Congee (Chinese Rice Porridge) Recipe - The Spruce Eats

There are three methods for cooking congee, each of which results in a slightly different texture. If at any time you feel your congee is too thick, you can add a little boiling water to the mixture.

Method 1

1. Gather the ingredients.

2. Rinse and wash 3/4 cup long-grain rice and soak it in water for 30 minutes; then drain the water.

3. In a large pot or Dutch oven, bring the rice and 8 cups of water or stock to a boil.

4. When the rice is boiling, turn the heat down to medium-low. Place the lid on the pot, tilting it to allow some of the steam to escape (the same as you would do when cooking white rice).

5. Cook on medium-low to low heat, stirring occasionally,​ until the rice has the thick, creamy texture of porridge. This can take about 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hours.

6. Add the 1 teaspoon salt, taste, and add any seasonings or toppings as desired, such as crushed peanuts.

Method 2

1. Rinse and wash 3/4 cup long-grain rice and soak the rice in the water for 30 minutes; then drain the water.

2. Add 1 teaspoon of oil to the rice and mix evenly. Adding oil can help the rice cook quicker and also make the congee smoother and softer in texture.

3. In a large pot or Dutch oven, boil the water and add the rice.

4. Turn the heat down to medium and keep stirring the rice for five minutes.

5. Turn the heat to medium-low, put on the lid, and simmer for 45 minutes. You can tilt the lid to allow the steam to escape. Season to taste and add your choice of toppings.

Method 3

1. Rinse and wash 3/4 cup long-grain rice and soak the rice in water for 30 minutes, then drain the water.

2. Put the rice into a freezer bag and freeze for 2 to 3 hours. This can result in a smoother textured congee.

3. Boil 1 quart of water in a large pot or Dutch oven and then add the frozen rice into the boiling water.

4. Bring it to a boil again, lower the heat to medium, and cook for 15 minutes.

5. Turn off the heat and cover with the lid; let sit for 15 minutes before seasoning and adding your choice of toppings.

How to Store Congee

• To store leftover congee, keep it in a sealed container in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to five days.
• Reheat congee slowly in the microwave or on the stovetop just until warm. Stir in a little more liquid as needed to loosen up the porridge.

Feeling Adventurous? Try This:

There are no rules about what you can add to congee. Typically, people add meat, fish, vegetables, and herbs:

• Add protein - Add cooked shredded chicken, ground pork, or Chinese sausage, or a soft-boiled egg.
• Add veggies - Cooked mushrooms, bok choy, Chinese cabbage, and bamboo shoots make a nice addition. You can also add classic Chinese ingredients like shredded lotus root and ginkgo nuts.
• Add texture - Add crunch with crushed peanuts or brightness with fresh cilantro or Thai basil.
• Make it sweet - Make a sweet version of congee with raisins, Chinese dates (jujubes), and a bit of rock sugar.