ratio is ¼ cup for a child.
However, to solve all kinds of confusion, we will teach you a trick that will make sure that your rice is cooked perfectly always without any kind of mushiness or stickiness.
The trick is indeed a life savior and is really simple. You just need to know it.
Such as, for cooking one cup of rice, you will require exactly 2 cups of water to make 3 cups of cooked rice. The formula is 1-2-3.
Didn't get the point? Let's see an example:
To cook 3 cups of rice, you will need 6 cups of water which in turn will cook 9 cups of rice. In short, 3 cups of rice – 6 cups of water – 9 cups of cooked rice.
To Conclude
Now that you know how many cups of rice to water, congrats as you have become a rice master now! You will be able to cook any kind of rice perfectly at any time you want to without needing any special types of equipment.
A new world of deliciousness waits for you. After all, if your rice is cooked properly, then ultimately, the other items will taste ravishing.
Similarly, if your rice is not cooked perfectly, then no matter how yummy your dish is, it will not taste good. So, you can see the taste of your food gets increased manifold if you have the perfect bowl of rice in hand.
Frequently Asked Question
Still, have confusion regarding the water ratio per cup of rice? If so, check out the below most asked queries to clarify all your doubts right away:
Why is my rice mushy and soggy?
If you use too much water than required, then without any doubt, the rice will become mushy and soggy. In fact, even if it is just 1/4th cup more than needed, it will get mushy.
Well, the reason this happens is mainly because the absorption power of rice is extremely good. On the contrary, for using less water, then also the rice will not get cooked properly.
How much water to cook 2 cups of rice on the stove?
Usually, for cooking 2 cups of rice perfectly, 4 cups of water are needed. However, if you are still in doubt, then there is a small hack you can follow for cooking it on the stove. The thumb rule is while cooking rice on the stove, always use 1.5 cups of water per cup of rice.
In other words, for 2 cups of rice, you must use 3 cups of water. For each increase, the water quantity will also be increased based on the cup of rice.
How long does rice last in the refrigerator?
If you keep it in an airtight container, it will last for about 4 to 6 days, depending on your rice type. However, the better is to eat it as soon as possible.
Can you reheat the rice?
Of course, you can. In fact, the best way to reheat the rice in the microwave is by placing the rice in a bowl, drizzle with 2 teaspoons of water per cup of cold rice, and then covering it with a cling wrap. Once the water will make a steamy environment, understand the reheat is successful. Be ready to devour some fresh and moist rice again!
Why my rice gets sticky and not dry?
Cooking rice is a challenging job, especially if you don't know the water ratio per cup of rice to use and the time needed to cook it. As if you cook your rice longer than it requires, along with too much water, then ultimately, it will start to break down into tiny pieces, making it sticky. So, the moral of the story is the water quantity must be accurate. Not less nor more!