How to Make Easy Coconut Rice in a Rice Cooker

A Favorite Around the World

Because coconut rice is so easy to make and versatile, it is a part of cuisine from all over the world and while cooking techniques and ingredients may differ based on region, you can bet that all the variations are delicious and pair well with many different foods. This tasty and incredibly easy version is brought to us by Vanessa Bell, Latina Mom Blogger. website De Su Mama.

Variations from around the world include Indian Coconut Rice: common in southern regions of India and made with basmati rice, coconut flakes, and spices as a curry, Arroz con Coco: a Latin-American version made by frying instead of steaming the rice for a caramelized color, and Thai Coconut Rice: popular as a sweet jasmine rice dessert that is typically served with fresh fruit and topped with coconut cream.

If you want to discover more classic rice dishes, we recommend you try this traditional Spanish Paella recipe or make some Mexican rice in rice cooker.

Vanessa’s Version

If you have a rice cooker, you’ve got yourself some delicious coconut rice. This recipe is called Easy Coconut Rice for a reason, all you have to do is wash the rice then place it, along with the coconut milk, water, and salt, in your rice cooker and set it. It’s that easy! This simple and flavorful rice is great as a side along with shrimp, or for topping with your favorite meats like Thai curry chicken.

This recipe is preferably made with Jasmine Rice, but Basmati is also an aromatic alternative to white rice. Check out our: Jasmine Rice Recipes and make sure to take a look at our guide to all kinds of rice varieties.

What is Coconut Rice?

Coconut rice is most commonly found in Asian cuisine. Its fluffy texture and coconut flavor works particularly well in Thai-inspired cuisine such as this  Pumpkin Coconut Rice Soup made with Mahatma® Jasmine Rice. To make this a vegetarian dish, try swapping out the chicken broth for vegetable broth instead. If you don’t want to waste your pumpkin seeds, feel free to toast them on a skillet with some coconut oil and salt.

How to Stop Making Mushy Coconut Rice

If you are getting mushy coconut rice, you might want to try rinsing your rice before cooking it. Rinsing your rice will remove any excess starch, which is essential when cooking coconut rice as coconut milk is thicker than water.

Coconut Rice Recipe

If you are craving even more coconut rice recipes, check out this sweet yet Savory Coconut Fried Rice recipe made with Mahatma® Ready to Heat Jasmine Rice. This fluffy coconut flavored rice dish works perfectly as a side dish in pretty much any Asian meal. If you are in the mood for something slightly sweeter, try topping with blueberries.

Coconut Rice Pudding 

If you’re craving a coconut flavored dessert, try making this Coconut Rice Pudding Milkshake which can be made in just 15 minutes. The great thing about this recipe, although it’s technically a dessert it can be enjoyed any time of day. If you need a morning pick-me-up you can even try adding in a couple of shots of espresso for a caffeine boost.

Which Rice is Best for Rice Pudding?

In our opinion Mahatma® Jasmine Rice is best for making rice pudding due to its sweeter, aromatic flavor.

Jamaican Coconut Rice

If you are looking for a Jamaican-style side dish, try making some coconut rice and mixing it with some additional mix-ins like peas or beans.

Thai Coconut Rice Recipe 

For a Thai-inspired coconut rice recipe with mushrooms, learn how to make this wholesome and Creamy Mushroom and Rice Soup Recipe with Mahatma® Jasmine Rice. If you are following a vegan diet, try replacing the chicken broth with vegetable broth. As well as Thai flavors, this dish contains plenty of fall ingredients too meaning its perfect if you want to repurpose your thanksgiving leftovers.

Indian Coconut Rice Recipe

If you are a fan of Indian food, try making this Easy Chicken Tikka Masala recipe which is loaded with spices! Although this recipe calls for Mahatma® Basmati Rice, you can easily swap in some coconut rice instead. If you don’t have any chicken in the kitchen, feel free to use turkey instead.

Adding Coconut Oil to Rice

For a quick way of adding some coconut flavor to your meals, try adding some coconut oil when cooking your rice.

Caribbean Coconut Rice

If you are looking to make some Caribbean Coconut Rice to accompany your meals try mixing in some butter, ginger, garlic, cinnamon, sugar, salt, lime zest and white pepper while you are cooking your coconut milk and rice.

Colombian Coconut Rice 

If you fancy something with more of a Latin-American flair, try making this Colombian-style Arroz Con Coco and Fried Plantains dish with Mahatma® Jasmine Rice and coconut milk. If your local grocery store doesn’t sell ripe plantains, buy unripened and leave for about a week before making this dish.

This Latin-American recipe works very well as a side dish accompanying meat or fish. If you want to turn up the tropical flavors try topping your rice with lime juice or dried fruits.

Nigerian Coconut Rice

If you are a fan of Nigerian food, try making this spicy Jollof Rice recipe with coconut rice instead of normal Mahatma® Basmati Rice. If you aren’t such a huge fan of spice, try leaving out the scotch bonnet peppers or substituting for a pepper with less kick instead.

Titoté

Titoté is caramelized coconut which is gained from cooking coconut milk. In some parts of the world you can find titoté prepackaged in jars saving you from having to cook it yourself. Titoté goes particularly well in Nigerian coconut rice dishes.