Few things are as frustrating as digging your fork into a fresh bowl of steamy rice, only to encounter an unwelcome crunch that makes you second-guess your cooking skills.
I know it’s not much comfort, but we’ve all been there at least once, prompting us to pull out our phones and ask, “Why did my rice end up crunchy?” Although cooking rice may seem simple, getting to just the right fluffiness is trickier than it seems.
So grab your favorite beverage and let’s go over why it happens, how to fix it, and how to make sure crunchy rice never visits your kitchen again.
What Makes Rice Crunchy
To put it simply, if your rice is crunchy, it’s because it’s undercooked. The problem usually comes down to two mistakes: not using enough water or cooking the rice at too high a heat.
Not Adding Enough Water: Rice cooking is mostly about rehydrating the grains. The grains need plenty of water to absorb during cooking so they turn out nice and tender. When you don’t cook your rice in enough water, the water in your pot evaporates too quickly, leaving the rice undercooked and, yes, crunchy. This holds true even if you cook the rice for the right amount of time.
Cooking at Too High a Heat: High heat is the other culprit. When the heat is too strong, the water evaporates too fast, which is much like not adding enough water in the first place. This can lead to uneven cooking and even burnt rice sticking to the bottom of your pot, adding extra crunch and a bitter, acrid taste.
Not Cooking the Rice Long Enough: Sometimes, it’s simply a matter of not allowing the rice to cook long enough. Rice needs to simmer gently for a good period to finish cooking properly. If you rush it, the outside might be crunchy while the inside remains undercooked.
Peeking Under the Lid Too Often: The lid on your pot traps steam, heat, and moisture, all of which help cook your rice evenly. Lifting the lid too often lets that vital steam escape and messes with the process.
How to Avoid Cooking Hard Rice
An ounce of prevention, as they say, is better than a pound of cure. This is especially true when it comes to cooking rice. While you might be tempted to use a rice cooker, here are some tips to perfect your rice on the stovetop:
Cooking Rice Properly
- Rinse your rice before cooking. This washes away excess starch from the grains, which can help them cook more evenly and prevent sticking.
- Measure your water carefully. A common guideline is to use 2 cups of water for every 1 cup of rice, though this may vary with the type of rice you’re using. For instance, brown rice usually needs a bit more water.
- Cook the rice on low heat and keep the pot covered. This ensures the rice cooks evenly and the moisture stays where it needs to be.
- Avoid lifting the lid too frequently. Each time you do, you let out the steam, which can throw off the cooking process.
- Keep cooking until all the water is absorbed. If there’s leftover water, it means the rice needs a little more time. Taste a grain to check for tenderness, and adjust as needed.
- Once the rice is cooked, fluff it with a fork. This prevents the grains from clumping together.
Does the Rice Variety Matter?
Not all rice grains are created equal. Some varieties cook faster and need less water; others require more of both.
As we’ve explained in our guide to cooking rice, all rice varieties can be grouped into three categories: short-grain rice, medium-grain rice, and long-grain rice, with the general rule being that longer grains require more time and water.
So if you follow a recipe written for medium-grain rice but use long-grain rice instead, your rice will turn out crunchy — even if you follow the recipe’s water measurements and timing exactly.
How to Fix Undercooked Rice
If you find your rice is still a bit crunchy, add more water and continue cooking on low heat for a few extra minutes until the water has evaporated. Then cover the pot and let it rest for a few minutes, allowing residual heat to finish the cooking process.
Doing either — or both — of these can help smooth out those stubborn grains.