Coconut Jasmine Rice | Easy side dish of jasmine rice cooked in coconut milk and topped with toasted coconut. This easy rice recipe is a perfect base for Thai curry dishes. Only 5 ingredients and less than 30 minutes to cook.
Here is a quick and easy coconut rice recipe that only takes a few more minutes than regular steamed rice. It's the perfect little side dish for a weeknight. Â I love this dish with lime chicken or lime and mint (mojito!) chicken, but especially with a really spicy curry.
For my coconut jasmine rice recipe, I use both a can of unsweetened coconut milk and toasted coconut flakes to give the rice coconut flavor.
Since I first posted this recipe I've started toasting the coconut in the pot at the beginning of the recipe and then cooking it right in the rice. This saves the extra step of toasting the coconut in the oven. I'll leave those original instructions below as well.
Ingredients
See the recipe card below for exact amounts.
- jasmine rice - 2 cups of jasmine rice, this is pretty easy to find in most grocery stores.
- unsweetened coconut milk - you'll need one 15 oz. can of coconut milk, I use full fat.
- coconut flakes - I use unsweetened shredded coconut, which is cook in a small amount of brown sugar, to give the overall dish a touch of sweetness.
- brown sugar + butter - cooking these both together at the start of the dish sets up a great flavor base for this jasmine rice recipe.
If you'd like to follow the original instructions, start off by toasting coconut. To toast the coconut, add it to a hot nonstick pan and heat, tossing or stirring until it's all golden brown. Remove from the hot pan and scatter it on a plate as soon as it's done to stop cooking.Â
I prefer this method over toasting it in the oven because I always forget it in the oven. Â
Continue with the recipe.
Equipment
I use my cast iron Dutch oven by Cuisinart for this and most other recipes that I make.
How To Make Coconut Jasmine Rice
Step 1. Heat a large pot over medium. I use my cast iron Dutch oven. Melt the butter and then add the sugar, coconut, and rice. Stir to coat the coconut and rice and cook for a minute or two to toast both the rice and the coconut.
Step 2. Add the water and the coconut milk, and then bring it to a boil. Add the lid, turn the heat down to low, and then simmer until cooked. About 18 minutes. Try not to peek, it will interrupt the rice steaming!
Step 3. When it's done, remove the pot from the heat and let sit for 10 minutes.
To serve, just fluff the rice with a fork. I top mine with some cilantro and lime juice to freshen it up a bit.
More rice recipes
Recipe
Coconut Jasmine Rice
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 cups jasmine rice
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 15 oz. can coconut milk (unsweetened)
- 1 ½ cups water
- ¼ cup unsweetened shredded coconut (unsweetened)
- cilantro or lime for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Melt the butter. Add brown sugar, coconut, and rice. Cook, stirring, for a minute or two, until covered in butter and sugar has melted.
- Turn heat to high and add coconut milk and water. Bring to boil, add the lid and simmer for 18-20 minutes or so.
- Remove from heat and let sit for 10 minutes. (Don't peek!)
- Fluff rice and serve with cilantro and a small squeeze of lime juice if you like.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate. Values vary based on products used.
Read our full Nutrition Disclaimer.Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you.
Jasmine rice has a nutty flavor with a hint of sweetness.
Save this image to your Rice or Side Dish board on Pinterest.
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy
Jasmine rice is already so fragrant. With the addition of coconut milk, and coconut....this sounds like it would be so delicious. Perfect to serve with a curry for sure.
pipercooks
Thanks Gloria!
Fred
This will happen in my kitchen sometime next month. Thanks for sharing!
pipercooks
Thanks Fred, hope you like it!
Aish Das-Padihari
I have been thinking about making coconut rice for a long time but never got to it. I must give this a try.
pipercooks
Thanks! 🙂
Ilaria - Mozzarella Bites
I'm a coconut addict. So you had me at "coconut"! YUM!
pipercooks
Me too, love coconut!
dixya @food, pleasure, and health
how simple is this!!!! i wonder if this will work same way with basmati rice.
pipercooks
I"m pretty sure it would, let me know if you try it!
Erica
This is a beautiful recipe for coconut rice! Thanks for sharing!
pipercooks
Thank you!
Sarah
This sounds fantastic! I bet it would go great with chicken satay!
pipercooks
Mm yes, what a great idea! I'll have to try that.
Marie
What a beautiful and delicate bowl of rice! Love the extra shredded coconut in there
pipercooks
Thanks!
Ticker Eats The World
beautiful recipe. Rice is quite an integral part of our food here so have eaten it in different avatars many a time. Normally though we go for saffron rice. Although I have eaten coconut rice never with jasmine in it which I am sure brings about some amazing flavour and smell. Shall try it. Thanks
pipercooks
Saffron rice is so good too!
Elizabeth
I bet this tastes and smells absolutely amazing! Such a beautiful flavour combination.
pipercooks
Yes, the smell is truly wonderful 🙂
Sarah James @ Tales From The Kitchen Shed
How delicious, I love the idea of adding toasted coconut. Perfect flavours for a spicy curry, thanks for sharing.
pipercooks
Thank you!
Lynne
I adore coconut rice and have no idea why I never make it! Delicious all on its own, I could eat the pot. Pinned, so I don't forget it every again.
pipercooks
Ya I could totally eat this just by itself too 🙂 Thanks for pinning!
jacquee | i sugar coat it!
This looks yummy!! We normally cook our rice in coconut milk (as my grandmother does), but adding brown sugar is new to me!! Will have to gave it a try.
pipercooks
I only ever make it with coconut milk in this recipe, do you have any other flavors you like to combine with it?
Derek | Dad With A Pan
This sounds so light and refreshing. I don't know why because its rice, maybe the way it looks? it looks so fluffy! Love the coconut add!
pipercooks
Thanks!