Brown Rice Recipe

I love days when I have a big container of cooked brown rice in the fridge. It’s a fantastic starting point for curries, stir fries, fried rice, and more, and its earthy, nutty flavor is even delicious on its own. Sometimes, I’ll toss it with a pinch of salt, top it with an egg, and call it breakfast.

Plus, it’s not only tasty; it’s good for you too! Brown rice is filled with fiber and other nutrients. When I have it on hand, tossing together a grain bowl for lunch or dinner takes minutes, so I’m less likely to reach for sweets or snacks throughout the day.

Rumor has it that cooking brown rice on the stove is tricky, but I’m here to tell you that it’s actually simple! This easy, foolproof cooking method yields perfect brown rice every time. You only need water, rice, olive oil, and a pot to try it, so say goodbye to mushy rice, and let’s get cooking!

This easy method will work for any type of brown rice, as long as it’s not an instant or quick-cooking variety. These products are more processed than typical brown rice, so their cooking times will vary. Once you’re ready to cook, follow these simple steps:

Once you have the cooked rice on hand, you’ll find all sorts of ways to use it! Add it to stir fries, serve it as a side dish with curry or chana masala, or swap it for the white rice in my cilantro lime rice recipe. I also use short grain brown rice to add texture to veggie burgers and vegan meatballs. It has a stickier texture than long grain brown rice, which is key for making extra-hearty patties that hold their shape in the oven, on the stove, and on the grill.

But most often, I use it as a base for healthy grain bowls. I call for it specifically in this buddha bowl, this adzuki bean bowl, and this mango ginger rice bowl, but you can also use it as a starting point for a simple, no-recipe grain bowl. Just add one (or more) item from each of these categories to turn plain rice into a delicious dinner:

How to Cook Brown Rice

Want to make brown rice that’s cooked perfectly every time? Just follow this easy method! Then, use it in bowls, stir fries, and more.

Prep: 5min

Total: 60min

Ingredients:

• 1 cup uncooked brown rice (well rinsed)
• 2 cups water
• 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil

Instruction:

1. Combine the rinsed rice, water, and olive oil in a pot and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 45 minutes.
2. Remove from the heat and let it sit, covered for 10 more minutes. Fluff with a fork.

How to Cook Perfect Brown Rice

Once you try this easy technique, you’ll never want to cook brown rice any other way. You can scale this recipe up or down as needed. The basic ratio is 1 part brown rice to 6 parts water, which yields 3 parts cooked rice. As written below, the recipe yields 3 cups cooked rice.

Prep: 2min

Total: 32min

Yield: 3

Serving Size: 1/2 cup cooked brown rice (no salt/seasonings)

Nutrition Facts: servingSize 1/2 cup cooked brown rice (no salt/seasonings), calories 115 calories, Sodium 1.3 mg, Fat 0.8 g, Saturated Fat 0.2 g, Carbohydrate 24.1 g, Fiber 1.1 g, Protein 2.4 g, Cholesterol 0 mg

Ingredients:

• 1 cup brown rice (short, medium or long grain brown rice will work, as long as it’s not a quick-cooking variety)
• 6 cups water
• Salt, soy sauce or other desired seasonings, to taste

Instruction:

1. Bring a large pot of water to boil, using at least 6 cups water per 1 cup rice. Rinse* the rice in a fine mesh colander under running water to remove excess starch.
2. Add the rice to the boiling water. Reduce the temperature as necessary to prevent overflow, but maintain a steady boil. Boil, uncovered, for 30 minutes.
3. Drain off the remaining cooking water and return the rice to the pot. Cover the pot and let the rice rest, off the heat, for 10 minutes. Fluff, season as desired, and serve.

How to Cook Brown Rice Recipe

Learn how to cook brown rice with this foolproof, easy recipe! It makes perfect brown rice every time! It’s perfect for busy weeknights and easy meal prep! Stovetop, Instant Pot, and Rice Cooker instructions included!

Prep: 5min

Total: 35min

Yield: 6

Serving Size: 1 cup

Nutrition Facts: servingSize 1 cup, calories 216.5 kcal, Carbohydrate 44.8 g, Protein 5 g, Fat 1 g, Sodium 7 mg, Fiber 2 g

Ingredients:

• 2 cup uncooked brown rice
• 4 cups water (or chicken stock)
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 2 cup uncooked brown rice
• 4 cups water (or chicken stock)
• 2 cups uncooked brown rice
• 2 1/2 cups water (or chicken stock)

Instruction:

1. Rinse the rice in a fine mesh strainer until the water runs clear. Add brown rice and water to a medium saucepan set over medium heat. Stir in the olive oil. Bring to a rolling boil, reduce heat to simmer, cover with lid, and cook until the rice is tender and the water is absorbed, 30 to 40 minutes. Remove from the heat, leave covered, and rest for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork and serve.
2. Rinse the rice in a fine mesh strainer until the water runs clear. Add brown rice and water to the rice cooker. Cook using the brown rice setting. Fluff with a fork and serve.
3. Rinse the rice in a fine mesh strainer until the water runs clear. Add brown rice to the Instant Pot or other pressure cooker. Pour in the water and stir to combine. Seal the lid of the Instant Pot and select 15 minutes on high pressure. Allow the Instant Pot to release pressure naturally. Remove the lid to the Instant Pot and fluff the brown rice with a fork.

Instant Pot Brown Rice

This is a simple, fail-proof recipe for making perfectly cooked brown rice using an electric pressure cooker.

Prep: 3min

Total: 45min

Serving Size: 1 serving

Nutrition Facts: calories 228 kcal, Carbohydrate 48 g, Protein 5 g, Fat 2 g, Saturated Fat 0.4 g, Sodium 198 mg, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 1 g, unSaturated Fat 2 g, servingSize 1 serving

Ingredients:

• 2 cups long-grain brown rice
• 2 cups liquid (broth or water)
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (optional)

Instruction:

1. Measure out the dried rice and place it into a fine mesh colander. Rinse under cold water for 1-2 minutes and shake to remove excess liquid. Place the rinsed rice into the inner pot of the pressure cooker.
2. Pour the liquid over the rice and add in the salt if using. Gently push the rice down so that it is fully and evenly submerged in the liquid.
3. Place the lid on the Instant Pot and be sure the vent knob is sealed. Hit the manual or pressure cook button and cook on High Pressure for 22 minutes for long-grain brown rice or 24 minutes for short-grain brown rice. Do not use the rice function!
4. Once the cooking time has elapsed, allow the pressure to release naturally. This takes about 15-20 minutes, depending on how much rice you prepared.
5. Once the pressure is fully released, remove the lid from the pressure cooker and gently fluff the rice with a fork.
6. Serve as desired.

How to Cook Perfect Brown Rice

FAQ

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