Looking for a great side dish with bold, tropical flavor? Here’s our go-to Coconut Rice recipe! There’s just something about the subtle fruitiness of coconut that makes each bite of this fluffy rice intriguing. Coconut rice can often come out gummy and waterlogged. Here’s how to make it so it’s fluffy and coconut-scented: two different ways!
Ingredients in this coconut rice recipe
Coconut rice is a dish that’s made in many cultures around the world, including Southeast Asia, India, Central America, the Caribbean, South America, and East and West Africa. It’s prepared differently in every cuisine and culture! This coconut rice recipe is a spin on the classic: we’ve tested a variety of ways to add coconut flavor with a quick cook time. Turns out, it’s difficult to infuse this tropical essence into rice! We’ve found two great ways to do it: coconut milk (the standard way) and unrefined coconut oil (the off-the-beaten-path variation). Here are a few notes on what you’ll need here:
Long grain white rice: jasmine if possible, or another long grain varietyFull fat coconut milk OR water: to get the optimal flavor and richness, full fat is key; or you can use water and coconut oil insteadUnrefined 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 either coconut milk or oil (or both)
There are two main methods for infusing coconut flavor here: using milk or oil. Interestingly, using actual shredded coconut is not the best: it makes the rice grainy and crunchy. Using coconut milk is the standard way to go, but we also developed a second method using coconut oil. Here are a few notes on the differences between the methods:
Method 1: Coconut milk: This method has a subtle backend flavor of coconut. Make sure to stir the coconut milk first to incorporate all the fat into the liquid! For an even stronger flavor, melt in 1 tablespoon unrefined coconut oil at the end. This method uses slightly less than the typical liquid ratio for rice to avoid gummy grains.Method 2: Unrefined coconut oil: Use water for cooking the rice, then stir n the unrefined coconut oil at the end. It makes for a subtle coconut flavor that you catch on the front end. Unrefined oil is important here, because it has the most forward coconut flavor (go to Refined vs Unrefined Coconut Oil). If you use refined coconut oil, you won’t be able to taste the coconut as well.
How to make coconut rice
It’s easy to make coconut rice on the stovetop: once you know a few tricks! You’ll want to avoid a gummy pot of rice, which is easy when you use too much liquid. Jump to the recipe below to read our method, or review these tips then go to the recipe.
Rinse 1 cup rice very well. Place it under cold water and rinse it for 1 minute. This helps to ensure the grains will absorb the liquid. Use either 1 ½ cups water or ¾ cup coconut milk + ½ cup water. You’ll notice that the liquid amount is different with coconut milk: that is intentional! Slightly less liquid is necessary with the richness of the milk. Add a hint of sugar. Adding just 1 teaspoon brings out the coconut flavor (along with ¼ teaspoon salt). Simmer covered 13 to 15 minutes. Bring to a boil, then simmer where it’s just barely bubbling. Allow to stand 10 minutes before adding coconut oil (for water variation). The 10 minute rest is crucial to finishing the cook time! Then fluff the rice with a fork. If you cooked it in water, add 1 to 2 tablespoons unrefined coconut oil, to taste.
Flavor adders and variations
Once you’ve got your pot of coconut rice, you can dress it up in various ways. Here are a few ways to flavor it:
Lime zest: add the zest of ½ to 1 lime, to taste Minced green onion: Add 1 thinly sliced or minced green onionChopped cilantro: Another way to add fresh flavorShredded coconut: If you like, top with shredded or toasted coconut as a garnish (keep in mind it adds a crunchy texture)
Ways to serve coconut rice
Coconut rice is ideal as an easy side dish that brings in a luxurious nuance in flavor. Here are a few ways to pair it:
Bowl meals like Rice Bowl, Power Bowl, Simple Salmon Bowl or Poke BowlCurries like Sweet Potato Curry, Coconut Tofu Curry or Shrimp CurrySeafood like Easy Baked Shrimp, Perfect Sauteed Shrimp or Pan Seared ScallopsVegetarian or vegan mains like Easy BBQ Tofu or Cauliflower Stir Fry
More rice recipes
There are so many great ways to turn this whole grain into a stunning side dish! Here are some of our top rice recipes and methods:
Try Mediterranean-style Spinach Rice with Feta Go for Cilantro Lime RiceLearn the basics: How to Cook RiceMake a big pot of Chickpea Soup with RiceReview12 Great Leftover Rice Recipes or 15 Rice Recipes to Make on Repeat
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