Fragrant Jasmine rice is an excellent side dish for savory meals. Its light aroma and slightly sticky yet fluffy texture make it a perfect accompaniment for various cuisines and food pairings. This foolproof rice-to-water ratio ensures that you can easily prepare perfectly soft and tender Jasmine rice in a rice cooker.
Jasmine Rice Varieties
While white Jasmine rice is the most popular variety, there are also brown Jasmine rice and Thai Jasmine black rice (also known as riceberry). White Jasmine rice is soft and has a fragrant aroma, brown Jasmine rice offers a nuttier flavor, and Thai Jasmine black rice is a hybrid of chewy black rice and the original white Jasmine rice, with a sweeter taste.
This recipe specifically focuses on cooking white Jasmine rice. For instructions on how to prepare jasmine brown rice, refer to our guide on cooking brown rice in a rice cooker under the long grain brown rice section.
Why Use a Rice Cooker?
In an Asian household, rice cookers are essential for consistently making perfect jasmine rice. I didn’t learn to cook jasmine rice on the stove until adulthood because a rice cooker was always available. This hands-off method ensures fluffy and tender Jasmine rice every time.
For many brands, the rice-to-water ratio is straightforward. Most rice cooker manuals suggest a 1:1 rice-to-water ratio. We have tried various brands, but our favorites remain Tiger and Zojirushi.
Do You Need to Wash Jasmine Rice?
We always recommend rinsing jasmine rice to prevent a gummy and mushy texture. I fondly remember my grandmother teaching me to rinse rice to remove any dust or impurities, although this is less of a concern today.
Rinsing the rice before cooking helps eliminate excess starch. We find using a strainer under running water to be the easiest method. Simply rinse the rice until the water runs clear.
Jasmine Rice to Water Ratio
Before proceeding, it’s crucial to consult your specific rice cooker manual for the correct rice and water ratios, as these can vary by brand and rice variety. This guide focuses solely on cooking Jasmine rice in a rice cooker, not on the stovetop.
The recommended ratio for white Jasmine rice and water is 1:1 when using a rice cooker. Here’s a breakdown:
| Jasmine Rice (Uncooked) | Water | Servings* |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cup (205 grams) | 8 ounces (240 grams) | 1-2 |
| 2 cups (410 grams) | 16 ounces (480 grams) | 2-4 |
*Note: Serving sizes may vary depending on whether the rice is the main dish (like Spam fried rice) or a side dish paired with a savory meal. For instance, one cup of dry rice may serve one person as an entree but can serve two as a side dish.
How Long Does Jasmine Rice Need in a Rice Cooker?
Cooking time for Jasmine rice in a rice cooker can range from 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the model. For example, our Zojirushi 5.5 cup rice cooker has a specific Jasmine rice setting that takes 58 minutes, while the regular white rice setting takes 54 minutes.
What to Serve with Jasmine Rice
With its slightly sweet and fragrant aroma, white Jasmine rice is a popular carbohydrate choice for many Asian dishes, as it complements rather than overwhelms other savory flavors.
Storing and Reheating
Store any leftover Jasmine rice in a lidded food storage container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, simply add a few drops of water over the rice, cover it with a towel, and microwave in 30-second increments until warm and tender.
