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    Home » Tutorials

    Cooking Brown Basmati Rice in a Rice Cooker

    Published: Feb 27, 2023 · Modified: Aug 17, 2023 by Emily

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Brown Basmati is the whole-grain version of delicious basmati rice. In this guide, you'll learn how to cook brown basmati rice in a rice cooker, this includes the water-to-rice ratio, cooking time, as well as nutrition facts. Let's do this!

    2 bowls of rice, 2 forks, a napkin and salt and pepper shakers.

    Basmati Rice is a fragrant long-grain rice that is grown in India. Brown basmati rice is just white basmati rice, only it still has its outer bran layer on it. This makes it a whole grain and means it has more nutritious value. Its flavor is also stronger. On the downside, brown basmati rice takes longer to cook than white rice.

    You should be able to find brown basmati rice in the bulk bins of your grocery store. In fact, at my local grocery store I can only buy it in the bulk section, it's not offered on the shelf!

    Using a rice cooker to cook brown basmati rice is a great idea. I especially love that it's pretty much impossible to burn rice when using a rice cooker. (This can be a problem when cooking rice on the stove).

    Let's get this cooking party started!

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Substitutions
    • Nutrition
    • Equipment
    • Storage
    • Top tip
    • FAQ
    • Related
    • Pairing
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Reviews

    Ingredients

    You really only need 2 ingredients when cooking brown basmati rice in a rice cooker: rice and water! Plus you'll need a rice cooker.

    a measuring cup with dry brown rice.

    Some people like to add salt to the rice cooker too. I prefer to add salt to taste after cooking, depending on how I'm planning on serving the basmati rice.

    Instructions

    a metal sieve full of brown rice being rinsed in the sink.

    Start by rinsing your brown basmati rice under water. This removes any dust from storage or starch that has built up.

    uncooked brown rice and water in the bowl of a rice cooker.

    Add 1 cup of rice, 2 cups of water, and an optional ½ teaspoon of salt into your rice cooker.

    Brown rice being cooked by a rice cooker.

    If your rice cooker has different settings, turn it to the brown rice setting. Place the lid on the rice cooker and press the turn it on.

    a rice cooker full of cooked brown rice. A fork is digging into the rice.

    Once your rice cooker alerts you that it is done, remove the lid carefully, watching out for steam. Your rice is ready to be enjoyed!

    Substitutions

    There are several ways you can add a little extra flavor to your brown basmati rice when cooking.

    • Broth - instead of water, you can use any type of broth to add more flavor.
    • Spices - you can add a bit of spice, such as garlic or cumin, to the rice cooker at the beginning as well.

    Nutrition

    The following nutrition label is for ½ cup cooked brown basmati rice.

    Nutrition Facts
    How to Cook Brown Basmati Rice in the Rice Cooker
    Serving Size
     
    0.5 cup, cooked
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    160
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    1.5
    g
    2
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    0
    g
    0
    %
    Trans Fat
     
    0
    g
    Cholesterol
     
    0
    mg
    0
    %
    Sodium
     
    0
    mg
    0
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    35
    g
    12
    %
    Fiber
     
    1
    g
    4
    %
    Sugar
     
    0
    g
    0
    %
    Protein
     
    3
    g
    6
    %
    Iron
     
    0
    mg
    0
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although theincrediblebulks.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.

    Brown basmati rice is a whole grain because it still has its outer bran layer on and therefore more nutritious than white basmati rice. It is higher in fiber and has more magnesium, vitamin E, zinc, potassium, and phosphorus.

    Equipment

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying orders, at no cost to you. Thanks for supporting The Incredible Bulks!

    You can successfully make brown basmati rice in whatever rice cooker you have, whether it be the simplest of rice cookers or an extra fancy one. If you need a rice cooker, here are some highly rated ones at different price points. Just click on the picture to learn more about the product.

    If you don't have a fine mesh strainer I highly recommend getting a metal one. They are great for rinsing small grains, like rice and quinoa, because they can't fall through the mesh. The metal mesh strainers are a lot more durable than plastic or fabric ones. I've had holes rip in the plastic ones before.

    Storage

    Any leftover rice should be stored in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. The longer it is stored, the more dried out the grains will become, so I recommend reusing them as soon as possible.

