Wondering how to wash rice before cooking and why it even matters? In this post, you’ll learn the exact steps to rinse rice properly, how many times to wash it, the best methods (with or without a strainer), and why rinsing rice makes all the difference in your cooking. Whether you’re making fluffy jasmine rice, perfectly sticky sushi rice, or prepping rice in a rice cooker, this post has you covered.
Table of Contents
- Why Trust Me?
- Why You Should Wash Rice
- How to Wash Rice (Step-by-Step)
- What Happens If You Don’t Wash Rice?
- Do You Need to Rinse Rice for a Rice Cooker?
- FAQs
- Final Thoughts
- Connect With Me
As a professional recipe developer and home cooking expert, I’ve tested this process countless times, and I’m here to bust the myths and help you level up your rice game.
Why Trust Me?
As someone who develops recipes for national food brands and regularly cooks for events, family dinners, and photoshoots, I’ve rinsed more rice than I can count. From quick weeknight dinners to hosting elaborate dinner parties, I’ve learned that the small details, like washing rice — are often what make a dish truly great. Plus, I’ve tested all the popular methods (including a few fails!), so you don’t have to. This isn’t just theory, it’s years of hands-on experience in both professional and home kitchens.
Why You Should Wash Rice
If you’ve ever cooked rice and ended up with a gummy, sticky mess when you weren’t aiming for sticky rice, you probably skipped rinsing. Here’s why washing rice is essential:
- Removes surface starch that causes clumping and stickiness.
- Prevents overly gummy texture in rice like jasmine or basmati.
- Cleans the grains of any dust or impurities from processing or packaging.
- Improves flavor and mouthfeel for most rice types.
- Essential for certain cuisines, like Japanese and Korean cooking, where clean, well-prepared rice is key.
How to Wash Rice (Step-by-Step)
You don’t need fancy tools. Just a bowl, some water, and your hands (or a fine-mesh strainer).
Here’s how I do it…
Bowl Method
- Measure your rice into a large bowl.
- Add enough cold water to fully submerge the rice.
- Swish the rice with your hand in gentle circular motions.
- Pour out the cloudy water, using your hand to stop the grains from escaping.
- Repeat 3–4 times, or until the water is mostly clear.
Strainer Method
- Pour rice into a fine-mesh strainer.
- Rinse under cold running water.
- Move the rice around gently with your fingers or a spoon.
- Continue until the water runs clear.
Pro Tip
Japanese cooking tradition suggests washing the rice until the rinse water is almost as clear as tap water — that’s when you know it’s really cl
What Happens If You Don’t Wash Rice?
If you skip rinsing:
- You risk sticky, clumped rice when cooking varieties like basmati or jasmine.
- You might get an off taste or gritty texture from residual dust or starch.
- For sushi or short-grain rice, unwashed rice won’t bind properly for rolls or bowls.
Tips for Different Types of Rice
Here’s how to wash rice based on the type:
- Parboiled rice: Optional rinse; won’t have as much surface starch.
- White rice (jasmine, basmati, long-grain): Rinse until water is mostly clear, 3–4 rinses.
- Sushi rice / short-grain rice: Wash thoroughly, up to 5–6 rinses.
- Brown rice: Rinsing once or twice is enough (less surface starch).
- Wild rice: No need to rinse unless dusty.
Do You Need to Rinse Rice for a Rice Cooker?
Yes, especially if you want fluffy results. Rinsing before adding rice to your rice cooker helps avoid sticking and allows the rice to steam more evenly.
FAQs
How many times should you rinse rice?
3–4 times is ideal for white rice. Stop when the water goes from milky to mostly clear.
Can I wash rice in advance?
Yes! You can rinse your rice and then let it soak in clean water for up to 30 minutes before cooking (great for jasmine and basmati).
What if I don’t have a strainer?
Use a large bowl and your hand to keep the rice in while draining. It’s the traditional and most foolproof method.
Final Thoughts
Washing rice might feel like a small step, but it makes a big difference in texture, taste, and presentation. It’s one of those foundational kitchen tips that once you learn, you never skip again. Think of it as part of the cooking process — just like preheating your oven or seasoning a pan. With a little rinse and swirl, you’ll be cooking rice that rivals your favorite restaurant in no time.
Whether you’re using your rice cooker, cooking on the stove, or meal prepping for the week, now you know how to wash rice properly and why it matters.
Connect With Me
Follow me on Instagram for more delicious recipes and food tips. And, join me over on Facebook where I share recipes daily!
Christopher is a food and lifestyle expert, recipe developer and the content creator behind May Eighty Five. With over 6 years of creating recipes for your favourite food brands, he also shares tips, tricks and how to’s that he has learnt over the years. Every week, he shares quick, simple and mostly healthy recipes along with some home and entertaining tips. You will find flavorful cocktails, delicious appetizers, tasty mains and some indulgent desserts.
