How to make brown rice in a rice cooker

The big trend in healthy eating is to go for whole-grain, high-fiber, less-processed food. Brown rice fits all three of those bills. If you’re only used to preparing white (polished) rice, you’ll need to make a few minor changes to your cooking habits for brown rice.

Spray your rice cooker pot with a non-stick cooking spray. This works wonders at keeping your rice from sticking and burning.

Add your brown rice and water. While the typical rice-to-water ratio for white rice is one part rice to two parts water, brown rice works better if you go with one part rice to two and a half parts water.

Add salt to taste (1 or 2 teaspoons per 4 cups of rice).

On a cutting board, press the flat edge of a knife onto a clove of garlic to squash it. Remove and discard the papery skin and drop the smashed clove into the cooker.

Add olive oil, about 1 tablespoon per 4 cups of rice.

Cover the pot and turn on the cooker. Expect brown rice to take a little longer to cook than white rice (about 30 to 40 minutes instead of 20).

Brown rice has a firmer texture than white rice and a nuttier flavor. Adding the extra water makes it more tender.

If your cooked rice doesn’t seem tender enough for you when the cooker is done, add a little more water (1/4 to 1/2 cup) and start the cook cycle again (it should only take a few minutes more).

Warning

You may want to remove the garlic clove before you serve the rice.

Cook jasmine, basmati, and brown rice in no time.

Rice can be used as a side dish for tasty recipes like spiced pork, as the base of a rice bowl topped with fresh and cooked ingredients, and any leftovers can be turned into fried rice. It’s great to keep around for emergencies because it lasts for a long time in the pantry. You may not need a rice cooker to cook rice, but the appliance provides an easy, hands-off cooking method that produces consistent results. Rice cookers are also good for cooking in bulk, and some models keep rice warm until ready to serve. Follow these tips for making fool-proof rice with a rice cooker every time.

How do rice cookers work?

Simply add rice and water to the cooking pot, select the corresponding program (if applicable), and press the start button. Stir it all together and spread it in an even layer before closing the lid — this will help it cook the most evenly. Once all the water boils off and the temperature starts to inch above 212°F, the rice cooker automatically turns off, no matter how advanced or basic the model. Cooking times vary based on the type of rice and amount being made.

Sometimes, rice cookers may splatter due to starch build-up. To prevent this, rinse the rice before cooking and observe the maximum capacity guidelines. Adding fat, like butter or oil, to the cooking pot with the rice also helps mitigate splattering.

What is the ratio of water to rice in a rice cooker?

The general ratio of water to rice in a rice cooker is 1:1. That means 1 cup water to 1 cup rice. During our testing, we determined that this ratio works best for long-grain white rice; it also seems to work well for other long-grain white rices, like basmati and jasmine, but we recommend referring to the manufacturer’s instructions for specific ratios as they can vary based on the model. The general ratio recommendation for brown rice is 2 1/4 cups water to 1 cup brown rice.

While almost all rice cookers come with a measuring cup, some have markings on the cooking pot so you always know how much rice and water to add, no matter how many cups you’re using or what type of rice. Keep in mind that rice cooker cups are typically smaller than your standard measuring cup. They usually measure 3/4 cup, which does not make a difference when it comes to ratios, but should be taken into account when following a standard recipe.

How do I make fluffy rice in a rice cooker?

The best way to make fluffy rice in a rice cooker is to let the cooked rice sit undisturbed in the cooking pot, with the lid on, for 10 minutes after cooking. This additional time will allow excess water to be absorbed gently without overcooking. It will also allow the rice to cool slightly and firm up a bit. After 10 minutes, use the included rice paddle, to fluff the rice, layer by layer. Since most rice cooker pots are nonstick, using the plastic rice paddle is recommended instead of any metal utensils that can scratch the bottom or sides. The rice paddle is also dimpled, which helps prevent the rice from sticking.

Why is my rice sticky?

Cooked rice can feel sticky for a couple of reasons: too much water may have been used and it may have not been rinsed before cooking. It’s important to rinse rice before cooking to wash off excess starch. Otherwise the cooked starch will create a sticky texture, instead of the separated one that’s usually desired. For best results, rinse the rice until the water runs clear. Some people like to do this directly in the cooking pot before cooking.

How do I flavor my rice before and after cooking?

Water in a recipe can be swapped out for the same amount of broth or stock to add flavor to rice. We like using unsalted versions so we can control the sodium content ourselves. Herbs and spices can also be added to the cooking pot before cooking, as well as other aromatics, such as sautéed onions or garlic. Salt can be added before or after cooking, although we recommend using a small amount when it’s uncooked and adjusting to taste after to avoid oversalting.

When rice is cooked, it can be seasoned with more spices or a touch of acid, like lemon. You could also stir chopped herbs into it, or vegetables. For an especially different take, try chopped fruit, like pineapple or mango.

What else can I make in my rice cooker?

Rice cookers can be used for all types of rice, including white, brown, long-grain, short-grain, jasmine, basmati, and wild rice. They can also be used to make different grains, like quinoa and oatmeal. Just be sure to adjust the water ratio accordingly, especially if your rice cooker doesn’t have multiple settings. Rice cookers can also be used to make mixed dishes, by layering chopped veggies or protein on top of the rice before cooking. Some even come with racks and or baskets that allow for steaming.

Hearty whole grains are a secret staple for meal prepping — you can toss them into salads, stir them into soups, or use them as a base for savory dinner bowls. Brown rice is one of our favorites for its low price and versatility. Many of us have a favorite method for cooking brown rice (mine’s the oven), but trust me — cooking it in the slow cooker is revolutionary for meal prep.

Here’s why we love it: This set-it-and-forget-it method can be started before you begin your meal prep and finishes just as you’re washing the dishes. It’s also very forgiving, and bakes up tender, buttery, and perfectly cooked — without any fuss. Ready to add brown rice to your meal prep routine? Here’s exactly how to do it.

Perfect Brown Rice from the Slow Cooker

Every method for cooking brown rice has a time and place. Need just a little bit of rice quickly? Cook it on the stovetop. Want a hands-off method for just a few cups? Try baking it. But when you want a large batch of perfectly cooked brown rice, the slow cooker really is your best friend. Because of its shape and size, it can cook up to four cups perfectly without any mushy middle or undercooked edges.

Another reason we love this method is that the timing works perfectly for Sunday meal prep and yields enough rice to be eaten throughout the week or frozen for future enjoyment.

3 Steps for Perfect Slow Cooker Brown Rice

• Use a large, wide slow cooker. As much as I love my smaller slow cooker and my Instant Pot, you don’t want to use either for this recipe. You need a six-quart or larger slow cooker that allows proper absorption and evaporation. One with an oval or oblong crock is best.
• Boil the water to jumpstart cooking. You’ll need to bring the water to a boil before adding it to the slow cooker. Starting the rice in cool water will cause it to cook up gummy.
• Cover the rice with parchment as it cooks. The key to perfectly cooked brown rice in the slow cooker is ensuring that the water evaporates slowly over the 2- to 2 1/2-hour cook time. Adding a layer of parchment paper directly over the water and rice mixture slows evaporation and makes sure every single grain is perfectly cooked.

Storing and Serving Slow Cooker Brown Rice

If you plan to eat your rice right away, add a little butter, taste, and season. If you’re storing it, quickly transfer the rice to containers (or freezer bags) to prevent it from overcooking (don’t let it sit in the slow cooker). Store cooked brown rice in the fridge for up five days or frozen for up to three months.

How To Make Brown Rice in the Slow Cooker

Yield Serves 8 , Makes about 12 cups

Prep time 7 minutes

Cook time 2 hours to 3 hours

• wheat-free
• low-fat
• fish-free
• peanut-free
• vegetarian
• shellfish-free
• pork-free
• pescatarian
• sugar-conscious
• gluten-free
• tree-nut-free
• soy-free
• egg-free
• red-meat-free
• alcohol-free

• Calories 369
• Fat 5.4 g (8.3%)
• Saturated 2.3 g (11.7%)
• Carbs 72.4 g (24.1%)
• Fiber 3.2 g (12.9%)
• Sugars 0.0 g
• Protein 7.2 g (14.3%)
• Sodium 480.5 mg (20.0%)

Ingredients

• 5 cups

long-grain brown rice

Equipment

Measuring cups and spoons

6-quart or larger slow cooker

Kettle or saucepan

Instructions

Bring the water to a boil. Bring the water to a boil in a saucepan or electric kettle. Meanwhile, rinse the rice.

