There are many ways to cook rice in the world. For todays purposes, were tackling steaming rice in a pot on the stovetop—and all the pitfalls that can come with it.
As simple as it may seem, theres a delicate dance to getting steamed rice just right. You have to figure out the proper ratio of water for the type of rice youre cooking, You have to decide whether or not to rinse (if youre aiming for fluffy, steamed rice, always rinse). Theres the totally individual task of adjusting the heat on your stove to keep the rice at a steady simmer.
Mistakes will be made: burned rice, mushy rice, salty rice. Our favorite rice cooker adjusts for some of these human errors, but not everyone has the space or money for new appliances. However, there are easy fixes for almost any rice problem. Here’s what to do when steamed rice turns against you.
How to fix burned rice
Before you do anything, look it over. Is the rice actually burnt? If its tarmac black, toss it, because truly burned rice cant be fixed.
But if the rice is not burnt but rather smells toasty and looks crispy (like the photo above), thats actually pretty great.
Many cuisines the world over celebrate crispy rice: in Korean cooking, nurungji is the word for scorched or roasted rice; socarrat is the crispy base of Spanish paella; tahdig is the golden crust at the bottom of Persian steamed rice (which, just for the record, doesnt always have to be rice).
If there are some golden brown bits at the bottom of your rice pot, use a wooden spoon to scrape them up, or—only if you must—pour in a small amount of hot water to loosen it. Enjoy these golden bites as a crunchy contrast in your rice entrées.
How to fix mushy rice
If your rice has absorbed too much liquid, the grains may have split and the starches may have given the rice a soft, gluey consistency. One way to fix that? Add even more liquid. Pour in some milk, a dash of vanilla, and spoonful of sugar, and suddenly your mushy rice is a rich rice pudding.
How to rescue “Uncooked rice”
Why does rice turn crunchy when cooked?
The main reason why your rice turns crunchy is the less water used for the steaming or boiling process. It doesn’t matter what technique you use for the rice cooking process; it will turn crunchy if you don’t add enough water to the pot. And if you use significantly less water, it might even get burnt while cooking.
Does rice cause bloating?
Scientific evidence suggests that white rice is the food least likely to cause bloating. In fact, it is recommended to consume it in cases of people with gastrointestinal symptoms and pain. May cause bloating when consumed with other foods.
Why is my rice still hard after cooking?
If your rice is still hard after cooking, it likely didn’t have enough water to begin with. Try adding a bit more and giving the rice a few more minutes to cook. Cover the pot and let the rice hang out. If your rice is almost there but still a bit firm, cover the pot and let it sit for a few minutes.
Why is my rice clumping?
If there’s still water, it means the rice needs more cooking time. If there’s no more water, give the rice a taste-test, and either take it off the heat or add a little water once more and continue cooking. Fluff your rice with a fork after it’s cooked. This helps to prevent clumping.