# Rice cooking times

How long to cook rice: **10–12 min boiled, 10–12 min in the microwave, 4–6 min in a pressure cooker and 25–30 min in the oven at 180°C (160°C fan)**. Every way to cook it is below, with the temperature and how to tell it’s done.

Source: https://feastflow.co.uk/rice-cooking-times (FeastFlow free cooking-time guides). Last checked 11 November 2026.

## How long to cook rice

Times are for 75 g dry rice per person.

Rice: cooking times by method:

| Method | Time | Heat | How |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Boil](https://feastflow.co.uk/boiling-times) (White, boiled) | 10–12 min | in plenty of boiling salted water | White basmati or long grain; drain like pasta. |
| [Boil](https://feastflow.co.uk/boiling-times) (White, absorption) | 10–12 min | covered, on the lowest heat | White rice by absorption: bring to the boil with the measured water, cover tightly, then 10 minutes off the heat with the lid on. |
| [Boil](https://feastflow.co.uk/boiling-times) (Brown) | 25–30 min | in plenty of boiling salted water | Brown rice; drain. |
| [Microwave](https://feastflow.co.uk/microwave-cooking-times) (White) | 10–12 min | on full power, covered loosely | White rice with twice its volume of boiling water in a large bowl, then stand 5 minutes covered. Ready-cooked pouches: 2 minutes. |
| [Pressure cooker](https://feastflow.co.uk/pressure-cooker-cooking-times) (White) | 4–6 min | on high pressure | White rice, 1 to 1 rice to water; natural release for 10 minutes. Brown rice: 22 minutes. |
| [Oven](https://feastflow.co.uk/oven-cooking-times) (Baked) | 25–30 min | 180°C (160°C fan), 350°F, gas 4 | Baked: boiling stock or water poured over the rice in a covered dish. |

## Before you start

Rinse in a sieve until the water runs clear. For the absorption method, use 1½ cups of water to 1 cup of basmati (2 to 1 for long grain).

## How to tell it’s done

Tender with no chalky middle, and the grains separate.

**Food safety:** Cool leftover rice within an hour, keep it in the fridge and eat it within a day; reheat only once, until steaming hot.

## Questions

### How long to boil rice?

White, boiled: 10–12 min in plenty of boiling salted water. White basmati or long grain; drain like pasta. White, absorption: 10–12 min covered, on the lowest heat. White rice by absorption: bring to the boil with the measured water, cover tightly, then 10 minutes off the heat with the lid on. Brown: 25–30 min in plenty of boiling salted water. Brown rice; drain.

### How long to microwave rice?

White: 10–12 min on full power, covered loosely. White rice with twice its volume of boiling water in a large bowl, then stand 5 minutes covered. Ready-cooked pouches: 2 minutes.

### How long to cook rice in a pressure cooker?

White: 4–6 min on high pressure. White rice, 1 to 1 rice to water; natural release for 10 minutes. Brown rice: 22 minutes.

### How long to cook rice in the oven?

Baked: 25–30 min at 180°C (160°C fan), 350°F, gas 4. Baked: boiling stock or water poured over the rice in a covered dish.

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Times are a guide for typical home portions: ovens, air fryers, microwaves and sizes vary. Check meat, poultry and fish with a thermometer. Safe temperatures follow USDA and UK Food Standards Agency guidance.

FeastFlow also plans a whole meal backwards from serving time, with every dish timed and oven temperatures that don’t clash: https://feastflow.co.uk/