Rice cooker coconut rice is an easy way to transform plain jasmine rice into a flavorful side dish with rich coconut flavor and a light, fluffy texture. If you're looking for something different than plain white rice to serve with your favorite proteins and vegetables, this recipe is a delicious option that pairs well with everything from grilled chicken and seafood to curries and stir-fries.
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Jump to:
- Why Our Family Loves Rice Cooker Coconut Rice
- What is Coconut Rice?
- Ingredients
- Equipment
- How to Make Coconut Rice in the Rice Cooker
- Best Rice for Coconut Rice
- Pro Tips for the Fluffiest Rice Cooker Coconut Rice
- Variations and Add-ins
- What to Serve with Rice Cooker Coconut Rice
- Storage & Reheating
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More rice cooker recipes to try
- Rice Cooker Coconut Rice
Why Our Family Loves Rice Cooker Coconut Rice
- Goes well with a side of protein, veggies, and sauces
- Light, fluffy, and savory sweet than plain white rice
- One-pot method perfect for beginners
- Only requires three easy ingredients!
What is Coconut Rice?
Coconut rice is a simple rice dish made by cooking rice with coconut milk. It has a light, fluffy texture with a mild sweetness and delicious coconut flavor. This side dish pairs well with grilled meats, seafood, curries, and tropical-inspired meals.
This dish has different variations in many parts of the world, including Southeast Asia, South Asia, West Africa, Latin America, and the Pacific Islands. The combination of rice and coconut is especially common in tropical regions where both ingredients are abundant.
Some examples of popular coconut rice dishes are:
- In Malaysia, the national dish Nasi Lemak features rice cooked with coconut milk and pandan leaves.
- In Thailand, coconut rice is commonly served with fresh mangoes in the popular dessert mango sticky rice.
- In Hawaii, coconut rice is a favorite side dish that pairs well with grilled meats, fresh pineapple, and seafood.
- In Indonesia, Nasi Uduk is fragrant coconut rice cooked with spices and often served with fried chicken, tempeh, eggs, and sambal.
This rice cooker coconut rice recipe is a simple version that delivers rich coconut flavor with minimal effort, making it perfect for weeknight dinners and meal prep.
Ingredients
- Jasmine rice - Jasmine rice is my preferred choice because of its naturally fragrant aroma. The grains cook up soft, fluffy, and slightly sticky.
- Coconut milk - Use full-fat canned coconut milk for the richest flavor and creamiest texture. Light coconut milk will work, but the coconut flavor won't be as pronounced.
- Sugar and salt - A small amount of sugar enhances the natural sweetness of the coconut milk. The salt balances the flavors and prevents the rice from tasting flat.
- Shredded and toasted coconut flakes (optional for garnish) - A simple garnish that adds texture and extra coconut flavor.
Equipment
Rice Cooker – A rice cooker makes coconut rice virtually foolproof. My Cuckoo 6-Cup Micom Rice Cooker consistently produces fluffy rice without any guesswork. It's also great for making other easy recipes like rice cooker brown rice (link not yet available), rice cooker oatmeal, and rice cooker chicken rice.
Fine Mesh Strainer – Helpful for thoroughly draining the rice after rinsing, so excess water doesn't affect the final texture.
How to Make Coconut Rice in the Rice Cooker
1. Prep the rice
Wash the rice until the water runs clear. Make sure to drain well by using a strainer to avoid throwing off the water-to-rice ratio.
2. Add the rice to the pot
Combine washed rice, water, coconut milk, sugar and salt. Stir the mixture well.
3. Press cook
Press the cook button and let the rice cooker do its magic. Once cooked, leave it on warm just until the moisture is slightly reduced and the rice looks fluffy.
4. Fluff the rice and serve
Using a spatula, fluff the rice and serve. Pair it with your favorite savory main dishes!
Best Rice for Coconut Rice
Jasmine rice is my favorite choice for coconut rice because it cooks up soft, fluffy, and naturally fragrant. While jasmine rice produces the best results, you can also use other types of rice with a few adjustments:
- Long-grain white rice: A good substitute if you don't have jasmine rice. The grains stay separate and have a milder flavor.
- Basmati rice: Creates a lighter, fluffier coconut rice with a subtle nutty aroma. It pairs especially well with Indian-inspired dishes.
- Medium-grain rice: Slightly softer and stickier than jasmine rice. It’s a good option if you prefer a more tender texture.
