Let’s be honest—cooking rice on the stovetop can feel like a gamble. 🎲 Sometimes it’s undercooked, other times it’s mushy or sticks to the pot. 😩
But what if I told you there’s a totally fuss-free method that works every time? 🙌 I’ve been cooking rice like this in the microwave for months, and I honestly wouldn’t go back. 💁♀️
This kitchen hack is a total game-changer. 🚀 It’s simple, reliable, and bonus: you only need one bowl. 🍽 Whether you’re making a quick weeknight dinner or meal prepping for the week, this method will save you time and cleanup. 💡
🛒 What You’ll Need:
- A heat-resistant bowl (I use a glass one—something like a Pyrex or a simple ovenproof dish is perfect!) 🥣
- A microwave with 800–1000 watts of power ⚡
- 220 grams (about 1 cup) of rice — I usually use basmati 🍚
- 1 teaspoon salt 🧂
- 1 tablespoon of fat (oil, butter, or whatever you like) 🧈
- 600 ml of freshly boiled water 💧
- Optional: veggies like 3 tablespoons of corn 🌽, chopped onion 🧅, peas, or anything you love 🥕
👩🍳 Step-by-Step:
1. Prep the Rice:
In your heatproof bowl, add 220g of rice, 1 tsp salt, and 1 tbsp oil or butter. 🥄 If you’re adding veggies, toss them in now too! 🥬
2. Boil the Water:
Use a kettle to boil 600 ml of water. ♨️
3. Add the Hot Water:
Carefully pour the boiling water over the rice. Stir it gently with a spoon. 🥄💦
4. Cover It Up:
Place an upside-down plate or microwave-safe lid over the bowl (not airtight—steam needs to escape). ☁️
✨ Tip: Put another plate under the bowl to catch any overflow—just in case! 🍽
5. Microwave Time:
Microwave on 800–1000 watts for:
- 12 minutes for basmati rice ⏲
- 10 minutes for jasmine rice 🌸
- 15 minutes for brown rice 🌾
6. Check for Water:
When the timer’s up, check the rice right away. If it still looks soupy or like a rice soup 🍜, put it back in for 1–2 more minutes. No worries—it’s super forgiving! 😅
7. Let It Rest:
Once the water’s mostly absorbed, leave the bowl covered in the microwave (just open the door) for another 12 minutes. ⏳
This steaming step is key to fluffy, perfect rice. 🫶
8. Fluff and Serve:
Uncover and fluff the rice with a fork. 🍴 Serve and enjoy your perfectly cooked, low-stress rice! 💕
🔬 Why This Method Works So Well
You might be wondering—why is this microwave method so reliable? 🤔 The answer lies in how rice cooks and how microwaves heat food.
Rice needs steam to cook properly. That’s why traditional stovetop methods require a tightly closed lid and just the right heat. But the microwave naturally excels at this—because it doesn’t heat from the outside in like a stove. Instead, it directly heats the water molecules inside the bowl. 💧⚡
This means the rice gets even, gentle heat from all sides as the water turns into steam. The steam then gets trapped under the lid or plate, cooking the rice perfectly without any risk of burning the bottom. 🙌
No stirring, no guessing, no burnt pots. Just fluffy, consistent rice every single time. ✨🍚
✨ Final Thoughts
This method makes perfect rice so simple, it almost feels like cheating. 😄
No sticking, no burnt bottoms, no pot babysitting. Just easy, fluffy rice—every single time. 🤍
I truly hope it becomes your new favorite kitchen shortcut! 🏡
Thanks for reading! 🫶
💡 Want more quick & fun kitchen hacks?
📌 Head over to my Pinterest for more cute ideas!
🍗 Craving something healthy & delicious? Check out my 10 Light Chicken Recipes for easy, wholesome meals!
