Jump to steps on how to cook rice in a rice cooker!
Cooking brown rice can often feel like a daunting task, but with the right techniques and tools, you can achieve delicious results.
One of the most efficient and hassle-free methods is using a rice cooker.
However brown rice and white rice cook at different times with different levels of water. We will show you how to cook brown rice in a rice cooker properly, so you can have delicious brown rice every time.
What Makes Brown Rice Different
One of the main characteristics of brown rice that separates it from white rice is that brown rice is a whole grain with the inedible outer hull removed but retains its bran layer and germ.
This makes it more nutritious compared to white rice with more health benefits and fiber.
However, this also means it takes longer to cook, requires more water, and has a different texture than white rice.
The differences between white rice and brown rice alters the steps when learning how to cook brown rice in a rice cooker.
Know Your Rice Cooker
The first step in mastering how to cook brown rice in a rice cooker is knowing how your rice cooker works.
While any rice cooker can cook brown rice, some models come with a specific "brown rice" setting, which adjusts the cooking time and temperature to accommodate the grain’s tougher exterior.
Don’t fret if you don’t have that setting! You can still cook your brown rice in the rice cooker, you just might have to adjust your cook time.
Depending on the rice cooker, brown rice can take anywhere from 30-50 minutes to cook. Before cooking the other parts of your dish, start with cooking your brown rice so that it's warm and ready with the rest of your meal.
Preparing the Brown Rice
Before you go ahead and just pour rice into your rice cooker you will need to know how to prepare brown rice in a rice cooker.
Measure the Rice: Determine how much brown rice you want to cook. Typically, one cup of uncooked brown rice yields about three cups for you rice cooker meals.
Rinse the Rice: Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch, preventing the rice from becoming too sticky.
You can do this in a colander with small slats or you can do this in the removable bowl that is in the rice cooker.
Tips for Perfect Brown Rice
Try these tips to help you perfect how to cook brown rice in a rice cooker!
Use Fresh Rice
Old rice can be harder and take longer to cook and one thing that Chico Rice prides itself on is how fresh the rice is.
The rice is milled in small batches and immediately package and ship to the customer. This guarantees that customers are getting the freshest rice directly to their door.
➡️ Shop Chico Rice Brown Milled California Japonica Rice ⬅️
Check the Water-To-Rice Ratio
Make sure to use the correct water-to-rice ratio. Adding too much water can make the rice mushy, while too little can leave it undercooked.
Avoid Lifting the Lid
Resist the temptation to lift the lid during cooking your rice cooker meals. This lets the steam escape and can affect the cooking process.
Experiment with Flavors
You can add other ingredients like a bay leaf, garlic, or a bit of butter or oil to the rice for extra flavor.
Follow these steps on how to prepare brown rice in a rice cooker for delicious and fluffy rice every time!
Why Use a Rice Cooker?
Learning how to cook brown rice in a rice cooker offers several benefits, including consistency, convenience, and versatility.
A rice cooker provides consistent results, taking the guesswork out of cooking. It’s a hands-off method, freeing you up to prepare other dishes or simply relax.
Rice cooker meals have been rising in popularity over the years. Meals like fried rice can be made all in the rice cooker, minimizing dishes and utilizing the rice cooker in a different way.
Storing and Reheating Brown Rice
Knowing how to prepare brown rice in a rice cooker is important but it also important to know how to store your cooked brown rice when you are done eating.
Warm rice that is not properly put away can grow bacteria quickly! Don’t leave your rice out longer than two hours, or one hour if it is in warm temperatures.
Cooked brown rice can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days or frozen for up to six months.
To reheat, sprinkle a little water over the rice, or add an ice cube and microwave, or reheat it on the stovetop.
Steps on How to Cook Brown Rice In a Rice Cooker
What You Will Need
- 2 cups of water
- Your favorite rice cooker
Cooking Instructions
- Place the rinsed brown rice in the rice cooker. The general ratio for cooking brown rice is 1:2. This means for every cup of brown rice; you need two cups of water. Some rice cookers come with a measuring cup and lines inside the pot that indicate the appropriate water level.
- Add a Pinch of Salt or the seasoning of your choice before starting the rice cooker. This step is optional.
- Close the lid and start the rice cooker. If your rice cooker has a "brown rice" setting, use it. Otherwise, select the regular cooking cycle.
- Let the rice cooker do its magic! Brown rice takes longer to cook than white rice, typically between 30 to 50 minutes, depending on the rice cooker model.
- Once the rice cooker switches to the "keep warm" setting, let the rice rest for about 5 minutes, this allows for steam absorption.
- Open the lid, fluff the rice with a fork, and serve.
Start Cooking!
Mastering how to cook brown rice in a rice cooker is simple and can transform your meals.
By following the steps, you can enjoy perfectly cooked brown rice every time in your rice cooker.
Whether you’re serving it as a side dish, using it in a stir-fry, or making a hearty rice bowl, the convenience and reliability of a rice cooker make it a great tool to have in your kitchen.
So now that you know how to cook brown rice in a rice cooker go enjoy this simple and easy dish!
