Fluffy White Rice

Name: Fluffy White Rice
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 4 cups long-grain white rice; 4 ¼ cups water; 3 tablespoons oil (neutral flavor); 3 ½ teaspoons salt

By: Lucy
Updated: January 3, 2026
No Comments

This Dominican fluffy white rice recipe is a simple, flavorful, and versatile side dish perfect for pairing with beans, stews, or meats. It's made using extra-long grain rice and cooks up fluffy and light every time.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe Pin Recipe

I love Dominican white rice, maybe a little too much. I am also very particular about my rice; I will not eat mushy, sticky rice. White rice was always a staple dish growing up. My favorite part of this dish is not the rice but the concón (crispy/scorched rice at the bottom of the pot). Dominican-style, as I call it, is long-grain rice that is fluffy, flavorful, and easy to make, making it a perfect accompaniment to any meal. What makes it even more family-friendly is that it’s a dish you can involve your kids in!

This statement might be a little controversial, but I do not use a caldero to make Dominican white rice. Yes, that is right. I prefer to cook rice in my Caraway Dutch Oven. It makes the best concón, plus clean-up is a breeze. If possible, I also like to use organic long-grain white rice.

When it comes to organic long-grain rice, Lundberg’s Organic Long-Grain Rice is my absolute favorite. It cooks up light, fluffy, just the way I like it. Wegman’s Organic Long Grain White Rice is a close second, although I have found it requires an extra ½ cup of water to achieve the same fluffy texture. But you’re more than welcome to use a different brand and adjust the water-to-rice ratio as needed.

Recipe Highlights

Dominican white Rice has been one of my staple foods since childhood. It is a very simple dish that is easy to make, and I don’t think I will ever get tired of eating it.

These are my top reasons for loving this recipe, and I think you will, too:

Quick and easy: This simple dish has only four ingredients and a 30-minute cooking time.
Light and fluffy: The texture from using extra long-grain rice will take your dish up a notch.
Versatile: Dominican-style white rice is the perfect side dish for beans, meats, stews, sancocho, and soups.
Kid-Friendly and Fun to Make: You’ll love how easy it is to get your kids involved. Whether rinsing the rice, measuring water, or fluffing the rice, this recipe will turn cooking into a bonding activity.

The Ingredients You'll Need

To make the best Dominican Style White Rice recipe, here’s everything you’ll need on hand:

Extra Long Grain Rice: provides a fluffy and light texture.
Salt: enhances flavor, I add 1 teaspoon of salt per cup of rice.
Oil: prevents rice from sticking and adds flavor, I use a neutral oil.
Water: the rice-to-water ratio I use is 1 part rice to 1 1/2 parts water.

Step-By-Step Instructions

1. Boil the Water

In a medium-sized caldero or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add the water, oil, and salt. Stir well to dissolve the salt and evenly mix in the oil.

Time Saving Tip: Heating the water in an electric kettle before adding it to the pot can significantly reduce cooking time.

2. Rinse the Rice

Place the long-grain rice in a bowl or fine-mesh sieve and rinse under cold water until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch and prevents it from getting sticky.

3. Add the Rice

Once the water is bubbling, add the rinsed rice and stir. Let it simmer uncovered for about 5–7 minutes until most of the water is evaporated and little holes start forming on the surface.

4. Cover and Steam

Turn the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the rice cook for 25 to 30 minutes.

5. Fluff and Serve

After 25 minutes, open the pot and use a spoon to gently flip the rice, bringing the bottom layer to the top. This helps ensure the rice on top moves down and cooks evenly. Cook for about 5 more minutes if the rice is still firm. If the rice is done after 25 minutes, then no additional cooking time is needed. Fluff up the rice with a fork and remove it from the pot.

If you are a concón fan like me, scoop out all the rice but leave the crispy layer at the bottom untouched. Turn the heat to medium and let it crisp up for a few more minutes (5-7) before serving. Remove the concón while it’s still hot, as it tends to stick to the bottom of the pot as it cools, making it harder to take out.

How Your Kids Can Help

My boys love helping me make rice. Some ways your child can help you make this dish include the following:

Washer: Washing and rinsing the rice (fun and good sensory experience for them).
Assistance: Assisting you in measuring water, oil, and salt using measuring cups and measuring spoons (excellent way to practice basic math and measuring skills).
Time Keeper: Set a timer and have your child take responsibility for tracking it until the rice is done or it’s time to fluff it (helps develop time awareness, responsibility, and executive functions).
Taste tester: Have your child rate the recipe from 1-10.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I prevent rice from sticking together?

To keep rice from sticking, rinse it thoroughly under cold water before cooking. This step removes excess starch, the main culprit for sticky rice. Also, use the correct water-to-rice ratio and avoid stirring the rice too much while it cooks.

What’s the best type of rice for Dominican white rice?

Extra long-grain rice is the best choice for Dominican white rice because it cooks light and fluffy. It holds its texture well and pairs perfectly with hearty Dominican dishes like stews and beans.

What if I accidentally add too much water when making Dominican white rice?

If the rice is too wet or mushy, uncover the pot and let it cook a bit longer on low heat so the extra moisture can evaporate. If the white rice is fully cooked but still wet, spread it out on a baking sheet and place it in the oven at a low temperature (around 250°F) for a few minutes to help dry it out.

Does the water-to-rice ratio change for other types of rice?

Yes, it does! For Dominican-style white rice using extra long-grain rice, a 1:1.25 ratio is ideal. Brown rice needs more water (about 1:2), and jasmine or basmati rice is similar to long grain, but it can vary slightly by brand. I recommend you check the package instructions and adjust as needed.

Bonus Tip on Water Ratios:
I usually use a 1:1.25 rice-to-water ratio for non-organic extra long-grain rice. If I’m using organic long-grain rice, I increase it to a 1:1.5 ratio since it tends to take a little longer to cook and absorb water.

What if my Dominican white rice looks and feels hard?

If your rice is still hard or undercooked, add a few tablespoons of hot water. Cover the pot again, and let it steam on low for another 5–10 minutes.