How to cook brown rice correctly? How to cook brown rice: step by step preparation

Rice that has undergone minimal processing is called unpolished. Brown rice is just that. This variety of rice contains numerous nutrients and vitamins. Rice has a nutty flavor and is very beneficial for the human body. They are perfect for people who watch their figure. After all, it contains fiber, which supports the human immune system and speeds up metabolism. Now you need to learn how to properly cook brown rice. For a more piquant and interesting taste of rice, instead of the water in which it is boiled, you can use meat broth. This type of rice is perfect for various dishes. Brown rice is recommended for people with diabetes, obesity, etc.

This is an excellent source of healthy nutrition. You need to rinse the rice with cool water. The water after washing the cereal should be clear. If not, then you need to repeat the process. Dirt may contain various foreign particles. Remember that you need to wash any type of rice before cooking it. Moreover, after this the rice is cooked without foam. Now you need to pour the rice into a colander so that all the water can drain. Place the rice in a bowl or cup with water. Leave it for 30-40 minutes. If you skip this step when cooking rice, the rice will have to cook 15 minutes longer. Here you may not guess with time.

Now let's move on to cooking the porridge. You need to prepare a large saucepan for cooking. For 1 tbsp. take 2.5 liters of brown rice. water or broth. Boil water for rice and pour it there. Bring to a boil. Now, according to the standard plan, you need to reduce the heat and cook the rice for 25 minutes, most importantly without a lid. If foam has formed during cooking, it must be removed. There is no need to stir the cereal. When the porridge is cooked, pour it into a colander again to drain the water. Now return the rice to the saucepan and turn on the heat. The porridge should be on low heat, add butter. Close the pan with a lid and shake it all.

The porridge should be mixed. It should be on fire for another 7-10 minutes. Now the porridge is ready to eat. And this instruction helped to learn how to cook brown rice. Now you can find brown rice, recipes for every taste. In the second cooking recipe, you need to cook the rice covered over high heat for about 4 minutes. Then reduce the heat and cook for another 6 minutes. Reduce heat to low for 2 minutes. After this, remove the porridge from the stove and wrap it in a towel. You need to leave the porridge so that it steams for the same amount of time as it was cooked on the stove.

There is a very simple recipe for cooking rice in the oven. You need to take 1 tbsp. cereals for 1l. water. Place the rice in boiling water and bring to a boil. Now you need to remove the rice from the heat and put it in the oven for 40 minutes and season it with paprika, butter, and salt. Place in the oven for another 10 minutes. Recipes for making brown porridge can be varied. Use your imagination and come up with your own original recipe. Add new spices and herbs. And do not forget that this porridge is very beneficial for the body. Bon appetit!

Rice is a plant from the cereal family. It is extremely fond of warmth and sun, but does not grow in excessively hot and dry climates. Rice is found on all continents except Europe, and almost half of the world's population considers it a staple food along with wheat.

A little about the benefits of brown rice

This cereal does not contain vitamins A and C, but it is rich in B vitamins, in particular thiamine (B1), niacin (B3), riboflavin (B2) and pyridoxine (B6). This group of vitamins takes an active part in the functioning of the central nervous system.

They also convert nutrients into energy. Rice is rich in amino acids and proteins, and is also valued for its absence of gluten, a protein of plant origin that can cause allergies.

In Asian countries, food is prepared from different varieties of rice: old people and children prefer unrefined rice. In Europe and America, it was loved by supporters of a healthy lifestyle. The fact is that only this variety preserves the nutritious bran shell during processing.

It gives the product a light brown color, which is why it is nicknamed brown. What is another name for brown rice? It is often called brown and unpolished.

This rice is much healthier than its white counterpart, since it is the grain shell that contains a higher concentration of nutrients. It is believed that some healing oils are also preserved in it, although they also significantly reduce the shelf life of this product, so experienced housewives recommend placing a pack of rice in the refrigerator.

The bran shell contains a maximum amount of B vitamins; it also contains fiber, minerals, and folic acid. Small concentrations contain selenium, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, copper and iodine. All these components together give the rice an unusual nutty taste.

