It’s a Big Mistake to Only Add Water to Cook Rice: Let Me Teach You the Secret That Hotels Use | April 9, 2025

Cooking rice is a simple task, but if you’re only using water, you’re missing out on the secret that hotels and restaurants use to make their rice taste rich, fluffy, and flavorful. By adding a few key ingredients to your cooking process, you can elevate your rice from ordinary to restaurant-quality. Here’s the secret that hotels use to make perfect rice every time.

The Secret to Perfect Rice

1. Use Broth Instead of Water

One of the biggest secrets to flavorful rice is cooking it in broth (chicken, vegetable, or beef) instead of plain water. Broth adds depth and richness, infusing the rice with savory flavors. This simple swap makes a huge difference in taste and turns basic rice into a flavorful side dish.

How to Do It:

• Replace water with broth in a 1:1 ratio. If the recipe calls for 2 cups of water, use 2 cups of broth instead.

2. Add a Little Butter or Oil

Hotels often add a small amount of butter or olive oil to the rice for added richness and texture. This also helps keep the grains separated and prevents the rice from sticking together.

How to Do It:

• Add 1 tablespoon of butter or olive oil per cup of rice when you start cooking.

3. Include Aromatics

To boost the flavor even more, hotels often sauté aromatics like garlic, onions, or shallots before cooking the rice. These aromatics release a wonderful fragrance and add layers of flavor to the dish.

How to Do It:

• In a pot, sauté minced garlic, onions, or shallots in a bit of butter or oil until soft and fragrant. Then, add the rice and broth to cook as usual.

4. A Touch of Salt or Spices

A pinch of salt or a few spices like bay leaves, cinnamon sticks, or cloves can enhance the flavor of your rice. Adding these small touches can take your rice from bland to bursting with flavor.

How to Do It:

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