Rinse the rice. Rinse the rice under cool running water.

Combine the rice and salt in the slow cooker. Place the rice in a 6-quart or larger slow cooker. Add the salt and stir to combine.

Add the water, cover with parchment, and cook on HIGH. Pour the boiling water over the rice. Place a sheet of parchment paper directly on the rice and water so that the paper is touching the water. Cover and cook until the water is completely absorbed and the rice is tender, 2 to 2 1/2 hours on the HIGH setting.

Add the butter and fluff with a fork before serving. Add the butter and fluff the rice with a large fork before serving.

Recipe Notes

Storage: Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 2 months.

If you eat a lot of rice with your meals, or if you feel plagued by a rice-cooking hex, then a rice cooker is a must-have in your kitchen. It turns out perfectly cooked rice, night after night, meal after meal. Almost more than any other kitchen gadget, this one is all about making one thing in your life easier. Here’s how to use one to make a pot of rice tonight.

Start by Checking Your Manual

The instructions we have here are fairly general and universal for most rice cookers. Even so, it’s good to dig out your manual and double check the instructions before you begin.

Most rice cookers use the ratio of one cup rice to one cup water. Use this same ratio to scale up when cooking larger batches. Smaller batches are also possible, but the water won’t absorb at quite the same rate, so you might need to do some experimenting to find out what works best with your rice cooker.

Rice cookers can also vary somewhat, even between models of the same brand. Start with this basic ratio and the technique we give here, and adjust based on your experience with your personal rice cooker.

Add Your Rice and Go

The beauty of the rice cooker is that it literally does all the work for you. Once you add the rice and water, and close the lid, it will heat things to the proper temperature, monitor the steam and pressure inside the cooker, and turn itself off when its done. Most rice cookers just have an on/off button, so you don’t even need to think about cooking time. (If your rice cooker does have cooking time options, consult your manual for directions.)

Two Key Factors for Perfect Rice-Cooker Rice

First, rinse your rice under running water before transferring it to the rice cooker; this washes away excess starch and helps make the rice less sticky.

Second, let the rice rest after cooking for at least 10 minutes with the lid on before serving. This resting time helps cook off the last of the steam and makes the rice fluffier, with distinct grains.

Cleaning Your Rice Cooker

To clean, scoop out all the rice and then leave the lid open to let the inside of the cooker dry out. Any leftover bits of rice will easily brush off and you can wipe the inside clean with a sponge or dishcloth.

If your rice cooker has a nonstick coating (which most do), be careful not to use any metal utensils or you can scratch the coating.

How To Make Rice in a Rice Cooker

Yield Serves 4 to 6

• alcohol-free
• kidney-friendly
• peanut-free
• low-potassium
• pork-free
• pescatarian
• gluten-free
• tree-nut-free
• low-sodium
• red-meat-free
• low-fat
• wheat-free
• dairy-free
• fish-free
• vegetarian
• shellfish-free
• vegan
• sugar-conscious
• no-oil-added
• low-sugar
• soy-free
• egg-free

• Calories 117
• Fat 0.2 g (0.3%)
• Saturated 0.1 g (0.3%)
• Carbs 25.8 g (8.6%)
• Fiber
• Sugars
• Protein 2.1 g (4.3%)
• Sodium 1.9 mg (0.1%)

Ingredients

• 1 cup

short-, medium-, or long-grain white rice

Equipment

Wood or rubber spatula (not metal)

Instructions

Rinse the rice: Place the rice in a large strainer or colander and rinse it thoroughly under cool water. The water running through the rice will usually look milky at first, but will then become clearer. It’s fine if there’s still some haze in the water. There is no need to dry the rice before cooking; a bit of moisture on the rice is fine.

Combine the rice and water in the rice cooker. Stir in the salt. If you skipped the step of rinsing the rice, add a few extra tablespoons of water now.

Cook the rice: Turn on the rice cooker and, if needed, select the correct cooking option according to your rice cooker (check the manual). The rice cooker will cook the rice automatically and turn off when done. Check your manual for estimated cooking times.

Let the rice rest in the slow cooker for 10 to 15 minutes: Once the rice is cooked and the rice cooker shuts off, let the rice rest for another 10 to 15 minutes. Keep the lid on while the rice sits. This helps prevent the rice from being overly sticky or getting mushy. You can also leave the rice in the cooker for up to 30 minutes or so, until ready to serve.

Fluff the rice and serve: Use a wooden spatula to fluff the rice in the rice cooker, then serve straight from the rice cooker or transfer the rice to a serving bowl. Serve while warm.

Recipe Notes

Follow this same method for other kinds of rice, but check against your manual for specific water-to-rice ratios and cooking times.

Emma is a former editor for The Kitchn and a graduate of the Cambridge School for Culinary Arts. She is the author of True Brews and Brew Better Beer. Check out her website for more cooking stories.

This post may contain affiliate links (disclosure).

This method of cooking brown rice makes exactly what it says: fluffy and tasty brown rice in a rice cooker! So easy and delicious!

I’ve resisted switching from white rice to brown for a long time. Even though we all know that brown rice is so much healthier than white, I always thought of brown rice as one of those “healthy foods” with the inferior taste. Until one day my husband (who is much more health conscious about food than I am) convinced me to give brown rice a try, and I was pleasantly surprised!

Most of the times brown rice is improperly cooked (even in restaurants), resulting in a mushy texture and grains that are clumped together. If you based your opinion of brown rice on trying a bad version of it, please give it another try and you might reconsider.

One restaurant that consistently gets the brown rice right is Chipotle – it’s perfectly cooked with the fluffy texture and separate grains. Try Chipotle brown rice and if you like it, then you can cook brown rice the same way at home with your rice cooker.

If you ever tried cooking brown rice in a rice cooker, only to end up with a mushy or undercooked mess, follow the instructions below for a perfectly cooked brown rice.

How To Cook Perfect Brown Rice In A Rice Cooker

1) What kind of rice cooker do you have?

The first question to consider: what kind of rice cooker do you have? Does your rice cooker have a “brown rice” setting or only a standard “rice” or “white rice”?

If your rice cooker has a “brown rice” setting, you are in luck! It is already designed to cook brown rice correctly, so all you need to do is use the rice cooker instructions for brown rice. If not, don’t give up – you can still cook brown rice, just keep following my directions below.

2) Do you have the measuring cup that came with your rice cooker?

Most of the time, rice cookers come with their own measuring cups that are not the same size as regular cup (they are about 2/3 to 3/4 of a cup). Why they do it this way is beyond me 🙂 I’m sure tons of rice were ruined because people used the regular measuring cup to measure rice and filling the water to the labeled water marks in the rice cooker, resulting in the wrong ratio and bad tasting rice!

Rice cooker have lines inside the bowl labeled with the numbers. Those lines indicate how much water to put inside the rice cooker based on the number of cups of rice. For example, if you put in 2 cups of rice, fill the water up to the line that has the number 2 on it.

However, the water level lines of the rice cooker are only accurate if you use the cup that came with your rice cooker ! If you use regular measuring cup, do not use the water level lines to determine the amount of water needed! Instead, use the brown rice to water ratio for rice cooker below.

3) Brown rice to water ratio for rice cooker

If you don’t have the measuring cup that came with your rice cooker, just use the following ratio:

1 cup of brown rice to 2 cups of water

4) Do not use less than 1 cup of rice

Quantities less than 1 cup of rice won’t cook well in a rice cooker.

The best quantity to cook is 2 cups of rice with 4 cups water. If this is your first time, that’s what I recommend you start with.

5) Add salt

Salt makes a huge difference in the brown rice taste, so don’t forget to add it. I always add salt directly to the rice cooker, right after adding rice and water. I use 1/4 tsp of salt for each 1 cup of uncooked rice. If it’s not salty enough for you, just increase the salt amount next time to 1/2 tsp.

6) Cook in the rice cooker

Set the rice cooker to cook 🙂 If you have the “Brown Rice” setting, use that. If you only have the “Rice” or “White Rice” setting, just use that – if you used the brown rice to water ratio above, it should turn out just fine.

