How Long to Cook Rice by Quantity (1-10 Cups)
Good news: cooking time barely changes with quantity. The main difference is water amount and pot size.
How long to cook rice by quantity?
Rice takes 18-20 minutes regardless of quantity for 1-3 cups. Larger batches of 4+ cups take 20-25 minutes. The water ratio stays constant at 1:1.5 (rice to water) for white rice. One cup of uncooked rice yields about 3 cups cooked.
Rice Cooking Times by Quantity
Good news: cooking time barely changes with quantity. The main difference is water amount and pot size. Always use the 1:1.5 ratio for white rice.
| Rice Amount | Cook Time | Water | Yield |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/2 Cup | 15-18 min | 3/4 cup | 1 serving |
| 1 Cup | 18-20 min | 1.5 cups | 2-3 servings |
| 2 Cups | 18-20 min | 3 cups | 4-6 servings |
| 3 Cups | 18-20 min | 4.5 cups | 6-9 servings |
| 4 Cups | 20-22 min | 6 cups | 8-12 servings |
| 5 Cups | 20-22 min | 7.5 cups | 10-15 servings |
| 6 Cups | 22-25 min | 9 cups | Large batch |
| 8 Cups | 22-25 min | 12 cups | Very large batch |
| 10 Cups | 25-28 min | 15 cups | Biggest batch |
How Long to Cook 1 Cup of Rice?
One cup of rice takes 18-20 minutes on the stove. This yields about 3 cups of cooked rice, enough for 2-3 servings.
For 1 Cup Rice:
- Water: 1.5 cups
- Cooking time: 18-20 minutes
- Yield: ~3 cups cooked
- Servings: 2-3 people
How Long to Cook 2 Cups of Rice?
Two cups of rice takes 18-20 minutes on the stove. Cooking time is the same as one cup because more rice does not need more time to absorb water.
For 2 Cups Rice:
- Water: 3 cups
- Cooking time: 18-20 minutes
- Yield: ~6 cups cooked
- Servings: 4-6 people
How Long to Cook 3 Cups of Rice?
Three cups of rice takes 18-20 minutes on the stove. Use a medium to large pot for proper steam circulation.
For 3 Cups Rice:
- Water: 4.5 cups
- Cooking time: 18-20 minutes
- Yield: ~9 cups cooked
- Servings: 6-9 people
How Long to Cook 4 Cups of Rice?
Four cups of rice takes 20-22 minutes on the stove. Larger quantities need slightly more time because the water takes longer to reach boiling.
For 4 Cups Rice:
- Water: 6 cups
- Cooking time: 20-22 minutes
- Yield: ~12 cups cooked
- Servings: 8-12 people
How Long to Cook 5-10 Cups of Rice?
Five to ten cups of rice takes 22-28 minutes. Large batches need bigger pots and slightly longer cooking times.
- 5 cups: 20-22 min, 7.5 cups water
- 6 cups: 22-25 min, 9 cups water
- 8 cups: 22-25 min, 12 cups water
- 10 cups: 25-28 min, 15 cups water
How Long to Cook Half Cup of Rice?
Half cup of rice takes 15-18 minutes on the stove. Small quantities cook slightly faster. Use a small pot to prevent burning.
- Water: 3/4 cup
- Cooking time: 15-18 minutes
- Yield: ~1.5 cups cooked
- Servings: 1 person
Frequently Asked Questions
One cup of rice takes 18-20 minutes on the stove. Use 1.5 cups of water. Bring to boil, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 18 minutes. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Two cups of rice takes 18-20 minutes on the stove, the same as one cup. Use 3 cups of water. Cooking time stays consistent regardless of quantity for most amounts.
Three cups of rice takes 18-20 minutes on the stove. Use 4.5 cups of water. The 1:1.5 rice to water ratio stays the same for any quantity.
Four cups of rice takes 20-22 minutes on the stove. Use 6 cups of water. Larger quantities may need slightly more time to heat through.
Five cups of rice takes 20-22 minutes on the stove. Use 7.5 cups of water. Use a large pot to allow proper steam circulation.
Half cup of rice takes 15-18 minutes on the stove. Use 3/4 cup of water. Small quantities may cook slightly faster. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
Slightly. Small to medium quantities (1-3 cups) cook in 18-20 minutes. Larger quantities (4+ cups) may need 2-5 extra minutes because more water must reach boiling temperature.
Use 1:1.5 ratio for white rice (1 cup rice to 1.5 cups water). For brown rice, use 1:2.5 ratio. This ratio works for any quantity.