Fluffy, fragrant, and tender coconut rice. This coconut rice recipe is something that is sure to become one of your go to recipes in no time.
In just a few simple steps and little ingredients, you can make this delicious dish which is perfect to serve as a main meal on it's own, or as a side dish to many other dishes.
Jump to:
- Best Type Of Rice To Use For Coconut Rice
- Customize This Rice To Your Tastes
- How to serve coconut rice
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Cost To Make
- Ingredients
- Instructions
- Tips for Success
- Substitutions / Variations
- Serving Suggestions
- Storage
- FAQ
- What rice is used for what?
- Helpful Rice Cooking Tips
- More Mains Recipes
- Recipe
- Comments
Coconut rice, often hailed as comfort food with a tropical twist, is a versatile side dish that pairs perfectly with a range of main dishes.
Its creamy texture and delightful flavor make it a standout accompaniment for everything from spicy curries to succulent grilled meats and seafood.
And with a variety of potential garnishes, such as fresh herbs, roasted nuts, or zesty citrus, you can customize your no fuss coconut rice to suit your personal preferences.
It's a dish that's equally at home on weeknight dinner tables as it is at special gatherings, bringing a taste of the tropics right to your plate.
This easy coconut rice recipe is something you must try. It's suitable for beginners and experienced cooks alike.
In just a few simple steps you can turn ordinary rice into a creamy and aromatic masterpiece.
If you're after a recipe for how to cook coconut rice in a pressure cooker, you might like to check out this easy Instant Pot coconut rice recipe.
Best Type Of Rice To Use For Coconut Rice
The best type of rice for coconut rice is typically long-grain rice, such as jasmine or basmati. These varieties have a fragrant aroma and produce fluffy, separate grains that complement the creamy coconut flavor.
Their slightly nutty and floral notes pair well with the sweetness of coconut milk, creating a harmonious and aromatic dish.
However, you can use other types of rice, like medium-grain, if you prefer a stickier texture, but long-grain rice is the most commonly used choice for coconut rice.
Customize This Rice To Your Tastes
This coconut rice recipe is for a classic Asian style coconut rice. The rice is infused with pandan flavorings.
But you can easily customize this rice for different flavors. You may like to cook the rice without any pandan, or add some toppings to the rice once it has been cooked and toss them through.
We like to add some:
- Diced pineapple
- Lightly toasted slithered almonds and shredded coconut
- Diced mango
- Slice bell peppers (saute them first)
- Freshly chopped cilantro (coriander)
How to serve coconut rice
Coconut rice is a dish that is great to serve both warm or at room temperature. You can serve it alongside different curries, grilled meats, or even seafood.
Garnish with fresh herbs, like cilantro or shredded coconut, for added freshness and texture.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Coconut rice has a rich, creamy, and mildly sweet taste.
- It pairs well with a variety of main dishes, making it a versatile and complementary side.
- Coconut rice is easy to make and is ready in no time. This makes it great to serve alongside your weeknight meals with curries, grilled meats, or more!
- You can customize this coconut rice recipe to suit your tastes and preferences. Adjust the level of coconut flavor and creaminess to suit your personal taste by varying the coconut milk-to-rice ratio, or even add different toppings.
- This recipe for coconut rice is the ultimate comfort food. Its creamy texture and comforting taste make coconut rice a satisfying and indulgent side dish or even main meal.
- This coconut rice recipe is vegan friendly, gluten free, and suitable for vegetarians.
Cost To Make
Estimated cost = $1.25 or $0.31 a serve
Ingredients
Please note that below is a guide for some of the ingredients we used in the recipe. The printable recipe further down the page has the complete list of ingredients, including quantities and step-by-step instructions.
- Jasmine Rice
- Coconut Milk
- Water
- Pandan Leaf: You can use fresh or frozen pandan leaves. Make sure you rinse your leaf before use so that you remove any dirt that may be on it.
- Salt
Instructions
This recipe for coconut rice serves 4. The ingredient quantities can easily be adjusted to suit how many serves you need to make.
Step One: Rinse your rice 2 to 3 times until the water runs clear, then drain off any excess liquid.
Step Two: Place rice, coconut milk, water, and salt in a medium sized saucepan over medium to high heat. If using pandan leaf, tie it into a knot. Then place in pot, and stir to combine. Bring liquid to a boil. Taste liquid for seasoning, and add more salt if needed.
Step Three: Once at a boil reduce the heat to low, gently stir the rice and bring to a simmer. Cover with a lid and cook for 20 minutes. Turn off heat.
Step Four: Allow rice to rest for 5 to 10 minutes with lid on. Once rested, remove lid and fluff the rice (gently mix the rice with a fork or spoon). Remove pandan leaf. Serve.