Make sure to never open the rice cooker while the rice is cooking, or it will mess up the rice! Be patient and wait until the cooking cycle is done.

7) Fluff with fork after cooking

When the rice is done cooking in the rice cooker, it won’t look like the fluffy rice on the above picture. In order to get it to be fluffy, you have to fluff it with a fork! Just get a regular fork and stir the rice with it, separating the grains until is looks tasty and fluffy.

8) Add optional seasonings

You can eat your brown rice as is, or to kick the flavor up a notch you can use extra seasonings. You can add a dab of butter and a squeeze of lemon juice, as well as a sprinkle of your favorite spices to season the brown rice. Enjoy!

Preparing brown rice for some healthy meal? Learn how to cook brown rice in a rice cooker for a quick and easy way!

Why Choose Brown Rice?

As one of the staple foods in the kitchen, brown rice is truly a versatile ingredient. It can go well with the majority of easy-to-prepare dishes but it can also be a part of a specialty dish if prepared properly.

Either way, brown rice is a great go-to food for both quick meals and more complicated dishes. This whole grain rice variety goes through a process of removing the outer hull, which makes it healthier and different in flavor than other varieties.

Brown Rice Benefits

It’s not only the taste that makes brown rice a great choice in the kitchen but also its great nutritional values. Brown rice is generally considered the healthiest type of rice, as it contains far more nutrients than white rice or any other variety. This type of rice features a mild nutty flavor so, if you’re not used to it, keep in mind that the flavor differs from the flavor of white rice.

While some people dislike the slightly chewier texture of brown rice, some cook it just for this reason. Unlike the majority of rice varieties that end up being too sticky and soft after cooking, brown rice remains nice and firm in texture all the way through. The Chinese name for this rice variety literally translates into the rough rice but don’t let that discourage you since brown rice is actually not that hard to chew.

Recently, people have been talking about too much arsenic being found in brown rice but, even though there is a certain amount of the element found in this rice variety, it is not harmful to our bodies. In fact, brown rice is very beneficial to our health, being a great source of protein and vitamins.

Rice Cooker vs Stove: Which One Should You Choose?

I think the answer is pretty obvious here. There is no doubt that the rice cooker wins this battle since it is far more convenient for preparing brown rice, or any rice variety for that matter. There are plenty of different rice cookers available on the market, ranging in prices from the extremely affordable ones under 30$ to the more advanced, professional models that sell for hundreds of dollars.

Even if you have the most basic rice cooker model in your kitchen, it is going to be a better choice for cooking rice than the traditional stove top method. Rice cookers are generally easy to clean after use and they making cooking much simpler. All you have to do is put the ingredients into the appliance and turn the cooker on.

I don’t think it can get any simpler than using a rice cooker. While cooking on the stove requires checking the clock every few minutes, a rice cooker will allow you to relax and sit back until the job is done. A simple timer feature will notify you once your food is prepared so you don’t have to stand next to it for full 30 minutes or longer.

How to Prepare Brown Rice

Brown rice is naturally high in fiber and, besides its nutritional benefits, it features a great flavor. However, the way you cook it is highly going to influence the way the rice tastes on your plate. To make sure your next serving of brown rice is as perfect as it can get, follow the steps below!

Rinsing

We are going, to begin with, rinsing the rice. Many people often skip this step because they’re in a hurry or they don’t see the point of it but rinsing the rice prior to cooking is actually very important. It does not only remove dust from the rice grains but it also improves the texture of the rice.

Rice to Water Ratio

Therefore, for a better and fuller taste, rinse your rice prior to moving on with the cooking process. Now put the rice inside the cooker. This may sound like the simplest step but there is an important trick behind it. The water to rice ratio you choose at the beginning of the process is going to determine the quality of the rice.

Brown Rice Cooking Setting

Most rice cooker models have measurements marked on the device. However, these measurements can often trick you so, this time we are going to ignore them. Let’s say you’re preparing two cups of brown rice. Instead of filling the cooker with water up to the 2 cup mark, add some more water to fill it to the next, 3 cup mark.

The reason we are doing this is that the correct water to rice ratio when preparing brown rice equals two cups of rice to three cups of water. If you are preparing one cup of rice, then add 1.5 cups of water. For three cups of rice, add 4.5 cups of water. With simple math, you can easily figure out the right ratio if you’re preparing larger quantities.

Therefore, for two cups of brown rice add three cups of water and throw in half a tablespoon of salt. Brown rice generally cooks longer than white rice so set the timer for 30 minutes and let the appliance do the job. Once the timer goes off, fluff the rice with a spoon and serve it with the rest of your meal.

Summary

Whether you choose a short grain, long grain, basmati or jasmine brown rice, cooking it in a rice cooker is the best way to go. You will certainly save some time since you won’t have to constantly check on the stove. Besides, rice prepared in a rice cooker often has better texture and flavor than rice cooked traditionally in a pot, which is why many people choose the modern appliance over traditional methods.

Feel free to leave a comment below to let us know of any experiences you’ve had with cooking brown rice in a rice cooker. Also, let us know if this article was useful and if you would like to see more topics like this one!

3 Simple Tips for Perfect Rice Every Time

Learn how to cook the perfect rice every time with three simple tricks.

In this post I will show you methods that most people don’t know or don’t quite understand. I will explain to you step by step how to make your rice fluffy and tasty. Bon Appetit 🙂

If you don’t have a rice cooker – get one. I love brown rice, but hate to cook it on the stove. I can never seem to get it to come out right. But, since I purchased a rice cooker – perfect brown rice every time. I make the full amount and divide and freeze to make quick meals.

Dovetailing Tip: Make as much rice as your cooker will hold. You will use 1 1/2 cups today, and 1 1/2 cups for Meal 3. Divide and freeze the rest, if you have leftovers.

Yield: 6 cups cooked rice
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins
Total Time: 50 minutes

Ingredients:

Directions:

Rinse and drain 2 cups of brown rice.
Put it in the rice cooker. Instead of filling the cooker with water to the “2 cup” mark, fill it to the “3 cup” mark in your rice cooker. That usually means 3 cups of water for the 2 cups of brown rice.
Add a ½ teaspoon of sea salt.
Turn cooker on.

Here are calculations for various amounts or rice.
1 cup of rice + 1.5 cups of water = 3 cups cooked rice
2 cups of rice + 3 cups of water = 6 cups cooked rice
3 cups of rice + 4.5 cups of water = 9 cups cooked rice

With nearly every scientific study showing that healthy eating can potentially help with the prevention of diseases, millions of Americans have shifted to better feeding habits. The big trend in healthy nutrition is to go for high-fiber, whole-grain as well as less-processed food. Typically, brown rice fits into all these three categories. If you are an individual who loves the polished rice, you probably have to adjust your feeding habits.

So what is brown rice?

Before white rice passed through the refining process, it at one point looked exactly like the brown rice. Simply put, brown rice still has the layers of bran and hull. These layers contain the natural wholeness of the grain and are rich in magnesium, proteins, fiber, naturally occurring oils, selenium, thiamine as well as potassium. This implies that brown rice boasts of lots of potential health benefits, including reduction of the arterial plaque buildup, weight control, regulation of cholesterol levels, heart disease prevention, colon cancer prevention among others. What’s more, it is rich in anti-oxidants.

Can you cook your brown rice in a rice cooker?

So you have just bought some brown rice from your local shop, and you are wondering if is possible to cook your delicious meal using a rice cooker? You can perfectly cook brown rice just as easily as the white rice, but it will only need a little more water as compared to the white rice. Bearing in mind that the brown rice is relatively much higher in fiber, it would be entirely wrong to simply follow the white rice cooking instructions on your rice cooker. It is imperative to note that brown rice will need longer time to cook fully because every single grain is surrounded by a layer of bran. This layer contains nearly all the nutrients in the brown rice but slows down the absorption of moisture during the process of cooking.

How to cook brown in a rice cooker

First and foremost, it is critical to note that unlike the white rice where you’ll need to add equal amounts of both rice and water, with brown rice it’s entirely different. Kindly use the various calculated quantities of both rice and water below.

