Easy Coconut Milk Rice Recipe + Video
Coconut milk rice is one of the most delicious rice dishes you will taste. Cooked with additional ginger, garlic and a pandan leaf, the aromas you’ll smell are wonderful. They’ll transport you to South East Asia for sure!
Coconut Rice
Rice is one of my fave side dishes. I think I could eat it all day, every day. If you’ve tried my Brazilian rice, you’ll know that the addition of garlic and ginger can be quite something. The littlest enhancement does wonders to the taste. Adding a traditional Thai pandan leaf to rice before cooking is very common in South East Asia and once you start adding it, you’ll want to get the stuff on regular mail order!
What do I need to make coconut rice?
Scroll down to the recipe card for the exact quantities.
Basmati rice – you could also use jasmine rice or any long-grain rice (fragrant is best).
Coconut milk (see tips below if you’re low on coconut milk).
Water
Garlic cloves
Fresh ginger
Timings
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook time
25 mins + 20 mins resting (optional)
Total time
50 mins
Servings
2 people
How to cook coconut milk rice (step-by-step)
Step 1 – Rinse the rice: Measure out the rice needed (3 cups) and using a sieve, rinse the rice under running cold water until the water runs clear. Pour into the saucepan you’ll use to cook the rice in.
Step 2 – Prepping the rice to cook: Pour in the coconut milk (3 cups) and the water (1 cup) and give it all a good stir. Add the smashed garlic gloves (use the side of a knife), the ginger slices (make them chunky) and the pandan leaf (tied into a knot).
Step 3 – Cooking the rice: Bring the rice to a boil and once boiling, turn down to a simmer and cook for 25 minutes. There’s an optional step to leave your rice to rest for 20 minutes. It will create really fluffy grains. You don’t have to if you’re in a rush.
Step 4 – When ready to serve, remove the pandan, garlic and ginger and fluff the rice with a fork. If you want to make your rice into a fancy dome shape, you’ll need to find a small dish and spoon enough rice in to fill, press down with the back of a spoon and flip it onto a plate. Remove the dish and you should have domed shape rice! Dress with parsley.
Equipment needed
Sieve
Small saucepan
Measuring cups (or just use a mug/small glass – it doesn’t matter what size, as long as you follow the correct amount).
Wooden spoon
Large chef’s knife for crushing garlic
Small dish if wishing to serve rice in a domed shape
Dessert spoon
Fork
Coconut Milk Rice Recipe Video!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is coconut rice gluten-free?
Yes! I wouldn’t have imagined it to be but after some research, I have discovered that all rice is gluten-free!
Can I make coconut rice in a rice cooker?
Of course you can. You can easily make this rice in a rice cooker by following the method exactly as I’ve stated. I would recommend following your rice cooker when it comes to cook times. Usually they click off when the rice has cooked but it depends on the type you have. I would experiment with this, however I’ve had rice cookers in the past and they are generally reliable and produce lovely results.
Is this dish vegan?
It is indeed vegan. Coconut milk is a wonderful alternative to cow’s milk (not that I’ve ever made milk with the latter!)
Is coconut milk rice healthy?
I would say so. I can’t see anything wrong with eating rice which contains coconut milk, a fat which is made up of anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties. And we all know that garlic and ginger is highly nutritious. For more info on the nutrition of coconut milk, see the BBC’s post on the health benefits of coconut milk.
where can I buy pandan leaves?
I found my pandan leaves on Amazon (not affiliate) however you could also try Thai Food Online or your local Asian store.
Serving suggestions for coconut rice
There are so many yummy dishes to serve with coconut rice. Obviously coconut rice lends itself well to other South East Asian dishes, like my Beef Rendang (well-loved in Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore).
A Caribbean Coconut Beef Curry would be a delicious pairing, as well as a Brazilian Beef Picadillo or Brazilian Spicy Coconut Chicken Curry. Go Bhutanese with a Spicy Chicken Stew typically called Jasha Maroo.
Tips for making coconut milk rice
If you want to ensure the fluffiest of rice, leave your rice to sit, covered, for a good 20 mins. The steam will separate the grains and make them incredibly fluffy.
Coconut Milk Rice
Equipment
- Sieve
- Small saucepan
- Measuring cups
- Wooden spoon
- Dessert spoon
- Large chef's knife
- A small dish (if wishing to create a rice dome)
- A fork
Ingredients
- 3 cups basmati rice
- 3 cups coconut milk
- 1 cup water
- 1 garlic clove smashed on its side
- 1 cm fresh ginger sliced
Instructions
Prepping the rice
- Measure out the rice needed and using a sieve, rinse the rice under running cold water until the water runs clear. Pour into the saucepan you'll use to cook the rice in.
- Pour in the coconut milk and the water and give it all a good stir. Add the smashed garlic gloves (use the side of a knife ontop of the clove, by pushing down with your palm – please be careful!), the ginger slices (make them chunky) and the pandan leaf (tied into a knot).
Cooking the rice
- Bring the rice to a boil and once boiling, turn down to a simmer and cook for 25 minutes. There's an optional step to leave your rice to rest for 20 minutes. It will create really fluffy grains. You don't have to if you're in a rush.
How to serve
- When ready to serve, remove the pandan, garlic and ginger and fluff the rice with a fork. If you want to make your rice into a fancy dome shape, you'll need to find a small dish and spoon enough rice in to fill, press down with the back of a spoon and flip it onto a plate. Remove the dish and you should have domed shape rice! Dress with parsley.
Notes
Nutrition
More Rice Recipes –
Lamb Baked with Rice (An Albanian dish)