Tips for Success
- Choose long-grain rice, such as basmati or jasmine, for the best results. Rinse the rice thoroughly to remove excess starch, which can lead to clumpy rice.
- Opt for full-fat canned coconut milk for a rich and creamy texture. Shake the can well before opening to ensure the cream and milk are properly mixed.
Substitutions / Variations
- Pineapple Coconut Rice: Add diced pineapple chunks to your coconut rice for a tropical twist, combining sweet and savory flavors.
- Spicy Coconut Rice: Infuse your coconut rice with heat by adding red pepper flakes, diced chili peppers, or a dash of hot sauce for a spicy kick.
- Coconut Lime Rice: Incorporate lime zest and juice into your coconut rice before cooking for a zesty, citrusy flavor that pairs well with seafood and grilled meats.
- Coconut-Cilantro Rice: Mix in freshly chopped cilantro.
- Coconut and Nut Rice: Stir in toasted shredded coconut and your choice of toasted nuts, such as almonds or cashews, to add texture, crunch, and nutty undertones to the dish.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve coconut rice alongside a curry, whether it's Thai, Indian, or Caribbean. The creamy rice pairs beautifully with spicy or savory curries.
- Coconut rice makes an excellent side for grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu.
- Create a tropical-themed meal by serving coconut rice with a fresh fruit salad featuring mango, pineapple, and papaya.
- Top your coconut rice with a colorful stir-fry of vegetables like bell peppers, snap peas, and broccoli. A drizzle of teriyaki or soy sauce can enhance the flavors.
- Make a vegan-friendly option by serving coconut rice with roasted vegetables (e.g., sweet potatoes, carrots) and seasoned chickpeas for added protein and crunch.
Storage
This coconut rice recipe can be stored in the fridge in an air tight container for 2 to 3 days. To reheat, you could us a microwave.
FAQ
It is best to use a mix of both coconut milk and water when cooking rice. On its own, coconut milk is very thick. By adding water it helps to cook the rice better for a fluffier and tender texture.
Overcooking or using too much liquid can make coconut rice mushy. Ensure you use the right rice-to-liquid ratio and cook for the recommended time.
Full-fat canned coconut milk provides the creamiest texture and rich coconut flavor for coconut rice.
Both basmati and jasmine rice work well for coconut rice, it's just a matter of personal preference. Using jasmine rice will give a texture that is slightly stickier than basmati.
Coconut rice pairs well with a variety of dishes, such as curries, grilled chicken, seafood, and vegetables. It complements both sweet and savory flavors.
Using low-quality or diluted coconut milk can result in a weaker coconut flavor. Ensure you use high-quality, full-fat coconut milk for the best taste.
Excess oil in coconut rice can result from using too much coconut milk or not allowing the rice to absorb it properly. Follow the recipe instructions for the correct proportions.
Made this recipe? Let us know how it went in the comments below! We'd love to hear how it turned out.
What rice is used for what?
Ever wondered which might be the best rice to use for a dish you're about to make.
Or maybe you're just curious and want to know more about rice in general.
Why not check out our pages on what is basmati rice and what is jasmine rice.
Helpful Rice Cooking Tips
Want to know how to cook rice or just need a little refresher?
Check out how to easily cook basmati rice, sushi rice, and jasmine rice on the stovetop.
Or, why not check out our recipes on how to make basmati rice, jasmine rice, and sushi rice in the Instant Pot.
More Mains Recipes
Recipe
Coconut Rice Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups (400 grams, 14.10 ounces) jasmine rice
- 1 ½ cup (375 ml/grams, 12.23 ounces) coconut milk
- 1 ½ cup (375 ml/grams, 12.23 ounces) water
- Salt to taste
- 1-2 pandan leaves
Instructions
- Rinse your rice 2 to 3 times until the water runs clear, then drain off any excess liquid.
- Place rice, coconut milk, water, and salt in a medium sized saucepan over medium to high heat. If using pandan leaf, tie it into a knot. Then place in pot, and stir to combine. Bring liquid to a boil. Taste liquid for seasoning, and add more salt if needed.
- Once at a boil reduce the heat to low, gently stir the rice and bring to a simmer. Cover with a lid and cook for 20 minutes. Turn off heat.
- Allow rice to rest for 5 to 10 minutes with lid on. Once rested, remove lid and fluff the rice (gently mix the rice with a fork or spoon). Remove pandan leaf. Serve.
Notes
- Choose long-grain rice, such as basmati or jasmine, for the best results. Rinse the rice thoroughly to remove excess starch, which can lead to clumpy rice.
- Opt for full-fat canned coconut milk for a rich and creamy texture. Shake the can well before opening to ensure the cream and milk are properly mixed.
Sarah says
This goes absolutely great with rendang!
Jeoff says
This coconut rice was incredibly fragrant and delicious!