• One cup of rice, add 1.5 cups of water
• Two cups of rice, add three cups of water
• Three cups of rice, add 4.5 cups of water

The cooking procedure:

Rinse your brown rice under cool water: Put the rice in a fine mesh strainer and thoroughly rinse it under the cold running water for thirty seconds. Your strainer should feature very fine mesh since if the gaps between the wires are extra large, you may lose an enormous amount of your rice. However, most cooking experts do not recommend the rinsing process since it is deemed to be an outdated practice. This is simply a cleaning process and necessary if you believe that your rice was mishandled during the bulk storage.

Next, soak your rice for about forty minutes in hot water: Transfer your brown rice to the cooker and the ideal amount of water to the basin and allow it to soak and soften to the desired level. If you didn’t know, soaking is extremely beneficial because it reduces the stickiness of your cooked rice. Besides, it allows your rice to expand into relatively longer and thinner grains. You can now add some salt and stir the resulting mixture using a wooden mixing spoon to help distribute the salt evenly.

Turn your rice cooker on and set the timer as well: If the cooker of yours has a brown rice setting, use that functionality. However, if it only has the timer, set it to thirty minutes. Close the cooker appropriately and check your rice after thirty minutes. If you realize that your rice still seems somehow tough, you can as well add little water and set the timer for another ten minutes.

Let your brown rice stand: after the timer shuts off, allow your cooked rice to settle for ten minutes. This helps the rice to absorb all the remaining moisture in the bowl and you can then serve your deliciously cooked brown rice.

The Bottom Line

This is the basic procedure of cooking brown rice using a rice cooker. However, it should be noted that rice cookers vary from model to model, and this implies that to prepare the best food, read and understand the instructions that come with your individual rice cooker.

Rice, no matter how you look at it, is a staple portion of, or whole meal. Practically anywhere you go in the world, that region’s cuisine features, to some extent, rice. The reason is not only does it go with everything from steak to steak to sushi, but it can also be used in sweet dishes, too (rice pudding, anyone? How about sweet sticky rice with fresh mango?)

Rice is also a perfect dry ingredient to keep on hand (during a pandemic, say) when you need a quick meal that will fill you up and leave you satiated but that also won’t break the bank. But, it isn’t always easy to make. Sometimes it gets mushy, others it sticks to the bottom of the pot. Cooking rice doesn’t have to be tricky, though. To help, we’ve put together a guide on how to cook rice perfectly every time, so you can enjoy those tasty grains without the headaches.

Keep in mind that the variety and grain of rice you choose will affect the final texture no matter what – they’re all unique in their own ways. Long grain rice will have a fluffy texture, short grain a sticky texture, and medium grain will fall somewhere between the two. Brown rice will be chewier, while white rice is stickier. Other varieties – like Jasmine and Basmati – offer their own unique flavors and aromas. You can prepare any type of rice using the two methods outlined below, though the stovetop method may require extra experimentation to get the texture just right when switching between varieties.

How to Cook Rice in a Rice Cooker

Cooking rice in a rice cooker is insanely easy, which is why it’s our recommended method. If you’ve got a rice cooker on hand (or if you eat enough of it to justify purchasing one), it will save you all the headaches of under-cooked rice or charred grains that you have to scrape off the bottom of the pot. If you’ve got the legendary Instant Pot, it works as a rice cooker, too.

Rice cookers heat water to a boil quickly and shut themselves off when the grains reach the perfect temperature, so you end up with yummy, fluffy rice with less time commitment and less work. On top of that, many rice cookers will only have one button: on or off. That’s it. Just put in the proper amount of rice and water, turn it on, and leave it alone. Here is the tried and true method for cooking perfect rice every single time.

1. If you prefer less sticky rice, rinse it before you add it to your cooker. This isn’t necessary with brown rice, because it doesn’t have the same high level of starch that white rice does. It’s alright to throw the rice into the cooker when it’s still a little wet; it won’t disturb the cooking process.
2. Add the appropriate amount of rice and water to your cooker. A good rule of thumb is to use 2 cups of water to each cup of rice, and you can scale up easily if you’re making a larger batch. Some rice cookers may advise a different ratio, so feel free to consult your manual and experiment a little the first couple of times you use it.
3. Close the lid and make sure it’s nice and secure so all the steam produced will stay inside the cooker.
4. Turn on the rice cooker and walk away. Some rice cooker models may have timer settings. If that’s the case, you can consult your manual to see the timing it advises for different types of rice. White rice takes 18-20 minutes, while brown rice can take up to 45.
5. Once the cooker senses that it has reached the ideal temperature, it will shut itself off. At this point, you’ll hear a beep, the click of the latch releasing, or both to let you know your rice is ready.
6. After the rice has finished cooking, let it sit in the cooker for 10 minutes. This will give it a fluffier final texture.
7. Open the rice cooker, fluff your grains up with a fork, and serve how you like.

Because this handy little appliance steams your rice at the perfect temperature – no more, no less – cleaning it is even easier than cooking with it. Any rice that remains stuck to the side of the cooker will brush or rinse off easily. No scraping or elbow grease required.

How to Cook Rice on the Stove

Cooking rice on the stove is trickier because you’ll have to monitor the temperature and resist the urge to impatiently lift the lid while it steams. Once you get the hang of it, though, you can still whip up perfect rice every time. For large batches (enough for two or more), use a large stockpot. The increased surface area on the bottom of the pot will help to distribute heat more evenly and keep your rice at an ideal temperature. If you’re only making rice for yourself, you can use a smaller saucepan. Just make sure whatever dish you use has a properly-fitting lid, because you want to be able to seal in as much of the steam as possible while your rice cooks.

So, there you have it. Choice, fluffy rice every single time. If you want to flavor your rice while cooking, consider substituting stock for water or using bouillon cubes during the cooking process. Now that you know how to cook rice, whether you’re using a rice cooker or the stovetop, it’s time to look for some killer recipes.

Jasmine rice is the perfect side dish for all kinds of Thai foods, including ground meats, spicy curries or grilled. The stickiness and sweetness of jasmine rice make it an ideal alternative to regular white rice. Moreover, you can make perfect jasmine rice quickly and easily in a rice cooker just as you would with traditional white rice. In this article, I’ve added a step by step guideline on “How to Cook Jasmine Rice in a Rice Cooker”. Let’s check it out to cook your favorite rice properly.

Table Of Contents

What is Jasmine Rice?

Jasmine rice is originally from Thailand and mostly used in Southeast Asia cooking. This is a long-grain variety of rice that has a nutty flavor and a soft, sticky texture when cooked. The grains are thicker and shorter than Basmati Rice. Additionally, this rice is about three times stickier than American long-grain rice. There are two types of jasmine rice available, white and brown. When it comes to health, brown jasmine rice has greater health benefits than white jasmine rice.

Ingredients that You Need

These following ingredients you’ll need for cooking jasmine rice in a rice cooker.

1 cup of Jasmine rice (185g) 1 cup (237ml) of water for cooking and Salt Large bowl Rice cooker Wooden spatula

Steps on How to Cook Jasmine Rice in a Rice Cooker

It is easy to cook jasmine rice using a rice cooker. It requires less effort and time so you wouldn’t need to stand for hours near your gas stove. However, there is the best way to cook jasmine rice using a rice cooker.

Step 01: Wash the Rice

To wash the rice, add one cup of jasmine rice to a clean and large bowl. Fill the bowl with enough cold pure water cover the rice by at least an inch. Use your hand to gently agitate the rice for 3 to 5 minutes. This will help to remove some of the dirt and starch on the outside of the rice. Continue rinsing the rice until the water is mostly clear, about 2 to 3 times. Now use a colander or strainer to free the rice from water. Shake the rice well to remove the excess water.

Step 02: Add the Rice and Enough Amount of Water to the Rice Cooker

Once the jasmine rice is clean, place it inside the pot of the rice cooker. After that, pour one cup of clean and cold water over the rice. For jasmine rice, it is best to use a 1:1 ratio of rice to water. But you must remember that Jasmine rice to water ratio always will not be 1:1. It may be changed on several facts like Rice origin, rice cooker, cooking time, etc.

Step 03: Mix a Little Amount of Salt

If you’d like to season the rice before it cooks, you can add ½ teaspoon of salt to the rice cooker. Use a wooden spoon to stir the salt into the rice and water so all of the ingredients are well-mixed. However, adding the salt is an additional step, you can skip it if you want.

