Cooking basic
How to cook rice properly
Cook long-grain rice until tender, then serve, cool or store it safely.
Check the packet first because different rice and cooking methods need different amounts of water and time. Measure the dry rice so you cook the quantity the recipe expects.
Cook it
Rinse the rice first if the packet tells you to. Cook it using the packet’s saucepan instructions, keeping the heat low enough that the water does not boil over. At the end of the stated time, check that the grains are tender. Drain any remaining water if the method requires it.
Serve or cool promptly
Serve rice as soon as it is cooked. If a recipe specifically tells you to keep cooked rice, cool it as quickly as possible, get it into the fridge within 1 hour and use it within 24 hours. Reheat it only once, until steaming hot throughout.
Do not leave cooked rice at room temperature, and do not make it ahead unless the recipe gives a clear storage plan. For a meal made with stored chilli or another leftover, cooking the rice fresh is usually the simplest option.