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How To Cook Minute Rice

Fluffy, white, perfect rice in minutes every single time! That’s what you want, right? Let me show you how to cook minute rice and you’ll never wonder how to achieve perfect rice ever again! 

overhead shot of a small blue bowl of rice on a green napkin

Why This Recipe For How To Cook Minute Rice Works

  • Gives you alternatives to the package directions. 
  • Shows you how to make instant rice even tastier
  • Has you making all kinds of recipes using rice in just minutes. 

Here’s How To Make Minute Rice

STEP 1. 

Measure out your water (or broth) and rice.

STEP 2. 

Heat the liquid.

STEP 3. 

Pour in the rice, stir and cover. Wait 5 minutes! Done! 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

How Long Does It Take To Make Minute Rice? 

From start to finish, it takes about 12 minutes to make minute rice. 

How Do You Cook Minute Rice? 

  1. Boil water 
  2. Pour in the minute rice.
  3. Cover and allow to sit for 5 minutes. 
  4. Fluff with a fork and serve hot. 

What Is The Ratio of Water to Rice for Minute Rice?

Minute rice is a one to one ratio. So, for every one cup of rice, you add one cup of liquid. So easy!

Can I Use Minute Rice in Casseroles and Other Dishes? 

Yes, that is exactly what I have done! Check out my Cheesy Chili Rice, its delicious and made with this rice. 

Is Minute Rice the Same As White Rice? 

Minute rice is a little precooked and then dried. So, yes, essentially it is the same thing, but you cook it less because it is already cooked and all you need to do is to rehydrate it!

Is Minute Rice the Same as Instant Rice? 

Yes, Minute rice is a type of instant rice. 

How Do You Make The Best Instant Rice? 

  1. Adding some flavor while rehydrating the instant rice is the best option for making the best instant rice. You can add flavor by…
  2. Using broth instead of water for rehydrating. 
  3. Adding some spices, herbs, salt and pepper when you add the water. 
  4. A small pat of butter lends a terrific jump in taste as well. 

What Are Good Seasonings to Add To Rice? 

  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Garlic
  • Onion
  • Butter
  • Cayenne
  • Chili Powder
  • Thyme
  • Rosemary
  • Sage

How To Make A Flavored White Rice

To flavor your rice, I like to add some flavor to the water that I cook it in. This works especially well for onion and garlic. 

Can I Use Regular Rice Instead of Minute Rice? 

Yes, of course, you can use regular ol rice. However, it requires and different ratio of liquid, a longer cook time and is a little more difficult to master. 

Should I Rinse Minute Rice?

No need to rinse minute rice. Minute rice is precooked and then dehydrated. If you rinsed it, it would mess up the cook time and might make your rice mushy. 

Can I Use Chicken Broth Instead of Water for Minute Rice? 

Yes, absolutely you can! I recommend it for the best flavor! 

Tips and Tricks to Make Perfect Minute Rice

  • Have your water and your rice pre measured before you start cooking. You don’t want to be caught with boiling water and no rice to put in! That could cause you to lose water to evaporation and make your rice dry! 
  • Pre-flavor your rice by adding flavors to the cooking water. This helps cook the flavors right into the rice itself. 
  • If it is time for your rice to be finished, but it still seems soupy, just put the lid back on and turn the stove eye back on for 30 secs to 1 minute and then turn the heat off. Leave the lid on for 1-2 minutes and recheck. If still soupy, repeat. Otherwise, fluff and proceed. 
  • If your rice is done and you find that it is too dry and crunchy, add a little more liquid (like ¼ cup), stir well, turn the burner back on for 30 secs to one minute, put the lid on. After thirty secs, turn the heat off but leave the lid on for a minute or two. Check the rice. You may need to repeat. 
  • Stay right by your pan when you put the water on to boil. As soon as it is boiling, add the minute rice and cover the pan. Have your lid ready. 
  • Salt is an essential ingredient. Try to add the salt to the cooking water. This makes a huge difference in the flavor of your rice! 
  • Here’s everything you ever wanted to know about rice from the USDA.