This " health constructor"has only one drawback and it is related to the cooking time. It needs to be cooked longer than white. In addition, even after cooking, it is not as soft as the latter.

If you suffer from various gastrointestinal diseases, then you can safely include brown rice in your diet. Eating such rice is also good for your health because it can free you from the need to consume fatty and sweet foods, perfectly replenishing your energy potential.

Therefore, we can say that brown rice is good for weight loss, and this is confirmed by nutritionists from all countries, actively including it in various weight loss programs.

Japanese experts conducted experiments on laboratory rodents, which showed that by regularly consuming brown rice, you can increase your level of intelligence and improve memory, as well as normalize the functioning of the central nervous system.

How to properly cook brown rice

This type of cereal takes a little longer to prepare than usual.

Cooking steps:


  • Soak a glass of brown rice in cold water for one hour. After that, you need to rinse it well, fill it with 3 glasses of chilled water and put the saucepan with the contents on the fire. Some housewives advise pouring the cereal into boiling water. You can try both methods;
  • add salt and, as soon as characteristic bubbles appear on the surface, reduce the gas to the minimum value. Without covering, cook for about 5 minutes, and then put the lid on the dish and simmer for another half hour. When wondering how to properly cook brown rice, remember that stirring it in a pan is not recommended;
  • as soon as all the water has boiled away, wrap the pan with the finished product well and give it the opportunity to “cook” for 15 minutes.

Recipes for brown cereals

Recipes for a variety of dishes have been invented from brown rice. You can use it to prepare traditional pilaf, as well as rolls, puddings, casseroles and much more.

Here are some recipes for popular dishes:


  • to prepare rice fried with vegetables, you need to cook a portion of the cereal in advance, and all the vegetables - carrots - 1 pc, onion - 2 pcs and garlic - chop a couple of cloves, do the same with champignons in the amount of 150 g. Fry the onion in a frying pan and mushrooms, add half a glass of sweet corn and the same amount of canned green peas. After a few minutes, add the remaining vegetables, finely chopped green onions and rice. After 5 minutes, serve, garnished with herbs;
  • to cook rice with turkey and vegetables, you need to boil a glass of cereal, and at this time cut 300 g of turkey fillet into small pieces and fry in a frying pan with one leek rings. As soon as the meat is covered with a crust, place 200 g of fresh or frozen green peas in a bowl, and after 10 minutes add 3 chopped garlic cloves. After a couple of minutes, add rice, salt and pepper, pour in 50 ml of soy sauce. After another couple of minutes, serve;
  • You can prepare a delicious casserole using this recipe: boil a portion of brown rice. Beat 2 eggs, half a glass of milk in a bowl, season the mixture with chopped green onions, thyme and Worcestershire sauce to taste. Add salt. Add washed spinach in the amount of 450 g and Feta cheese mashed with a fork in the amount of 180 g. Add rice here, mix well and place in the oven for 30-35 minutes, preheated to 180 ⁰C. If desired, 5 minutes before the dish is ready, you can sprinkle the dish with Parmesan cheese grated on a coarse grater, and as soon as it melts, take it out and start eating.

You can cook your usual dishes with this rice and try something new, because it retains all the beneficial substances and vitamins, which are much more numerous than in its white counterpart. Please yourself and your family with a tasty and nutritious product. Bon appetit!

Cook brown rice over low heat with the lid closed.

How to cook brown rice

Brown rice should be taken in the proportion of 1 cup of rice to 5 cups of water.
1. Rinse the rice, soak in cold salted water for 20 minutes and rinse again.
2. Pour water into the pan, put the pan on the fire.
3. Add brown rice, salt and spices (parsley, curry, dill) to boiling water.
4. Cook brown rice covered for 40 minutes.
5. Place the brown rice in a colander and rinse with warm boiled water.
6. Return the brown rice to the pan and leave covered for 10 minutes.
Brown rice is served with butter or ghee.

How to quickly cook brown rice

1. Rinse the rice.
2. Drain the rice in a colander, drain, and soak in cold salted water for 20 minutes; then drain the water again.
3. Place the rice in boiling water and cook for 5 minutes, covered, over high heat.
4. Turn the heat to medium, cook the brown rice for another 7 minutes, then over low heat for 2 minutes.
5. Remove the pan from the heat, wrap it in paper and wrap it in a blanket for 20 minutes.

