Place the rice in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse it under cold running water for a minute or two. Rinsing removes excess starch and can help prevent the rice from becoming too sticky.
Use a 2:1 ratio of water to rice. For 1 cup of rice, use 2 cups of water. If you prefer your rice a bit firmer, you can reduce the water slightly.
In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the rinsed rice, water, and salt (if using). You can also add a small amount of butter or oil for added flavor, if desired. Stir briefly.
Place the saucepan over high heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Once it's boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, and let the rice simmer.
Let the rice simmer for about 18-20 minutes. Keep the lid on to trap steam and cook evenly.
After 18-20 minutes, remove the saucepan from heat but keep the lid on. Let the rice sit undisturbed for about 5 minutes. This allows any remaining steam to finish cooking the rice.
After resting, remove the lid and use a fork to fluff the rice gently. This helps separate the grains.
Your long-grain white rice is ready to serve as a side dish, in stir-fries, or as a base for various dishes.
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