If You Enjoyed This Recipe, You Might Also Enjoy…

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overhead shot of a small blue bowl of rice on a green napkin

How To Cook Minute Rice

Fluffy, white, perfect rice in minutes every single time! That’s what you want, right? Let me show you how to cook minute rice and you’ll never wonder how to achieve perfect rice ever again!
5 from 3 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Side
Cuisine: American
Keyword: how to cook minute rice
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
resting time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 197kcal
Author: Wendi Spraker

Ingredients

  • 2 Cups Chicken Broth
  • 1 tsp garlic minced
  • 1 tbs butter
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp ground black pepper
  • 2 Cups Minute Rice

Instructions

  • Heat broth in a medium sauce pan on the stove top over high heat until boiling. While heating, add the garlic, butter, salt and pepper.
  • Once boiling, cut off the heat, remove the sauce pan from the eye, add the minute rice and place a lid on top. Wait 5 minutes (no peeking). Remove lid and fluffy rice with fork. Serve hot.

Notes

  • Have your water and your rice pre measured before you start cooking. You don’t want to be caught with boiling water and no rice to put in! That could cause you to lose water to evaporation and make your rice dry!
  • Pre-flavor your rice by adding flavors to the cooking water. This helps cook the flavors right into the rice itself.
  • If it is time for your rice to be finished, but it still seems soupy, just put the lid back on and turn the stove eye back on for 30 secs to 1 minute and then turn the heat off.
  • Leave the lid on for 1-2 minutes and recheck. If still soupy, repeat. Otherwise, fluff with a fork and proceed.
  • If your rice is done and you find that it is too dry and crunchy, add a little more liquid (like ¼ cup), stir well, turn the burner back on for 30 secs to 1 minute, put the lid on. After 30 secs, turn the heat off but leave the lid on for a minute or two. Check the rice. You may need to repeat.
  • Stay right by your pan when you put the water on to boil. As soon as it is boiling, add the minute rice and cover the pan. Have your lid ready.
  • Salt is an essential ingredient. Try to add the salt to the cooking water. This makes a huge difference in the flavor of your rice!
  • The package instructions simply call for adding water and salt, no other ingredients are needed to make basic minute rice. I am giving you the recipe for how to make this rice taste great!

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
How To Cook Minute Rice
Amount Per Serving (12 cup)
Calories 197 Calories from Fat 36
% Daily Value*
Fat 4g6%
Saturated Fat 2g10%
Cholesterol 8mg3%
Sodium 1041mg43%
Potassium 106mg3%
Carbohydrates 36g12%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 4g8%
Vitamin A 89IU2%
Vitamin C 8mg10%
Calcium 17mg2%
Iron 3mg17%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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A VERSE TO SHARE

Sometimes things that you worry about turn out just fine. In fact, I’m guessing that MOST of the time they do. I worry endlessly about things that I should just move on with. Do you? 

Matthew 6:25

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?

Recipe Rating




Charles D. Williams

Thursday 23rd of February 2023

This was so easy even a man such as I am can do it.

Wendi Spraker

Thursday 23rd of February 2023

A real MAN's Man! A renaissance Man! A MINUTE MAN!

Janet F Wilderman

Sunday 22nd of January 2023

Can you cook minute rice with milk?

Wendi Spraker

Sunday 22nd of January 2023

I assume that you can, but I never have.

Michelle

Sunday 2nd of October 2022

So easy breezy ! Thanks very much for this recipe😀

Wendi Spraker

Monday 3rd of October 2022

You are super welcome!

Barbara Upshaw

Thursday 18th of June 2020

I’m by no means a good cook but the videos of the recipes have helped me tremendously. I have really improved my cooking skills. Plus I love the variety of recipes and I now enjoy cooking.

Wendi Spraker

Thursday 18th of June 2020

That's great to know Barbara! I'm glad you said so because sometimes I think, "I'm gonna stop doing these videos, no one is watching them". I have a YouTube Channel too and some of the website recipes are over there if you ever need to rewind or watch one again. Thanks for the comment and I hope you'll come back often!

Wendi Spraker

Monday 1st of June 2020

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