Say Goodbye to Rice Disasters with This Simple Tip My Grandma Showed Me

I've picked up most of my cooking tricks by closely watching my grandmother in the kitchen. From mastering curry pastes to learning how to slice onions properly, and even deboning whole chickens, she's taught me so much. But the best lesson by far? How to cook perfect white rice every single time.

If you’ve ever had trouble with white rice, you’re definitely not alone. It’s a tricky dish, and there’s nothing worse than investing all that time and effort, only to end up with either a soggy or dry disaster. Thankfully, my grandma’s easy method has completely solved that problem.

Her method is incredibly simple and doesn’t require any measuring cups—just the tip of your index finger. It’s so easy that once you give it a try, you'll wonder why you ever bothered with measuring cups or struggled with mediocre rice in the past.

How to Make Perfectly Fluffy White Rice Every Single Time

For perfectly cooked rice, simply add rinsed rice to a pot or rice cooker. Then, place your index finger in the center of the pot and fill with water until it reaches the tip of your first knuckle. Cover and cook as usual. This foolproof method eliminates the need for measuring cups and ensures consistently fluffy rice every time—all with just the touch of your finger (pun intended).

Extra Tips for Cooking White Rice to Perfection

In addition to using the finger trick to measure the right amount of water, one of the key steps to making perfect white rice is thoroughly washing it. Rinsing removes debris and dirt, but it also gets rid of excess starch, giving the rice a fluffier texture when cooked.

For a burst of extra flavor, try using the same knuckle measurement technique but replace water with other tasty liquids like coconut milk or chicken broth for a more flavorful rice dish.