3 Methods for Making Traditional Congee, Chinese Rice Porridge (2024)

Liv Wan is a former professional chef who has published three cookbooks about Chinese and Taiwanese cuisine.

Learn about The Spruce Eats'Editorial Process

Updated on 08/31/23

Tested by

Freelance writer and co*cktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.

Learn about The Spruce Eats'Editorial Process

Prep: 5 mins

Cook: 105 mins

Soak: 30 mins

Total: 2 hrs 20 mins

Servings: 6 servings

Yield: 6 cups

editor badge

331 ratings

Write a Review

Add a comment

Congee(粥 or 稀飯) is a classic Chinese breakfast dish. It is also a staple in many other countries, including Burma, Indonesia, Japan, and even parts of Europe. Congee is essentially a rice porridge made by boiling rice in a great deal of water until it breaks down into a pudding-like consistency.

When made with water, the taste of congee is very bland, but there are many ways that you can add sweet or savory flavors. For a different base, switch to beef, chicken, or vegetable stock (or use equal parts of water and stock), and the rice will soak up that flavor as it cooks. You can also add flavorings like minced ginger and garlic and toppings such as chicken or mushrooms. The flavor possibilities are only limited by your imagination and the ingredients in your kitchen. Congee is often served with Chinesecrullers(youtiao, 油條), and the fried dough is dipped into the congee.

Although eaten by all family members, congee is most often served to children and people who are ill or convalescing as it is easy to digest. It's also incredibly economical—3/4 cup of rice turns into 6 cups of porridge—and has traditionally been used to stretch rice when food is scarce.

3 Methods for Making Traditional Congee, Chinese Rice Porridge (2)

"An economical dish that is easy to make—I used water and it was good—exactly what you expect from a plain porridge that you'll add flavor to later. Patience is key while waiting for it to cook down. Cleaning the pot was easier than expected, and the leftover congee reheats nicely in the microwave." —Colleen Graham

3 Methods for Making Traditional Congee, Chinese Rice Porridge (3)

A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

3/4 cup long-grain rice
8 cups water, or chicken, vegetable, orbeef stock
Method 1: 1 teaspoon salt
Method 2: 1 teaspoon sunflower oil, orpeanut, vegetable, or olive oil
Minced ginger, optional
Minced garlic, optional
Lotus root, optional
Gingko nuts, optional
Shredded chicken, optional
Shredded pork, optional
Shredded bok choy, optional
Soft-boiled egg, optional
Chopped peanuts, optional

Steps to Make It

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

Gather the ingredients.
Rinse and wash the rice and soak it in water for 30 minutes; then drain the water.
In a large pot or Dutch oven, bring the rice and 8 cups of water or stock to a boil.
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).
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.
See Also
50 Fascinating Facts about Billionaires - Fact Republic Housing methods for raising meat rabbits Instant Pot Chicken Stock Stock vs Broth - Are You Confused?
Add the salt, taste, and add any seasonings or toppings as desired, such as crushed peanuts.

Method 2

Rinse and wash the rice and soak the rice in the water for 30 minutes; then drain the water.
Add 1 teaspoon of oiltothe rice and mix evenly. Adding oil can help the rice cook quicker and also make the congee smoother and softer in texture.
In a large pot or Dutch oven, boil the water and add the rice.
Turn the heat down to medium and keep stirring the rice for five minutes.
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

Rinse and wash the rice and soak the rice in water for 30 minutes, then drain the water.
Put the rice into a freezer bag and freeze for 2 to 3 hours. This can result in a smoother textured congee.
Boil 1 quart of water in a large pot or Dutch oven and then add the frozen rice into the boiling water.
Bring it to a boil again, lower the heat to medium, and cook for 15 minutes.
Turn off the heat and cover with the lid; let sit for 15 minutes before seasoning and adding your choice of toppings.

How to Serve

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

Add cooked shredded chicken, ground pork, or Chinese sausage, or a soft-boiled egg.
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 crunch with crushed peanuts or brightness with fresh cilantro or Thai basil.
Make a sweetversion of congee with raisins, Chinese dates (jujubes), and a bit ofrock sugar.

Tips

The rice will continue to absorb liquid as it rests. If the congee isn't as thick as you like, remove the pot from the heat, keep it covered, and let it rest for about 15 minutes.
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.

What Type of Rice Is Best for Congee?

Congee can be made with many different types of rice. Use basic white long-grain rice if you like; jasmine rice is a favorite as well. Other long-grain rice varieties like basmati can create a nice congee, and even short-grain rice will work. Cooking times may vary with any of these options. To make congee with brown rice, extend the soaking time to between 1 and 3 hours and remember that it may take longer to cook as well.

Helpful Links

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
32	Calories
1g	Fat
6g	Carbs
1g	Protein

Show Full Nutrition Label

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories	32
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 1g	1%
Saturated Fat 0g	0%
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 365mg	16%
Total Carbohydrate 6g	2%
Dietary Fiber 0g	0%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 0mg	0%
Calcium 12mg	1%
Iron 0mg	0%
Potassium 7mg	0%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.