Step 04: Set the Timer

Once you have mixed the rice, water, and salt in the rice cooker, put the lid on and set the timer for the exact 30 minutes. Even though it depends on the rice cooker brands and their capacity for boiling. The standard time for cooking jasmine rice properly is 30-45 minutes. After setting the timer, turn the rice cooker on. Once this is done turn off the rice cooker.

Step 05: Let the Rice to Rest for at Least 10 Minutes

Allow the rice to rest for at least 10 to 15 minutes. Do not remove the rice from the cooker. Make sure to leave the lid on the cooker when the rice is resting.

Step 06: Fluff the Rice with a Wooden Spatula

Once the rice has rested for several minutes, mix the rice up a bit using a wooden spatula. This will help to remove any lingering moisture and give the rice a fluffier texture.

Step 07: It’s Time to Serve

After you have fluffed the rice, use the spatula to carefully put it in a bowl. Serve the rice to your family while it is still warm as a side to your favorite meat main course.

Comparing Jasmine Rice with Others

Jasmine Rice Vs White Rice

One of the main differences between jasmine and white rice is how they look and smell. White rice is very sticky and often used in Asian dishes. It can have either a short, medium or long grain, while jasmine rice has only a long grain. However, they have a distinct similarity also. Both are processed and have its husk, bran, and germ removed. This means both of the rice are stripped of many nutrients, including fiber.

Basmati Rice Vs Jasmine Rice

It is very easy to confuse raw basmati and jasmine rice. Both of them are long-grain varieties, and both contain a compound that can give them a popcorn-like aroma. However, they have some remarkable differences also between them. Basmati rice hails from the foothills of the Himalayas in Pakistan and northern India. This is long-grain rice mostly used in Indian, Middle Eastern, and Persian cooking.

Jasmine rice, on the other hand, is a very fragrant long-grain rice from Thailand. It has a subtle floral aroma and commonly used in Southeast Asian dishes.

Is Jasmine Rice Good for You?

A 1/4-cup serving of dry jasmine rice has 160 calories, 36 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of protein, and less than 1 gram of fat, which is about the same amount found in a 1/4-cup serving of dry long-grain white rice. They each also have only 1 gram of fiber and minor amounts of vitamins A, C and D, and iron. When it is about your health, you’re not getting any extra benefits by switching to jasmine rice. However, you can add a little extra nutrition to your diet using brown jasmine rice instead of white. Because of whole grain, the brown rice version retains its bran and germ that automatically ups the fiber and nutrient content.

Last Thought

All rice cooker brands provide a guideline on to use their products. Make sure that you have checked the guideline (especially temperature setting) before using the rice cooker. Finally, one more tip for you never takes the lid off the rice cooker to check on the jasmine rice when it’s cooking. This can slow down the Jasmine rice cooking process or leave you with chewy rice.

Useful Resources

• How to Make Jasmine Rice – WikiHow
• What’s the Difference Between Jasmine Rice and White Rice? – Healthline

The recipe helps you learn how to cook Bown Rice in a pressure cooker method to get the right texture. Brown rice has more fiber than regular white rice and pressure cooking brown rice reduces the cooking time of the brown rice.

Whole Rice grains with only hull removed is called brown rice. The brown rice is unpolished and hence has all the nutrition of the bran and germ intact. Whole rice has a mild nutty flavor and this rice is particularly rich in thiamine, a B vitamin and iron.

Brown Rice needs double the cooking time than the white rice. All the recipes that include any variety of white rice can be prepared with brown rice. Note that the brown rice is marginally beneficial than white rice and makes very slight difference when you are on weight moderation diets.

Rice can be cooked in a variety of ways. Personally I find the pressure cooker method quick and effective that can produce rice grains of different textures – from soft to grainy. There are a number of different types of rice grains available and you might choose the variety that your family has been eating for generations or you might want to try another new variety.

Each type of grain, when cooked produces different texture of the rice. The older the rice, the longer it takes to cook. With practice and the depending on the kind of rice you use, you will be able to arrive at the correct water proportion for cooking rice.

The pressure cooker method and the saucepan method, both yield different textures of rice. If you like soft sticky rice, then pressure cooker accomplishes that very easily. If you are looking at a grainy texture then saucepan method is a better method.

If you like this recipe, here are more recipes where you can use Brown Rice:

The process that produces brown rice removes only the outermost layer, the hull, of the rice kernel and is the least damaging to its nutritional value. The complete milling and polishing that converts brown rice into white rice destroys 67% of the vitamin B3, 80% of the vitamin B1, 90% of the vitamin B6, half of the manganese,half of the phosphorus, 60% of the iron, and all of the dietary fiber and essential fatty acids. Brown rice retains all of the iron, vitamins, essential fatty acids and fiber that is removed from white rice in the milling process.
More details at WHfoods

How to cook brown rice in a rice cooker?

1.Wash and soak brown rice for 45 minutes – 1 hour in hot (boiling) water .

For 1 cup of rice, I added 3 cups of water as I prefer my rice to be soft .
For 1 cup of rice, you can add 2 1/2 – 3 cups of water

4. When the rice is cooked, it will automatically go to keep warm mode, if not switch off.

5. Fluff the rice with a fork and serve or use it in different recipes.

How to cook brown rice in a pan ?

1.Take a pot or pan with a tight fitting lid.

2.Add the soaked rice with water to the pan.

3.Bring the water to boil, close the lid, simmer and cook until all the water has been absorbed.

4.Switch off the flame and let it sit for 10 minutes. Fluff it with a fork and serve.

Making brown rice in a rice cooker

If you want to find out how to make brown rice in a rice cooker, then you’re definitely in the right place. Keep on reading for all the details, tips and tricks you need to know about making this healthy dinner option.

How to Make Brown Rice in a Rice Cooker for the Family’s Health

It’s a common knowledge that brown rice is a lot healthier than the regular white rice. Those who have health issues eat only brown rice to help improve their condition. In these days when many people all over the world are becoming more and more health conscious, brown rice has become permanent in every family meal.

Don’t wait for any illness to occur. As early as now, do some remedies for preemptive measures. If you haven’t thought of considering brown rice in your meals, this is the best time to do so. We’ll teach you how to make brown rice in a rice cooker.

Yes, a high-quality rice cooker is needed to make brown rice. But before we teach you, let us give you a few more information about how you will benefit from eating brown rice. If you eat this regularly, your digestive, cardiovascular, brain and nervous system will function better and more efficiently.

The antioxidant brown rice contains will surely help you treat frequently acquired ailment including high cholesterol, hypertension, skin disorder, stress and mental depression, among others.

If you have family members with other serious medication conditions like obesity, insomnia, diabetes, and even cancer, let them eat brown rice regularly as tit is proven effective in addressing the said illnesses.

Making brown rice in a rice cooker

Why you should eat brown rice at home

In this article, we’re teaching you how to make brown rice in a rice cooker because it is a healthier option. Brown rice contains minimal glycemic index that’s beneficial in the reduction of insulin surges. It also helps stabilize the body’s blood sugar level.

Additionally, studies already have it that brown rice is rich in fiber so this is the one that helps the digestive system function better. People who regularly eat brown rice usually don’t experience difficulty in their bowel movement.

Given the benefits, you’ll surely be convinced now eating rice at home is essential. Now we’re ready to teach you how to make brown rice in a rice cooker.

How to Make Brown Rice in a Rice Cooker

What you need:

2 cups or 500 ml Brown rice (to make up to 5 servings)
3 cups or 750 ml water
½ teaspoon salt (optional)
Soy sauce (optional)
Butter (optional)

Here’s how to do it:

• Rinse the rice on cool running water. Do this for about half-a-minute. Rinsing is not a requirement when cooking rice in a rice cooker. However, this is done to make sure the rice is clean.
• Soak the brown rice for about 45 minutes, this time, in hot water. Transfer the brown rice you’re soaking to the rice cooker and add about 3 cups of water to it. The soaking helps soften the brown rice. You can substitute your water with chicken or vegetable broth (with the same amount) for a more flavorful brown rice.
• Add the salt if you want. When you’re adding salt, using a wooden spoon, have a quick stir to your rice and salt to equally distribute the taste.
• Switch the rice cooker on and set your time. It’s better if your rice cooker has a special setting for brown rice as you can simply press that option. If timer is the only setting you have, set it at 30 minutes. Be sure to cover the rice cooker during the entire cooking process. Check it after the set time. If you see the grains still seemingly tough and soupy, cover the cooker again and set the time to add 10 more minutes.
• Let your brown rice stand. When the timer signals it’s time, leave the rice for about 10 more minutes to absorb the remaining water. Leave it covered.
• You may add the soy sauce or butter, if you want flavor on your brown rice. If not, after the 10 minute allowance in Step No. 5, you’re ready to serve your rice.

