• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Incredible Bulks
  • Ingredients
  • Tutorials
  • Recipes
  • About Us
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Ingredients
  • Tutorials
  • Recipes
  • About Us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Ingredients
    • Tutorials
    • Recipes
    • About Us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Recipes

    Perfect Brown Rice in a Rice Cooker

    Published: Apr 28, 2023 by Emily

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Using a rice cooker is the easiest way to make perfect brown rice.  With its nutty flavor, chewy texture, and nutritional benefits, you'll love this whole-grain brown rice recipe.  In this guide, you'll learn all the simple steps to make both long-grain and short-grain brown rice.  

    cooked short grain brown rice in the bowl of a rice cooker.

    You might have noticed that there are several different types of rice, like brown, white, basmati, and jasmine.  It seems like here in the United States, white rice is the most popular, but brown rice is becoming more common.  And this is great because brown rice is considered a healthy whole grain! (Check out the nutrition section for more info on why whole grains are so great). 

    Brown rice actually comes from the exact same grain as white rice, but it still has its outer bran layer intact.  Not only does this give brown rice more nutritional benefits, it also gives it a bit of a nutty flavor. Having the outer layer also makes the rice have a longer cooking time.   

    Whole grain brown rice comes in several varieties, like jasmine, basmati, short grain, and long grain.  Today we are going to focus on cooking two types of brown rice that have similar cook times and water ratio needs: long grain and short grain.  

    You should be able to easily find long grain brown rice on the shelves of your local grocery store.  The bulk bins are a great place to find the more unique varieties of brown rice, like short grain, brown jasmine rice, and brown basmati rice.  

    Using a rice cooker is my favorite method of cooking rice.  The best thing about it is that you can just turn it on and walk away without worrying that the rice might burn.  

    Let's get started!

    Jump to:
    • 🥫 Ingredients
    • 📖 Instructions
    • 🔁 Substitutions
    • 🥣 Storage and Reheating
    • 💪 Nutrition
    • ✨ Top tips
    • 🍽️ Equipment
    • FAQ
    • Related
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Reviews

    🥫 Ingredients

    a measuring cup of brown rice, a measuring cup of water and a wooden spoon on a table.

    All you need for this easy recipe is just two ingredients!

    • water
    • long or short grain brown rice

    You might be wondering what the difference between the two lengths are, and when you should use each. When cooked, short grain rice tends to be stickier, while long grain rice ends up having more individual grains. 

    Because it's sticky, short grain rice is great in sushi and for risotto recipes. Long-grain is great in pretty much anything else!

    I purposely left this recipe very plain so that you can use your brown rice as a side dish to basically any of your favorite recipes.  Check out the substitution section if you'd like some ideas on how to add more flavor to your rice. 

    📖 Instructions

    brown jasmine rice being rinsed in the sink in a metal sieve.

    It's a good idea to start by rinsing your uncooked rice with cool water under the tap.  While this step is not completely necessary, it does remove any excess starch that has built up in storage.  Extra starch makes your rice clump together.

    adding water to the bowl of a rice cooker that is already filled with uncooked brown rice.

    Add 1 cup of rice and 2 cups of water to the rice cooker pot.  (You can cook more than just one cup of rice at a time*, just keep the water ratio at 2:1).

    a person pushing the button on a rice cooker to turn it on.

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

    Brown rice being cooked by a rice cooker.

    Once your rice cooker alerts you that it is done, let the rice rest for 5 minutes to finish absorbing water.  Then remove the lid carefully, watching out for steam. Use a fork or rice paddle to fluff up your rice. Your perfect brown rice is ready for eating!

    Tip:  Never remove the lid during the cooking process!  This will cause the rice cooker to lose all its steam and you'll end up with crunchy rice.

    *I find that in my rice cooker, 2 cups is the maximum I can fit. If you want to make more than that, consider using a pressure cooker. 

    🔁 Substitutions

    Here are some ideas on how to jazz up your rice.   

    • Broth - instead of water, you can use vegetable, beef, or chicken 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.  Make sure the spices complement the dish you are serving the rice with.  
    • Salt, Pepper, and Butter- Once your brown rice is done cooking, adding a tablespoon of butter and a little salt and pepper makes it taste AMAZING!   You could use olive oil instead of butter.
    • Soy Sauce- drizzle a little on top of your cooked brown rice for an Asian flavor.  

    🥣 Storage and Reheating

    Any leftover rice should be stored in an airtight 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.

    💪 Nutrition

    As mentioned before, brown rice doesn't mean the rice is brown in color.  It means that the rice grain still has its outer layer on it, making it a whole grain.  

    One of the biggest reasons you might want to eat whole grains is because of the amount of dietary fiber they provide.  A diet high in dietary fiber can lead to weight loss because it helps you feel full faster and longer, which helps prevent overeating. It also prevents constipation, aka tummy troubles, and helps lower the risk of heart disease.

    Check out long grain brown rice's nutrition label:

    Nutrition Facts
    Perfect Brown Rice in a Rice Cooker
    Serving Size
     
    0.5 cup
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    171
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    1
    g
    2
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    0.3
    g
    2
    %
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    0.5
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    0.5
    g
    Sodium
     
    9
    mg
    0
    %
    Potassium
     
    103
    mg
    3
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    36
    g
    12
    %
    Fiber
     
    2
    g
    8
    %
    Sugar
     
    0.4
    g
    0
    %
    Protein
     
    4
    g
    8
    %
    Calcium
     
    14
    mg
    1
    %
    Iron
     
    1
    mg
    6
    %
    * 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.

