Coconut Water Rice
This coconut water rice recipe is a real winner. It gives you light, fluffy white rice that’s packed with flavor. Cooking rice in coconut water gives you a better-tasting rice with nutrients and a hint of nutty flavor.
Coconut rice is a staple in many tropical countries. It’s not only delicious but also a healthier alternative to regular rice. This low-fat coconut rice is made with coconut water instead of coconut milk. The result is a light, fluffy rice that’s rich in electrolytes and nutrients.
If you’re a fan of this type of rice, you’ll love my lime rice. It’s tangy and aromatic, and it’s a perfect side dish to your favorite curry. Or, if you’re in the mood for something more exotic, try my Sayadiyeh (fish and rice).
❤️ WHY YOU’LL LOVE COCONUT WATER RICE
- Quick and Easy: This recipe is incredibly easy to make. With just a few simple steps, you’ll have a delicious pot of coconut rice ready in no time.
- Unforgettable Flavor: Using coconut water gives this rice a truly unforgettable flavor. It’s a wonderful twist on traditional rice that you won’t soon forget.
- Versatile: This coconut rice is incredibly versatile. It pairs well with a wide variety of dishes, from seafood to chicken to tofu. Plus, you can customize it with different herbs and spices to suit your tastes.
🍊 INGREDIENTS
More details about the ingredients and measurements are in the recipe card below!
- Coconut Water: This is the star of the show and will infuse your rice with a deliciously subtle coconut flavor. Make sure to get a good quality brand, or if you have access to fresh coconut water, that’s even better.
- Raw Long-Grain White Rice: I prefer using long-grain white rice for this recipe because it cooks up fluffy and doesn’t get too sticky. However, you can also use basmati, jasmine, or any other long-grain variety you prefer.
- Salt: A little bit of salt is all you need to bring out the flavors of the coconut water and rice. Don’t overdo it, as you can always add more later.
- Ginger (optional): If you want to add a subtle kick to your coconut rice, a slice of ginger is a perfect addition. It complements the coconut flavor beautifully.
🔪 HOW TO MAKE COCONUT WATER RICE
Step 1
Start by washing the rice thoroughly with cold water. Let it soak for about 20 minutes. This simple step helps remove excess starch from the rice, and soaking it makes the grains cook up fluffier.
Step 2
In a saucepan, bring coconut water to a boil. The coconut water adds a subtle, natural sweetness and a wonderful aroma to the rice.
Step 3
Add in the ginger and salt for some extra flavor. Then, add in the rice.
Step 4
Once the mixture comes to a boil, reduce the heat to the lowest setting. Cover the saucepan with a lid. Here’s a pro tip: place a kitchen towel over the saucepan before putting on the lid. This little trick helps the rice cook more evenly. However, make sure the towel doesn’t catch fire.
Step 5
Let the rice simmer for 16 to 18 minutes. The result will be perfectly cooked rice with a hint of coconut flavor. Remember to remove the piece of ginger before serving. Enjoy your delicious coconut rice!
👩🏽🍳 PRO TIPS
- Enhance the coconut flavor: If you want your coconut rice to have a stronger coconut flavor, substitute the coconut water with a mix of half water and half canned coconut milk. This will make the rice creamier and richer.
- Customize your spices: While this recipe calls for just a slice of ginger and salt, feel free to experiment with other spices like lemongrass, pandan leaves, or even a pinch of turmeric for a more fragrant and colorful dish.
📋 VARIATIONS
- Jasmine Rice: For a fragrant twist, replace the long grain white rice with jasmine rice. The floral aroma of the jasmine rice pairs beautifully with the coconut water.
- Coconut Milk: If you prefer a richer coconut flavor, replace some of the coconut water with coconut milk. Just be sure to adjust the quantity to ensure that the total liquid remains the same.
🍽️ HOW TO SERVE COCONUT WATER RICE
- For a tropical twist, serve the coconut rice with a zesty mango salsa. The sweetness of the mango perfectly complements the subtle coconut flavor of the rice.
- Coconut rice makes a great side dish for a variety of grilled meats. Try serving it with some jerk chicken for a Caribbean-inspired meal.
- You can also enjoy coconut rice as a dessert. Serve it with some fresh slices of pineapple for a simple yet refreshing sweet treat.
- For a vegetarian option, pair the coconut rice with some spicy black beans. The combination of flavors is absolutely delicious. You can try it with Creamy Spinach Lentils.
- If you’re in the mood for some seafood, coconut rice goes really well with grilled shrimp. The combination of the sweet rice and the savory shrimp is a real crowd-pleaser.
💬 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
I recommend using raw long grain white rice for this recipe. The long grain rice holds up well to the flavors of the coconut water, giving you a fragrant and delicious dish.
Yes, it’s important to wash the rice several times with cold water to remove excess starch. This helps prevent the rice from becoming too sticky as it cooks.
Soaking the rice for about 20 minutes before cooking helps it to cook evenly. This is a crucial step for achieving the perfect texture in your coconut rice.
🌡️ STORING
- Storing: Leftover coconut rice can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
RELATED RECIPES
- Mexican Rice – This Mexican Rice is a great side dish for any meal! It’s light, fluffy, and packed with flavor in each bite that’s not only delicious but also authentic.
- African Black Eyed Peas Rice – African Black Eyed Peas Rice is the perfect side dish, it can be served with gravy-based dishes, fried chicken, or even with steak.
- Mushroom Rice – Mushroom rice is a delectable vegan and gluten-free side dish. It is an ideal choice for a quick and satisfying meal.
- Parboiled Rice – Parboiled rice is forgiving; you can not ruin the rice as quickly as you can with regular rice. If you overboil it, unlike regular rice, it will not turn mushy so quickly.
Looking for more ideas? Check out my best rice recipes collection for easy and flavorful dishes.
⭐ PLEASE RATE AND REVIEW
If you have tried this Coconut Water Rice recipe and liked it, please give it a 5-star rating and leave a comment below with your experience!
Coconut Water Fluffy Rice
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cup coconut water
- 1 cup long grain Basmati rice , washed and soaked for 20 minutes
- Salt to taste
- 1 slice ginger, optional
Instructions
- Wash the rice several times using cold water. Let it soak for 20 minutes.
- In a saucepan, bring coconut water to a boil, add the ginger and salt, and then the drained rice.
- When it comes to a boil, reduce heat to the lowest and cover the rice with a lid. I use a kitchen towel to cover the saucepan and then cover with a lid, this will help the rice cook better and evenly.
- Let the rice cook for 16 to 18 minutes, Fluff the rice with fork and then serve hot.
- Don’t forget to remove the ginger before serving the rice.
Notes
- Wash the rice until the water runs clear, then soak it for 20 minutes. This will ensure that the rice cooks evenly.
- Add the rice when the coconut water boils or the rice won’t cook properly.
- You can add different spices to the rice if you wish.
- To add more flavor, add a tablespoon of butter to the rice after it is cooked and gently mix.
Nutrition
The rice must have tasted amazing prepared with coconut water!
It didn’t have strong coconut water taste, but it was perfect 🙂
hmm, this is really great idea’
this post ashamed me, i’m Indonesian and never even thought to use coconut water for cooking rice before,
totally worth to try!!!
I love Indonesian food, you guys are very creative 🙂