When cooking rice for a large group, it can be tricky to figure out exactly how much rice you need. You want to make sure you cook enough so that everyone gets fed, but you also don’t want to end up with a ton of leftover rice. So how much rice should you cook when serving 15 people? Let’s take a look at some quick tips for calculating the right rice amount.
Quick Answer
For 15 people, you will need approximately 15 cups of uncooked white rice. This will yield around 45 cups of cooked rice total, which should provide roughly 3 cups of cooked rice per person. The exact amount can vary slightly depending on the type of rice used.
Estimating Cups of Rice Needed
Here are some helpful guidelines for estimating how many cups of uncooked rice you need per person:
- White rice: Use approximately 1 cup uncooked rice per person
- Brown rice: Use around 1 1/4 cups uncooked rice per person
- Wild rice: Use about 1/2 to 3/4 cups uncooked rice per person
Based on this, for 15 people you would need:
- White rice: 15 cups uncooked
- Brown rice: Around 19 cups uncooked
- Wild rice: 8 to 11 cups uncooked
These portions will yield 3 to 4 cups of cooked rice per person, which is a typical serving size.
The 1:2 Rice to Water Ratio
One simple way to calculate how much uncooked rice you need is to use a 1:2 rice to water ratio. For every 1 cup of rice, you’ll need 2 cups of water during cooking. Here’s a quick calculation:
- You want 3 cups cooked rice per person x 15 people = 45 cups cooked rice total
- With the 1:2 rice to water ratio, 45 cups cooked rice = around 22.5 cups uncooked rice
- Rounding down, you’ll need around 22 cups of uncooked rice for 15 people
The rice to water ratio can vary slightly for different rice varieties, but 1:2 is a standard that works for most types.
Cooking Yield for Rice
Another factor to consider is the cooking yield of rice. Rice typically doubles or triples in volume after cooking.
- White rice yield: 1 cup uncooked = 2 cups cooked
- Brown rice yield: 1 cup uncooked = 2.5-3 cups cooked
Knowing this, you can calculate:
- For white rice, 15 cups uncooked x 2 = 30 cups cooked
- For brown rice, 15 cups uncooked x 2.5 = 37.5 cups cooked
Both amounts should provide around 3 cups cooked rice per person.
Using a Rice Cooker’s Cup Lines
If cooking rice in a rice cooker, you can also use the water cup lines inside the pot to help gauge amounts. A standard rice cooker cup is about 3/4 the size of a typical US cup measure. Here is a rough estimate of cups needed based on a rice cooker’s markings:
- White rice: 20 rice cooker cups
- Brown rice: 25 rice cooker cups
Weight Measurements
Another option is to use weight instead of cup measurements. Here are some rough guidelines for the weight of uncooked rice needed:
- White rice: Use 0.25 lb (4 oz) uncooked per person
- Brown rice: Use around 0.30 lb (5 oz) uncooked per person
So for 15 people:
- White rice: 15 x 0.25 lb = 3.75 lb uncooked
- Brown rice: 15 x 0.30 lb = 4.5 lb uncooked
Cooking White and Brown Rice
Once you’ve measured out the needed amount of uncooked rice, cooking methods can vary depending on the rice variety.
Cooking White Rice
For white rice, here is a simple stovetop method:
- Rinse the rice in a mesh strainer until the water runs clear.
- Add the rinsed rice and the appropriate amount of water (double the volume of rice) to a pot.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5-10 minutes.
- Fluff with a fork before serving.
You can also use a rice cooker for easy white rice cooking. Just add rinsed rice and water to the cooker, turn on and it will automatically turn off when done.
Cooking Brown Rice
For brown rice, cook times are a bit longer:
- Rinse the rice.
- Combine rice, water and a pinch of salt in a pot.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 25-45 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let stand for 10 minutes before fluffing with a fork.
A rice cooker can also be used for hassle-free brown rice cooking. Add your rinsed rice and water, turn on the cooker and it will switch to warm setting when done.
Tips for Cooking Rice for a Crowd
Here are some additional tips to help ensure perfect rice when cooking for a large group:
- Use a heavy-bottomed pot with a tight fitting lid to prevent scorching.
- Bring the water to a full boil before adding the rice.
- Resist lifting the lid during cooking to maintain proper steaming.
- Spread out the cooked rice on a sheet pan to cool quickly before refrigerating.
- Rest cooked rice for 5-10 minutes before serving for best texture.
How Much Uncooked Rice Per Person
To summarize, here are some quick guidelines for about how much uncooked rice to measure out per person:
| Rice Type | Uncooked Rice Per Person |
|---|---|
| White Rice | 1 cup |
| Brown Rice | 1 1/4 cups |
| Wild Rice | 1/2 – 3/4 cup |
How Much Cooked Rice Per Person
And here is an overview of around how much cooked rice to portion out for each individual serving:
| Rice Type | Cooked Rice Per Person |
|---|---|
| White Rice | 3-4 cups |
| Brown Rice | 3-4 cups |
| Wild Rice | Around 3 cups |
Serving Sides and Condiments
Rice makes a great base for absorbing and complementing all kinds of delicious flavors. Here are some tasty sides and seasonings to consider when serving rice for a crowd:
- Sautéed or roasted vegetables
- Beans, chickpeas or lentils
- Chicken, shrimp or tofu
- Salsa, guacamole or sour cream
- Soy sauce, teriyaki sauce or stir fry sauce
- Spices like garlic, onion, cumin or curry powder
- Fresh herbs like cilantro, basil or mint
- Diced avocado
- Lime wedges
- Shredded cheese or hot sauce (optional)
Adding a protein and veggie sides bulks up the rice for a hearty, well-balanced meal for a crowd. Topping individual portions with different condiments and herbs/spices allows everyone to customize their flavors.
Leftover Rice Storage
When cooking rice for a large group, chances are you’ll have leftovers. Here are some tips for storing leftover rice:
- Let rice fully cool before storing.
- Store rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- For best quality, use leftover rice within 3-5 days.
- Add a little water when reheating to restore moisture.
- Fried rice is a great way to use up leftover rice.
- Consider freezing excess rice for longer term storage.
Cooking Rice for a Crowd
Cooking rice for a group doesn’t have to be complicated. Following the basic guidelines of 1 cup uncooked/3 cups cooked per person and using the 1:2 rice to water ratio helps simplify the process. Allowing time for the rice to fully cook and absorb all the liquid is also key to achieving perfect fluffy rice. With the right techniques and a few flavorful accents, rice for a crowd can be easy, delicious and cost effective.