    Whole grains also have less of an effect on your blood sugar levels, which is great if you are a person with diabetes.  Fun fact, long grain rice has a lower glycemic index score (65) than short grain (76).  To read more about how brown rice affects your blood sugar check out "Brown Rice-The Healthier Hue for You".

    ✨ Top tips

    • Every electric rice cooker is different, and if yours has a lot of advanced settings, you should consult your user's manual and follow any specific instructions it lists before following this recipe. 
    • Because each rice cooker is different, cook time may vary.
    • Oftentimes rice cookers will come with a measuring cup, but they can vary in size.  I recommend using a standard measuring cup to measure out the rice and a standard liquid measuring cup for the water for best results.  
    • One cup of uncooked rice usually makes about 2 cups of cooked rice.  
    • The average recommended serving size is ½ cup of cooked rice per person.

    🍽️ Equipment

    You really don't need a fancy rice cooker to make delicious and perfect brown jasmine 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.

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

    FAQ

    What is the water ratio when cooking brown rice in a rice cooker?

    The ratio of water to brown rice in a rice cooker is always 2:1, meaning two cups of water for every cup of brown rice.  
    So if you are cooking 2 cups of brown rice, you'll need 4 cups of water.

    Does brown rice need more water than white rice when using a rice cooker?

    Yes, because it still has its outer bran layer, brown rice is tougher and therefore needs more water to become soft.

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

    The cook time will depend on how much rice you cook and also your rice cooker. More rice takes longer to cook.  But one cup of rice generally takes about 45 minutes. Time may vary with different rice cookers. 

    Related

    Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

    • a pot full of cooked parboiled rice. A fork is digging in.
      How to Cook Parboiled Rice: Make it Perfect Every Time!
    • four ramekins of blended baked oatmeal along with some spoons.
      The 6 Best Blended Oatmeal Recipes: a New Way to Eat Oats
    • Cooked short-grain brown rice in the bowl of an instant pot.
      Instant Pot Short Grain Brown Rice
    • a bowl of old-fashioned oatmeal next to a bowl of quick oats. Two spoons are next to the bowl as well as a cup of brown sugar and some raisins.
      Old-Fashioned Oats vs Quick Oats

    I hope this tutorial was helpful to you! Please give this recipe a rating, it really helps me out.

    ✌️ Ems

    📖 Recipe

    cooked short grain brown rice in the bowl of a rice cooker.

    Perfect Brown Rice in a Rice Cooker

    5 from 2 votes
    Prep Time: 2 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 45 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4 people
    Calories: 171kcal
    Using a rice cooker is the easiest way to make perfect brown rice! This recipe works with both long and short grain.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup short or long grain brown rice see notes for the difference between types of grain.
    • 2 cups water

    Instructions

    • It's a good idea to start by rinsing your uncooked rice with cool water under the tap.  While this step is not completely necessary, it does remove any excess starch that has built up in storage.  Extra starch makes your rice clump together.
    • Add 1 cup of rice and 2 cups of water to the rice cooker pot.  
    • If your rice cooker has different settings, turn it to the brown rice setting. Place the lid on the rice cooker and press the button to turn it on.  
    • Once your rice cooker alerts you that it is done, let the rice rest for 5 minutes to finish absorbing water.  Then remove the lid carefully, watching out for steam. Use a fork or rice paddle to fluff up your rice. Your perfect brown rice is ready for eating!
    Did you try this recipe?Please give it a star rating or leave a comment!

    Notes

    You can cook more than just one cup of rice at a time just keep the water ratio at 2:1.  
    I find that in my rice cooker, 2 cups is the maximum I can fit. If you want to make more than that, consider using a pressure cooker. 
    When cooked, short grain rice tends to be stickier, while long grain rice ends up having more individual grains. 
    Because it's sticky, short grain rice is great in sushi and for risotto recipes. Long-grain is great in pretty much anything else!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 0.5cup | Calories: 171kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Sodium: 9mg | Potassium: 103mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 0.4g | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 1mg

    More Recipes

    • two bowls of brown rice with salt and pepper shakers.
      How to Cook Brown Jasmine Rice
    • A small bowl of brown basmati rice next to an Instant Pot.
      Instant Pot Brown Basmati Rice
    • a small bowl of wild rice next to a rice cooker full of cooked wild rice.
      Cooking Wild Rice in a Rice Cooker
    • a small bowl of cooked wild rice on a wooden table.
      How to Cook Wild Rice

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    woman holding tray of breads

    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! 

    More about me →

    blogherads.adq.push(['flexrec', 'skm-ad-flexrec-1']);

    Popular

    • A bowl of barley and an Instant Pot
      How to Cook Barley in the Instant Pot
    • 10 apple chips on an air fryer tray. A towel is underneath and 2 apples are next to it.
      Quick and Easy Air Fryer Apple Chips
    • 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
    • A small bowl of wheat berries next to an Instant Pot.
      Easy Instant Pot Wheat Berries

    Seasonal

    • a bowl of vegetarian wheat berry chili. cheese is melted on top of the chili and there are corn chips sprinkled about.
      Easy Instant Pot Vegetarian Chili with Wheat Berries
    • white rice and sweet and sour chicken on a plate. It is garnished with green onions and sesame seed.
      Sweet and Sour Chicken
    • 2 bowls of Mexican Bean and Barley Soup. Carrots, zucchini and corn also make this soup great. theincrediblebulks.com
      Mexican Bean and Barley Soup
    • 2 slices of bread. One of them has strawberry jam on it. There is a loaf of bread in the background and a jar of jam. theincrediblebulks.com
      The Best Whole Wheat Bread

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Web Stories

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 The Incredible Bulks