Easy Coconut Jasmine Rice (3 ways!) (2024)

Learn how to make coconut jasmine rice, a tasty dish bursting with tropical coconut flavors. It's the perfect side dish for any meal! Follow 3 simple cooking methods to whip up this aromatic delight!

Learn how to perfect your jasmine rice using this recipe. Then, to elevate your coconut jasmine rice, crack your own coconut and make your own coconut milk.

You'll love more Rice recipes: pandan sticky coconut rice dessert, Mango sticky rice, Easy Pandan Rice (with Thai Jasmine Rice), and how to Make Thai Sticky Rice in an Instant Pot.

What is Coconut Jasmine Rice

Creamy Coconut Jasmine Rice is a fragrant and delicious side dish popular in Southeast Asian cuisine. Made by cooking jasmine rice with creamy coconut milk. It has a rich coconut flavor and fluffy texture pairs perfectly with curries, stir-fries, or grilled meats.

Enjoy this flavorful rice dish with your favorite Asian dishes!

Why You'll Love This Coconut Jasmine Rice

• This delicious coconut rice is a good option for craving more than plain or normal rice.
• It is vegan-friendly so that everyone can dig in.
• Thai coconut rice is a perfect side dish for any meal.
• It's an easy recipe with simple ingredients using simple steps. Most ingredients can be found at your local grocery store, making it even more convenient!

What are the Different Types of Jasmine Rice?

There are several varieties of jasmine rice, including white jasmine rice, brown jasmine rice, and black jasmine rice.

White jasmine rice is the most common and has a delicate floral aroma. Brown jasmine rice has a nuttier flavor and a longer cooking time.

Learn about the different types of Thai rice here.

Ingredients for Thai Coconut Jasmine Rice

• Jasmine Rice: Long-grain rice known for its fragrant aroma and fluffy texture.
• Coconut Milk: Adds creaminess and coconut flavor to the rice. Use unsweetened coconut milk. Coconut cream is too heavy for this recipe.
• Water: Used to cook the rice and coconut milk mixture. Use chicken broth for extra flavors.
• Salt. Use kosher salt, Himalayan, or table salt. It helps to enhance the flavor of the rice.(Not pictured)
• Sugar: Balances the flavors and adds a subtle sweetness.
• Garlic. Used to add extra flavors while sauteeing it with the shallot
• Shallot. Another aromatic for added flavors and texture to the rice.
• Oil. Coconut oil is particularly good for this recipe.

Coconut Jasmine Rice Recipe Instructions

Pay attention to how much water you use when cooking rice. Using too much water can make your rice mushy. Using half the amount of water can make a big difference.

The index finger method doesn't always work, so be cautious. When making coconut rice, use just enough liquid for the perfect balance.

1. Stove Top Method

1. Rinse the jasmine rice in cold water to remove excess starch until the water runs clear, then drain well.

2. In a small pan on medium heat, add oil. Once hot, add garlic and shallot and saute until fragrant and lightly browned.Set aside.

3. bring the water and coconut milk to a gentle boil on medium-high heat. Add the rinsed rice and mix well.

Cover with a lid with a small opening to help release pressure. Cook for 10 minutes or until the rice has observed most of the liquid.

4. Bring the temp to low heat and add salt, sugar, and the sauteed garlic mixture with the rice. Stir and cook for 10-15 more minutes, uncovered.

Cook until the rice is done to the consistency you like.

Make sure the rice grains are still long and intact and not too mushy or sticking together.Adjust the flavors with more salt and sugar as needed.

Remember, the subtle flavors are what we need, not an overly seasoned coconut rice.

5. Remove the rice from the heat and fluff it. If using pandan leaves, discard them before serving.

Take in the aroma of the fragrant jasmine rice. Serve with your favorite dish.

2. Coconut Rice in Rice Cooker

1. Rinse the jasmine rice to remove extra starch 4-5 times or until the water runs clear, then drain well.
2. In a small pan on medium heat, brown the garlic and shallot until fragrant and lightly browned.
3. Combine the rinsed rice, coconut milk, water, salt, sugar, and the sauteed garlic mixture in a rice cooker.
4. Cook the rice using the rice cooker's instructions until fluffy and cooked through.
5. Once cooked, fluff the rice with a fork and discard the pandan leaves before serving.

3. Instant Pot Coconut Rice

1. Rinse the jasmine rice to remove extra starch 4-5 times or until the water runs clear, then drain well.
2. In a sauteed function of the Instant Pot, add oil, then sauteed garlic, shallot, and coconut flakes until golden brown and fragrant.
3. Add the jasmine rice, coconut milk, water, salt, and sugar to your electric pressure cooker. Turn the Instant Pot to high pressure or use your rice cooking setting. Cook for 5 minutes.
4. Once the Instant Pot is done cooking, allow 10 minutes of natural pressure release. Manual release any remaining pressure, then fluff the rice and serve.

Garnishing Options

• One of the best things about this coconut rice recipe is that you can customize the garnishes with your favorite ingredients.

• Sprinkle a little bit of sesame seeds, sliced green onions, fresh cilantro leaves, toasted coconut flakes, crispy fried garlic, or fried shallot over the cooked rice for added flavor and visual appeal.

What and How to Serve with Coconut Jasmine Rice

• Enjoy a variety of Thai curries like kabocha squash curry, yellow curry with chicken, green curry, Massaman curry with beef, and Penang curry with your coconut rice.
• Try pairing your coconut rice with flavorful stir-fries like Pad Pak Roum Mit, black pepper tofu, or stir fry cabbage with bacon.
• Elevate spicy Thai salads like Moo Manao, Beef laab, Green beans salad, or Pla Goong with a rice side dish of fluffy coconut rice.
• Create delicious rice bowls using coconut rice as a base.
• Use coconut rice as a comforting side dish for family meals with Thai curries, grilled meats, seafood, and stir-fries.
• Coconut rice is a great side dish to cool down spicy dishes like Pad Cha, Jungle curry, catfish stir fry, or spicy mussels stir fry. Pair it with fresh fruit to balance out the heat.

Tips for the Perfect Coconut Jasmine Rice

To enhance the coconut flavor, toast the coconut flakes in a dry skillet until golden brown and sprinkle them over the cooked rice before serving.

Fresh pandan leaves are great for infusing flavors into this coconut milk rice. Feel free to add the whole leaves in and remove them before serving. Find fresh or frozen Pandan leaves at your Asian grocery stores.

Use full fat coconut milk for a richer flavor and creamier texture.

Adjust the amount of sugar according to your personal preference for sweetness. If you don't have pandan leaves, you can omit them or substitute them with lime juice for added fragrance.

• Rice cooker: Makes cooking rice a breeze and ensures perfectly cooked grains every time.
• Instant pot pressure cooker.
• Stockpot for stovetop cooking.

Variations & Substitutes

• Use long-grain white rice, brown rice, or basmati rice for a different version of this easy coconut rice recipe.
• Use light coconut milk instead of full-fat coconut milk for a lighter version.
• For additional flavor, you can add other aromatics, such as lemongrass or kaffir lime leaves.
• Substitute brown sugar for a more caramelized flavor.

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop before serving.

Other Thai Recipes to Try Now

• Instant pot recipes, how to make Thai coconut sticky rice and Instant pot Tom Yum soup
• How to make pandan juice
• Crab fried rice
• Tom Kha Gia, a Thai coconut milk soup

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