Easy Five Minute Coconut Rice recipe is a delicious, simple, time-saving way to prepare a flavorful rice side dish. It will complement many different main course meals and is ready in only five minutes!

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Below you will find tips, tricks and helpful hints for making this recipe including step by step instructions with pictures. If you would like to go directly to the recipe, scroll down to the recipe card or tap “Jump to Recipe” at the top of the page.
Why I Love This Rice
I love rice for many reasons. Rice is a great side dish and complements all kinds of entrees from Chinese food to Mexican food.
With that being said, I have a confession to make. I really don’t like making rice. It takes forever!
When I was a child, my mom always gave me “rice duty”. It was my job to make Rice-a-Roni. That was how we did rice at my house. I don’t mind Rice-a-Roni, but when I was a teenager, there were many other things I would rather be doing with my time.
I’m pretty sure my disdain for cooking rice stems from these experiences, but let’s get back on track.
Instant Rice
Since my younger days, I have discovered instant rice. Instant rice has saved dinner many times at my house.
I love when rice has a lot of flavor, which is why I love this Easy Five Minute Coconut Rice.
The coconut, ginger, garlic and cilantro help this rice become the perfect side dish to so many different entrees.
It is great when paired with Chinese-style chicken. The best part is, it only takes five minutes!
Ingredients for Five Minute Coconut Rice
*Ingredient amounts are located in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Coconut Milk
- Instant Rice
- Ginger
- Garlic
- Sweetened Coconut Flakes
- Cilantro
- Garlic Salt

How to Make Five Minute Coconut Rice
- First, pour a can of coconut milk into a measuring cup and add enough water to equal two cups.
- Pour it in a medium sauce pan and whisk in the garlic, ginger and garlic salt.
- Place it on the stove over medium-high heat until it comes to a boil.
- Add the rice and stir it in. Remove the pan from the heat and cover. Let it sit for about 5 minutes.
- Fluff the rice with a fork and stir in the cilantro and coconut flakes. Serve it with your favorite entree.
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Easy Five Minute Coconut Rice
Easy Five Minute Coconut Rice recipe is a delicious, simple, time-saving way to prepare a flavorful rice side dish. It will complement many different main course meals and is ready in only five minutes!
Ingredients
- 1 Can (14.5 oz) Coconut Milk, + Water to Equal 2 Cups
- 2 Cups Instant (Minute) Rice
- 1/2 Teaspoon Ground Ginger
- 1 Teaspoon Garlic, minced
- 3 Tablespoon Coconut Flakes
- 3 Tablespoon Cilantro, chopped
- 1/4 Teaspoon Garlic Salt
Instructions
- Put coconut milk, ginger, garlic and garlic salt in medium sized sauce pan.
- Heat the mixture over medium high heat until boiling. Stir in the rice.
- Remove from heat and cover. Let it sit for 5 minutes.
- Fluff the rice with a fork and stir in the coconut flakes and chopped cilantro. Serve!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1 ServingAmount Per Serving: Calories: 55Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 5mgSodium: 145mgCarbohydrates: 6gFiber: 0gSugar: 2gProtein: 2g
Jac
Wednesday 11th of August 2021
Do you use sweetened or unsweetened coconut flakes?
Wendy l Barnes
Monday 29th of March 2021
Making this rice tonight to go with grilled jerk rubbed pork chops and pineapple salsa Thank you for sharing
Keri|flipflopweekend
Tuesday 29th of August 2017
We eat white rice all the time with fish. It is a staple in our house. I have used coconut water before, but never thought to use coconut milk and flake to amp up the flavor. Can't wait to try this!
mindymoser
Wednesday 30th of August 2017
I hope you like it!
cookingwithcharacter13
Sunday 21st of May 2017
This sounds good! Great recipe!
mindymoser
Monday 22nd of May 2017
Thank you! I hope you like it!
heidi
Wednesday 10th of May 2017
I could eat this all the time! yum!
mindymoser
Wednesday 10th of May 2017
I totally agree!