How to Cook Brown Rice (2 Ways) (2024)

FAQs

What are the 2 common methods of cooking rice? ›

There are generally four different methods for cooking rice: steaming, boiling, pilaf and risotto, all of which produce very different results. Different methods often require specific types of rice to achieve the desired texture and flavor.

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.

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.

Build flavors early on!

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. Try adding some of these spices to the pot as you cook your aromatic vegetables. Cook in a flavorful liquid.

These methods can be broken down into two categories: moist-heat cooking and dry-heat cooking. Moist-heat cooking methods use water, liquid or steam to transfer heat to food. Common moist-heat cooking methods include: poaching, simmering, boiling, braising, stewing, pot roasting, steaming and en papillote.

The general "rule of thumb" is 2 to 1 (2 parts liquid to 1 part rice by volume).

Use brown rice instead of white rice when making stir-fries. Instead of white pasta, incorporate brown rice into your favorite soup recipes. Toss brown rice with fresh veggies and olive oil for a tasty side dish. Make black bean and brown rice burgers for a plant-based dinner or lunch.

As a general rule, you should rinse all types of rice before cooking, including long grain, medium grain, short grain, brown, white, and so on. Rinsing rice ensures you will remove any debris, dust, or other harmful substances that may have snuck into the bag.

Soaking is optional, but we recommend it! Soaking grains helps to remove some of the naturally-occurring phytic acid in the grain, which helps improve digestibility and speed cook time. To soak: Add rice to a large mixing bowl or pot and cover with twice the amount of lukewarm water (1 cup rice + 2-3 cups water).

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.

Does brown rice go bad? ›

Brown rice is another pantry mainstay that appears shelf-stable but should be used within a relatively short period. While white rice can last years if stored in an airtight container, brown rice lasts only about three or four months before it starts to turn. This is mostly due to brown rice's higher oil content.

Brown rice is a healthy alternative to white rice, but it takes a little bit longer to cook, and you'll need slightly more liquid. Brown rice is a less-processed form of rice, which means the grains still have the outer layer of bran on them.

The correct cook time and water ratio for brown rice depends on the cooking method that you're using. Properly cooked rice should have a slightly chewy consistency. Overcooked rice will be mushy; undercooked, it will be hard and crunchy.

Toasting the dry rice grains in a little butter or olive oil before adding the water brings out their flavor and adds a fantastic nutty note in the finished dish. I especially love doing this with brown rice and other whole grains like farro and barley.

And finally, after cooking, let your rice rest off the heat with the lid on for about 10 minutes. This pause before serving helps the rice absorb the last of the moisture in the pot. If you skip it, the rice can be a little sticky and gummy when scooping it from the pot instead of light and fluffy.

Common Types of Rice

There are two prominent varieties of rice plants: indica, most often long-grained and aromatic, and japonica, short and medium grain rice. Within those two plant types, there are over 40,000 different variety of rice. Other un-hulled rice types include red rice, black rice, and purple rice.

Fill the pot with water (no need to measure) and salt it — just like you do with pasta water. Bring it to a boil and then carefully add your desired amount of rice. Maintain a boil. Boil uncovered without stirring until the rice is softened through but still a tad al dente (read: not mushy).

there are two major sub species of rice that account for the overwhelming majority of cultivated varieties – Indica and Japonica. Indica rice varieties are generally classified as long grain, while Japonica rice varieties can be either medium or short grain.

Always use one part rice to two parts water.

Pick through to remove any tiny stones or debris, Then, using cold water, rinse the rice thoroughly in a fine-mesh sieve until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch from the rice which can make it gummy – the first key tip for how to cook perfect rice.