With a fluffy texture and mild coconut flavor, this coconut milk rice makes a great side dish to a variety of Tropical and Asian dishes. Made in a rice cooker, it is an easy dump and go recipe that is a definite upgrade from plain rice. You'll love it alongside some Thai Curry.
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If you're looking to upgrade your plain white rice side dish, I have just the thing!
With the simple addition of coconut milk and salt in place of some of the water, you have a savory coconut rice that tastes delicious with a variety of curries, fish, meats and more.
Really, I could eat this stuff as a side to anything.
Even easier than Lemon Herb Rice and Gallo Pinto, the entire recipe is made in a rice cooker. Simply add all of the ingredients, turn it on and forget about it.
Its the perfect side dish if you're making a more involved main dish since it requires so little of your attention.
Creamy, fluffy, easy. You will love it!
The Ingredients
- Jasmine Rice- For best results, I like to use white long grain jasmine rice. Basmati rice could also be used.
- Coconut Milk- You need full-fat coconut milk from a can for this recipe.
- Water
- Fine Sea Salt
The Method
1. Wash rice. Rinse the rice until the water runs mostly clear. This helps eliminate the excess starches in order to yield a fluffy rather than sticky rice result.
2. Mix. In the pot of a rice cooker, stir together the rinsed rice, coconut milk water and salt.
3. Cook. Turn your rice cooker to the cook rice setting as per your model's directions.
4. Serve. Fluff with a fork and enjoy.
Leftovers and Storage
To Store: Store leftover coconut rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
To Reheat: Rewarm in the microwave or on the stovetop adding a splash of water if needed.
Make it Your Own
- Try Using Coconut Water- Replace water with equal parts unsweetened coconut water for extra flavour.
- Infuse with Pandan Leaves or Lemongrass- Add fresh flavour by including 2-3 leaves during the cooking process and then removing prior to serving.
- Garnish With Coconut- Up the taste of coconut by stirring in 2 tablespoon of shredded coconut after cooking and garnishing with additional toasted coconut flakes.
- Cilantro Lime- Stir in ¼ cup of chopped cilantro and 2 tablespoon lime juice (1 lime) after it has finished cooking.
- Ginger- Add 1 tablespoon of grated fresh ginger at the same time as the rest of the ingredients.
- Indian Coconut Rice- Add 1 tablespoon of yellow curry powder at the same time as the salt.
Serving Ideas
This simple Coconut Rice makes the perfect side dish to a variety of south Asian and tropical dishes! Try it alongside Slow Cooker Thai Chicken Curry, Tikka Masala Stew (leave out the rice in the recipe), Jerk Chicken Thighs and more.
Try topping it with fresh cilantro and chopped green onions for an extra pop of fresh flavor.
Yes! Add all of the ingredients to a pot, cover and heat over medium high until boiling. Stir, reduce heat to medium low heat and simmer until the liquid is mostly absorbed. Remove from heat and allow to sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Stir and serve!
I have not personally tried this recipe with brown rice so I can't guarantee any results. I would expect that you would need to add a bit more water, but I haven't tested it to know how much.
How to Wash Rice (And Why You Should)
Place the rice in a fine mesh sieve and place the sieve in a bowl. Fill the bowl with water so that the rice is covered. With clean hands, swirl the rice for a few seconds. Dump the water and repeat 2-3 times until the water is nearly clear. Drain rice and resume with recipe.
Rinsing the rice removes excess starch which helps ensure fluffy rice that is not overly sticky!
Dietary Notes
If you have dietary restrictions, check the packaging of specific ingredients that you use to ensure they are compliant. This recipe is:
- Dairy Free
- Gluten Free
- Nut Free
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
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Recipe Card
Rice Cooker Coconut Rice
Equipment
- Rice Cooker
Ingredients
- 2 cups white jasmine rice
- 1 (14 oz) can coconut milk full fat
- 1 and ¼ cups water
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
Instructions
- Rinse the rice 2-3 times until the water is nearly clear. Drain.
- Add all of the ingredients to a rice cooker and stir to combine.
- Turn the rice cooker to on and allow to cook for the full cycle.
- When done, fluff and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
More Tasty Side Dishes!
Suja md says
One of my favorites! These looks absolutely great! can't wait to try!
Janessa says
Thank you for your kind review!
Darren says
If I add 4 tablespoons if lime juice to this will it still cook the rice without leaving liquid?
Janessa says
Hi Darren, I would recommend omitting 1/4 cup of water and replacing it with lime juice for best texture.
Darren says
Thank you for your reply 🙏 but actually, I was wondering if it would taste more citrusy if I wait until after it has cooked to add the lime juice? Sorry I did not think of this before I posted my comment!
