When it comes to cooking rice, one of the most common questions is “How much rice is 1 cup cooked?” Knowing the correct rice to water ratio is key for cooking fluffy, perfectly cooked rice every time. In this comprehensive guide, we will provide the exact measurements for how much rice expands when cooked for various types of rice.
Quick Answer
As a quick answer, here is how much rice 1 cup of uncooked rice makes when cooked:
- White rice: 2 to 3 cups cooked
- Brown rice: 3 to 4 cups cooked
- Wild rice: 3 to 4 cups cooked
- Basmati rice: 2 to 3 cups cooked
- Jasmine rice: 2 to 3 cups cooked
- Arborio rice: 2.5 to 3 cups cooked
The actual amount can vary slightly depending on the variety and age of the rice. Newly harvested rice tends to expand more than older rice. Let’s look at each type of rice in more detail.
White Rice
White rice is the most common variety and includes long grain, medium grain, and short grain white rice. On average, 1 cup of uncooked white rice makes 2 to 3 cups of cooked rice.
Here are more specifics based on white rice variety:
- Long grain white rice: 1 cup uncooked makes about 2.5 to 3 cups cooked
- Medium grain white rice: 1 cup uncooked makes about 2.5 to 3 cups cooked
- Short grain white rice: 1 cup uncooked makes about 2 to 2.5 cups cooked
The reason long and medium grain rice expands more than short grain is because the grains are longer and fluffier when cooked. The shorter grains of short grain rice pack together more densely, resulting in less expansion.
White Rice Cooking Ratio
The general ratio for cooking white rice is:
- 1 cup uncooked rice
- 1.5 to 2 cups water
Bring the water to a boil, add the rice, bring back to a simmer, cover and cook for 15-20 minutes until the water is absorbed. Then remove from heat and let sit covered for 5-10 minutes to steam. Fluff with a fork before serving.
Brown Rice
Brown rice is whole grain rice with the inedible outer hull removed but the nutritious bran and germ still intact. This extra bran and germ makes the rice expand more. On average, 1 cup of uncooked brown rice makes 3 to 4 cups of cooked rice.
More specifics:
- Short grain brown rice: 1 cup uncooked makes about 3 to 3.5 cups cooked
- Medium grain brown rice: 1 cup uncooked makes about 3.5 to 4 cups cooked
- Long grain brown rice: 1 cup uncooked makes about 3.5 to 4 cups cooked
Brown Rice Cooking Ratio
Use this simple ratio for cooking perfect brown rice:
- 1 cup brown rice
- 2 to 2.5 cups water
Bring water to a boil, add rice, return to simmer, cover and cook for 30-45 minutes until tender and water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let steam for 10 minutes before fluffing with a fork.
Wild Rice
Wild rice isn’t actually rice at all. It’s an aquatic grass that grows naturally in lakes and rivers. The flavor is earthy, nutty and unique. When cooked, wild rice expands quite a bit. Here’s how much to expect:
- 1 cup uncooked wild rice makes about 3.5 to 4 cups cooked
Wild Rice Cooking Ratio
To cook wild rice, use this simple ratio:
- 1 cup wild rice
- 3 to 4 cups water or broth
Bring liquid to a boil, add rice, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 45-55 minutes. Drain any excess liquid before serving.
Basmati Rice
Prized for its nutty aroma, delicate flavor and fluffy texture, basmati rice is a long grain variety popular in Indian and Middle Eastern dishes. Here’s how much it expands when cooked:
- 1 cup uncooked basmati rice makes 2 to 3 cups cooked
Basmati Rice Cooking Ratio
To cook fluffy basmati rice, use this simple rice to water ratio:
- 1 cup basmati rice
- 1.5 cups water
For the best results, soak basmati rice for 30 minutes before cooking. Then drain, add to boiling water, cover and simmer over low heat for 15-18 minutes until water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let steam for 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork.
