• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
That Girl Cooks Healthy
  • Home
  • About Me
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
    • FAQ/Disclaimer
    • Work With Me
  • Recipe Index
  • Health guidance
    • My Caribbean
  • My E-book
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • About Me
    • FAQ/Disclaimer
    • Privacy Policy
    • Work With Me
  • Recipes
  • Health guidance
  • My E-book
  • ×

    BLANK » Recipe Index » Appetizers

    Toasted coconut caribbean rice

    Last Updated January 7, 2023. Published March 20, 2019 By Charla 4 Comments

    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Yummly
    • Flipboard
    • Mix
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Learn how to make this simple and delicious toasted coconut Caribbean rice

    Are you crazy for all things coconut? Try this delicious Caribbean inspired coconut rice dish. A quick step by step guide in how to make the fluffiest coconut rice using nutritional dense brown rice.

    coconut rice in a bowl with striped cloth

    Learn how to make this simple and delicious toasted coconut Caribbean rice

    Who doesn't love some toasted coconut Caribbean rice? Especially when it's nutritional dense.

    I say this because from my research coconut rice tends to be made with white jasmine rice.

    My recipe contrasts this idea, as I made mine with brown rice due to being a much healthier substitute.

    If you're health conscious like myself or simply keen to learn how to cook coconut rice in its simplistic nature with some toasted coconut flakes then let's get down to business.

    half a bowl of rice

    Ingredients you will need

    • Brown rice
    • Onion
    • Coconut milk
    • Water
    • Himalayan pink salt
    • Thyme
    • Dairy free butter
    • Shredded coconut

    How to make toasted coconut Caribbean rice

    Toasted coconut caribbean rice steps 1-2 sauteing the onions

    Saute the onions until soft and tender then add the coconut milk, water and additional ingredients.

    Toasted coconut caribbean rice steps 3-4 adding thyme and onions

    Add the thyme and onions to the rice with liquid before bringing it to the boil and simmer to cook.

    Can I use fat free coconut milk instead?

    Yes, if you want to opt for a low fat content side rice dish then low fat/fat free coconut milk is a more viable option.

    Why is my rice still wet after the given time?

    First of all you need to remove the lid allow the excess liquid to be evaporated.

    Alternatively, you may spread out the batch of rice on baking sheet with parchment paper and place in the oven (on a low setting) allow the heat to absorb the excess moisture.

    Can I make this in my instant pot instead?

    If you want to use the instant pot instead then please refer to my Jamaican Coconut Rice 

    Notes and tips

    • In order to yield I subtle coconut taste  I went overboard with the coconut by using both toasted coconut and coconut milk to ensure the flavour permeated the rice grains without becoming a sticky mess.
    • Be sure to thoroughly rinse the rice off, use a sieve and your hands, rinse several times to rid the starch and debris.
    • Don't burn the shredded coconut, keep an eye on it as it's toasted in the oven. Toast until golden which should take about 5 minutes.
    • Do NOT KEEP STIRRING THE RICE. once the rice is brought to the boil, cover and allow to simmer for the stated time.
    • If you are still facing issues with your rice? Please check out my article entitled How to Fix Rice

    half a rice bowl

    Serving suggestions

    • Grenadian Nutmeg Cinnamon Chicken
    • Slow Cooker Black Beans
    • Jamaican Fried Rice
    • Trinidad Stew Chicken
    • Jamaican Curry Shrimp

    **Don't forget to comment below and star rate if you have tried my recipes. Let's be friends and engage on Facebook and Instagram I also like to pin on Pinterest, where you can find more amazing recipes.**

    Toasted coconut Caribbean rice

    Learn how to make the fluffiest island style toasted coconut Caribbean rice
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Extras, Side Dish
    Cuisine: Caribbean
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes
    Total Time: 35 minutes
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 373kcal
    Author: Charla

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup of brown rice
    • ½ cup of coconut milk
    • 1 ½ cups of water
    • 1 small onion sliced
    • 2 tablespoon of dairy free butter
    • ½ teaspoon of himalayan pink salt
    • 1 teaspoon of thyme dried or  2 sprigs of fresh
    • ¼  cup of shredded coconut

