Easy Coconut Rice

This coconut rice recipe is fluffy and fragrant with a delicate flavor! Here are two ways to prepare coconut rice.

Looking for a great side dish with a bold tropical flavor? Here is our reference coconut rice Recipe! There’s just something about the subtle fruitiness of coconut that makes every bite of this fluffy rice mesmerizing. Coconut rice can often get sticky and wet. Here’s how to make it soft and flavorful with coconut: two different ways!

Ingredients for this coconut rice recipe

Coconut rice is a dish prepared in many cultures around the world including Southeast Asia, India, Central America, the Caribbean, South America and East Africa. and west. It is prepared differently in every kitchen and culture!

This coconut rice recipe is a twist on the classic: we tested several ways to add coconut flavor with a quick cook time. It turns out that infusing this tropical essence into rice is difficult! We’ve found two great ways to do this: coconut milk (the standard method) and unrefined coconut oil (the off-the-beaten-path variant). Here are some pointers on what you need here:

• White Long Grain Rice: Jasmine, if possible, or another long-grained variety
• Whole Coconut Milk OR Water: To achieve optimal flavor and richness, fat is key; or you can use water and coconut oil instead
• Unrefined Coconut Oil: unrefined has the strongest flavor (see below!)
• Salt and Sugar: Just a hint of sugar brings out the fruitiness of the coconut

Use coconut milk or oil (or both)

There are two main ways to infuse coconut flavor here: using milk or oil. Interestingly, using real shredded coconut isn’t the best: It makes the rice grainy and crunchy. Using coconut milk is the standard method, but we have also developed a second method using coconut oil. Here are some notes on the differences between the methods:

• Method 1: Coconut milk: This method has a subtle coconut flavor. Be sure to stir in the coconut milk first to incorporate all of the fat into the liquid! For an even stronger flavor, melt in 1 tablespoon unrefined coconut oil at the end. This method uses a little less than the typical liquid ratio for rice to avoid gummy grains.
• Method 2: unrefined coconut oil: Cook the rice with water and finally stir in the unrefined coconut oil. This gives a subtle coconut flavor that you bring to the front. unrefined The oil is important here as it has the most advanced coconut flavor (choose refined vs. unrefined coconut oil). If you use refined coconut oil, you may not taste the coconut as well.

How to make coconut rice

Coconut rice is easy to cook on the stove: if you know a few tricks! You should avoid a pot of gummies, which is easy if you use too much liquid. Head over to the recipe below to read our method, or check out these tips and then skip to the recipe.

• Rinse 1 cup of rice thoroughly. Hold it under cold water and rinse for 1 minute. This will help the grains absorb the liquid.
• Use either 1 ½ cups water or ¾ cup coconut milk + ½ cup water. You’ll notice that the amount of liquid is different with coconut milk: it’s optional! Due to the richness of the milk, a little less liquid is required.
• Add a pinch of sugar. The addition of just 1 tsp brings out the coconut flavor (along with ¼ tsp salt).
• Cover and simmer for 13 to 15 minutes. Bring to a boil, then let simmer where it’s barely bubbling.
• Let stand 10 minutes before adding coconut oil (for water variations). The 10 minute break is crucial to complete the cooking time! Then fluff the rice with a fork. If you boiled it in water, add 1-2 tablespoons of unrefined coconut oil, depending on your taste.

flavor additives and variations

Once you have your coconut rice pot, you can dress it up in a variety of ways. Here are some ways to flavor it:

• lime zest: add zest from ½ to 1 lime to taste
• Chopped Spring Onion: Add 1 spring onion, thinly sliced ​​or chopped
• Chopped Coriander: Another way to add fresh flavor
• shredded coconut: Garnish with shredded or toasted coconut as a garnish if desired (note this adds a crunchy texture)

Ways to serve coconut rice

Coconut rice is ideal as a simple side dish that offers a luxurious undertone of flavor. Here are some ways to pair it:

More rice recipes

There are so many ways to turn this whole grain into a mind-blowing side dish! Here are some of our best rice recipes and methods: