Learn the perfect way to cook Jasmine rice in the microwave .
It turns out fluffy and delicious! As an Asian, I can vouch that with the right rice-to-water ratio and timing, it’s almost as good as using a rice cooker, and it saves a lot of time too!
Table of Contents
What is Jasmine Rice?
Jasmine rice is a fragrant, long-grain rice variety popular in South East Asia. It provides a fluffier texture compared to japonica rice or sticky rice, enhanced by a delightful hint of pandan fragrance.
When compared to basmati rice (the type of long-grain rice popular in South Asian cuisines), jasmine rice is way softer and stickier. Both are excellent options for preparing fried rice.
In Vietnam, making flawless, fluffy steamed rice is effortless with a rice cooker. After moving to Germany, I experimented with cooking jasmine rice (and other types of rice) without a rice cooker — simply using the stove, instant pot, or even the microwave.
To be honest, the jasmine rice from the microwave doesn’t quite match the quality of the other methods, but it’s a huge time-saver for me, and the results are surprisingly decent. It’s like my kitchen’s little superhero during hectic times like exams or work.
Related recipess | More microwave recipes:
Why this recipe works
- Saving-time: cooking rice with a rice cooker typically takes 30-45 minutes, but using a microwave reduces it to around 15 minutes.
- Decent flavor: While the flavor may not reach the perfection of rice cooked in a Rice Cooker or on a Stovetop, the difference is so slight that even my Vietnamese friends approve of this recipe.
- Utilize your microwave: Make the most of your microwave! It’s not only for heating or thawing frozen food; it can do much more. No need to buy a rice cooker to enjoy delicious rice like an Asian.
Equipment
- A microwave
- A microwave-safe bowl
- 2 microwave-safe plates (one used as a lid and the other to catch any water that may leak during the cooking process)
Ingredients
After numerous tests, I found the perfect rice-to-water ratio.
- 1 cup Jasmine rice
- 1+3/4 cup boiling water (boiling water helps reduce cooking time)
Instructions
Rinsing rice really matters?
Definitely! Rinsing rice isn’t just about hydrating or removing starch; it’s mainly to wash away any dirt, dust, or tiny pests that might have traveled from the paddy fields in Vietnam or Thailand to your kitchen.
My Vietnamese friends, who come from farming families, always stress the importance of washing rice before cooking—no exceptions.
- Put the rice in a bowl and fill it with water. Swirl the water around with your hand and then drain. Repeat this process 2 to 3 times until the water looks clear.
- Drain the rice well.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the rice with 1+3/4 cups of boiling water.
- Cover the bowl with a plate and place another plate under it to catch any water that might leak during cooking.
- Microwave the rice on high for 10 minutes.
- Fluff the rice, cover the bowl again, and microwave for an additional 3 minutes.
- Remove the rice from the microwave and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
What to serve with Jasmine rice
Steamed Jasmine rice perfectly complements a wide range of South East Asian dishes, particularly in Thai and Vietnamese cuisines.
Here are some dishes that pair wonderfully with steamed jasmine rice:
If you have some leftover steamed rice, use it to make this fried Jasmine rice or check out my collection of recipes with Jasmine rice for more inspiration.
Troubleshooting
When cooking rice in the microwave, the rice-to-water ratio can vary depending on your rice. Aged rice tends to absorb more water and might become dry more easily compared to new rice.
Here’s how to deal with common issues:
- The rice is still hard: This might be due to insufficient water or not fully cooked. To fix it, add about 1 tbsp of water and microwave for an additional 2 minutes.
- The rice is mushy: Unfortunately, there’s no immediate fix for this. Reduce the amount of water by 1 tbsp during your next attempt (but avoid reducing too much).
- Scorched base: If your microwave has a higher power (mine is 700W on high heat), reduce the cooking time by 1-2 minutes.
More Asian Rice Side Dishes
(Sticky Rice with Chinese Sausages)
(Kimchi Fried Rice)
The Best Microwave Jasmine Rice (Asian-Approved)
Equipment
- 1 Microwave
- 1 Microwave-safe bowl
- 2 Microwave-safe plates (one as lid, one to catch any leaking water)
Ingredients
- 1 cup Jasmine rice (250ml)
- 1¾ cup boiling water (440ml)
Instructions
- Rinse the rice in a bowl of water, swirling with your hand, and draining. Repeat this process 2 to 3 times until the water appears clear.
- Drain the rice thoroughly.
- Combine the rinsed rice with 1+3/4 cups of boiling water in a microwave-safe bowl.
- Place a plate over the bowl and set another plate underneath to catch any potential water leaks during cooking.
- Microwave it on high for 10 minutes.
- After microwaving, fluff the rice, cover the bowl again, and microwave for other 3 minutes.
- Remove the rice from the microwave and allow it to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Rice still hard? Add 1 tbsp water, microwave 2 more mins.
- Mushy rice? Reduce water by 1 tbsp next time.
- Scorched base? Reduce cook time for powerful microwaves (higher than 700W).
Does this jasmine rice recipe (1x) produce two cups of rice when cooked? I’m used to cooking with regular long-grained white rice with a one cup rice to two cups of water in microwave, but it’s not quite as fluffy as I’d like and I’m hoping for better results with the jasmine rice.
Thanks!
Hello Sarah, one cup of Jasmine rice could yield around 2 cups of cooked rice or slightly less. Jasmine rice tends to be stickier than American long-grained rice and Basmati rice, so it requires less liquid when cooking. It has a slightly chewier and softer texture and a mild, aromatic flavor. Just give it a try; I hope you will like it 🙂 .
If I take the time to boil the water first, then I’m losing the time saved by using the microwave. What’s the timing if I use room temp water ?
Hello. You can increase the cooking time by 2-3 minutes, but it also depends on your microwave wattage.