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How to Cook Brown Rice

Learn how to cook brown rice (short, medium, or long grain) perfectly every time. It's great for meal prep or freeze it for up to 2 months.

Cook Time
mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 6 servings (1/2 cup each)
Calories: 115 kcal
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 6 cups water (see note 1)
  • salt
  • 1 cup brown rice (see note 2)

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Bring 6 cups water and salt to taste (I like 1 teaspoon) to a boil in a large pot or saucepan (3 1/2 quarts or larger). Add rice, stir, and return to a boil. Boil uncovered for 30 to 32 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  2. Using a fine mesh strainer, drain rice and rinse with hot water. Return to the pot and cover to keep warm.

Notes

  • Water: 6 cups sounds like too much, but this is the "pasta method" for cooking rice, not the "steaming method." You leave the pot uncovered and drain off the excess water at the end. This is exactly how we make my copycat Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice.
  • Rice: This method will work for any short, medium, or long-grain brown rice such as jasmine or basmati. Avoid any par-boiled "quick cooking" brown rices.
  • Yield: This recipe makes 3 cups of brown rice, or 6 servings (1/2 cup each).
  • Storage: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  • Freezer: Rinse with cold water instead of hot water in step 2, to cool the rice down. Pack into a measuring cup and measure portions (1-cup, 2-cup, 4-cup, etc.). Pack into freezer-safe bags, press flat, label, and freeze for up to 2 months.
  • Brown cilantro lime rice: For this Chipotle copycat favorite, add a bay leaf to the pot with the salt in step 1. Remove the bay leaf before rinsing the rice. Stir in 1 tablespoon minced fresh cilantro, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, and additional salt to taste if desired.
  • Olive oil: For extra richness, stir in 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter with the salt in step 1. 
  • Chicken broth: For extra flavor, substitute all or some of the water with chicken broth.

Nutrition Information

Serving 0.5cup Calories 115kcal (6%) Carbohydrates 24g (8%) Protein 2g (4%) Fat 1g (2%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 1g Sodium 13mg (1%) Potassium 85mg (2%) Fiber 1g (4%) Calcium 18mg (2%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6servings (1/2 cup each)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 115

% Daily Value*

Serving 0.5cup
Calories 115kcal 6%
Carbohydrates 24g 8%
Protein 2g 4%
Fat 1g 2%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 1g 5%
Sodium 13mg 1%
Potassium 85mg 2%
Fiber 1g 4%
Calcium 18mg 2%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.