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven at 180c/356f/gas mark 4 line a tray with parchment paper and spread the coconut on it evenly and toast for 5 minutes or until golden/
    • Wash and strain the rice to remove unwanted debris and set aside
    • Melt the butter on medium heat then saute the onion until soft.
    • In the meantime, heat the saucepan on high heat, add the brown rice,  coconut milk, thyme, pink salt and sauted onions then stir a few times to avoiding sticking.
    • Once the pot begins to boil, reduce heat, cover and leave to simmer for approximately 20-25 minutes.
    • During the allocated cooking time,check the rice periodically to avoid sticking and evaporation. If the liquid has absorbed and the rice is still hard, gently fold in some more water and leave to simmer for longer. If rice is over saturated with water remove the lid and allow excess liquid to dissolve.
    • Once rice is cooked it should be light and fluffy - test the grains with a fork then toss in the toasted coconut prior to serving.

    Notes

    • In order to yield I subtle coconut taste  I went overboard with the coconut by using both toasted coconut and coconut milk to ensure the flavour permeated the rice grains without becoming a sticky mess.
    • Be sure to thoroughly rinse the rice off, use a sieve and your hands, rinse several times to rid the starch and debris.
    • Don't burn the shredded coconut, keep an eye on it as it's toasted in the oven. Toast until golden which should take about 5 minutes.
    • Do NOT KEEP STIRRING THE RICE. once the rice is brought to the boil, cover and allow to simmer for the stated time.
    • If you are still facing issues with your rice? Please check out my article entitled How to Fix Rice

    Nutrition

    Calories: 373kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Sodium: 365mg | Potassium: 311mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 24IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 3mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @ThatGirlCooksHealthy or tag #ThatGirlCooksHealthy!
    « Tasty Air Fryer Hamburgers
    Healthy Chocolate Smoothie (Vegan) »
    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Yummly
    • Flipboard
    • Mix

    About Charla

    I'm Charla. Caribbean foodie & Certified Health Coach. Welcome to the heaven of gluten and dairy free recipes as well as modernised healthier alternatives to some of your favourite Caribbean recipes.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Cheryl Friske

      January 31, 2019 at 3:23 am

      5 stars
      What are the red and green flecks in the photograph?

      Reply
      • Charla

        January 31, 2019 at 11:39 am

        Bell peppers that I used to decorate the rice.

        Reply
    2. Jennifer Whitney

      February 11, 2015 at 7:52 am

      5 stars
      Coconut rice is my top favorite food all-time. I cook this food regularly in my home. I get some new ideas from this post.

      Thanks!

      Reply
      • Charla

        February 11, 2015 at 8:14 am

        I love it to Jennifer and glad to be an inspiration.

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Greetings

    I'm Charla. Caribbean foodie & Certified Health Coach. Welcome to the heaven of gluten and dairy free recipes as well as modernised healthier alternatives to some of your favourite Caribbean recipes. Learn more about me

    JOIN MY MAILING LIST AND BE THE FIRST TO KNOW WHEN I POST EXCLUSIVE HEALTHY RECIPES.

    Featured recipes

    overhead shot of the punch

    Jamaican Beetroot Punch (Vegan Style)

    Yuca in a bowl with red onions

    Yuca en Escabeche

    overhead shot of the cake

    Sorrel Cake (Vegan, Gluten Free)

    Caribbean Pumpkin Lentil Soup (Vegan, GF)

    Jamaican bammy recipe

    Jamaican Bammy Recipe

    A colourful bowl of salad

    Vegan Bean Salad (Caribbean Style)

    More

    Featured in

    Top Choice Recipes

    2 drinks with cinnamon sticks and pieces of orange

    Cinnamon Orange Cold Brew Tea

    Saltfish, tomatoes and green banana

    Green Fig and Saltfish (Green Banana)

    A picture showing a collection of healthy Caribbean recipes

    Low Carb Caribbean Recipes

    Roast breadfruit (tutorial)

    drink in a glass with moss in a bowl

    Sea Moss Drink (Irish Moss Drink)

    Papaya chia pudding

    Papaya chia pudding

    plate of yam and shrimp

    Pan Fried Garlic Butter Shrimp

    Sweet Chilli Shrimp {Instant Pot or Stove Option}

    Footer

    Featured In

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy

    Contact

    • Contact
    • FAQ

    Copyright © 2020