Coconut Rice

Coconut rice is creamy, rich, and full of decadent coconut flavor. Perfect on it’s own or for pairing with your favorite main course. 

This coconut rice recipe is super easy to make. Prepare it on the stove top, in your rice cooker, or in an instant pot. Serve alongside some chimichurri steak or sweet and sour chicken. 

Coconut Rice

Why you’ll making easy coconut rice!

📌 Rich and full of flavor. 

📌 A quick and easy side dish for busy weeknights. 

📌 Can be made on the stove top, in the instant pot, or in a rice cooker. 

Coconut Rice Ingredients

• Rice – Jasmine rice is perfect for this recipe. You can use regular white rice in a pinch though. 
• Coconut milk – Unsweetened full fat coconut.  Look for canned coconut milk, not the milk in the refrigerated dairy section. 
• Water – Filtered water. 
• Seasoning – Really all you need is a little bit of salt. 
• Optional – Unsweetened shredded coconut, lime juice, cilantro, toasted coconut. 

How do you make coconut rice? (step-by-step)

⭐ First, rinse rice thoroughly and drain. I like to rinse 2 – 3 times until the water is mostly transparent and not milky looking. 

⭐ Next, in a medium pot, whisk together water, coconut milk, and salt until the coconut milk has been well distributed and there are no lumps.

⭐ Then, add the rice to the pot. If using, you can add unsweetened coconut now as well. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, covered.

⭐ Finally,  remove from heat and let rest for several minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving.

Coconut rice in a rice cooker

To make this recipe in a rice cooker add rinsed rice to your rice cooker, and then add coconut milk and salt (also unsweetened coconut, lime juice, and cilantro, if using).

Add water until you reach the water line on the inside of your pot. Stir, close, and cook on the “white rice” setting. Fluff with a fork before serving. (Full directions in recipe card, below). 

Instant pot coconut rice

To make this in the instant pot, you’ll need to use a 1:1 ratio of jasmine rice to liquid.  Add your rinsed rice and salt to the pressure cooker, then pour your coconut milk into a liquid measuring cup. Add enough water to the measuring cup so that it equals the amount of rice used. (e.g. if you used 2 cups of rice, bring the liquid volume up to 2 cups). 

Pour coconut milk mixture into instant pot and stir. Cover and set to sealing. Cook on manual (high pressure), then allow a natural pressure release. (Full directions in recipe card, below). 

Preparation

Do I need to rinse my rice before cooking?

I always recommend rinsing the rice so the extra starch is removed and it doesn’t turn out gluey. Rinse with cool water until the water runs clear. 

Can you make coconut rice ahead of time?

I’m personally a fan of making this just before serving it, but it can be made a day in advance. If the rice has dried out in the refrigerator, drizzle with water and reheat in a covered container in the microwave to steam it back to life. 

What kid of rice for coconut rice?

Jasmine rice is the preferred type of rice for this recipe, but you can use regular long grain white rice if it’s all you have on hand. 

Can I make coconut rice in a rice cooker?

Absolutely. Just prep the rice as you normally would for the rice cooker. Add the coconut milk first (and other ingredients as desired), then add water to the water line. Stir, then cook on the white rice setting. 

Storage and leftovers

How long does coconut rice last?

It will last 2 – 3 days in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Add some water and steam to reheat it if begins to dry out. You can also use the drier leftovers to make a deliciously fragrant fried rice!

Can you freeze coconut rice?

You can freeze the rice with the caveat that it may change the consistency and be a little mushier when thawed. It will still taste great though!

Allow the rice to cool, then store in an airtight freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator. 

Tips, tricks, and frequently asked questions

✅ Add a few squeezes of lime juice and fresh cilantro to make a cilantro lime coconut rice. 

✅ Save some rice to make this next day fried rice recipe. 

✅ Make coconut rice lower in calories and fat by using a low fat coconut milk. 

✅ Prepare a sweet coconut rice by adding sweetened shredded coconut while cooking. 

What to eat with coconut rice (serving suggestions)

My favorite dish to eat with coconut rice is this butter chicken recipe.  It’s also absolutely delicious with teriyaki chicken, or red curry soup. 

Keep the tropical theme going by serving pineapple popsicles or pineapple ice cream for dessert!

More yummy recipes with coconut

• Coconut shrimp recipe
• Coconut chicken recipe
• Coconut curry noodle soup
• Magic cookie bars

Other awesome rice dishes

• Wild rice soup recipe
• Cheesy chicken and rice casserole
• Cauliflower rice
• Broccoli rice casserole
• Hot chicken salad

Tools we love

• Purple dutch oven – This pot just makes me smile. It also makes delicious food. 
• Rice cooker – This Presto 16 cup rice cooker is one of the best things that’s ever happened in my life. 

How to Make Coconut Rice