Jasmine is a long-grain variety of fragrant rice with a distinct aroma that some say is similar to popcorn. It is often found in East Asian dishes, given that Jasmine is native to Thailand.

If you love a nice, warm, comforting serving of rice but don’t love watching your pot of boiling water like a hawk, using a rice cooker will change your kitchen game forever. These compact kitchen appliances allow you to “set and forget” your rice, and cook it to perfection every time. Here’s everything you need to know about how to cook Jasmine rice in a rice cooker.

Jasmine rice calories: how does it compare to white rice?

Compared to long-grain white rice, Jasmine rice’s nutritional profile is quite similar: per cup of rice, it has slightly more calories (181 compared to 160) and carbohydrates (39 grams compared to 36 grams), while its protein and fiber content is identical (4 grams and 1 gram, respectively). However, while plain white rice has no fat or iron whatsoever, Jasmine rice has 1 gram of fat and 2% of your daily value of iron per cup.

 

Is Jasmine rice gluten free?

If you are on a gluten-free diet or have celiac disease, it can be difficult to find comfort foods that cater to your dietary restrictions. The good news is, in its natural form, nearly every kind of rice is gluten-free, from short-grain to long-grain and everything in between! The exception is usually packaged rice mixes that you find at the grocery store, which are typically processed with other ingredients that can contain gluten. So, as long as you buy plain Jasmine rice, you should be fine.

Fun fact: Even though sushi rice is called “glutinous rice,” it does not contain any gluten! However, if you’re ordering sushi at a restaurant, that may not be the case: once it is combined with sugar and vinegar, which is a crucial step in the sushi-making process, it may become unsafe because many types of vinegar are made with barley. There is also the risk of cross-contamination with soy sauce, which also contains gluten.

How to make Jasmine rice in a rice cooker

Cooking Jasmine rice is a breeze when you have the right tools on your side. With a rice cooker, you can say goodbye to soggy rice, undercooked rice, and leftover grains seared into the bottom of your pot. In just about 20 minutes, your cooker will have a tasty, fluffy serving of rice ready for you to enjoy. Follow these Jasmine rice cooking instructions for the perfect batch!

Step 1: Gather your supplies

jasmine rice for rice cooker

Since your rice cooker is going to do all the heavy lifting, all you need is Jasmine rice, the cooker, a measuring cup (many rice cookers will come with their own).

Step 2: Rinse the rice (optional)

Many varieties of rice come pre-rinsed these days, so washing your rice before you cook it largely comes down to personal preference. Some people prefer to rinse in order to remove any dirt, debris, or extra starch, but if the packaging of your rice indicates that it doesn’t need to be rinsed, you can move on to the next step. 

If you do want to rinse the rice, place it in a large bowl and cover it with cold water. Agitate the rice with your hands and replace the water a few times until it runs clear.

Step 3: Add the rice and water to the cooker

Then, according to the Jasmine rice to water ratio indicated in your rice maker’s instruction pamphlet, add the water and rice to the pan. If the Jasmine rice ratio is not provided, 1:1 1/2 is a good rule of thumb. One cup of rice and one cup of water will typically yield 4 to 6 side servings of rice.

Step 4: Cook the rice

Turn the rice cooker on and adjust the settings according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Jasmine rice usually takes about 15 minutes to cook, but there’s no need to watch the clock: your machine will have a sensor inside that automatically switches it from “cook” to “warm” when the rice is finished.

Step 5: Let it sit

Before serving, let your Jasmine rice rest for about 5-10 minutes with the lid on. Then, fluff the rice with a wooden spoon or plastic spatula to remove any extra moisture.

Step 6: Serve and enjoy

Serve your rice as desired, whether as a side dish to the main course or underneath a delicious curry!

If you need to learn the basics you’ll find here all the instructions on how to cook rice in a rice cooker.

Or learn with this video!

Jasmine rice recipe tips

This fragrant grain is a delicious base for tons of easy upgrades. Here are a few of our favourite Jasmine rice recipes.

Yellow Spiced Jasmine Rice

Add some butter, garlic, turmeric, cumin, and cinnamon to the rice cooker before you begin the cooking process, and replace the water with soup stock. If you have a few extra minutes, sautée the dry ingredients in a pan to enhance their flavours, then add them to the rice inside the cooker.

Garlic and Ginger Jasmine Rice

garlic ginger rice cooker recipe

True to its name, this easy dish is a quick way to double down on Jasmine’s natural fragrance using garlic and ginger. Simply add these two ingredients, minced, to your rice cooker, and top the cooked rice with some chopped cilantro for an elevated finished product!

Coconut Jasmine Rice

coconut jasmine rice in the rice cooker

This simple coconut rice recipe is the perfect base for a curry, but you can also feel free to enjoy it all on its own. Add a can of coconut water, plus some turmeric and salt, to your rice and water mixture inside of your rice maker. While it’s cooking, toast some coconut flakes in a small pan until golden brown, then sprinkle them on top to serve. 

Savoury Asian Rice

Instead of water, cook your Jasmine rice with chicken stock. Once the rice maker has switched over to its warming setting, add in a tablespoon of soy sauce, sesame oil, a pinch of sugar, and some chopped spring onions, then let it warm for at least three more minutes or until you’re ready to serve your asian rice.