Here's how to cook Brown Rice perfectly everytime! This is my foolproof method for fluffy brown rice - no more mushy or undercooked grains. Great for meal prep to make protein buddha bowls, curries and more, it's a healthy base for quick meals.
As you guys may know, my husband calls me the "Rice Queen" as I make rice quite regularly in our house, so it's about time I show you all how to cook Brown Rice. I have a Persian background and we eat different types of rice for most meals, the classic Persian rice is my most cooked recipe. Cooking brown rice is quite different though compared to other rice recipes and can sometimes be a little tricky, but when done right, its absolutely delicious with a nutty flavor and texture.
I'm not going to lie, I tested many methods as some result in mushy rice which can also be really sticky and not pleasant to eat. After many failed attempts, I finally figured out a method which works everytime…it's basically a pasta cooking method, where it's boiled in salted water, simmered, then steamed, which gives you the perfect fluffy brown rice every time! I love making a batch for meal prep, similar to quinoa, then serving with salads and protein bowls like my salmon bowl or any meal really as the carbohydrate.
Table of Contents
Recipe Highlights
- Foolproof: Simple instructions to avoid mushy rice and get perfect brown rice every time
- Versatile: Pairs well as a side dish or base for power bowls, curries and stir fries
- Meal Prep: Great for planning meals throughout the week and having rice ready to go
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Brown rice, is of course the star of the recipe. It has a nutty flavor and hearty texture. Try brown basmati, long grain or short grain depending on preference
- Water, essential for cooking. I prefer to cook brown rice like pasta and avoid using water ratios, so it turns out perfect every time
- Salt enhances flavor, recommended for better tasting cooked rice
How to Cook Brown Rice
There is nothing worse when cooking brown rice and for it to come out mushy or the texture not quite right. Here are my simple steps for the perfect rice everytime (note quantities are listed in the recipe card below)
Step 1: Rinse the rice a few times, then soak in fresh water for 30–60 minutes (or a few hours if you have time)
Step 2: Drain the soaking water and rinse the rice again until the water runs mostly clear
Step 3: Bring a large pot of water to a boil, over high heat, with 8-10 cups of water. Then add the salt and rice and stir to separate the grains
Step 4: Once water returns to a gentle boil, reduce to medium-high heat and cook uncovered at a steady boil, stirring occasionally for 35–40 minutes
Taste the rice to check for doneness - it should be cooked through with a light bite. Drain the rice in a colander
Step 5: Return rice to the pot, cover and let it steam off the heat for 5–10 minutes
Step 6: Fluff with a fork and serve with curry, stir-fries or in a protein buddha bowl
Tips and Tricks
- Always soak brown rice for at least 30 minutes before cooking, this will soften the grains and reduce the cooking time
- Rinse the brown rice before cooking to remove excess starch and prevent sticky grains
- Use a large pot with a sufficient amount of water so the rice cooks evenly, just like pasta. Also keep the heat at medium-high heat to maintain a steady boil
- Let the rice steam for 5-10 minutes with the lid on after cooking, this will absorb any excess water. Then fluff with a fork for the best texture
Storage Instructions
- Store cooked rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days
- Reheat in the microwave or stove top with a splash of water to prevent it from drying out. You can also enjoy it cold thrown into a salad
- Freeze portions in individual containers for easy meal prep later. Thaw and reheat as above
Serving Suggestions
Brown rice is so versatile and pairs well with so many dishes. Serve it alongside a Thai green curry, grilled vegetables or protein like crispy sticky tofu for a balanced meal. It’s also great in grain bowls like my Mediterranean bowl or Greek bowl. You can also swap it into meals that typically use pasta or white rice for a heartier healthy twist. I love making a batch for meal prep similar to how I prep quinoa, then add it to salads and other meals throughout the week.
FAQs
Perfect brown rice should be tender but slightly chewy, with each grain separate, it shouldn’t be mushy or watery. Since my recipe uses the pasta cooking method, start tasting around the 30 minute mark, if it’s still firm, keep boiling and check every few minutes
Mushy brown rice usually means its been overcooked. Its important to taste the rice earlier and keep an eye on the cooking time. Drain it as soon as the grains are tender to keep the texture just right
It’s optional, but I've found that soaking the rice, then rinsing through a strainer helps reduce cooking time and improves overall texture
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Brown Rice:
More Rice Recipes
I love seeing your creations and remakes, so be sure to rate the recipe, comment and share your photo on Instagram so I can share the love!
Recipe
How to Cook Brown Rice (No more Mushy Rice)
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups brown rice
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 8-10 cups water
Instructions
- Rinse the rice a few times, then soak in a bowl of fresh water for 30-60 minutes (you can also soak for a few hours if you have the time)Then disregard the soaking water and rinse the rice a few times so its not murky anymore
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil (about 8-10 cups of water) - I like to use my kettle to save time. Ensure there is enough water for the rice to cook evenly, similar to cooking pastaAdd the salt and the rice and give it a stir so the grains are separated
- Once the water comes back to a light boil, reduce to medium-high heat and allow the rice to simmer at a steady boil without the lid, give it a stir every now and then
- Taste the rice to ensure it's cooked through and not crunchy, the grains will still have a light bite to them. It should take approximately 35-40 minutes depending on the brand of rice
- Once cooked, drain through a colander and return the rice back to the same pot. Place the lid on and steam the rice for 5-10 minutes (off the heat)
- Remove the lid and fluff the grains with a fork. Then enjoy your perfectly cooked Brown Rice with your favorite curry, stir fry or make a protein buddha bowl
Notes
- Soaking - soak the brown rice for at least 30 minutes before cooking to soften the grains and help reduce the cooking time
- Rinsing - rinse the rice thoroughly before cooking removes excess starch and prevents sticky grains. Don't skip this step!
- Use plenty of water - cook the rice in 8–10 cups of boiling water, similar to pasta, so the grains have enough room to cook evenly
- Steaming - after draining, let the rice steam with the lid on for 5–10 minutes, then fluff with a fork for the best texture
Comments
No Comments