Name: Easy Stovetop Coconut Rice
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Ingredients: 2 cups jasmine or basmati rice (rinsed until clear); 1 13.5 oz can full-fat coconut milk; 1 1/2 cup water; 1 tsp salt; 2 tbsp brown sugar; lime wedges (for serving, optional); chopped green onion (for serving, optional)

Stovetop coconut rice cooked in canned coconut milk to create creamy, salty & sweet, slightly coconut-y rice that’s absolutely addicting. The rice itself is quite simple, and just needs a few ingredients to whip up, but don’t let its simplicity fool you! This easy coconut rice has absolutely explosive flavor. If you are looking for a side dish that will get everyone asking for the recipe, then it’s this dish.

Stovetop coconut rice is a perfect side dish to pair with a tropical meal or to just jazz up a salmon or grilled chicken dinner. No matter what you pair it with, it’s going to be the star of your plate!

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How To Make The Best Stovetop Coconut Rice

Stovetop coconut rice is a simple, flavorful side dish that will pair perfectly with a tropical or Caribbean entree, southeastern Asian entree, or even just grilled chicken! Below is all you’ll need to know to make this easy side dish!

Rinse The Rice & Prep the Rice

Don’t skip out on rinsing your rice first. I didn’t learn to rinse rice before cooking it until later in life, but it makes a HUGE difference!

If you know, you know.

You’ll want to rinse the rice until the water runs clear (unrinsed rice will make the water murky). After the rice is rinsed and ready to go, add it to a large pot and heat it on the stovetop to medium-low heat. Toast the rice in the pot for 3-5 minutes, or until it starts to smell slightly toasty. Stir the rice frequently while it toasts.

Simmer in Coconut Milk

As soon as the rice smells a bit toasty, or it’s been toasting for at least 5 minutes, dump in the coconut milk and the water. Turn the heat on the pot to high heat, and bring the pot to a boil. Then reduce the heat on the pot to a simmer.

Cover the pot and simmer the rice in the coconut milk and water. Stir the pot frequently to prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom. Simmer for about 12-15 minutes. The coconut rice should be fluffy (a little sticky) and all of the liquid should be soaked up in the rice.

Serve Stovetop Coconut Rice

Scoop the stovetop coconut rice out of the pan and into the serving bowl. Top with green onions and lime wedges, if desired.

Store Leftovers (if you have any)

Cover your leftover coconut rice and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

What Kind Of Coconut Milk Should You Use For Coconut Rice

For the best results, you’ll want to use a full-fat can of coconut milk for this stovetop coconut rice recipe. I don’t suggest the low-fat version or the refrigerated refined coconut milk.

Full-fat can of coconut milk will yield the creamiest texture and flavor of the stovetop coconut rice. The other types of coconut milk don’t compare to the flavor or creamy texture that the full-fat coconut offers.

The Ingredients

This rice is simple, and it only takes 4 ingredients (5 if you include the water) to make this easy, tropical side dish.

jasmine or basmati rice

You can use white or long-grain rice, but I suggest jasmine or basmati rice. Both types of rice will provide the perfect base for this recipe. Jasmine rice has a slightly sweet, nutty flavor, and basmati rice has a nutty almost floral flavor.

coconut milk

For this recipe, you’ll want to use full-fat coconut milk for the best taste. You can also use the low-fat can of coconut milk, but in my opinion, the low-fat can not be as flavorful as the full-fat can.

Regardless of the can of coconut milk you use, make sure not to use refined coconut milk from the refrigerated section.

salt

A little bit of salt aids in lifting the coconut milk flavor and the rice.

brown sugar

Add 1-2 tablespoons of brown sugar to sweeten the coconut rice. I call for up to 2 tablespoons of brown sugar in this recipe, but it’s up to your tastes to determine how much sugar you want to add in. If you like your rice less sweet add in 1 tablespoon.

What To Serve With Coconut Rice

Coconut rice is meant to shine! I suggest serving this dish with chopped green onion and lime wedges if desired.

Because of the subtle coconut-y flavor, and slightly sweet taste, I suggest keeping your additional meal items simple.

I love to serve my coconut rice in hollowed-out pineapple bowls to add to the tropical flair of this dish!

If you like easy, flavorful side dish recipes like this stovetop coconut rice, you’ll love these other side dish recipes.