Easy Jamaican Coconut Rice Recipe

If you like tropical-flavoured rice that tantalises your taste buds, then you should try this coconut rice recipe. Perfect for a midweek dinner, you can prepare this easy Jamaican coconut rice recipe in less than 20 minutes.

Coconut Rice

Rice is a staple food in many Jamaican kitchens. Plain rice is often served with a variety of flavoured meat dishes, along with cooked or raw vegetables. But why stay plain when you can cook up a delectable coconut rice dish with a simple, easy recipe? 

You can use any rice, but I used basmati because I prefer white rice for my Jamaican coconut rice recipe and the texture many Jamaicans desire in their rice dishes. Many Jamaicans like their rice “shelly”, which means they like the rice light and fluffy rather than sticky. Using extra-long-grain basmati rice for the coconut rice recipe below will give us the desired texture and will cook quickly.

Some people may ask if you can make coconut rice with canned coconut milk, and the answer is yes. You can even use powdered coconut milk and add water to get the thickness or lightness you want. The Grace brand is a popular choice among Jamaicans. But for a fresher taste, it is better to use homemade coconut milk as I did.

You can also use coconut cream for coconut rice, but this is much thicker than coconut milk and is richer in fat. If you are using coconut cream, dilute it with the right amount of water to achieve the consistency of coconut milk. If not diluted and is too thick, the rice will turn out sticky, so you won’t get the real Jamaican coconut rice, which is fluffy rice.  

If you like coconut rice but want it cooked without coconut milk, add grated or shredded coconut to the recipe, or add coconut oil to the rice to give it a coconut flavour. However, it is best to use homemade coconut milk with the rice for an authentic Jamaican coconut rice recipe.

 

Best Jamaican coconut recipe

For fluffy coconut rice, use the specified ratio of coconut milk to rice outlined in the recipe card below. If your coconut rice comes out mushy, or some Jamaicans say “sappy”, then you probably used too much liquid. It may be that the coconut milk is too creamy or the type of rice you use. Remember, not all rice is the same, and they absorb water at different rates. This recipe uses basmati rice as it absorbs water gradually, which is important for making rice fluffy. Plus, basmati and coconut milk go well together to make a tasty coconut rice recipe.

If you like, you can also add some coconut oil to make it lighter and fluffier, and prevent the rice from sticking together. For an extra kick, add more than just salt. You can use seasonings such as thyme or scallions, which give the rice an even more Jamaican flavour. 

Jamaican coconut rice ingredients

Here are the ingredients for a delicious and simple Jamaican coconut rice recipe to get a taste of the Caribbean.

• Rice: You can choose whatever rice you prefer, but I will use basmati rice for this coconut rice recipe. Basmati rice and coconut milk are so good together. The grains of this extra-long-grain aromatic rice separate when cooked, making it perfect for a Jamaican coconut rice recipe
• Coconut milk: For the best taste, use fresh homemade coconut milk as I did. However, you can use canned coconut milk or cream if you prefer.  
• Aromatics: I use just scallion, but you can use whatever you like, such as scallion, thyme, garlic, ginger, or pimento.
• Salt: I use pink Himalayan salt, but you can use what you have and add it to suit your taste.
• Fat: Coconut oil or butter can be used. However, this is optional. 

How to make coconut rice step-by-step

Here is a step-by-step instruction on how to make the best authentic Jamaican coconut rice.

1. Boil coconut milk: Add the coconut milk, salt, and aromatics to a pot over medium heat, and bring to a boil.
2. Wash rice: Thoroughly wash the rice until the water is clear before adding it to the pot
3. Steamed rice: Let the mixture boil again, then turn the heat to low and steam until all the liquid has evaporated and the rice is cooked, about 15 minutes.
4. Rest: Turn the heat off and let the rice rest for another 5 minutes to allow the starch to set properly, resulting in fluffier, less sticky rice.

Types of coconut rice

Thai coconut rice is also very popular. However, the Thai coconut rice recipe is different from the Jamaican recipe. The Thai dish is sweet and sticky, while the coconut rice, Jamaican style, is fluffy and non-sticky.  Whether you like your coconut rice sticky or fluffy will influence your choice between Thai and Jamaican coconut rice. Indian coconut rice is also fluffy like the one from Jamaica. But the Indian-style coconut rice recipe can include curry leaves, ginger, chillies, cilantro, or mustard seeds, along with fresh grated coconut, mixed into the rice, which is closely related to what Jamaicans call a seasoning rice. The most popular Jamaican rice dish, cooked with coconut milk, is rice and peas, which also includes seasonings like scallion, thyme, garlic, ginger, pimento, and scotch bonnet pepper, making it a seasoned rice dish.

What to serve it with

I love my coconut rice with any curried meat, like curried chicken or curried goat. I also like it with curried shrimp. Curry chickpeas also pairs well with this rice dish. But this coconut rice dish is so versatile that it pairs well with anything you like, including stew beef, brown stew chicken, jerk chicken or steamed veggies like cabbage or bok choy, known in Jamaica as pop chow. Be creative with it.

What to do with leftovers

If you have leftover coconut rice, you can freeze it. Make sure it is at room temperature, then put it in an airtight container or freezer bag before freezing.  When you are ready for this dish again, thaw it, then reheat it on the stove in a pot with a little water. You can also microwave it, but I prefer heating it on the stove for better results. You can freeze coconut rice for up to 3 months.

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