Is there a Rice Cooker that you Recommend?

If you have yet to buy a rice cooker, you might want to consider the Tiger Corporation Rice Cooker. This has a special setting for cooking brown rice. If you don’t have any background in cooking or not confident to cook at all, this rice cooker is for you.

You can leave it while your brown rice is cooking as this product has an automatic function that switches to ‘keep warm’ mode when the cooking is done and complete.

Do you want to pick up one of the best rice cooker options for brown rice? Then you’ll want to head over to Amazon to check availability and for the lowest prices right here. Plus, don’t forget to see if this product is eligible for free shipping with a Prime membership:

Have your Say about How to Make Brown Rice in a Rice Cooker

Do you have any tips or tricks for making fluffy and delicious brown rice? Leave a comment below and let us know. We’d love to hear from you.

Also be sure to give this article a share on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter. It’ll help other brown rice enthusiasts, like yourself find this useful resource.

Cooking brown rice in a slow cooker depends on the type of slow-cooked dish you are making and the characteristics of your slow cooker.

Crock pot brown rice is a great way to make brown rice in large batches, but it’s important to know how to prep and store it since it’s so different from white rice. Brown rice still has its outer hull (which is what gives the grain its namesake color), a nutty flavor, and a chewy texture. Because of this hull, cooking brown rice often requires more water and soaking time than white rice. The process of slow cooking your brown rice requires a little bit of mindfulness in your prep.

How to cook brown rice in your slow cooker

To cook only brown rice in a slow cooker, you have two options:

• Cook on a high setting
• Cook with a rice or brown rice function

To cook brown rice without a dedicated brown rice function, set the slow cooker to high and then add the required amount of water.

The amount of water needed for dry brown rice is:

• 1 cup rice to 2 cups water
• 2 cups rice to 3 2/3 cups water
• 3 cups rice to 4 3/4 cups water

Less water is needed when cooking brown rice in a slow cooker because of the long cooking time needed for a slow cooker. It can take anywhere from 2 1/2 to 3 3/4 hours. To cook brown rice in your slow cooker overnight, just put the setting on low heat for 6 to 8 hours.

Lightly use butter and salt

Rub your slow cooker with a tablespoon of butter and a dash of salt to prevent the rice from sticking to the cooker. You can also add 1 to 3 tablespoons of butter or olive oil to the rice for seasoning.

Liquid with rice and other foods

No more slow cooker rice mush! Here’s how to determine the right amount of liquid to use when slow cooking a rice and meal combo.

If you’re planning to add your crock pot brown rice to a stew, chili, or soup, a soupy texture is actually better. To cook brown rice with other foods, you don’t need to worry as much about adding too much water. In general, add your brown rice to the rest of your meal that’s cooking in your crock pot:

• 2 hours before your dish is finished if cooking on a high setting
• 2 3/4 hours before your dish is finished if cooking on a low setting

In all cases, add a minimum of 2 more cups of liquid for the brown rice to absorb during cooking.

How to store your cooked crock pot rice

If you made your crock pot brown rice in large batches, you can save some of it for later by putting the leftover rice in the fridge or if you’re planning to store it for a longer period of time, your freezer.

The best way to do this is to cool your leftover rice first. To cool down the rice, place it in the fridge for 10 minutes. Take it out of the fridge and transfer the cooled rice into an airtight storage container or a Ziploc plastic bag. Remember to remove as much air from the bag as possible before sealing it. Store your crock pot rice in the refrigerator. When you reheat the rice, sprinkle a teaspoon of water over the top to loosen the grains and then reheat in the microwave on medium power until the rice is hot, stirring as needed.

To store your leftover rice in the freezer, first transfer the cooled, cooked rice into a Ziploc freezer bag. Press the bag to remove air before sealing and store it flat in the freezer.

Enjoy your crock pot brown rice—it’s a highly nutritious way to kick off your slow-cooked meal prep!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Joshua Bailey

The Cuckoo Rice Cooker is a rice cooking product manufactured by Cuckoo Electronics. The cooker is pressurized during the cooking process which helps the texture and speeds up the cooking process. The cooker can cook between two and ten cups of rice at a time. It also comes with a computerized display and touch panel so you can select the type of rice you are cooking. A hard plastic rice scoop is included and it makes getting cooked rice out of the cooker easy and prevents the cooker from getting scratched.

Step 1

Measure the amount of brown, white or mixed rice you want to use with a measuring cup.

Step 2

Place rice into empty perforated bowl.

Step 3

Wash rice until water runs clear. The water will appear dark white or milky until clear.

Step 4

Place washed rice into “inner pot” of the Cuckoo Rice Cooker.

Step 5

Place “inner pot” on flat surface and read the marked labels to determine how much water you need to add to the “inner pot”. For example, if you are making eight cups of white glutinous rice, then you would find the “fill to line” marked for glutinous rice that reads eight cups.

Step 6

Fill the “inner pot” with water until the water level reaches the combined “fill to line” as displayed on the side of the “inner pot”.

Step 7

Push the “Select” button on the rice cooker menu display until the rice type you are using is displayed. The first press will display glutinous or white rice and each push will display the following in sequential order: turbo glutinous rice, sushi, mixed rice and GABA or brown rice.

Step 8

Insert “inner pot” with combined rice and water into the main body of the Cuckoo Rice Cooker.

Step 9

Close lid of the rice cooker and turn handle to lock.

Step 10

Push the “Pressure Cook” button. The time for cooking the rice will display on the menu panel. The device will automatically determine the pressurized weight of the rice and water and will adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Step 11

Open lid of pressure cooker with an oven mitt on your hand after the cooker has alerted you that the rice has finished cooking. Make sure to open the lid with your face away the opening of the device to prevent being burned from the steam.

Step 12

Stir the rice completely after opening the lid with the rice scoop.

Step 13

Remove desired amount of rice from cooker with rice scoop and close lid.

Things You’ll Need

Make sure to wash the rice cooker after each use to prevent the build up of bacteria and left of rice in the cooker container. Also empty remaining water from the dew tray after each use.

The “fill to line” measurement is not a measurement of just water but a measurement of combined rice and water needed for that amount of rice. It is imperative that the rice be placed in the “inner pot” before filling it with water or there will be too much water.

Warning

Keep your hands and face away from the pressurized steam release mechanism during cooking and when opening the device.

1. How to Cook Rice in a Rice Cooker
2. Instructions for Rice Cooker
3. How to Cook Rice in the Cuisinart Rice Cooker
4. How to Cook Brown Rice in a Flavor Scenter Steamer Deluxe by Black & Decker
5. How to Cook Rice in Foil

Rice cookers are designed to turn out consistent, perfectly-cooked rice every time, no matter what kind of rice you make. While the interior of the cooker’s bowl is marked to guide precise measurement for making traditional long-grain white rice, you can just as easily cook medium-grain white rice, medium- or long-grain brown rice, Arborio rice, black or forbidden rice, sushi rice or red rice by following the measurement directions on the rice package or in the cooker’s manual. Red rice, also known as Bhutanese red rice, is a quick-cooking, medium-grain rice with a nutty, earthy flavor.

Measure 1 cup of red rice with the measuring cup that came with your rice cooker. One cup of rice with the cooker’s cup equals 3/4 cup of standard dry measure. Use a knife or your finger to level the cup for precision.

Pour the rice into a fine-meshed strainer. Rinse it under cold running water, swirling your fingers through the grains to get rid of excess starch. Continue rinsing until the water draining out of the strainer changes from cloudy to clear.

Shake the excess water from the rice and pour it into the cooker’s bowl. If necessary, lift the bowl out and tilt it back and forth to level the rice for even cooking.

Add 1 3/4 cup of cold water. If your red-rice package specifies a different amount of water per standard cup of rice, follow the directions on the package.

