Although rice is a very simple side dish, there are a seemingly endless number of ways to mess it up. If you’ve ever overcooked rice until it gets gummy, you’ll appreciate these simple steps toward perfectly prepared rice for dinner tonight.

1. Rinse through a strainer. This is a step that many home chefs miss, but it’s important to rinse the dusty starch off of the surface of your rice before cooking. Pour the rice into a strainer and gently run lukewarm water over the entire surface, gently tossing it with your hands to ensure that it is fully soaked.
2. Use a 1:2 ratio. You’ll never need a recipe again if you simply remember the 1:2 ratio of rice to water. For one serving, add 1 cup of rice to 2 cups of water, or adjust the amount for more portions.
3. Boil in a large saucepan. Because rice expands, it’s important to use a saucepan that is larger than you might expect. Wait for the water to slowly bubble before adding the rice.
4. Stir in rice with salt. Once the water boils, add the rice with ½ teaspoon of salt per cup of rice. White rice should cook for approximately 20 minutes, brown rice for 30 minutes, and wild rice for 45 to 60 minutes.
5. Fluff and dry. Fluff your cooked rice with a fork and let it sit for five minutes to dry out, then serve.

How To Cook Rice on the Stove [The Kitchn]
How to Cook Rice Perfectly [Fine Cooking]
The Most Common Cooking Mistakes – Your Rice Gets Gummy [Cooking Light]

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