Easy Thai Coconut Rice
This Thai coconut rice recipe is the most delicious side dish! It’s the perfect accompaniment to so many dishes. No special equipment needed.
You can find coconut rice in many types of cuisine. The easy coconut rice recipe below borrows from Thai flavors, so it’s the perfect side dish for your favorite curry dish like One Pan Thai Green Curry Dumpling, Roasted Chicken with Thai Herb, Chicken Keema or even a soup like this Coconut Curry Noodle Soup!
Making coconut milk rice is actually very easy, and you don’t need a rice cooker.
I combine coconut milk with water to cook the rice and add just a bit of salt and sugar to enrich the coconut flavor.
Ingredients
Here’s what you will need to make this fluffy Thai Coconut Rice recipe:
- Long grain rice (or Thai jasmine rice)
- A can of coconut milk
- Water
- Sugar
- Salt
- Several items for optional garnish, see recipe card below
If you happen to have leftover coconut milk, use it to make this delicious Ube Milk Tea!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is coconut rice good for you?
This dish is fiber rich and adding coconut milk adds several nutritional benefits.
Coconut milk is wonderful for your skin, nails and bones and provides good fats.
Why is my coconut rice mushy?
Coconut milk is very thick, which makes it extra important that you wash the starch off your rice before cooking it.
Adding water to the coconut milk helps to thin the cooking liquid and allow the coconut milk to better absorb into the rice grains.
If you haven’t washed the rice enough, the rice will end up soggy.
Is this coconut rice recipe sweet?
No, not really! The coconut milk itself is not sweet, which is why sugar is added. There is a slight bit of sweetness, but it is not overpowering.
The mild hint of coconut is the perfect complement to savory curry dishes.
Can I use coconut cream instead of coconut milk?
If you use coconut cream, only use 1 cup of coconut cream, and increase the water amount to 1 cup.
You can use light coconut milk in this recipe.
Can I use a rice cooker for this recipe?
Yes, you can. Prepare the same way as regular rice.
Can I use another type of rice?
Yes, Jasmine rice is a wonderful substitute. I actually love using Jasmine rice in this recipe, it’s so fragrant!
Serving Suggestions
Serve this delicious coconut rice recipe as a side dish with this Korean Style Spicy Pork Mince, Filipino Pork Barbecue, Indian Chicken Curry, Authentic Tandoori Chicken Tikka, or my Green Curry Fish.
It’s also fantastic as the base for my Pork Banh Mi Bowl, Coconut Lime Chicken or Chicken Korma and this fantastic Butter Garlic Naan!
For dessert, try this beautiful Coconut Cake recipe or my Pineapple Dump Cake. Either would be perfect pairings.
Storing Leftover Coconut Rice
Once the rice has completely cooled store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Or you can store this coconut rice in a freezer safe container for up to 6 months.
Thai Coconut Rice
Ingredients
- 2 cups long grain rice, washed
- 14 ounces coconut milk, canned
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons lime juice
For garnish:
- 1/2 tablespoon shredded coconut, toasted
- parsley or green onions, chopped
- lime wedges
Instructions
- Place the rice in a fine mesh sieve and rinse under cold water, using your hands to gently massage the rice. This will remove excess starch from the rice.
- In a medium saucepan, add coconut milk and water and stir with a whisk.
- Add the rinsed rice, sugar and salt. Heat over medium-high heat until it comes bring to a boil.
- Once it starts to boil, adjust the heat to low and stir the rice.
- Cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Do not remove the lid.
- Remove pan from heat and allow to sit, covered, for 10 minutes.
- After the 10 minutes, remove the lid, add lime juice, and fluff the cooked rice.
- Serve warm, topped with coconut flakes and parsley. Serve with lime wedges.
This recipe was fabulous! I can’t wait to make it again. The entire family just loved it…YUM!!!
Thank you Angela!
This is so good. I love the light, fresh flavor and all that tropical goodness. Wonderful.
Thank you Beth!
This might be my new favorite rice recipe! Usually we cook short grain sticky rice but this was a good way to switch it up. Paired it with leftover takeout and will make again!
That sounds great! Thanks Cara!
This coconut rice was so good. So creamy, slightly sweet, and the perfect side dish for my curry.
Really good with the Thai marinated pork I grilled