Coconut Rice

Coconut rice is a delightful variation of plain rice that adds a tropical twist to any meal. With its creamy texture and subtle coconut flavour, it makes the perfect accompaniment to everything from curries to grilled vegetables. 

This quick and easy vegan Coconut Rice recipe elevates your meal without requiring much extra effort. In just 15 minutes, you can prepare a side that’s rich in flavour and sure to impress. Whether you’re serving it with a hearty main course or using it as a base for a vegan bowl, coconut rice will transform your dinner into something special. 

Table of Contents

• Ingredient Breakdown
• The Importance of Rinsing the Rice
• Creating the Coconut Cream Base
• Simmering the Rice to Perfection
• Fluffing and Serving
• Making Coconut Rice Your Own
• More Coconut Recipe

Ingredient Breakdown

• White basmati rice: A fragrant and fluffy rice variety that’s perfect for absorbing the coconut cream while maintaining its texture.
• Coconut cream: Adds a rich, creamy texture and a sweet, slightly nutty flavour that infuses the rice with its tropical essence.
• Water: Used to balance the richness of the coconut cream, ensuring the rice cooks evenly without being too heavy.
• Sea salt: Enhances the flavours of the rice and coconut cream, making the dish savoury without overpowering the natural sweetness of the coconut.
• Kaffir lime leaves: Optional but highly recommended for their unique citrusy flavour. They add a refreshing, aromatic quality that complements the creamy coconut rice.

The Importance of Rinsing the Rice

One of the most important steps when making Coconut Rice is rinsing the rice thoroughly before cooking. This process removes excess starch from the rice, preventing it from becoming sticky or clumpy during cooking. By rinsing the rice until the water runs clear, you ensure that each grain remains separate and fluffy. This allows the coconut cream and water mixture to be absorbed evenly. 

Rinsing also helps to prevent the rice from becoming too heavy. This can happen if too much starch is left behind. For best results, use cold water to rinse the rice, and make sure it’s drained well before cooking.

Creating the Coconut Cream Base

The next key element in making perfect Coconut Rice is creating a flavourful base. Combining coconut cream, water, sea salt, and kaffir lime leaves (if using) in a saucepan over medium-high heat allows the flavours to meld together. The coconut cream is the star ingredient here, providing the creamy richness that makes the rice so indulgent. Once the mixture comes to a simmer, the rice is added to the pan. The heat helps the rice begin to absorb the coconut cream, infusing each grain with the subtle, nutty flavour of coconut.

Adding kaffir lime leaves is an optional step. However, it’s one worth considering if you want to take the flavour profile of your coconut rice to the next level. These leaves have a unique citrusy aroma and slightly floral notes, which pair beautifully with the richness of the coconut. If you can’t find kaffir lime leaves, you can substitute with lime zest for a similar flavour. Although, the leaves do provide a deeper, more aromatic taste.

Simmering the Rice to Perfection

Once you stir the rice into the coconut cream mixture, it’s time to let it cook. Lower the heat to simmer the rice gently, allowing it to absorb all the flavours. Cover the saucepan with a tight-fitting lid to trap the steam, which is essential for cooking the rice evenly. Cooking the rice on low heat ensures that it cooks slowly and evenly. This allows it to absorb the coconut cream and become tender without burning or sticking to the pan.

The cooking time is relatively short, only 12 minutes. During this time, the rice absorbs the coconut cream and water mixture, softening to a perfect consistency. After the cooking time is up, it’s important to let the rice sit for an additional 5 minutes, still covered. This resting period allows the steam to finish cooking the rice and ensures that the grains remain fluffy.

Fluffing and Serving

After allowing the rice to rest, it’s time to fluff it with a fork. This step is crucial for separating the grains and ensuring that the rice remains light and airy. Simply use a fork to gently lift and separate the rice, loosening any clumps that may have formed. The result will be perfectly fluffy rice that’s infused with the delicious coconut flavour.

You can serve the coconut rice immediately, and it pairs wonderfully with a wide range of dishes. It’s an excellent side dish for curries, stir-fries, grilled meats, or roasted vegetables. The richness of the coconut cream provides a lovely contrast to the spiciness of a curry, and its mild sweetness complements savoury dishes beautifully.

Making Coconut Rice Your Own

While this recipe is simple and straightforward, there’s plenty of room for you to make it your own. You can adjust the flavour by adding additional spices or herbs to the base. For example, try adding turmeric or cinnamon for a warm, aromatic twist, or incorporate a few sprigs of fresh basil or mint for a refreshing herbal note. If you prefer a slightly sweeter version, you could add a dash of maple syrup or agave nectar for a hint of sweetness that balances the savoury coconut cream.

For those who enjoy a bit of texture, consider tossing in some toasted coconut flakes or chopped nuts like almonds or cashews. These additions not only add a nice crunch but also enhance the coconut flavour. The beauty of coconut rice is that it can be customised to suit your tastes, making it a dish that’s both comforting and adaptable to various flavour profiles.

More Coconut Recipe

If you’re nutty for coconut after trying this Coconut Rice, here are some more recipes featuring this tropical fruit for you to try:

• Crispy Coconut Chicken with Thai-Inspired Salad: Golden, coconut-crusted chicken provides a rich, satisfying crunch, while the accompanying Thai-inspired salad brings a refreshing vibrancy to the plate
• Salmon in a Turmeric Coconut Sauce: Tender salmon with a blend of creamy coconut milk, aromatic lemongrass, and the earthy warmth of turmeric, this dish is a celebration of bold, fragrant ingredients. 
• Coconut Miso Fish:  A dish that turns simple ingredients into something memorable: tender cod fillets poached in a creamy, umami-rich coconut miso broth that’s deeply comforting without being heavy.
• Coconut Mochi Cake: If you love the satisfying chew of mochi, you’re in for a treat with this Coconut Mochi Cake. With its crisp golden crust and soft, squidgy centre, this cake delivers on texture and flavour.

See how I make all these recipes and more over on my Instagram!