A pot of fluffy, tender Brown Rice is yours for the making! Follow these steps to cook the perfect stovetop brown rice every time.
Cooking brown rice can be intimidating at first. If you’ve made it, you know it’s harder to nail the perfect texture than you’d expect.
With the right techniques (all of which you will find below), you can make it a staple in your meals.
This post will walk you through the step-by-step process of how to cook brown rice on the stove perfectly!
Brown rice is a great grain to have on hand.
Its slightly nutty flavor and tender, chewy texture make it the perfect base for stir fries, fried rice (like Shrimp Fried Rice and Chicken Fried Rice), and more!
Why Brown Rice is a Healthy Option
Brown rice has a lot of health benefits, is a nutritious alternative to white rice, and can be an excellent choice for many different diets.
- Whole Grain. Brown rice is a whole grain, which means it contains all parts of the grain (including bran, germ, and endosperm). This means that it is higher in fiber, vitamins, and minerals than refined grains like white rice, which only contains the carbohydrate-rich endosperm.
- High in Fiber. Brown rice is a great source of dietary fiber, which is essential for maintaining a healthy digestive system. Fiber can also help lower cholesterol levels, reduce the risk of heart disease, and improve blood sugar control.*
- Low Glycemic Index. Brown rice has a lower glycemic index than white rice. This can help regulate blood sugar levels and prevent spikes in insulin, making it an ideal food for people with diabetes.*
- Gluten Free. Brown rice is naturally gluten free.
- Minerals. Brown rice is a good source of magnesium, phosphorus, and selenium.*
How to Cook Brown Rice on the Stove
Cooking brown rice is easier than you think with these two methods.
- Method 1 – Simmer. With this method, you combine water and rice, bring them to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
- Method 2 – Boil & Drain (Pasta Method). In this method, you cook the rice as you would pasta: Bring the water to boil, add the rice, then boil until the rice is tender and drain the excess liquid away.
Both methods work and have their pros and cons.
- The simmer method is the most common, what rice packages instruct, and it avoids the mess of needing to drain the cooked rice. Also, the rice retains more of its nutrients, since nothing is drained away.
- The simmer method makes it easy to cook the rice in vegetable or chicken broth to infuse more flavor.
- The boil method is considered by many to be easier, since you don’t have to worry about the water completely absorbing and the rice burning to the bottom of the pot as it cooks.
If you are nervous about getting the perfect rice texture or always seem to burn your rice, try the boil method.
If you are able to check on the rice periodically, don’t want to mess with draining, want to maintain max nutrients, or want to infuse extra flavor, simmer it.
The Ingredients
- Brown Rice. Choose a long-grain brown rice for the cooking times listed below. Short-grain brown rice might have a slightly different cooking time.
- Water. The rice to water ratio is critical.
- Olive Oil. Enhances the flavor and reduces stickiness.
The Directions
Storage Tips
- To Store. Let the brown rice cool before storing in an airtight container. Refrigerate cooked brown rice for up to 5 days.
- To Reheat. Add the brown rice and a small amount of water or broth (or an ice cube!) to a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 1-2 minutes until reheated.
- To Freeze. Spread the brown rice on a baking sheet, freezing until solid. Transfer the frozen rice to an airtight, freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Ways to Use Brown Rice
Enjoy your perfectly cooked brown rice; no rice cooker needed!
Frequently Asked Questions
To make brown rice in the instant pot, check out my Instant Pot Brown Rice recipe.
Rinsing rice is an essential step that can improve texture and remove any unwanted debris. Rinsing brown rice removes excess starch, resulting in less sticky and more fluffy rice. Rinsing also removes the small amounts of arsenic that may be found on grains like brown rice. It’s a simple step that can make a big difference in the quality of your rice and the overall flavor of your dish.
One cup of uncooked brown rice yields roughly 3 cups cooked.
Swapping water for broth is a great option to deepen the flavor of brown rice. Additionally, top your rice with butter, fresh herbs, and salt to taste.
- 2 cups of water (for simmer method) or 6 cups (for boil method)
- 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 cup long grain brown rice
- fresh chopped cilantro, parsley, or chives optional
Method 2 – Boil and Drain (Pasta) – Directions:
- TO STORE: Let the brown rice cool before storing it in an airtight container. Refrigerate cooked brown rice for up to 5 days.
- TO REHEAT: Add the brown rice and a small amount of water or broth (or an ice cube!) to a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 1-2 minutes until reheated.
- TO FREEZE: Spread the brown rice on a baking sheet, freezing until solid. Transfer the frozen rice to an airtight, freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Serving: 1 cup of cooked riceCalories: 241kcalCarbohydrates: 48gProtein: 5gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gPotassium: 170mgFiber: 2gCalcium: 21mgIron: 1mg
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*Health benefits of brown rice found on health.com.