Janessa says
I haven't tried adding the lime juice after so I'm not entirely sure. I would try adding it before cooking and then you can taste it after it is cooked and add more if it is not citrusy enough for your tastes. You could also add some lime zest after cooking for more flavor if you want. Let me know how it turns out!
Brody says
Always add fresh citrus juice AFTER cooking, for 99% of recipes. Cooking citrus juice turns it muted and, if taken too far, acrid. If you want to add the essence of a citrus during cooking, zest it in.
Dana says
Love this coconut rice! It's perfect for curries or as a side to some of our favorite East Asian dishes.
Janessa says
I'm glad you liked this recipe, Dana!
Stephanie says
I always thought coconut rice sounded really good. I just never knew what I'd eat it with. Thanks for the suggestions!
Janessa says
I hope you love it, Stephanie!
Kelley says
Made this to go with jerk chicken and it was amazing! Thanks for the great recipe!
Janessa says
I'm glad you liked this recipe, Kelley!
MJ says
I used your recipe to make a coconut lime rice and it turned out fantastic! So fluffy.
Janessa says
I'm glad you liked this recipe, MJ!
Chantelle says
Actual cups for rice or the zojirushi cup?
Thank you
Janessa says
Actual cups. Hope you enjoy the recipe!
Carmelita Goodlow says
I always love. coconut rice and thank you for giving me that recipe I appreciated it too much.
Leonie Suttor says
This coconut rice is amazing! I cooked this for friends along with chicken satay skewers. Everyone loved it. Thanks for sharing your recipe.
Janessa says
I'm so glad you enjoyed this recipe, Leonie! Thank you for your kind review!
Bon says
Used brown jasmine rice and added a little more water. Delish! Thank you 🙂
Janessa says
I'm so glad you liked this recipe, Bon! Thank you for your kind review.
ali says
first time i’ve ever had coconut rice and OMG it was amazing and the best rice i’ve ever had. i paired it with seasoned salmon and mango salsa and it was so good !!!
Janessa says
I'm so glad you liked this recipe, Ali! Thank you for your kind review.
Allison says
This recipe is so good. So good that I don't think I can make rice any other way at this point! So delicious!!
Janessa says
I'm so glad you like this recipe, Allison! Thank you for your kind review.
Johnni says
Great recipe! Tastes legit. I like to let it cool just a little so I can taste the full coconut of it. It takes longer to cook in my rice cooker because of the coconut milk, about 40 minutes. Just let the rice cooker do it's thing.
Janessa says
I'm so glad you liked this recipe, Johnni! Thank you for your kind review.
Michelle says
recipe turned out great… My boyfriend and I kept going back for more. Will definitely make again!
Janessa says
I'm so glad you liked this recipe, Michelle! Thank you for your kind review.
Bicycle Dude says
I have a small 4 cup rice cooker for one person use. I followed the recipe rinsing the rice and used pressed coconut water instead of full-fat coconut milk.
The rice turned out good, but did not enough coconut flavor for my taste. Next time I'll use coconut milk as directed.
Janessa says
The coconut milk definitely adds more flavor than coconut water would. I'm glad the rice still turned out for you. Let me know how you enjoy if you make it with the coconut milk!
Bicycle Dude says
Hi Janessa,
I made the coconut rice using coconut milk as directed and it turned out GREAT! Actually I’ve made it several times since my original post. Making rice in my small cooker for two meals took some trials and errors to perfect, I don’t want to make too much to waste leftovers before they spoil.
Thanks for your great recipes and cooking tips!
Janessa says
I'm so glad to hear that! Thank you for the update!!
Tae says
The recipe calls for 2 cups of rice. Is that 2 normal cups of rice or the small cup that comes with the rice cooker?
Janessa says
Hi Tae, that is calling for two normal cups. Hope you enjoy the recipe!
Curtis P says
My wife gave me a rice cooker for Christmas. I was hungry for coconut rice and found this recipe and loved it! Super easy to make and delicious to eat.
I’ve made coconut rice as specified in the recipe using whole coconut milk and again using unfiltered coconut water because it was what I had on hand. Both turned out great, the coconut milk has a pronounced coconut flavor, while the coconut water is a more subtle in taste. Both were good!
Janessa says
I'm so glad you liked this recipe, Curtis! Thank you for sharing your review and experience using coconut water.
Louanne says
I made coconut rice following your recipe and it turned out perfect! It has just the right amount of coconut milk and preparing in my rice maker made it so easy. Thanks!
Janessa says
I'm so glad you liked this recipe, Louanne! Thank you for your comment.