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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!
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!
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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.
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
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!
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.
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
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You really don't need a fancy rice cooker to make delicious and perfect brown basmati rice. In fact, I've been using the most basic model for the last 15 years and it's still rockin'!
Just in case you are in the market for a new rice cooker, here is my favorite, as well as some highly recommended models from around the web. Just click on the picture to find more info on the product.
Highly Rated Rice Cookers
Aroma Housewares Aroma 6-cup Rice Cooker
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AROMA Professional Digital Rice Cooker, 8-Cup
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Zojirushi Micom Rice Cooker and Warmer
Buy Now →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.
Highly Rated Strainers
Bellemain 5 Qt Metal Colander with Handle
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Cuisinart Mesh Strainers, 3 Count
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Kafoor 9" Large Fine Mesh Strainer with Thermo Plastic Rubber Handle
Buy Now →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
When using a rice cooker, the water-to-rice ratio is 2 cups of water for every 1 cup of brown basmati rice.
Each rice cooker is different, but it should take about 30 minutes to cook brown basmati rice in a rice cooker.
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.
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:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with brown basmati rice:
Recipe
How to Cook Brown Basmati Rice in the Rice Cooker
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!
Diana
Turned out perfect!
Emily
Great to hear!
Gabby
My rice cooker is very basic - just cook or warm, no brown rice setting - should I cook for longer?
Emily
Mine is very basic too. You can just push the lever down to turn it on and the rice cooker will know what to do.