How Much Water Will You Need For 1/2 – 5 Cups Of Rice?

How much water will you need for 1/2, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 cups of rice? It’s high time, you know for sure.

If you’re preparing to cook for the whole family or simply trying out a new recipe, you may want to know how much water you’ll need to set aside for each cup of rice. Does that make sense to you?

It should be because you cannot use the same quantity of water across 1/2 – 5 cups of rice. It has its consequences, and they aren’t pleasant at all. 

This guide is designed to help you. Follow it for clarity on the water to rice cooking ratio.

What is water to rice ratio?

Water to rice ratio simply means how much water you’ll need to add to your rice while cooking or practically, how much water for 1/2 – 5 cups of rice.

This measurement is essential because you don’t want to add too much water, as it could leave your rice looking soggy and starchy. Also, you don’t want to add too little water because your rice could end up undercooked. 

Now that you get it, a general rule of thumb is to use two cups of water for every cup of rice your cook. Keep it that way, and your rice will always turn out the way you need it to.

How much water for 1/2 cup of rice?

RiceWater
White long grain rice7/8 cup
White medium grain rice3/4 cup
White short grain rice5/8 cup
Brown long grain rice1 cup
Basmati rice3/4 cup
Jasmine rice7/8 cup

SEE: How Many Grams In 1/2 – 5 Cups Of Rice

How much water for 1 cup of rice?

RiceWater
White long grain rice1 3/4 cups
White medium grain rice1 1/2 cups
White short grain rice1 1/4 cups
Brown long grain rice2 cups
Basmati rice1 1/2 cups
Jasmine rice1 3/4 cups

How much water for 2 cups of rice?

RiceWater
White long grain rice3 1/2 cups
White medium grain rice3 cups
White short grain rice2 1/2 cups
Brown long grain rice4 cups
Basmati rice3 cups
Jasmine rice3 1/2 cups

SEE: How Many Cups In 1/2 – 5 lbs Of Rice?

How much water for 3 cups of rice?

RiceWater
White long grain rice5 1/4 cups
White medium grain rice4 1/2 cups
White short grain rice3 3/4 cups
Brown long grain rice6 cups
Basmati rice4 1/2 cups
Jasmine rice5 1/4 cups

How much water for 4 cups of rice?

RiceWater
White long grain rice7 cups
White medium grain rice6 cups
White short grain rice5 cups
Brown long grain rice8 cups
Basmati rice6 cups
Jasmine rice7 cups

How much water for 5 cups of rice?

RiceWater
White long grain rice8 3/4 cups
White medium grain rice7 1/2 cups
White short grain rice6 1/4 cups
Brown long grain rice10 cups
Basmati rice7 1/2 cups
Jasmine rice8 3/4 cups

How to make rice fluffy and soft: A step-by-step guide

It’s not every time you’ll feel like eating sticky rice. Sometimes you just want it soft, warm, and fluffy, and there’s nothing wrong with your preference. 

Follow the guide below:

1. Rinse the rice: Rinsing the rice before cooking is important to get rid of any extra starch that may make the cooked rice sticky. Just add the rice to a bowl and fill it with cold water.

Swish the rice around a bit, then let it sit for 30 seconds before draining. Repeat this process 2-3 times or until the water runs clear.

2. Soak the rice: Soaking the rice in water before cooking helps to make it softer and less likely to stick together. Just add the rinsed rice to a bowl and add enough cold water to cover it by about an inch. Let it soak for 30 minutes before draining.

3. Cook the rice: Once the rice is rinsed and soaked, it’s time to cook it. Add the rice to a pot with 1 1/2 cups of water (for white medium grain rice) or 2 cups of water (for brown rice).

Bring the water to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 18 minutes (for white rice) or 40 minutes (for brown rice).

4. Fluff the rice: After cooking, fluff it with a fork to separate the grains. Then, let it sit for 5 minutes to absorb any excess water. Serve immediately.

SEE: How Many Calories Are In A Plate Of Rice?

FAQs

Should you boil water before adding rice?

Yes, you should. Start by boiling your water before pouring it into your rice. The benefit of doing this is that you’ll be able to control the amount of water added to the rice. And it wouldn’t be too starchy and gummy, as in the case of Jasmine and basmati rice.

Is it better to use cold water to boil rice?

Yes, it is. Hot water boils faster than cold water, which is a good thing. However, it also contains more dissolved minerals from your water pipes and can give your cooked rice an odd flavor, especially if you prefer to cook with little water.

Do you wash rice with hot or cold water?

Cold water preferably. Pour the right amount of rice into a bowl, add some cold water and swirl around your hands. Drain and repeat the process till the water runs clear.

Conclusion

Water is everywhere you turn and is essential to our daily meal preparation. Having the right amount of water in your food can help you avoid waste and save time and money.

Next time you’re about to make rice, remember the rule for how much water for 1/2 – 5 cups – two cups of water for each cup of rice. Preferably, you can save the table above as a cooking reference.

Thank you for reading.

Need more cooking tips? You can start with these rice-related articles on Cheffist.