6 Secrets To Making Perfect Rice Every Time

Don't forget to salt the cooking water. If you don't add salt, your rice won't have much flavor, regardless of what you serve it with.

(Credit: Flickr/Dubravko Sorić)

Rinse the uncooked rice under cold, running water until the water runs clear. This washes away extra starch that can make the rice sticky when it cooks.

(Credit: Flickr/Bob Peters)

Use the right amount of water. The amount of water you need depends on the type of rice you're cooking. A good rule of thumb is to cook white rice using a 1:2 rice to water ratio (for example, cook 1 cup of white rice in 2 cups of water) and brown rice using about a 1:2.5 ratio or rice to water (for example, cook 1 cup of brown rice in 2.5 cups of water).

(Credit: Flickr/Sean Freese)

Cook the rice at a low temperature. Sure, initially you have to bring the water to a boil, but after that you should cook your rice covered at a low simmer.

(Credit: Flickr/Tom Anderson)

Resist the temptation to stir the rice while it cooks. If you open the lid and stir the rice while it is cooking the rice will get sticky.

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Let it steam before you serve it. Once the rice is done cooking, let it sit, covered, for 10 minutes to steam. Then, when you're ready to serve it, fluff it with a fork.

(Credit: Flickr/IRRI Photos)

Kristie Collado is The Daily Meal's Cook Editor. Follow her on Twitter @KColladoCook.