Mmmmmmm, brown basmati rice.... There is nothing quite like this aromatic whole grain. Join me as I teach you how to cook brown basmati rice on the stove. This healthy rice is so easy to make and versatile! Let's get cooking!
Basmati rice originated in India. It is a long-grain rice that is fluffy and not very sticky when cooked. It is known for being especially fragrant. Brown basmati rice is actually the same thing as white basmati rice, only its outer bran layer hasn't been polished off. This means it has a stronger, nuttier flavor. It also makes it a whole grain, meaning it's more nutritious (more on that later).
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 bins, it's not offered on the shelf.
You can prepare brown basmati rice in many ways, (i.e. Instant Pot, rice cooker), but there is nothing simpler than making it on the stove. You don't need any special equipment at all. Let's get started.
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Ingredients
You only need 2 simple ingredients to make brown basmati rice!
- uncooked brown basmati rice
- water
See the recipe card for quantities
Instructions
Thoroughly rinse your brown basmati rice under water. This removes any dust from storage or starch that has built up.
Add 1 cup rice, 2 cups of water, and optional ½ teaspoon salt to a medium saucepan. Bring mixture to a boil.
Once boiling, cover the pot with a lid and reduce the heat to a simmer. Let simmer for 22-25 minutes.*
When water is fully absorbed, turn off the heat and let the brown basmati rice rest for 5 minutes. Now you're ready to enjoy!
*Every stove and pot is different, so the cooking time will vary. You do not want to remove the lid very often while cooking your rice, because you'll lose the steam. But it is important to check on how things are going towards the end of the cooking time.
If all the water is absorbed, the rice will start to burn onto the bottom of the pan. This is super annoying to clean up, and it can make your whole pot of rice taste burned.
Just remove the lid towards the end of cooking (watch out for steam burns), and give the rice a good stir to see if anything is sticking and if there is still liquid. If all the liquid is gone, turn off the heat and the rice is ready to rest and be served. If there is still liquid, let it cook a little longer, but keep your eye on it!
If you want to be able to "set and forget" about your rice I recommend cooking brown basmati rice in the Instant Pot or the rice cooker instead.
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.
- Oil-some people add 1 tablespoon of oil at the beginning of the cooking process. I personally prefer to add butter after cooking.
- Spices - you can add a bit of spice, such as garlic or cumin, to the pot at the beginning as well.
- Onions- sauteing onions (and /or garlic) in the pot before adding the water and rice is another great way to add a boost of deliciousness to your brown basmati rice.
Nutrition
The following nutrition label is for ½ cup cooked brown basmati rice.
Brown basmati rice is considered a whole grain and therefore has various nutritional benefits over white basmati rice, including being higher in fiber and having more magnesium, vitamin E, zinc, potassium, and phosphorus.
Equipment
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Here are some kitchen tools that might help you make this recipe perfectly. Just click on the picture to find out more about the product.
You'll want to use a fine mesh sieve when rinsing your jasmine rice so the small grains don't fall through any larger holes that might be on a regular colander.
I love my pots and pans that have glass lids so I can see how much water has been absorbed without needing to remove the lid.
Storage and Reheating
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 tips
- I know I already mentioned this, but the most important thing to remember when cooking brown basmati rice on the stove is to make sure it doesn't burn at the end! See the instructions section for how to prevent this from happening.
- It's good to keep in mind that 1 cup of uncooked rice usually yields around 2 cups of cooked rice.
If you'd like to learn more about the ins and outs of brown rice, check out "A Complete Guide to Brown Rice."
FAQ
You will always use 2 cups of water to 1 cup of uncooked brown basmati rice when cooking on the stove.
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.
When cooked on the stove, brown basmati rice is ready in about 30 minutes.
Because it still has the outer bran layer, brown basmati rice is considered healthier than white rice. The outer bran layer contains more nutrients and fiber. See the nutrition section for a full run down.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with brown basmati rice:
I hope you found this guide helpful! Let me know your favorite way to eat brown basmati rice in the comments. And please leave a rating. It really helps me out.
✌️Ems
📖 Recipe
How to Cook Brown Basmati Rice
Ingredients
- 1 cup brown basmati rice
- 2 cups water
Instructions
- Thoroughly rinse your brown basmati rice under water. This removes any dust from storage or starch that has built up.
- Add 1 cup rice, 2 cups of water, and optional ½ teaspoon salt to a medium sauce pan. Bring mixture to a boil.
- Once boiling, cover the pot with a lid and reduce the heat to a simmer. Let simmer for 22-25 minutes.*
- When water is fully absorbed, turn off the heat and let the brown basmati rice rest for 5 minutes. Now you're ready to enjoy!
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