Cooking brown rice in a rice cooker is straightforward, but it requires a bit more water and time compared to white rice due to the outer bran layer.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you cook perfect brown rice in your rice cooker:
Ingredients
- Brown rice
- Water
- Optional: salt or oil for flavor
Equipment
- Rice cooker
- Measuring cups
Steps
- Measure the Rice: Determine how much brown rice you need. Typically, 1 cup of uncooked brown rice yields about 2-3 cups of cooked rice.
- Rinse the Rice: Place the brown rice in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse under cold running water. Rinse until the water runs clear to remove excess starch, which can make the rice sticky.
- Add the Rice and Water to the Cooker:
- Use a standard 1:2 ratio of rice to water for brown rice. For example, for 1 cup of brown rice, add 2 cups of water. Some rice cookers may require slightly more water for brown rice, so check the user manual for specific instructions.
- Optional Additions: Add a pinch of salt or a small amount of oil or butter to the rice and water mixture for added flavor.
- Start the Cooker:
- Place the inner pot in the rice cooker and close the lid.
- Select the “Brown Rice” setting if your rice cooker has one. If not, use the regular or white rice setting. Note that brown rice typically takes longer to cook, around 45-50 minutes.
- Let It Cook: Allow the rice cooker to complete its cooking cycle. It will automatically switch to “Keep Warm” mode once the rice is done.
- Rest the Rice: Once the rice cooker switches to “Keep Warm,” let the rice sit for an additional 10-15 minutes with the lid closed. This helps the rice absorb any remaining moisture and achieve a better texture.
- Fluff the Rice: Use a rice paddle or fork to fluff the rice gently. This separates the grains and makes the rice light and fluffy.
- Serve: Your brown rice is now ready to serve. Enjoy it as a side dish or as a base for various recipes.
Tips
- Soak the Rice: Soaking brown rice for 30 minutes to an hour before cooking can reduce cooking time and improve texture. Simply cover the rice with water, soak, then drain and proceed with the above steps.
- Check Your Manual: Rice cookers vary, so check your specific model’s manual for any particular instructions or water-to-rice ratios recommended for brown rice.
- Flavor Variations: For added flavor, cook the brown rice in broth instead of water, or add herbs and spices to the cooking water.
Example Recipe
Basic Brown Rice
- 1 cup brown rice
- 2 cups water
- Pinch of salt (optional)
- Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
- Add the rinsed rice and water (and salt, if using) to the rice cooker.
- Start the rice cooker using the “Brown Rice” setting, or the regular setting if your cooker does not have a specific brown rice option.
- Allow the rice to cook. Once done, let it rest for 10-15 minutes on “Keep Warm.”
- Fluff the rice with a fork or rice paddle before serving.
Cooking brown rice in a rice cooker is simple and ensures you get consistent results with minimal effort. Enjoy your perfectly cooked brown rice!