    The simplest way to reheat your rice is in the microwave. You'll want to use a microwave-safe container that has a lid. Add the rice and break up any large chunks of rice with a fork. Add a few sprinkles of water to help create steam and rehydrate the grains.

    Cover the container and microwave for 1 minute. Remove the lid, (watch out for steam) and test the grains. If they are still cold or dry repeat until you're satisfied.

    Top tip

    Sometimes when I'm feeling wild, aka, I don't forget, I spray the bottom of my rice cooker with cooking spray to help prevent sticking. It doesn't usually stick very much anyway, but this makes clean-up a breeze!

    FAQ

    How much water do I add to brown basmati rice in a rice cooker?

    When using a rice cooker, the water-to-rice ratio is 2 cups of water for every 1 cup of brown basmati rice.

    How long does it take to cook brown basmati rice in the rice cooker?

    Each rice cooker is different, but it should take about 30 minutes to cook brown basmati rice in a rice cooker.

    Does brown basmati rice need to be soaked?

    No, you do not need to soak brown basmati rice, but you should rinse it before cooking. The purpose of soaking is to speed up the cooking time, and since it already has a relatively fast cooking time, you don't need to.

    Does brown basmati rice cook faster than brown rice?

    Yes! Brown basmati rice cooks in about ½ the time that it takes for long-grain, brown rice to cook.

    I hope this guide to cooking brown basmati rice in the rice cooker is helpful to you! Please let me know how it turned out in the comments section!

    ✌️ Ems

    Related

    Looking for other ways to cook brown basmati rice? Try these:

    • 2 bowls of rice, 2 forks, a napkin and salt and pepper shakers.
      How to Cook Brown Basmati Rice
    • A small bowl of brown basmati rice next to an Instant Pot.
      Instant Pot Brown Basmati Rice
    • a measuring cup with dry brown rice.
      A Complete Guide to Brown Rice
    • A bowl of cooked wild rice next to a bowl of cooked brown rice. A spoon and napkin are next to them.
      Wild Rice vs Brown Rice

    Pairing

    These are my favorite dishes to serve with brown basmati rice:

    • white rice and sweet and sour chicken on a plate. It is garnished with green onions and sesame seed.
      Sweet and Sour Chicken
    • A pie pumpkin that has been filled with creamy sausage and vegetables.
      Dinner in a Pumpkin with Creamy Sausage and Vegetables
    • A wooden spoon is scooping some food out of a skillet full of vegetable and chickpea curry.
      Easy Chickpea Curry with Coconut Milk
    • A child's hand is taking a chicken meatball from a pan that is full of meatballs. theincrediblebulks.com
      Fried Chicken Meatballs with Carrots and Apples

    📖 Recipe

    a rice cooker full of cooked brown rice. A fork is digging into the rice.

    How to Cook Brown Basmati Rice in the Rice Cooker

    5 from 1 vote
    Prep Time: 2 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4 ½ cup servings
    Calories: 160kcal
    There is nothing easier than using a rice cooker to make deliciously perfect brown basmati rice.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup brown basmati rice
    • 2 cups water

    Instructions

    • Start by rinsing your brown basmati rice under water. This removes any dust from storage or starch that has built up.
    • Add 1 cup of rice, 2 cups of water, and an optional ½ teaspoon of salt into your rice cooker.
    • If your rice cooker has different settings*, turn it to the brown rice setting. Place the lid on the rice cooker and press the turn it on.
    • Once your rice cooker alerts you that it is done, remove the lid carefully, watching out for steam. Your rice is ready to be enjoyed!
    Did you try this recipe?Please give it a star rating or leave a comment!

    Notes

    *Each rice cooker is different, consult your manual if yours has a lot of special settings. 
    You can cook more than 1 cup of rice at a time, just note the max that your rice cooker can handle.  The water-to-rice ratio is always 2 cups water to 1 cup brown basmati rice. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 0.5cup, cooked | Calories: 160kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 1.5g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 0mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0g | Iron: 0mg

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    Hi! I'm Emily!

    I'm a mother of 4, trying to expand my kids' taste palate beyond buttered noodles. Shopping in the bulk section of the grocery store has helped us try new and healthy ingredients, and I hope to spread the bulk shopping love to you! Enjoy! 

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