How Much Water for 2 cups of Rice? The basic rule of thumb

Cooking rice may seem like an easy job with the least ingredients. However, it’s absolutely not!

Rice, for the most part, is a staple ingredient in your pantry that you cannot go without. But, it’s astonishing how you can eat all the rice you want, and not cook it properly!

In this article, I’m going to address one of the most beautiful questions; How much water for 2 cups of rice?

The answer depends on the quality and type of rice based on its cooking ratios, cooking method, and cooking time accordingly.

So, let’s dive in!

How Much Water for 2 cups of Rice?

As I mentioned earlier, the water ratio for rice depends on the type of rice you’re using. Among over 50,000 varieties of rice worldwide, some of the most commonly used are:

1. Long grain rice
2. Medium grain rice
3. Short grain rice
4. Brown rice

So, the cooking time and cooking process of the above-mentioned rice vary. If you’re cooking white rice, the time and water ratio required is lesser than basmati rice, and vice versa.

However, the general rule of thumb for the water ratio for cooking rice is one and a half cups of water per one cup of rice. That means, 3 cups of water for 2 cups of rice. This water ratio is ideal for short grain or medium grain white rice. However, for long grain rice, the water ratio and cooking process would be different.

I also advise soaking the rice for around 15 to 30 minutes before cooking rice. Did you know you can also make SUSHI rice in a rice cooker? We’ll show you how.

How much water to rice ratio for long grain white rice?

For cooking long grain white rice, the ideal water ratio is two cups of water per one cup of rice. That is 4 cups of water for 2 cups of rice.

How much water to rice ratio for short grain white rice?

For short grain white rice, the ideal water ratio is one and a quarter cups per one cup of rice.

How to cook 2 cups of rice — Achieve perfectly cooked rice in the easiest way possible

It may sound foolish, but cooking rice is rocket science, especially if you’re new to the cooking game.

However, thanks to different cuisines and my own experiments, I’ve mastered the art of perfectly cooked rice with little to no effort. And today, I’m going to teach you the same tricks I learned through trial and error to achieve the delicious taste and fragrant aroma of your cooked rice.

My easy, mess-free recipe is good enough for 4 people.

Things you need:

1. Rice 2 cups
2. Water 1.5 cups
3. Small wooden or metal pot

Method:

1. Soak uncooked rice in water and cover it in water until the rice is not visible. Let it rest for around 1 hour
2. Rinse thoroughly for about 5 times and drain the water properly after rinsing
3. In a small to medium saucepan, add 2 cups of rice with 1.5 cups of water. Make sure the water covers the rice along the surface
4. Put the stove to high heat and leave it for around 8 to 10 minutes or until the water has evaporated.
5. After the water is evaporated, put the stove to low heat and cover the pot with a lid. Let it sit for 10 minutes
6. Turn off the heat. Let the pot rest for 5 minutes
7. After 5 minutes, run your spoon to see if it needs more cooking time.

Common methods to cook rice perfectly

Here are the two most common methods to cook rice perfectly.

Steaming the rice with a rice cooker

Steaming your rice (without undercooking it) in a rice cooker is the easiest way to cook rice. All you have to do is soak the rice in 1.5 times more water inside the cooker. Make sure to leave some space in the cooker as the water volume triples during this process, so sufficient space should be available.

If you’re using packaged rice, most rice packets come with cooking conditions on them. Steam it for the specified time.

Boiling the rice in a saucepan

In India and other South Asian countries, this cooking method is popular, and rightfully so.

You just have to fill your saucepan with water and put a lid on it, let it boil and put the rice grains until they are fully cooked.

The leftover water is rich in starch and can be used as a separate beverage. Boiling is the most common method of cooking rice, but it takes more time than usual. Nevertheless, boiling lets your rice cooks evenly with perfectly cooked grains.

Tips and tricks for cooking 2 cups of rice

1. Rinse the rice before cooking and soak it for at least 30 minutes to keep it just the right amount of sticky rice. Soaking the rice for 30 minutes helps plump the grains.
2. Use the right water ratio against your rice ratio to avoid undercooking or overcooking your rice.
3. Always cover your utensil while cooking the rice and keep the flames low. It will help cook your rice evenly without sticking to the pan.
4. Taste the rice before turning off the flame to adjust the “doneness” accordingly.

Rice Cooker—The ultimate solution for cooking perfect rice

When I first saw the ad for a rice cooker on my television, I thought it was just that too-good-to-be-true marketing gimmick. But, when I got my hands on it during the Covid times, my mind was blown!

Ever tried to scrape a skillet after burning the rice on the bottom or had the rice turn out as a sticky glob? A rice cooker could win your heart too!

Mind you, it’s been years that I’m using my rice cooker dutifully and I have zero regrets. The rice comes out just perfect with no gravy or sauce! Absolutely yum…

But, there’s something I’d like to add to achieve the wholesome flavor. Ever come across those cheap, short grain white rice? The common store rice everyone gets oftentimes?

Never buy that stuff!

Instead, go for jasmine rice or basmati rice. They are much more flavorsome and aromatic, especially basmati rice healthier. And for a nutty flavor, you can go for wild rice. The rice ratio and water ratio are different for these rice grains, but you’ll get a hold of it once you’re comfortable.

Note: Don’t believe those instant rice commercials into thinking that cooking rice is a challenging process. It takes 25 minutes to cook the perfectly cooked rice in a rice cooker. Let the rice sit for at least 5 minutes to absorb the water, allowing the rice grains to settle.

Just pour the water, pour the perfect rice ratio, turn on your rice cooker, and forget everything about it!

FAQs

Is it 1 cup of rice to 2 cups of water?

A 2 to 1 water to rice ratio works best for long grain rice on the stove. It’s advisable to take a little saucepan with a tight-fitting cover and heat 2 cups of water to a rolling boil. If you’d like, you may add a dash of salt.

Are 4 cups of water enough for 2 cups of rice?

It is advisable to double the water ratio for cups of rice. Accordingly, 4 cups of water are enough for 2 cups of rice.

What is the ratio of water to rice?

The rule of thumb for the water to rice ratio is 1:2. For one cup of rice, add two cups of water and for 2 cups of rice, use 4 cups of water.

How much water should I use for 1 half a cup of rice?

Add two cups of water to cook 1 half a cup of rice.

Why is cooked rice soggy?

If you experience soggy or mushy rice, it’s probably because the rice is overcooked or you added too much water so the grains split open and give off a starchy and sticky texture.

How do I reheat cooked rice?

The best way to reheat rice is to put it in the microwave oven or on the stove. While reheating rice in the microwave, pour rice into a microwave safe container with two tablespoons of water in it and microwave it for 3 minutes.

If you want to reheat cooked rice on the stove, put a teaspoon of oil or button on the pan and place it on medium heat. Stir while adding 1 cup of cooked rice and 1 tablespoon of water until the rice is thoroughly heated.