Plain steamed rice

Plain steamed rice is a foundational staple dish made from just two ingredients: rice grains and water. It is a universal side dish, particularly central to East, South, and Southeast Asian cuisines, serving as a neutral canvas for countless flavorful main courses.

🍳 View the full Plain steamed rice recipe →

🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

It is primarily a high-carbohydrate food, providing a quick source of energy, with very little fat or protein. A standard 1-cup cooked serving contains roughly 200-240 calories and offers small amounts of B vitamins and minerals like manganese.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	242 kcal
Protein	4.4 g
Carbs	53.4 g
Fat	0.4 g
Fiber	0.6 g
Sugar	0.1 g
Sodium	2 mg
Manganese	1.76 mg
Selenium	19.1 µg
Thiamin (B1)	0.26 mg
Niacin (B3)	3.0 mg
Folate	98 µg
Iron	2.0 mg
Magnesium	12 mg
Phosphorus	68 mg

Per 1 cup (186 g) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

Culturally, its simplicity is its strength, allowing it to harmonize with and balance the intense flavors of curries, stir-fries, and stews. Nutritionally, its glycemic index can vary significantly based on the rice variety and cooking method, affecting how quickly it raises blood sugar.