If you’ve ever wondered how hotels and restaurants make their rice so flavorful, fluffy, and delicious, there’s a simple secret: It’s all in the cooking method and ingredients! Simply adding water to rice is a common mistake, but with a few extra touches, you can transform plain rice into a restaurant-quality dish.

Here’s the secret that hotels use to make their rice irresistible!

1. Use Broth Instead of Water

One of the key secrets to flavorful rice is replacing plain water with broth. Whether it’s vegetable, chicken, or beef broth, it infuses the rice with a rich, savory taste that takes it to the next level.

• How to do it: Replace the water in your recipe with an equal amount of broth. For example, if your recipe calls for 2 cups of water, use 2 cups of broth instead.

2. Add a Touch of Fat

Hotels often cook rice with a bit of butter or olive oil to give it a rich, silky texture and prevent the grains from sticking together. The fat also enhances the flavor of the rice.

• How to do it: Add 1-2 tablespoons of butter, olive oil, or even coconut oil to the pot before adding the rice and broth. Stir it into the rice as it cooks.

3. Sauté the Rice First

Before adding any liquid, many chefs sauté the rice in oil or butter to toast it lightly. This adds a nutty, deep flavor and makes the rice even fluffier when cooked.

• How to do it: Heat a tablespoon of oil or butter in the pot, then add the rice and sauté for 2-3 minutes until the grains become slightly golden and fragrant. Then, proceed with adding the broth.

4. Add Aromatics

Hotels often add aromatics like garlic, onions, or herbs to the rice to boost the flavor. These ingredients add complexity and depth, making the rice more than just a side dish.

• How to do it: Add finely chopped onions or garlic to the rice while it’s sautéing. You can also throw in herbs like bay leaves, thyme, or parsley while the rice is simmering to infuse the grains with extra flavor.

5. Don’t Forget Salt

It’s a common mistake to forget to season the cooking liquid. Rice absorbs a lot of water as it cooks, so it’s essential to season the broth or water to ensure the rice is well-flavored.

• How to do it: Add salt to the broth or water before cooking. A good rule of thumb is to add about 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of salt for every cup of rice, depending on taste.

6. Let the Rice Rest

Once the rice has finished cooking, letting it rest for 5-10 minutes with the lid on is a hotel secret for perfectly fluffy rice. This step allows the steam to redistribute and the grains to firm up.

• How to do it: After the rice is done, turn off the heat and leave the lid on for about 10 minutes before fluffing the rice with a fork.

7. Add a Finishing Touch

For an extra touch of flavor and texture, hotels often add a garnish just before serving. This can be anything from chopped herbs, lemon zest, or even nuts like toasted almonds or cashews.

• How to do it: Once the rice is fluffed, garnish with freshly chopped parsley, cilantro, or lemon zest. For a luxurious touch, you can also sprinkle toasted nuts on top for extra crunch.

Conclusion: Perfect Rice, Every Time

By making a few simple adjustments—using broth, sautéing the rice, and adding aromatics—you can elevate your rice from ordinary to extraordinary. These hotel secrets will ensure your rice is fluffy, flavorful, and a hit at the dinner table. Try these tips next time you cook rice and impress your family and friends with your newfound skills!