In eastern countries, rice grains are considered a cultural heritage. It is mentioned in the greetings of Asian peoples. When the product is properly prepared, the human body receives essential nutrients. It is necessary to approach the choice of rice variety carefully. The variety of vitamins contained in the composition depends on the variety. Eating rice saturates the body, giving it a fairly long-lasting feeling of fullness.

Therefore, this product will fit perfectly into the diet of a person struggling with extra pounds. Brown rice, which will be discussed below, is one of the most useful varieties of this crop. Thanks to him, a person acquires a slim figure and a healthy body.

Preparing cereals

Basic knowledge of how to prepare brown rice for cooking will help you in the future in preparing white rice, a mixture with wild rice, pearl barley and buckwheat porridge. Following these simple recommendations will help you cook a tasty and crumbly dish that will bring great benefits to your body.


So, first, put the product in a deep container and fill it with the required amount of cool water, so that the liquid level is three centimeters above the rice grains.

Next, mix the contents of the container with vigorous movements. This way you help the dirt and dust from the rice grains to rise to the top. After a few minutes, drain the water and repeat the procedure again. There is no recommended number of washes; it is necessary to repeat the procedure until the washed-off liquid becomes clear. This will indicate that this cereal crop is clean enough to continue its preparation.


Washing rice grains, regardless of the variety, is considered a mandatory procedure due to the following circumstances:

  • thanks to running water, dust and dirt that gets during transportation of the product to an industrial enterprise are washed away from the surface of the rice grain;
  • The products we see on supermarket shelves are often subject to special chemical treatment. It helps to increase the shelf life of rice grains. During the washing process, rice grains partially get rid of the harmful shell, which makes further heat treatment more effective.


Do not neglect this stage, as thanks to it you will protect your body from harmful microorganisms and possible allergic reactions.

For preparing crumbly dishes soaking is a necessary step. In addition, during soaking, fairly dense rice grains become softer, which will help bring them to a ready-made state in a shorter time. At this stage, you need to know that washed brown rice grains actively absorb the aromas surrounding them. And the liquid used for cooking affects the taste of the finished dish. Therefore, the liquid that will be used for soaking rice cereals must be clean and pre-boiled.


Using tap water at this stage is unacceptable. Otherwise, rice grains acquire the characteristic taste of chlorine found in tap water. Brown rice has an interesting taste, slightly reminiscent of hazelnuts.

For one kilogram of rice cereal, you will need to stock up on three liters of clean and salted water. If you have the opportunity, purchase mineral water at any supermarket, which contains minerals and vitamins vital for the human body. This way you will increase the benefits of brown rice grains. If you decide to use ordinary water, it is strongly recommended to boil it first.


The temperature of the soaking liquid also requires your attention. Experienced cooks advise using a liquid whose temperature will not allow the potato starch to curdle. In other words, the temperature of the soaking liquid should not exceed sixty-two degrees.

Another interesting nuance when soaking rice grains is the addition of salt. Not many people know about this and add salt when the dish is almost ready. If you used three liters of pure (or mineral) water for one kilogram of rice grains, then for this volume of liquid you will need to add a little less than two tablespoons of salt.


This volume of salt will be sufficient for the rice grains to absorb the required amount without taking in too much. If you are faced with the fact that your cereal gives off some kind of foreign aroma, then it is advisable to change the soaking liquid two or three times. The soaking process takes, on average, two to three hours. This is exactly how long it takes for the structure of the grains to soften and be ready for further cooking.


After the time has passed, the rice grains will need to be rinsed again. You need to stock up on a five-liter container with a round bottom. Let it be something resembling a small basin. It is extremely important not to use ice-cold or excessively hot water at this stage.

In the first case, the rice grains will crack, which will subsequently lead to overcooking of the cereal. And in the second, using hot tap water will actively fill the grains that absorb everything with harmful substances from the water supply. There should be no difficulties when using boiled water. So, washing, as in the first case, should be carried out until the liquid becomes clear.