Put the lid on the cooker with its vent to the back of the appliance. Set the dial to “Cook.” When the rice is done, the cooker will automatically stop cooking and switch over to “Warm.”

Steam the rice on the warm setting for around 10 minutes after it finishes cooking. Angle the lid away from you when you lift it to prevent a rush of hot steam in your face.

Fluff the rice with the paddle that came with the cooker or a wooden spoon. Serve it immediately.

You don’t have to keep a watchful eye on this rice as it cooks. Thanks to your slow cooker, you can set it and forget it! We’ll teach you how to make slow cooker rice, including white, brown, and wild rice. This trick is also a great way to make a big batch of rice for your weekly meal prep.

Cooking rice perfectly can be a little tricky, but this slow cooker rice recipe makes it easy to master. Choose between white rice, brown rice, and wild rice, then let your slow cooker do the rest. Once your rice is cooked, you can store it in the fridge for 4 to 6 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months so you can always have ready-to-eat rice on hand.

How to Make Slow Cooker White Rice

This is the recipe that’s going to completely change up your meal prep! It makes six servings, so you’ll have more than enough for one person for the week, or you can double it if you’re planning to use it as a side dish for family meals a few times in a week. Here’s how to do it:

1. Place a steamer basket with the center post removed (if possible) in a 3½- to 6-quart slow cooker. If you don’t have a steamer basket, you can also use a wire rack or several small balls of foil. Cover and preheat the slow cooker on high for 15 minutes.

2. Add 2 cups boiling water to the slow cooker. Place a 1½-quart dish on the steamer basket, rack, or foil. In the dish, combine another 2 cups boiling water, 1 cup uncooked long grain white rice, and ½ tsp. salt. Cover the dish with a lid, plate, or foil. Cover and cook on high for 1½ hours or until the rice absorbs the water.

How to Make Slow Cooker Brown Rice

Once your slow cooker brown rice is ready, you can serve it on its own or add it to other recipes to make a main dish. For a quick lunch or dinner, top brown rice with a crumbled slice of bacon, an egg, and shredded cheese. Here’s how to make brown rice in your slow cooker so you can always have some ready:

For slow cooker brown rice, make sure you spray the inside of your slow cooker generously with nonstick cooking spray before you add any ingredients. Then, combine 3⅔ cups water or reduced-sodium broth with 2 cups brown rice. If you want, you can also add a few mix-ins, such as 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1 or 2 tablespoons snipped fresh herbs. Then cook the rice on high heat for 3 hours.

Get the recipe: Bacon and Egg Rice Bowls

Q uestion:

How to cook brown rice in a rice cooker?
Brown rice in a rice cooker?

A nswer:

Yes, you can cook brown rice in a rice cooker.

Since cooking brown rice in a rice cooker takes about 50 minutes on the stove and my attention span is far less than that, I have more often burned brown rice right into my pan than I’ve had it come out right. Hopefully your success rate is better than mine, but if not, then try cooking brown rice in a rice cooker.

How to Cook Brown Rice in a Rice Cooker

Ingredients to Cook Brown Rice in a Rice Cooker:

All you need is more water than usual (what your rice cooker lines tell you to put) and to get things started a little earlier than usual. And voila, your brown rice in a rice cooker comes out perfect every time. It’s as easy as 1-2-3.

Steps to Cook Brown Rice in a Rice Cooker:

– When measuring 2 rice-cups* of dry brown rice, simply fill the rice cooker with water up to just below the 3 cup line inside your rice cooker.

– When measuring 3 rice-cups* of dry brown rice, simple fill the rice cooker with water up to just above the 4 cup line inside your rice cooker.

*We say rice-cups because the measuring cup that comes with rice cookers is usually less than a cup (generally 3/4 of a cup, but not always).

3) Press the cook button. The rice will be perfect in about 50 minutes, depending on your cooker.

Additional Information

So, it turns out that you can successfully cook brown rice in a rice cooker. And if you have leftovers, brown rice makes excellent fried rice – even if you don’t have any leftover meat to throw in because it tastes a little meaty or nutty (even more so when fried).

If you don’t have a rice cooker, we recommend this one. We know several folks who’ve been using this same cooker forever, or at least 30 years!

To find out answers to other frequently asked questions check out the rest of our FAQ.

To find out how long other foods are good for, please visit the Dairy, Drinks, Fruits, Grains, Proteins, Vegetables and Other sections of Eat By Date or use the search function below.

Looking to add more whole grains to your diet? Brown rice is a great place to start! Let me show you my no-fail method for how to cook brown rice in an Aroma rice cooker.

What are your comfort foods?

I’m not talking about the ones that make you feel cozy and nostalgic but the ones that, if they’re in the fridge or pantry, make you confident that you can have dinner on the table in about 20 minutes flat?

By the way, my cozy and nostalgic comfort foods are frozen pizza, mashed potatoes and ice cream. But not all at the same time. Unless it’s potato pizza.

Anyway, for me, my confident-dinner comfort food is brown rice. If there’s cooked rice in the fridge, dinner is a no-stress event. (And how many of those do we get?)

Plus, since brown rice is a whole grain it’s super healthy. Quick, easy AND super healthy? I’m in!

How to cook brown rice in a rice cooker

The hardest part of eating whole grains is knowing how to cook them. I mean, most of us were raised on the refined white stuff!

How do you even cook brown rice? And won’t it be hard and dry?

Not if you use a rice cooker!

While I’ve tried many methods of cooking brown rice, for consistent results and ease of use, the rice cooker is my absolute favorite.

I’ll be honest, I did struggle with wondering if I really needed one more appliance in my kitchen. But if you eat a lot of rice like we do, I think it’s worth the storage space!

Let’s cook some rice!

This method was developed with an Aroma rice cooker because that’s what I have and use and love. It’s definitely not the fanciest model on the block, but I’ve found it to be consistent and reliable.

Measure 3 cups brown rice into a largish bowl. I’m not crazy selective about which brand of rice to use. Locally grown is best, but if you don’t live in a rice growing area just pick up some from the grocery or natural foods store.

Hulls + chaff are okay! Just scoop them out/rinse them off.

Cover with water and soak for 5 minutes. You may see bits of stuff floating around. These are most likely hulls and chaff, and you can just scoop them off/out and discard. If you look more closely and it’s NOT hulls and chaff but rather unwelcome buggies, you may have bought infected rice or just kept it in your pantry for too long (you may want to buy some grain moth traps…) In that case, discard everything and buy fresh rice from a shop that has a high product turnover.

Drained + rinsed rice ready to go in the rice cooker.

Drain + rinse the rice. Tump out the rice and water into a colander. I like to use a colander with small holes so the rice doesn’t escape! Give the rice a good rinse then pour it in your rice cooker.

Cheat Sheet

Cover with pre 4-1/2 cups water. I’ve found this to be the perfect amount of water to yield tender yet not mushy brown rice. To save me having to look it up every time, I wrote the correct proportions on my rice cooker with a pink permanent marker. Quirky but efficient!

Press Cook!

Turn on the rice cooker! This step is kinda vital, but I have managed to forget to do it once or twice… Plug in your cooker and press the COOK button on the front. Don’t expect a lot to happen when you push it, as the water has to heat up before the cooking can begin.

Wait. In my rice cooker it takes exactly 1 hour from pushing the button to perfectly cooked brown rice. Fortunately one of the benefits of learning to cook brown rice in a rice cooker is that it’s hands-off. You can get a lot of things done in 60 minutes!

Perfectly cooked brown rice!

Enjoy! If brown rice is on the menu right away, just scoop into a bowl and eat. To keep some ready for quick + easy meals, just let the rice cool completely then place it in a food storage container. Cooked brown rice will keep for about 4-6 days in the fridge. And while you can freeze brown rice, the rice cooker makes it so easy to have fresh rice that it seems unnecessary.

Looking for ways to use your cooked rice? See our 5 Fast Dishes From One Pot Of Brown Rice post (coming soon).

Now that you know how to cook rice in a rice cooker, you’ll have dinner on the table in no time! Quick, easy, healthy and delicious. It’s rice — and your rice cooker — for the win!

–>

Hey there! I’m Edie.

