Ready for the easiest recipe ever that will totally blow your mind? This one is so incredibly simple, but the results are amazing. You’ll never want to eat regular old rice again.
What is Coconut Rice?
Coconut rice is rice that’s cooked in a mix of coconut milk and water. That’s it! Told you it was simple. But the coconut milk makes it taste amazing. It’s typically made with jasmine rice, it doesn’t have to be.
How to Make Coconut Rice
Gather your ingredients. Luckily, there aren’t that many. You’ll just need some rice, water, coconut milk (the canned kind, full-fat please), and salt.
Stir everything together in a small saucepan. The coconut milk might be a bit separated if your house is cool. No worries! Just add the entire contents of the can to the pot. The solids will melt as they heat up.
Now place the pan over heat and bring the liquid to a simmer. Stir it every now and then to break up chunks of coconut milk solids and to keep the rice from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Once the liquid comes to a simmer, lower the heat, cover the pot, and let it cook for about 20 minutes. Now remove the pot from the burner and let it sit with the lid on for another 5 to 10 minutes. Remove the lid, and fluff the rice with a fork.
Top your rice with sesame seeds and scallions, if you like.
Resist the temptation to peek at your rice while it cooks. The lid needs to stay on the pot to trap steam. If possible, use a clear lid so you can see when all of the liquid has been absorbed. Can I use coconut milk from a carton to make this? Nope! Most of the carton varieties contain very little actual coconut milk. Your rice will turn out tasting just like regular old rice. Is this recipe gluten-free? It sure is! Can I use a variety of rice other than jasmine? You can, but you might need to adjust the amount of liquid and/or cook time. How is coconut rice served? I find coconut rice goes best with stir-fries — particularly ones that include sweet and/or spicy flavors. Try it with this spicy tofu & pineapple stir-fry, vegan mango “chicken,” or crispy black pepper tofu. It also goes nicely with curries, although I avoid serving it with coconut based curries, which can result in a bit of coconut overload.
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title: “Coconut Rice” ShowToc: true date: “2024-09-21” author: “Timothy Hendrix”
If you loved the coconut rice in my Jerk Chicken Bowls, this recipe is going to absolutely blow your mind. This version of coconut rice seriously takes regular basmati rice to the next level. Instead of using just coconut water instead of regular water, this recipe uses coconut milk and coconut oil as well. The result is rice that is aromatic, creamy, and oh-so-coconut-y. This recipe is the perfect accompaniment to cuisines like Chinese, Thai, Caribbean, Hawaiian, and even Indian. The sweet, rich flavor pairs perfectly with savory dishes, but also with sweeter foods. Coconut shrimp, orange chicken, spicy curry, Hawaiian chicken with pineapple… Am I making you hungry yet?
What Makes This Recipe So Good
Basmati rice – Deliciously fragrant and with a longer grain than traditional white rice, basmati is our rice of choice for this dish. They are the perfect rice for letting whatever sauce you use coat every grain.Coconut milk – Besides giving this rice its signature coconut flavor, coconut milk helps make the basmati rice thick and creamy, making it the perfect base for your meal.Coconut water – You can use plain water, but coconut water does up the coconut-y factor. Plus it’s just so good!Coconut oil – Coconut oil helps make the rice super creamy.Honey or sugar – Adds a little extra sweetness to the rice that brings out the coconut-y flavor.Salt – Balances out the sweetness of the other ingredients.
How To Make Coconut Rice
Chef’s Tips
To keep this recipe vegan, just use regular granulated sugar instead of honey.This recipe was created specifically for basmati rice. If you decide to use a different type of rice, keep an eye on your stove to ensure it doesn’t overcook! Brown rice takes substantially longer to cook and will take about 45 minutes. White rice will take about the same amount of time as basmati.
More Easy Recipes & How To’s
Jerk Chicken Bowls with Mango Salsa and Coconut RiceInstant Pot Brown RiceWhite Clam SauceChickpea Tikka Masala
