Cook Rice In White Wine And You'll Never Go Back

Rice is an essential grain for countless home cooks around the world, and preparing it is as simple as boiling rice in water (with salt and oil or butter, if you're feeling fancy). But you can technically hydrate the grains with all kinds of liquid, white wine included. It's such a simple, scrumptious way to elevate the humble staple that once you try it, you may never go back to using plain water.

Cooking rice in white wine adds complexity, depth, and acidity, depending on the wine. It's as easy as substituting all of the cooking liquid with vino and simmering it until the rice is fluffy and fork-tender. Alternatively, some cooks use a combination of chicken or vegetable stock with a ¼ or ½ cup of wine for flavor. Either way, add the wine first and stir for about one minute, until its booziness evaporates. Then add any remaining liquid and simmer the rice to completion. 

Many recipes call for white wine, including risotto and paella (which both use arborio rice) and sutlach sharapli, a Turkish rice pudding made with white wine syrup. Variations of jambalaya, the Louisiana "kitchen sink" favorite, also call for wine. You can also use red wine for a bolder flavor, giving a new twist on risotto and other recipes.

High-starch rices, like arborio and carnaroli, maintain their firmness and texture but still turn tender; they're great for dishes that benefit from the creamy, rich consistency that the amylopectin (the starch) imparts. That said, any long- or medium-grain rice can likely accommodate wine; just remember that the amount of liquid to rice changes with the type of rice, so mind that ratio.

Generally, the best type of white wine to cook with is one you enjoy drinking. A tasty, dry white wine works well for cooking rice, as its flavor will be bright and crisp enough to cut through and complement the starch of the rice and other rich components (if there are any), like cream or cheese. Popular options include muscadet, sauvignon blanc, pinot grigio, and unoaked chardonnay. Avoid oaked wines, which turn bitter when cooked, and choose dry wines over sweet.

White wine can improve several other rice recipes, like a spicy shrimp bowl, Spanish yellow rice, or creamy chicken lemon rice soup. To make it easy on yourself, try Instant Pot chicken and rice or hearty chicken and rice casserole, which already call for white wine.