I’m a writer, baker and café owner. My husband and I live in a funky old farmhouse in south Mississippi surrounded by art, plants + vintage goods. READ MORE

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Cooking brown rice in a rice cooker is so easy anyone can do it. There are a few simple steps you need to follow to cook rice perfectly every time guaranteed.
Now you might think that you don’t need any instructions on how to cook rice. However, rice can be a fickle thing if you don’t get the water to rice ratio correct. Many people don’t know how to cook brown rice and have never been taught.

Step one

You will need to measure the amount of brown rice you want to cook using a measuring cup. It is vital that you get an accurate measurement. One cup of uncooked rice is approximately one and a half cups of cooked rice.

Step Two

Rinse the brown rice. Most rice needs to be rinsed to eliminate the excess starch and possible pesticides or contaminants that may have been used in the growing process. Certain brands of rice do not require rinsing. Check the package and if in doubt, rinse the brown rice until the water begins to run clear. A strainer is excellent for this process.

The rice cooker bowl can also be used by filling the bowl with water until it covers the rice. Stir continuously while you add the water. Tilt the bowl and use your hand to catch any rice that may escape while you pour out the water. Keep rinsing until the water runs as clear as possible.

You may like to soak the brown rice for 30 minutes however this is not necessary if you don’t have the available time.

Step Three

Measure the amount of water required. Most rice cookers will have water levels marked on the inside of the bowl, making it foolproof to fill the bowl to the desired level. For example, if you have put in 1 cup of uncooked rice, then you will fill the bowl to the level marked “1”. If the bowl does not have this, then you will have to refer to the instruction booklet supplied with your cooker.

Step Four

Place the bowl in the rice cooker and simply press “start.” Let the cooker do the rest; it’s as easy as that.

Some people like to add certain things like butter, oil or salt to the bowl during the cooking process to add flavor to their rice dish. This can be added at step three.

Let the brown rice stand for up to 10 minutes after the rice has finished cooking, this allows it to be cooked to perfection and just finishes it off, so it is not still crunchy. Most cookers will have a warming function, so there is no danger of your rice being cold when it comes to serving your meal.

If you don’t have a rice cooker, then the Zojirushi rice cooker is an electronic rice cooker that is considered to be the best on the market and has all the ability to cook a variety of rice, including Gaba brown rice The Zojirushi is an induction rice cooker with a warming function.
Enjoy.

How To Pick A Rice Cooker

One of the most useful small appliances that you will ever buy is a rice cooker. A rice cooker can do much more than cook rice and is useful in both the kitchen and the dorm room. Of course, rice cookers make perfect rice, but they can also be used for cooking hot cereals, desserts, stews, and soups. They can also steam vegetables to perfection, even while cooking rice.

The best rice cookers are made in Japan. Other models may be less expensive from other countries, but you will enjoy using the Japanese rice cookers the most.

Rice cookers come in several sizes, some cooking over fourteen cups of rice at one time. You should choose the cooker that corresponds to the amount of rice you normally would cook. Large cookers can be used to cook smaller amounts, but they work best when three-quarters of all the way full. Be careful not to overfill a rice cooker.

Additionally, you need to know that a Japanese cup is six ounces as compared to the American cup size of eight ounces. Be sure that you adjust recipes by remembering that the cups from the rice cooker are only three-quarters of an American cup. Most Japanese households favor the mid-sized rice cookers.

A non-stick cooking pan in the rice cooker makes cleanup very easy. Rice cooker manufacturers use a high-quality non-stick surface that works perfectly with rice. Be sure that you only use the plastic rice paddle to remove food from the pot.

There are three basic types of rice cookers, the on/off models, the keep warm models, and the fuzzy logic models. The least expensive models of rice cookers simply turn off when the water has been absorbed into the rice. These cookers are still very versatile and do a great job when cooking rice. The next in price range of rice cookers both cook the rice and then turn to a keep warm setting. They do not have an off setting so be sure to unplug the unit after use so that you do not create a fire hazard.

Some of the more expensive rice cookers have fuzzy logic. This means that they have differing settings for soup or brown rice. Some of these machines even allow you to choose the texture of your finished rice. The most expensive (over two hundred dollars) rice cookers offer induction heating. These rice cookers make perfect rice every time. They can compensate for variations in measurements in rice or water.

If you enjoy steamed vegetables with your rice, be sure that the rice cooker you choose has a steamer basket. You can steam vegetables as the rice cooks. For extra flavor in your rice add a couple of bullion cubes to the cooking water. If you have a college student who will be living in a dorm room a small (three to four cup) rice cooker is the perfect gift. It allows the student to have brown rice, steam vegetables, and warm soups. It is a great way for the student to have healthy meals and avoid eating only fast food.

Forget the constant stirring—let the machine do the work

No Constant Stirring Required

When you learn how to make risotto in a rice cooker you’ll never go back to the labor-intensive stovetop method that requires constant stirring while you add portions of hot broth. Made in the rice cooker, risotto is easy and largely a hands-off affair.

What You Need

To make risotto in a rice cooker, you’ll need measuring cups, a liquid measuring cup, cheese grater, wooden spoon or silicone spatula, and, of course, a rice cooker.

You can use any risotto recipe you like, including a cheesy vegetarian risotto, pancetta risotto, mushroom risotto, and curried risotto. You will find that most recipes include a fat, such as oil or butter, as well as aromatics, like onions, ​shallot, leeks, and garlic. Wine is another ubiquitous ingredient, as is a liquid such as chicken broth.

But the most important ingredient is the rice, and this must be a short-grained rice like arborio rice. Compared to other rice, arborio retains more of the natural starch that is released while it cooks, creating a creamy texture—an essential characteristic of risotto.

Many recipes will also include a vegetable or two and may feature protein as well, such as chicken and shrimp. Risotto also commonly calls for a grated cheese like Parmesan.

Saute the Aromatics

A risotto recipe begins with sauteeing the aromatics in olive oil or butter. To do this in a rice cooker, set it to “Quick Cook” or “Regular” and let the surface of the rice cooker pot heat up for 1 to 2 minutes.

Add the butter or olive oil to the pot and use a wooden spoon or a silicone spatula to spread it across the surface of the pot.

When the oil is heated, add the aromatics and coat with the oil. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent. This should take about 4 to 5 minutes.

Add the White Wine

Adding the wine is the next step. Pour in the white wine or vermouth and stir to combine. Cook for a few minutes to allow the alcohol to evaporate and the wine to heat up and reduce a little.

Add the Rice

Now it is time to add the rice to the pot. Stir to coat the grains of rice completely with the ingredients. Sauté, stirring frequently, until the rice starts to absorb the wine.

The rice will eventually become translucent around the edges, with a small white dot remaining. This means it’s time to add the stock.

Add the Vegetables

Before you add the stock, add the vegetables, if you’re using any, and sauté them for a minute or two, stirring occasionally.

Leafy vegetables, such as arugula or watercress, should not be added until the end of the recipe. But harder vegetables like asparagus or squash need time to simmer and cook through.

Add the Cooking Liquid

This is where the traditional method of making risotto gets a bit laborious, as you need to slowly add the hot stock in small portions, stirring constantly until each portion is absorbed. But when using a rice cooker, you simply pour in the stock or broth all at once and stir to combine it with the rice.

Set the Rice Cooker

Now you’re at the point where you let the machine do the work. Close the lid of the rice cooker. If your cooker has a porridge setting, set it to that. If it is an on-off cooker, or only has a “Regular” setting, then use that setting. Either way, you should set a timer for 20 minutes.

Check the Risotto

After 10 minutes, check on the rice and give it a stir to recombine the ingredients.

When the timer goes off, check on the risotto. The rice should be tender, but still have a little “bite” to it, what the Italians refer to as al dente. And there should be enough liquid remaining to make it just slightly soupy. If there is still a lot of liquid remaining, and the rice is still hard in the middle, cook it a little longer.

Add the Cheese

If your recipe includes it, sprinkle in the cheese, season to taste with salt and pepper, and add up to another tablespoon of butter if desired. Give it a stir to combine everything.

Add Herbs or Leafy Greens

If you’re using fresh herbs or chopped greens, add them now, stirring to combine and wilt.

You can close the lid and let the risotto sit for a minute to wilt the greens, but don’t let them cook too long since you want them to have a bright color.

Serve the Risotto

Divide the risotto between shallow pasta bowls and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese and some fresh chopped herbs such as parsley or basil, if desired. Enjoy!