During the washing process, do not rub the cereal with your palms, otherwise it will give off a characteristic rice sediment. Place your palms to the bottom of the container and lift the cereal upward with light movements. Repeat the procedure several times, then drain the water.


A clear liquid will indicate that the rice cereal is ready for further cooking. The process of preparing the brown variety seems very labor-intensive and at first may discourage you from preparing it. However, if you follow these simple recommendations, your dish will turn out very tasty. Also, do not forget about the enormous benefits brought by consuming just one serving of this cereal.


How long does it take to cook?

The cooking time for a given type of grain depends on the method you prefer. If you decide to use a multicooker or double boiler, the product will be cooked for at least twenty-five minutes (based on the basic parameters of the “Pilaf” mode). If you have carried out high-quality pre-treatment of the drilled cereal crop - repeated washing and soaking - then the cooking time is reduced by fifteen minutes.


If you want to get a traditional crumbly consistency, you must first boil the water, which takes an average of five minutes. Then bring the product to a ready-made state - at least thirty minutes. And leave the rice grains to infuse for another twenty-five to thirty minutes.

In total, cooking on the stove takes just over sixty minutes. It is worth noting that the rather lengthy process of preparing this cereal crop has an unfavorable effect on its properties. When cooked in a boiling liquid for more than forty-five minutes, rice grains become boiled and lose most of the beneficial vitamins and microelements contained in the composition.


How to cook rice correctly?

Once you try the brown variety, you will no longer be able to deny yourself this pleasure. This product can be consumed as an independent dish, lightly seasoned with soy sauce and spices, or as a side dish for all types of meat and fish. It's great to use rice to make low-calorie chicken cutlets. Rice is usually served with boiled vegetables.

So, let's move on to the process of preparing brown rice. This cereal crop has some characteristics that must be observed in order to obtain a ready-made tasty dish.


First of all, the brown variety must be thoroughly cleaned of various contaminants and dust. To do this, the product is thoroughly washed in warm water. There is an ancient belief that rice is washed in seven waters. But in reality, you need to wash the rice so many times that the water becomes clear after washing.

Washing rice is a very important step that should never be ignored. Because, in addition to dust, rice contains particles of a special substance that is used to treat cereals during cultivation. These substances can be toxic and cause unpredictable reactions in the body, especially if the rice was not cooked correctly.

The next step is soaking the product. There is no consensus about this process. Cooks are divided into two camps - some believe that soaking rice is necessary, while others do not understand why waste time on this process. However, if we delve deeper into the biological characteristics of the rice grain, we will find that the grains of brown rice are denser in comparison with the white product we are familiar with. In order to soften the husk of brown rice, it must be soaked in clean water.


You will need a deep container with cold drinking water. Add the required amount of rice and leave it for two to three hours; It is acceptable to soak brown rice overnight. If possible, change the water (two or three times will be enough).

Regardless of the variety, fluffy rice is considered the most delicious. Therefore, as in the case of preparing pearl barley and buckwheat porridge, it is extremely important to follow the ratio of water and this product. So, to prepare one glass of brown rice, you will need to take two and a half to three glasses of clean water.

Do not forget that the cereal is poured into water, which is just beginning to boil. This nuance is also reflected in the taste of the finished dish.

Cooking of this cereal crop must be done over low heat. Cooking time takes about forty minutes. While cooking cereals, do not stir the contents of the pan under any circumstances. A couple of minutes before completion, it is permissible to lightly shake the pan once or twice. After the time has passed, it is advisable to wrap the container with cooked brown rice in a warm terry towel or blanket and leave for fifteen to twenty minutes. During this short period, the rice grains will absorb the remaining water.



To begin with, the cereal crop is thoroughly washed and soaked and only then transferred to the multicooker bowl. Then you need to activate the “Pilaf” mode and wait for the sound signal about the end of the multicooker operation.

Regardless of the brand, any multicooker model contains a special compartment for boiling cereals. Before cooking, you need to pour a small amount of water into it. A large volume of liquid will make the consistency thinner; the result is rice porridge. This is done so that the rice grains soften.

