Learn how to cook brown rice perfectly every time! With this easy stovetop method, it's always fluffy and light - just right for stir fries, bowls, and more.
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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!
How to Cook Brown Rice
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:
- First, rinse the rice. This step is essential for removing excess starches on the outside of the rice. If they’re not washed away, they will cause the rice to clump and become gummy as it cooks. Our goal is to make perfectly fluffy brown rice, so don’t skip this step! I like to rinse mine in a fine mesh strainer over a large bowl until the water in the bowl runs clear.
- Then, measure the appropriate water to rice ratio.I use 2 cups of water for every cup of rice. Add the water and rice to a medium saucepan, and stir in a teaspoon of extra-virgin olive oil.
- Next, it’s time to cook!Bring the water to a boil, reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for about 45 minutes, until the rice is tender and has absorbed the water.
- Finally, turn off the heat. Let the pot sit, covered, for 10 minutes before removing the lid and fluffing with a fork.
Favorite Brown Rice Recipes
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:
- A protein! My favorites are baked tofu, tempeh, lentils, and roasted chickpeas.
- A vegetable! It’d be great with roasted butternut squash, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, or tomatoes.
- A sauce! Try my peanut sauce, tahini sauce, cilantro lime dressing, pesto, tzatziki, or chipotle sauce.
Let me know what variations you try!
More Basic Grain Recipes
If you loved this recipe, try making farro, quinoa, or couscous next!
How to Cook Brown Rice
Prep Time: 5 minutes mins
Cook Time: 55 minutes mins
Total Time: 1 hour hr
Serves 4
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.
Instructions
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.
Remove from the heat and let it sit, covered for 10 more minutes. Fluff with a fork.
Notes
This rice-to-water ratio also works in a rice cooker using the brown rice setting. If you're using a rice cooker to cook your rice, skip the olive oil.
FAQs
Brown Rice to Water Ratio
To cook brown rice on the stovetop, a good rule of thumb is to follow a 2 to 1 ratio of water to rice; so, for 1 cup of rice, you would use 2 cups of liquid. When in doubt, check the package directions for the optimal ratio for short-, medium-, and long-grain.
How to make brown rice taste better? ›
Add broth and i sometimes put soy sauce /sesame oil and cilantro in it. Or if im feeling more mexican flavor, ill add some cumin, chili powder, and cilantro/onion. Roast the rice sightly with some chopped onions in a bit of butter or olive oil before adding the hot chicken broth.
Why should you rinse brown rice before cooking? ›
There are two reasons to rinse rice: First to remove starch from the grains, which in theory makes it fluffier. Second is to remove debris, since rice is an agricultural product that tends to sit on store shelves.
How long should I soak brown rice before cooking? ›
Using 2 cups water for every 1 cup of rice, place rice and water in a large bowl. Let soak 90 minutes. If you're short on time, Marek notes that even soaking the rice for just 15 minutes “helps [the cooking] process go quicker and it also begins to remove the excess starches from the grain,” he says.
How long does brown rice take to cook? ›
Most packs of brown rice will say to boil for longer than white rice, so for around 30-35 mins. The trick is to simmer it for most of that, then for the last 5-10 mins leave it, well covered, to absorb the water off the heat – resulting in light perfectly tender grains every time.
What to add to brown rice? ›
We love sauteeing some onions or leeks in butter with some thyme before adding rice to the pot, but you should use what you have around! Ginger and garlic both make for exceptional brown rice. If you're going the spice route we love turmeric, cumin, oregano, and smoked paprika with brown rice.
Should you always rinse brown rice? ›
And before you ask: Whether you choose to rinse your rice is a personal choice—some sources say you don't need to rinse brown rice at all. Our opinion: For the fluffiest brown rice possible, rinsing is the way to go.
Should I add butter to brown rice? ›
Adding butter and salt is optional but it does give the rice a nice flavor. One Tablespoon of butter and 1/2 teaspoon of salt, to 1 cup of rice, is the norm.
Why is my brown rice always mushy? ›
It is important to use BOILING water not cold tap water for the baked method. Otherwise it takes a good 15 minutes or so for the water to heat up enough to start cooking the rice during which the rice is just wallowing and bloating in warm water, resulting in mushy rice.
What happens if you don't rinse brown rice before cooking? ›
First, rinse the rice.
If they're not washed away, they will cause the rice to clump and become gummy as it cooks. Our goal is to make perfectly fluffy brown rice, so don't skip this step! I like to rinse mine in a fine mesh strainer over a large bowl until the water in the bowl runs clear.
The bottom line
Brown rice is a more nutrient-dense product than white rice. Because of this, brown rice may help reduce blood sugar levels and aid in managing weight. But white rice is good for people with certain digestive issues and those who can't digest fiber-rich foods well.
How do you cook brown rice? ›
For this technique, you'll boil your rice in an abundance of water for 30 minutes. Drain off the excess water, return the rice to the pot, cover, and let the rice steam for 10 minutes. Ta da! Perfect brown rice, every time.
What is the healthiest way to cook brown rice? ›
Some of the healthiest ways to cook brown rice, other than steaming, include: Boiling: Boiling is a simple and effective way to cook brown rice. Add the rice to a pot of boiling water and simmer until tender, then drain any excess water. Baking: Baking brown rice can help to lock in the nutrients and flavors.
Why is my brown rice still hard after cooking? ›
Hard or Chewy Rice
After cooking for the recommended period of time, if the rice is still hard or chewy, add a little bit of water to create more steam (for every cup of uncooked rice used, add about 2 tablespoons of water).
Can I eat brown rice everyday? ›
Brown rice contains the antinutrient phytic acid and is higher in arsenic than white rice. This can be a concern for those who eat a lot of rice. However, moderate consumption should be fine.
How many cups of water for 1 cup of brown rice? ›
Water-to-Rice-Ratio
A great rule of thumb when cooking brown (and white) rice is a 2:1 ratio of water to rice. 2 cups of water for every 1 cup of rice.
Is rice and water a 2 to 1 ratio? ›
A 2-to-1 ratio, liquid to rice, produces soft, tender rice. Chewier rice will result from using a 1-to-1 ratio, or from adding a bit more water. I usually go with a 2-to-1 ratio for cooking a long-grain rice like basmati. Traditionally, basmati rice first is soaked for 30 minutes to as long as two hours.
How much rice does 1 cup of dry brown rice make? ›
Servings: 1 cup uncooked brown rice makes 3 cups cooked rice which will serve 3 people.
How much brown rice does 1 2 cup dry make? ›
Most folks say that 1 cup of uncooked rice yields 3 cups of cooked rice. This may be true for white rice, but brown rice yields slightly less volume than white rice. We've found the ratio is closer to 1 to 2½ cups uncooked to cooked rice. Keep in mind that brown rice is much more filling than white rice.
