We’ll all need to cook up a cup of rice at some point. Often, a single cup just won’t cut it when you’re cooking for several people.
Even when it’s just a few with a big appetite, several cups are usually called for.
However, despite this beloved grain being a part of so many meals, some don’t know how to convert dried rice to cooked rice and gauge a practical serving quantity.
As we all know, rice swells, which is why it can be so tricky for novice cooks to determine how much dried rice they need.
Rice’s absorption shouldn’t be a cause for confusion, as fixed ratios typically determine serving size.
If you’re wondering how to convert dried rice to cooked rice, then read on – we’re going to show you everything you need to know to serve up the perfect number of plates of fluffy, firm rice every time.
How to Convert Dried Rice to Cooked Rice
Learning how to convert dried rice to cooked rice is straightforward and will soon become second nature.
You must cook rice in the right volume of liquid, cooking it just long enough to be perfectly done.
Just because you know the cooking procedure for standard white rice, this doesn’t mean that arborio, basmati, or other varieties cook to serve the same.
Here’s how to convert dried rice to cooked rice across all the popular strains.
Cooked Rice Standard Serving Size
Before we explain how to convert dried rice to cooked rice across all the versatile varieties available, you need to know the standard serving size of a cup.
1 cup of cooked rice across all strains equates to approximately 4 standard-sized servings. The rest all depends on the appetite of those enjoying your meal.
Remember to gently cook your rice until it is either ready or the liquid has been all absorbed, whichever comes first.
- Dried White Rice Conversion
The household favorite, regular dried white rice, converts at a ratio of 1:3. Each cup of dried white rice, when cooked, swells and serves up a total of 3 cups of cooked rice.
The volume of liquid to dry white rice for cooking is 2:1, adding double the quantity of liquid relative to rice.
White rice cooks in 15 to 25 minutes.
- Dried Brown Rice Conversion
Dried brown rice converts at a ratio of 1:3. Each cup of dried brown rice, when cooked, swells and serves up a total of 4 cups of cooked rice.
The proper volume of liquid to dried brown rice for cooking is 6:1, adding 6 cups of liquid for each rice cup.
Brown rice cooks in 45 to 50 minutes.
- Dried Wild Rice Conversion
Dried wild rice converts at a ratio of 1:4. Each cup of dried wild rice, when cooked, swells and serves up a total of 4 cups of cooked rice.
The optimal volume of liquid to dried wild rice for cooking is 4:1, adding 4 cups of liquid for each rice cup.
Wild rice cooks in 40 to 45 minutes.
- Dried Basmati Rice Conversion
Dried basmati rice converts at a ratio of 1:3. When cooked, each cup of dried basmati rice swells and serves up a total of 3 cups of cooked rice.
The correct volume of liquid to dried basmati rice for cooking is 1.75:1, adding one-and three-quarter cups of liquid for each rice cup.
Basmati rice cooks in 15 minutes.
- Dried Jasmine Rice Conversion
Dried jasmine rice converts at a ratio of 1:3. Each cup of dried jasmine rice, when cooked, swells and serves up a total of 3 cups of cooked rice.
The right volume of liquid to dried jasmine rice for cooking is 2:1, adding 2 cups of liquid for each rice cup.
Dried jasmine rice cooks in 15 minutes.
- Dried Short-Grain Rice Conversion
Most dried short-grain varieties of rice convert at a ratio of 1:3. Each cup of most varieties of dried short-grain rice, when cooked, swell and served up a total of 3 cups of rice.
The general volume of liquid to dried short-grain rice for most recipes is 4:1, adding 4 cups of liquid for each rice cup.
Short-grain rice cooks in 20 minutes, requiring a further 10 minutes of steaming in most cases.
- Dried Medium-Grain Rice Conversion
Most varieties of dried medium-grain rice convert at a ratio of 1:3. Each cup of medium-grain rice, when cooked, swells and serves up a total of 3 cups of cooked rice.
Approximately one and a half cups of liquid must be added for each cup of rice, with the proper liquid volume to dried medium-grain rice falling at 1.5:1.
Medium-grain rice cooks in 15 to 20 minutes.
- White Long-Grain Rice Conversion
General varieties of white long-grain rice convert at a ratio of 1:3. Each cup of most white long-grain rice strains, when cooked, swell and serve up a total of 3 cups of cooked rice.
The suitable volume of liquid to dried long-grain rice for cooking is 2:1, adding double the quantity of liquid relative to rice.
Cooking white long-grain rice takes between 15 and 25 minutes.
- Dried Parboiled Rice Conversion
Dried parboiled rice converts at a ratio of 2:1. Each cup of dried parboiled rice cooks and swells up to double its size (serving two cups).
The appropriate volume of liquid to dried parboiled rice for cooking is 2.25:1, adding 2 and a quarter cups of liquid for each rice cup.
It typically takes 20 to 25 minutes for dried parboiled rice to cook.
- Dried Arborio Rice Conversion
Although a medium-grain, dried Arborio rice converts similarly to short-grain rice, converting at a ratio of 1:3. Each cup of dried Arborio rice, when cooked, swells and serves up a total of 3 cups of rice.
4 cups of liquid are generally added, with the liquid’s volume to dried arborio rice falling at 4:1. However, cooking methods, other ingredients, and stock type can affect how much liquid is needed.
Dried arborio rice cooks in 20 minutes, requiring a further 10 minutes of steaming.
- Dried Koshihikari or Koshi Rice Conversion
Japanese dried Koshihikari rice converts at a ratio of 1:1. When cooked, each cup of dried Koshi rice swells ever so slightly, serving up a little over a cup of cooked rice.
Add a single cup of boiling liquid to your rice, with the volume of liquid to dried Koshihikari rice also falling at 1:1.
Dried Koshi rice cooks in 20 minutes, requiring a further 10 minutes of steaming.
- Individual Conversion and Cooking Instructions for Rice
While we’ve covered all the favorites, certain rice varieties can absorb much more water than others.
Depending on what you’re making, your recipe may call for more water or stock if you’re cooking up a risotto or working with converted/precooked rice.
If you’re unsure of the exact dried rice to cooked rice conversion, check your packaging for details.