Coconut Rice Recipe Recipe
Fluffy, delicious and easy, this stovetop Coconut Rice recipe is enhanced with coconut milk, lemongrass, and ginger. A vegan, gluten-free side dish in 30 minutes.

How to Make the Best Coconut Rice Recipe
Coconut rice is a wonderfully aromatic and fluffy side dish that brings Southeast Asian flavors to your table. This stovetop recipe uses coconut milk as the cooking liquid, which infuses the rice with a subtle tropical richness, while lemongrass and fresh ginger add bright, zesty notes. The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity and versatility – it’s vegan and gluten-free, making it a great option for a variety of dietary preferences.
What makes this recipe special is how the aromatics work together to create complex flavor without any fuss. The jasmine rice cooks perfectly in the coconut milk mixture, absorbing all those wonderful flavors while remaining light and fluffy. The optional kaffir lime leaves add an extra layer of authentic Asian flavor, though the recipe works beautifully without them. This is the kind of side dish that elevates any meal, whether you’re serving it alongside curry, grilled vegetables, or other Asian-inspired dishes.
This recipe comes together in just 35 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for weeknight dinners. The 10-minute resting period after cooking is crucial – it allows the rice to finish absorbing the liquid and the flavors to fully develop. Once you make it once, you’ll find yourself returning to this recipe again and again.

Coconut Rice Recipe
Fluffy, delicious and easy, this stovetop Coconut Rice recipe is enhanced with coconut milk, lemongrass, and ginger. A vegan, gluten-free side dish in 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
Optional
Instructions
Cooking Steps
- In a medium saucepan or pot, stir the rice with coconut milk, water, lemongrass, and salt. Add ginger slices and lime leaves if using.
- Bring to a boil with the lid off. Turn down to a gentle simmer, put the lid on, and cook for 20 minutes.
- Turn the heat off, leave the lid on and let sit for 10 minutes (don't be tempted to peek!).
- Remove aromatics - ginger and lime leaves. Fluff with a fork and serve.