Each cereal has its own “set of rules” that help extend the shelf life of the product. They are quite simple, but ignoring them leads to the fact that rice grains begin to deteriorate and subsequently lose their beneficial properties. Following these recommendations will allow you to get all the benefits from the product for your body:

  • Store unpolished brown or brown rice at room temperature, in a dry, dark place;
  • Cereals are stored much longer in containers made of darkened glass or ceramics; the presence of a lid is welcome.


A little-known fact, but it is the consumption of this cereal that helps you lose extra pounds. Rich in plant fiber, the product helps eliminate toxic substances, causing them to literally “evacuate” from the intestinal area.

And the presence of a large amount of complex carbohydrates gives the body a false feeling of fullness, thereby reducing appetite and preventing a person from overeating. If you are interested in removing excess fluid and unnecessary subcutaneous fat, it is recommended to arrange a fasting day using low-calorie kefir and brown rice.

Choose a suitable day during which you do not have any serious physical activity planned. On this day, you should only consume properly prepared rice side dish and low-fat kefir. In twenty-four hours you will undergo an intensive cleansing of the intestines and stomach walls.


You can learn more about how to properly cook brown rice in the following video.

Brown rice differs from its white counterpart not only in color, but also in the method of preparation, taste and composition. Thus, it is brown rice that is most useful; it contains vitamins and beneficial microelements. Essentially, brown rice is any unpolished rice that has not had the bran membrane removed during processing. More precisely, the rice was not processed at all. That is, it is an assembled and packaged product, completely ready for use. In color, brown rice can be red, brown, or pale brown. People who adhere to a healthy diet prefer unpolished rice. Although it takes many times longer to cook.

What water should I cook in?
This type of rice is always added to already boiled water or broth. At the same time, you need to salt and season with spices at the very beginning of the process, even before the rice. Broth or water is poured in the following proportion: for 1 glass of rice you need 3-5 glasses of liquid. Brown rice swells much more when cooked than white rice. And the whole process takes from 20 to 40 minutes on average.

Brown rice cooking process
First of all, rinse the cereal thoroughly under running water. The water should drain clear. This is required in order to wash away all industrial dirt, dust and pesticides. In addition, washed rice does not foam during cooking.

Leave the rice in the colander so that all the water drains out. Then leave the brown rice in clean water for half an hour to soften it a little. This way you won’t have to cook for too long, and the result will not be long in coming. At the same time, you can put water or meat (vegetable) broth on low heat to boil. Add spices to taste, salt. Carefully add the swollen cereal to the boiling water. If the rice is not soaked before cooking, then unpolished rice will take 15-20 minutes longer to cook.

Select a pan of such a size that rice and water take up no more than ¾ of the total volume. This is necessary so that the steam generated during cooking remains in the pan. Due to this steam, the process proceeds faster.

After adding the cereal, cook for 20 minutes without a lid. Do not stir the rice, but simply remove any foam if it forms with a slotted spoon. After the time has passed, cover the rice with a lid, reduce the heat to low and cook for another 10-15 minutes under the lid. After cooking, place the rice on cheesecloth or a sieve to drain the water. Then return the cereal to the pan, add butter and leave covered for 5-7 minutes. The rice is ready to eat.

Quickly cook brown rice
Rinse the cereal as usual, soak it in cool water for 20 minutes. Boil water or broth, add swollen rice to the boiling liquid. Cook over high heat for 5 minutes, covered, without removing it. Reduce heat to medium and cook for another 5 minutes. Then you can reduce the heat to the lowest setting and cook for another 3 minutes. Everything is covered so that the steam doesn’t escape anywhere. No need to add oil.

Do not drain the water from the rice, but wrap the container in a large towel, then place it in a warm place. It could be an oven, a radiator, or even a duvet. Leave the pan there for 10 minutes so that the cereal is fully cooked. Then add oil to your taste.

It is important not only to cook brown rice correctly, but also to store it. So, due to the bran shell, it deteriorates faster and rots. Must be stored exclusively in the refrigerator. It is noteworthy that brown rice is absorbed by the body more slowly, which gives the greatest saturation, while blood sugar remains at the same level, which does not harm patients with diabetes at all. That is, there are no contraindications to eating brown rice, except for individual allergies.