- Brown rice: Works well like the Thai coconut brown rice, but requires more liquid and a longer cooking time. Follow your rice cooker's recommended water ratio for brown rice, then replace part of the water with coconut milk.
For the fluffiest coconut rice, stick with jasmine rice and use full-fat canned coconut milk along with water.
Pro Tips for the Fluffiest Rice Cooker Coconut Rice
- Rinse and drain the rice thoroughly. Removing excess starch helps prevent gummy or overly sticky rice. Continue rinsing until the water runs mostly clear, then drain well using a fine mesh strainer.
- Use full-fat coconut milk. Full-fat coconut milk provides the best flavor and gives the rice its signature richness without making it heavy.
- Let the rice rest after cooking. Once the rice cooker switches to warm, allow the rice to sit for 5–10 minutes. This resting period helps excess moisture redistribute throughout the rice, resulting in fluffier grains.
- Fluff gently with a rice paddle. Avoid overmixing, which can break the grains and make the rice mushy.
- Measure carefully. Since coconut milk contains less water than plain water, maintaining the correct liquid ratio is important for perfectly cooked rice.
Variations and Add-ins
Customize this coconut rice recipe with any of these easy additions:
- Pandan Leaf – Add a knotted pandan leaf before cooking for a fragrant Southeast Asian-inspired version.
- Lime and Cilantro – Stir in fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice after cooking for a bright, fresh flavor.
- Fresh Ginger – Add grated ginger before cooking for a subtle warmth and aroma.
- Lemongrass – Infuse the rice with a lightly crushed stalk of lemongrass while cooking for a zing of bright flavor.
- Green Onions – If you don’t have cilantro, add sliced green onions before serving for extra freshness.
What to Serve with Rice Cooker Coconut Rice
- Grilled Chicken Thighs – The smoky char from the grill contrasts beautifully with the lightly sweet coconut rice.
- Vietnamese Chicken Curry – Rich, flavorful curry and creamy coconut rice are a classic Southeast Asian pairing.
- Baked Chicken Skewers – An easy weeknight option that delivers delicious roasted flavors without firing up the grill.
- Vietnamese Pork Chops - The aromatic coconut rice serves as the perfect backdrop for these grilled pork chops with its bright notes of garlic and lemongrass.
Storage & Reheating
To store:
Allow the rice to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
For longer storage, freeze individual portions in freezer-safe bags or containers for up to 3 months. Portioning the rice before freezing makes it easier to reheat only what you need.
To reheat:
For refrigerated rice, add a splash of water or coconut milk and microwave in 30-second intervals until heated through.
For frozen rice, thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat with a small amount of liquid to restore moisture and fluffiness.
Frequently Asked Questions
3-4 days in the refrigerator, covered.
You can simply portion it out as needed and heat it up in the microwave for a couple minutes until it’s warmed to the desired temperature. If the rice is too dry, just spritz some water onto the rice and microwave it, covered.
No, you should keep it in the refrigerator. Some people like to keep rice in the rice cooker over night, however the coconut rice will dry out.
Coconut rice is a great side dish to pair with Southeast Asian dishes and island cuisine like curries, grilled meats like Hawaiian chicken, papaya salad and fried fish.
More rice cooker recipes to try
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Rice Cooker Coconut Rice
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup Jasmine rice or any long grain rice
- 1 cup water
- ¾ cup full fat coconut milk if possible, use a Thai brand
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Rinse the rice three times with water to clean it. Drain well with a strainer.
- Add the rice to the pot along with the water, coconut milk, sugar and salt. Stir together well.
- Set the cooker to start or cook.
- Once done cooking, fluff up the rice with a spatula and serve immediately.
Notes
- Measuring cup used is the standard US measuring cup, not the cup that came with the rice cooker.
- Make sure to drain the rice well after rinsing it, otherwise the rice may get too mushy.
- For Basmati rice, liquid measurements will be the same.
- Enjoy the rice immediately, if you keep it in the rice cooker too long, (depending on the rice cooker) the rice may form a burnt crust on the bottom of the pot.
- Cooking times may vary depending on the rice cooker.
aba
hi
why do you want to add 1 Tb spoon of sugar when you cook with coconut milk, or better still, coconut cream?
When I cook coconut rice then I want coconut taste not sugar sweetness.
Rgds
Kaylie
Personal preference, gives it a hint of sweetness. If you don't like it, you can certainly omit.