Coconut Rice

Delicately sweet and with so much coconut flavor, coconut rice smells heavenly and tastes every bit as good as it smells. It’s super easy to make!

Yum! Just yum! That’s all I can say. It’s so hard to describe how good coconut rice is. It’s not surprising at all that this sweet but savory rice is popular in so many cultures, from India to Asia, to South and Central America, and the Caribbean, pretty much anywhere you find both rice and coconuts growing (Wikipedia). They go together so perfectly. Naturally, there are many variations depending on where you live.

Have you ever tried coconut rice? If you haven’t, don’t delay. You’re going to immediately wonder why you’ve waited so long. I could eat it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Snacks, too.

Garnished with toasted bits of unsweetened coconut, coconut rice is mildly sweet and rich tasting, but not like a dessert. However, add some fresh fruit, and coconut rice could definitely be a dessert.

Wondering what to serve with coconut rice? It provides a nice counterbalance for spicy dishes such as Indian curries (try our vegetarian curry) or stir fries, like shrimp and broccoli stir fry. It goes great with tangy dishes, too, like Asian chicken salad with cilantro lime dressing. Serve it with orange glazed salmon, baked salmon, or grilled marinated chicken.

You know what? Coconut rice is good all by itself, too. Total comfort food!

About this Recipe

If you can make rice, you can make coconut rice. Basically, coconut rice is rice that’s cooked with canned unsweetened coconut milk in place of most of the water. So easy! It turns out fine whether you use full fat coconut milk or the “lite” coconut milk with reduced fat.

Because there’s a fair amount of fat in coconut milk, coconut rice has a rich and creamy taste, almost like butter.

Toasted unsweetened coconut flakes really enhance the coconut flavor but be sure to try other toppings like lime zest, fresh cilantro, chopped green onions, toasted almonds, pineapple, or mango, or whatever you’re in the the mood for.

I’ll get you started on the recipe here and give you helpful tips. As always, for complete instructions, measurements, and nutrition information, look for the recipe card near the end of the post.

What you’ll need

• Jasmine Rice: We love jasmine rice because it’s so fragrant and works perfectly in this recipe. Basmati rice is a good second choice. Brown rice will change the cooking time significantly and isn’t recommended for this recipe.
• Coconut Milk: Look for canned unsweetened coconut milk. A popular brand is Thai Kitchen. We tested both full fat and “lite” canned coconut milk with good results.
• Sugar: Not all recipes for coconut rice include sugar but just a little bit really enhances the flavor of the rice. If you prefer, it can be omitted or you can substitute coconut sugar which adds even more flavor.
• Salt: Use kosher salt which has larger crystals. If you use fine salt, decrease the amount.
• Water: The rice is cooked with a mixture of water and coconut milk. Without the added water, the rice would be too sticky and thick.
• Unsweetened Shredded Coconut (Optional): The shredded coconut is toasted and added as a garnish. The crisp bits of coconut are so good!
• Optional Garnishes: lime zest, chopped green onions (scallions), fresh chopped cilantro, fresh fruit such as pineapple or mango

How to make it

Let’s get cooking! I’ll start with the toasted coconut first. It can be made in advance or you can simply make it while the rice is cooking.

Spread unsweetened shredded coconut in a dry skillet. Over medium low heat, toast the coconut until it turns golden brown, about two or three minutes. Stir it frequently so it browns evenly. Once it’s just golden brown and smells heavenly, transfer it to a plate to cool. Don’t let it cool in the pan because it will continue to toast in the hot pan and scorch.

Now, on to the rice. Measure out the rice and put it into a fine mesh strainer. Run cool water over the rice to rinse the excess starch off the grains. It will take about a minute of rinsing; the water should run mostly clear.

Put the rice into a medium sized saucepan. Add the contents of a can of coconut milk: the fat layer and the watery stuff. Add water, a couple tablespoons of sugar, and a bit of salt. Stir to combine.

Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Give the rice a stir, put the lid on the pan, and turn the heat down to a low simmer.

Simmer the rice, covered, for 17 minutes. Don’t peek! The rice needs all that hot steam to cook properly. Are you enjoying the heavenly aroma?

After 17 minutes, turn off the heat and let the rice rest, with the cover still on, for ten minutes. Again, don’t peek! Let the rice continue to steam until it’s done.

When the rice is done, remove the cover and fluff the rice with a fork. If it seems too sticky, put the cover back on the pan and let the rice steam a few more minutes. Sometimes it just seems to need a bit more time to absorb the liquid.

Serve it with the toasted coconut or with a topping of your choice.

FAQs

Make It Your Own

• Try lower fat canned coconut milk to reduce calories and fat content.
• Use basmati rice instead of jasmine rice.
• Substitute coconut sugar for the granulated sugar.
• Skip the toasted coconut and stir in sweeter or more savory add-ins to enhance the flavor of the rice. Try toasted pine nuts or pepitas. Coconut rice is really great just plain, too!
• Make coconut rice in your Instant Pot. See the recipe card for instructions.
• Are you a fan of coconut? Coconut macaroons and coconut oatmeal cookies are amazing coconut goodies! Coconut custard pie is so easy to make and everyone loves it. And then there’s air fryer coconut shrimp and creamy coconut shrimp …

Make-Ahead Ideas

Make the toasted coconut up to a week in advance. Cool completely and store in a covered container at room temperature.

Storage & Reheating Tips

Coconut rice is surprisingly good leftover. Unlike plain white rice which tends to get dry and hard, coconut rice stays moist and flavorful even when reheated.

Store leftover rice in the refrigerator in a covered container for up to five days. You can put it in a resealable freezer bag and freeze it for six months.

To reheat, microwave small portions 45 to 60 seconds or until heated through.

Leftover Love

Make a tropical fruit breakfast bowl with leftover rice. Add fresh fruit (mango, bananas, pineapple, etc.) to warmed rice, topped with a dollop of yogurt. Garnish with additional toasted coconut, nuts, or granola.