Cooking rice perfectly can feel like a kitchen mystery, especially when you end up with mushy clumps or undercooked grains. But now, Jamie Oliver’s 25-minute method for achieving light, fluffy rice every single time is gaining attention online. And with Dubai’s diverse food scene and love for fragrant, fluffy rice dishes, many home cooks are asking: Does it work here too?

Sharing the method on his website, the celebrity chef reveals a surprisingly simple yet effective technique, no rice cooker required.

It all starts with a large pan of salted water brought to a boil. But before you add the rice, Jamie says there’s one important prep step: rinse the rice thoroughly in a colander under cold running water for about a minute. This removes excess starch and helps keep the grains from sticking.

Once the water is bubbling, pour in your rice. When you see the grains begin to “dance around,” give them another 5 minutes to cook.

Here’s how the magic happens:

Drain the rice using the colander, then pour about 2.5 cm of water back into the pot. Cover the rice-filled colander with foil or a lid, place it over the pan, and let the rice steam for 8 to 10 minutes. Jamie’s tip? Keep the heat on a gentle simmer; this gentle steaming step is key to achieving that light, fluffy texture.

Afterwards, the rice is ready to serve—or you can leave the lid on and let it stay warm for up to 20 minutes, perfect for dinner party timing or prepping ahead during Dubai’s busy weekday evenings.

Want to enhance the flavour? Jamie recommends adding a touch of aroma to the boiling water, think fresh herbs, a cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, lemon zest, or even a green tea bag.

With the right ingredients and a little patience, this method could be the upgrade your rice game needs, whether you’re making biryani, mandi, kabsa, fried rice or even a simple side for your curry night at home.