Ginger Rice Recipe (With Step-by-Step)

Prep Time:

5 mins

Cook Time:

20 mins

Total Time:

30 mins

Servings:

4

Our ginger rice recipe gives simple steamed rice a new lease on life by infusing it with fresh ginger for a touch of heat and plenty of flavor. Along with salt, we add a little sugar, resulting in a subtly sweet, ultra-fragrant side dish. We use jasmine rice as it pairs beautifully with the ginger, but you could swap in basmati, long-grain white, or even brown rice in its place (adjusting water amounts as needed). Serve this kicked-up starch alongside seared or roasted proteins, grilled vegetables, or stir-fries; use it as a base for grain bowls; or spoon it into lettuce wraps.

Storing and Peeling Fresh Ginger

Fresh ginger can last for weeks or even longer when properly stored. Refrigerating it with the skin on can help the root from softening and be stored longer, but you can still refrigerate it if it's already been peeled. Either way, wrap the root tightly in plastic wrap or place it in a sealable bag, pressing out as much air as possible.

How Long Fresh Ginger Lasts

Unpeeled ginger will last for up to a month in the fridge or up to six months in the freezer. Peeled ginger can be stored in the fridge for up to one week or frozen for up to six months.

The Best Way to Peel Ginger

To remove the skin from ginger, skip the vegetable peeler and use the edge of a spoon instead. This gentler approach makes quick work of peeling the root without removing any of the spicy flesh.

Rinsing rice before cooking removes excess starch, leaving you with fluffier grains that don't clump together. This is especially important when cooking short-grain rice, though it can benefit long-grain varieties as well. After measuring, place rice in a sieve and run under cold water, swishing the grains with your fingers once or twice. When the water runs clear, you're ready to cook.

Directions

A bowl of rice a small bowl of salt and a ginger root piece displayed on a countertop — Brie Goldman

Combine ginger, sugar, salt, and water; boil;

Bring ginger, sugar, salt, and 2 1/2 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan; boil 2 minutes.

Brie Goldman
Add rice, cover, and cook:

Stir in rice; reduce heat to low. Cover; cook until most water is absorbed, 15 to 18 minutes.

Brie Goldman

Brie Goldman
Let stand, then fluff:

Remove from heat; let stand, covered, 7 minutes. Fluff rice with a fork before serving.

Brie Goldman

Storage and Reheating

Store the ginger rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. To reheat, add a splash of water and heat, covered, on the stovetop or in the microwave until the rice is steaming.

Variations

Add garlic: For ginger-garlic rice, sauté a minced garlic clove in a bit of oil before adding the water and ginger. Using 1/2 cup diced onion in place of the garlic will also add depth with a milder flavor.

Use broth: For a savory boost, replace all or some of the water with chicken or vegetable broth.

Boost the color: Stir in 1 1/2 teaspoons of turmeric before bringing water and ginger to a boil.

Garnish with green: Add sliced scallions for color and a slight crunch.

What to Serve With Ginger Rice

This fragrant rice would make a wonderful accompaniment to seared or grilled fish, like our soy-sesame Arctic char or Martha's pan-seared salmon fillets. Chicken would also do nicely, especially this teriyaki-glazed grilled chicken or roasted chicken thighs. And for a meatless main, try the rice topped with marinated tofu, avocado, scallions, and our ginger-ginger cucumbers.

5 More Rice Recipes to Try

Updated by

Esther Reynolds

Ginger Rice

Storing and Peeling Fresh Ginger

How Long Fresh Ginger Lasts

The Best Way to Peel Ginger

Directions

Combine ginger, sugar, salt, and water; boil;

Add rice, cover, and cook:

Let stand, then fluff:

Storage and Reheating

Variations

What to Serve With Ginger Rice

5 More Rice Recipes to Try

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