Jasmine Rice
Known for its pleasant floral aroma and sticky texture when cooked, jasmine rice is a popular long grain variety used in Southeast Asian cooking. Here’s how much it expands:
- 1 cup uncooked jasmine rice makes about 2 to 3 cups cooked
Jasmine Rice Cooking Ratio
The proper rice to water ratio for cooking jasmine rice is:
- 1 cup jasmine rice
- 1.25 cups water
For best results, soak jasmine rice for 30 minutes before cooking. Then drain, add to boiling water, cover and simmer over low heat for 15-20 minutes until tender and liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and allow to steam for 10 minutes before fluffing with a fork.
Arborio Rice
Arborio rice is a short grain Italian rice popular for risotto dishes. It has a high starch content that makes it creamy when cooked. Here’s how much arborio rice expands when cooked:
- 1 cup uncooked Arborio rice makes about 2.5 to 3 cups cooked
Arborio Rice Cooking Ratio
To cook arborio rice for risotto, use this rice to broth ratio:
- 1 cup arborio rice
- 3 to 4 cups broth
Heat broth to a simmer, add rice and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until rice is tender and mixture is creamy, about 18-25 minutes. Stir in any additional ingredients and serve immediately in warmed bowls.
More Examples of Cooked Rice Yields
To give you a better idea of how much rice expands when cooked, here is a table with more examples:
| Uncooked Rice | Water | Cooked Rice Yield |
|---|---|---|
| 1/2 cup long grain white rice | 3/4 to 1 cup | About 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups |
| 1 cup parboiled long grain rice | 1 1/2 cups | About 2 1/2 to 3 cups |
| 1/2 cup brown rice | 1 to 1 1/4 cups | About 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 cups |
| 1 cup wild rice | 3 cups | About 3 1/2 to 4 cups |
| 1/2 cup Arborio rice | 1 1/2 to 2 cups broth | About 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups |
As you can see, the cooked rice yield can vary a bit depending on the variety and grain size. But in general, white and brown long grain rice triple in volume, medium grains double, and short grains increase by 1 1/2 times.
Tips for Measuring Rice
Here are some key tips to keep in mind when measuring rice for cooking:
- Use the same measuring cup for both rice and water for the most accurate ratios.
- Don’t pack the rice down when measuring it. Use a light, scooping motion.
- Level off the top with a straight edge like the back of a knife.
- Rinse the rice before cooking to remove excess starch.
- For best results, use freshly harvested rice within 6 months.
- Store rice in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
Cooking Rice on the Stove
Now that you know how much rice expands when cooked, let’s go over the basic method for cooking rice on the stove:
- Rinse rice in a fine mesh strainer until the water runs clear.
- Combine rice and water in a pot using the appropriate ratio.
- Bring to a boil over high heat.
- Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for needed time.
- Remove from heat and let steam with the lid on for 5-10 minutes.
- Fluff rice with a fork and serve.
Tips for perfect stovetop rice:
- Use a heavy pot with a tight fitting lid.
- Bring water to a rolling boil before adding rice.
- Don’t lift the lid while rice is cooking.
- Don’t stir the rice after adding to boiling water.
- Use the cook times recommended on the package.
Cooking Rice in a Rice Cooker
Using a rice cooker makes cooking rice foolproof. Just add rice and water, press cook, and it automatically controls the temperature and timing to give perfect rice every time. Here are some tips for using a rice cooker:
- Use the provided rice cup to measure out the uncooked rice.
- Rinse rice first to remove excess starch.
- Fill water to the line that matches the rice variety.
- Add rice and water to the inner pot.
- Secure the lid and press the cook button.
- Allow rice cooker to complete the keep warm cycle before serving.
- Unplug rice cooker immediately after cooking.
The convenience of rice cookers makes it easy to have freshly cooked rice anytime without any guesswork.
Storing Leftover Rice
Cooked rice should not be left at room temperature for more than 1 hour. To properly store leftover rice:
- Allow rice to cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container.
- Refrigerate for up to 4 days.
- For longer storage, freeze rice for 3-6 months.
- Reheat leftover rice with a little water to restore moisture and prevent drying out.
Conclusion
Knowing how much rice expands from 1 cup uncooked to 2 cups, 3 cups or more cooked is vital to nail the perfect rice-to-water ratio every time. Keep this guide handy for the exact measurements of different rice varieties and foolproof cooking techniques. With the proper ratio and some simple tricks, you’ll be cooking restaurant-worthy rice at home to enjoy with any meal.
