This easy Coconut Rice Recipe is soft, fluffy, and infused with coconut flavor. Quick to prepare in one pan on the stovetop, it’s the perfect base for bowls, wraps, and more!

The Best Coconut Rice Recipe

This is the only recipe you need.

I am so excited to bring you another post in our All the Healthy Things “Just the Basics” series. These posts are focused on helping you master basics in the kitchen and, hopefully, inspiring you with a few new ideas along the way.

If you are new to cooking or just need a refresher on the basics, these posts are designed to help you feel more confident in the kitchen. Once you have a handle on a few basic concepts and techniques, you can easily build upon them to create new and exciting recipes and dishes without a second thought.

If you have ever wondered how some people just seem to know how to cook without a recipe or can quickly throw together a meal in a moment’s notice, it’s likely because they have a good grasp of the basics. I want that for you! It’s my hope that every just the basics post helps you feel more comfortable so that you can enjoy your time spent in the kitchen even more!

If you haven’t already, be sure to check out the other how-to guides in the series.

— Ashlea

Ingredient Notes and Helpful Substitutions

Olive Oil: this adds rich flavor and prevents the grains from clumping together, keeping the rice fluffy.
Rice: I use Jasmine rice, but any long-grain white rice will work for this recipe. Just make sure to rinse and drain it well before you begin.
Garlic: we’re using two cloves for a subtle garlic flavor, but feel free to add more if you’re a garlic lover!
Salt: you’ll need this to add flavor to the rice. Without it, your coconut milk rice will taste bland.
Coconut Milk: use full-fat canned coconut milk for the best flavor. Boxed or refrigerated varieties won’t do!
Scallions: the final touch, these add a mild oniony flavor that pairs well with the coconut.

How to Make Coconut Rice on the Stovetop

Combine. Add the oil, rice, garlic, salt, water, and coconut milk to a saucepan with a tight-fitting lid.
Boil and simmer. Bring the liquid to a boil. Then, cover the pan, reduce the heat, and cook until the water is absorbed.
Steam and serve. Remove the pan from the heat, and allow the rice to steam for a few minutes. Leave the lid on to keep it fluffy! Fluff with a fork or rice paddle, garnish with scallions, and enjoy warm.

My Favorite Pairings

This coconut rice is flavorful but mild, adding delicious flavor to any meal. It’s fantastic used as a base for grain bowls, sprinkled over salads, included in soups, or added to wraps, burritos, or rice bakes.

Some of my favorite ways to put it to use include:

How to Store

Once cool, you can transfer leftover coconut rice to an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 1 week. Or, freeze for up to 6 months.

To serve, thaw frozen rice in the refrigerator overnight. Then, reheat it in the microwave, adding a splash of water or coconut milk as needed to freshen it back up.

I hope you enjoy this Coconut Rice Recipe! If you do give this recipe a try, I want to know! Leave a comment with a star rating below. You can also snap a photo & tag @allthehealthythings on INSTAGRAM. Your reviews help support All the Healthy Things and make it possible for me to continue to create the recipes you know and love.

Fluffy Coconut Rice Recipe (Stovetop)

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Author: Ashlea Carver
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 8 1x
Category: Sides
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

This easy Coconut Rice Recipe is soft, fluffy, and infused with coconut flavor. Quick to prepare in one pan on the stovetop, it’s the perfect base for bowls, wraps, and more!

Ingredients

Units Scale

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups jasmine rice, rinsed and drained
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/3 cups water
1 – 13.5 oz can of full fat coconut milk
2 tablespoons thinly sliced scallions

Instructions

Add the oil, rice, garlic, salt, water, and coconut milk to a medium non-stick saucepan that has a tight fitting lid.
Bring the rice to a boil over medium-high heat and then cover with a lid and turn the heat to low. Cook the rice for 15 minutes and then remove from the heat, with the lid on, and allow the rice to continue to steam for 5-10 minutes.
Fluff the rice with a fork and then garnish with sliced scallion.