A delicious twist your taste buds will love
We’re all guilty of it. Making your go-to side dishes again and again (like classic white rice).
Then one day you decide to try something new. And boy are you glad that you did!
Rice happens to be one of those side dishes for me. I’ve made Cilantro Lime Rice, and Mexican Rice, even Instant Pot Basmati Rice.
But it wasn’t until recently that I tried my hand at a super simple and flavor-packed Coconut Rice.
Just like other rice recipes, this one is quick to whip up in less than 30 minutes. It’s got a subtly sweet taste thanks to the coconut milk that pairs well with SO many dishes, too! Try it with this Easy Chicken Fried Rice or Teriyaki Shrimp Stir Fry. This foolproof recipe is full of natural coconut flavors, and only needs a handful of ingredients.
But don’t stop there. You can take that flavor game up ANOTHER notch by making this Coconut Mango Rice recipe next!
Ingredients and Substitutions
For the exact measurements and detailed instructions, please see the recipe card below.
- Toppings. Fresh chiffonaded basil and toasted coconut add the perfect flavor and texture to this rice. For a real treat, add in some chopped mango for this Mango Coconut Rice.
- Rice. The type of rice you use is important. You really need to use a white, long-grain rice variety for that irresistible fluffy texture. Basmati is great, or a long-grain Jasmine rice will work. Short or medium-grain rice might get mushy. Brown rice can be substituted, but it will take longer to cook.
- Coconut milk. Go with full-fat coconut milk for the creamiest rice. Lite coconut milk won’t have as much flavor or be as creamy, but can be used if needed.
Step-by-step Instructions
Please see the recipe card below for the full instructions, ingredient amounts, and a printable recipe.
Rinse the rice.
To rinse, place the dried rice into a fine-mesh strainer under cool running water. Gently stir the rice with your finger or a spoon.
Rinse until the water turns clear. It might take a couple of minutes, depending on how much starch there is. Be sure the rice drips dry as much as possible before continuing.
Pro Tip: Rinsing the rice before cooking ensures any excess starch from the grains is removed. This lessens the chance the dish will end up clumpy or mushy.
Combine and simmer.
Pour both the water and the coconut milk into a medium-sized pot. Bring the mixture to a boil. Add the sea salt along with the rinsed rice. Give it a quick stir.
Bring the rice mixture back to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pan tightly with a lid and simmer for 20-25 minutes. Check at 20 minutes for the texture of the rice.
Pro Tip: The cook time will vary based on your personal preferences. If you like chewier rice, 20 minutes will be good. 25 minutes will get you a softer texture.
Finish and serve.
When the rice is fully cooked, remove the pan from the heat.
Stir in the basil chiffonade and toasted coconut just before serving.
Alternate Cooking Methods
Just like the process with Instant Pot White Rice and Instant Pot Mexican Rice, you can adapt this recipe to a pressure cooker.
Add the rice, coconut milk, water, and salt to a 6-quart Instant Pot. Gently stir the ingredients so they don’t settle.
Cook on high for 4 minutes. Allow a 10-minute natural release. This extra time lets the rice finish cooking.
Finish it off with a quick release of the remaining pressure and carefully remove the lid.
Stir in the basil and toasted coconut, then taste test for additional seasoning.
FAQs
If you added too much water or failed to rinse the rice thoroughly before cooking, your coconut rice might end up mushy. Make sure to accurately measure the water or coconut milk and completely rinse the rice first.
Coconut rice can be found in both Thai and Indian cuisines. However, both the prevalence of rice and coconut milk mean you will find similar dishes in many other cultures, as well.
Coconut rice is a creamy and savory dish made by cooking rice in a mixture of water and coconut milk. It’s often served with coconut flakes, as well. This dish is common in Southeast Asian and Thai restaurants.
Because rice is a staple in so many regions, along with coconut, this dish is widely popular in many different cuisines. It’s the perfect side dish.
Store leftover coconut rice in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3–4 days. You can freeze it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3–4 months—just thaw completely before reheating.
What to serve with it?
This coconut rice can be used just about anywhere you’d serve regular white rice.
Curries, like Indian Chicken Korma Curry and Thai Yellow Chicken Curry, are perfect for this rice side dish.
Try Chana Masala or Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala for a heartier meal.
You can also make this Beef Stir-Fry, Instant Pot Hawaiian Chicken, or Honey Sesame Chicken and Broccoli.
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Coconut Rice Recipe
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Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups rice basmati or other long-grain rice
- 1 ½ cups water
- 1 cup coconut milk full-fat
- 1 ¾ teaspoons salt to taste
- ⅓ cup coconut toasted, optional
- Basil chiffonade, optional
Instructions
- Add rice to a fine mesh strainer and rinse under cool running water for 1-2 minutes, or until the water runs clear. Let drain and dry completely.1 ½ cups rice
- Pour water and coconut milk into a medium-sized pot and bring to a boil. Once boiling add salt and rinsed and drained rice.1 ½ cups water, 1 cup coconut milk, 1 ¾ teaspoons salt
- Bring the ingredients back to a boil and then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes. Check on the rice after 20 minutes to see if it is done.
- Once cooked, turn off heat and stir in the toasted coconut flakes, if desired. Serve immediately as is or with a sprinkle of basil chiffonade. Enjoy!⅓ cup coconut, Basil
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Notes
- Rinsing: Running the rice under water will remove any excess starch that will make the dish clumpy.
- Coconut milk: Lite coconut milk will result in a less creamy and not as flavorful rice. However, it can be substituted.
- Garnish: Add the basil and toasted coconut just before you serve it up.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
More Easy Rice Recipes
There are so many ways to change up your rice game. Try one of these healthy recipes soon.
