Tropical Rice with Coconut Milk

Name: Tropical Rice with Coconut Milk
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Thai fusion
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons (28g) butter; 1/4 cup (13g) sweet onion, minced; 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated; 1 cup (185g) jasmine rice, uncooked; 2 cups (475ml) water; 1/4 cup (60ml) unsweetened coconut milk, canned; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 2 teaspoons basil pesto

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This deliciously tropical rice with coconut milk is extra flavourful with the addition of sweet onion, fresh ginger, nutmeg, and basil pesto. The resulting flavour is absolutely wonderful and it makes the perfect side for so many dishes.

An overhead image of a bowl of tropical rice garnished with flowers.

Although this rice tastes good enough to eat on its own, I really loved this rice with marinated mango chicken fresh from the grill! A winning combination.

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Ingredients
Instructions
Substitutions
Variations
What to serve with it
FAQ
📖 Recipe

A bowl of tropical rice with coconut milk in a bowl with a flower garnish.

If you want to make a coconut rice but are looking for something simple and quick yet still super tasty, my easy Thai coconut rice is a recipe you should definitely check out. Or, try cilantro lime rice for a fresh and citrusy rice option.

Ingredients

Jasmine rice - This type of long grain rice is known for its lovely, almost popcorn-like fragrance.
Water
Butter
Sweet onion
Fresh ginger
Canned, full-fat, unsweetened coconut milk
Salt
Ground nutmeg
Basil pesto

See the recipe card below for quantities.

Instructions

Melt butter in a medium-sized sauce pan over medium heat. Cook onion and ginger until onion begins to become translucent.

Add in rice and stir until mixed well.

Stir in water, coconut milk, salt, and nutmeg.

Bring the pot to a boil then turn the heat to low, cover and cook for 20 minutes.

Remove it from the heat and let it rest for 5 minutes.

Fluff the rice and mix in the pesto until well incorporated.

Rice cooking with coconut milk in a covered saucepan.

Substitutions

Jasmine rice - While jasmine rice is the best and the traditional choice for making coconut rice, you can substitute with another long-grain variety of rice, such as basmati.

Full-fat coconut milk - You can substitute this with a light coconut milk, just note that the flavour will be a bit milder (though still delicious).

Variations

Some deliciously tropical additions to this rice with coconut milk dish is fresh mango or pineapple chopped up and tossed in right before serving. Either of these add a sweet and juicy pop of flavour!

What to serve with it

This rice is an excellent side for any grilled meats or seafood. Think shrimp skewers or blackened salmon with strawberry pineapple salsa, for example. It's also delicious as a side for stir fries and Thai-style curries.

A bowl of tropical rice with coconut milk beside sea turtle decorations.

FAQ

What is the best kind of rice to make coconut rice with?

Jasmine rice is the best kind of rice to use in coconut rice. It has a great texture for it and a very complimentary aroma.

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