Perfect Brown Rice (Stove or Instant Pot)

Name: Perfect Brown Rice (Stove or Instant Pot)
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 32 min
Ingredients: 200 g brown basmati rice (see note below); cold water (for boiling)

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Perfect brown rice that's fluffy and nutty whether cooked on the stove or instant pot. Ideal as a side for curries, rice bowls and stews.

Oh the magic and elusive nature of perfect brown rice! If you've ever found yourself pondering the mysteries of achieving that ideal texture – where each grain of brown rice stands distinct yet delightfully fluffy – you're not alone. Cooking brown rice might seem like a straightforward task, but let me tell you, there's a knack to it! Anyone who's ever ended up with a sad wet bowl of brown rice that's somehow undercooked AND overdone - this is the post for you!

Picture this: a kitchen filled with the nutty aroma of whole grains, the anticipation of a meal that not only nourishes the body but also tantalises the taste buds. Today, we embark on a journey into the heart of brown rice mastery. I'll tell you which grains to use, which to avoid and I'll even give you two methods for cooking brown rice: stove-top OR in an instant pot! So get the chilli cooking, because this brown rice recipe is the perfect start to any wholesome, hearty meal!

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🍚 Why Cook Brown Rice?
🍛 Perfect Brown Rice in an Instant Pot
🥘 Stove-top Method
🤷‍♀️ Perfect Brown Rice FAQs
Perfect Brown Rice (Stove or Instant Pot)

🍚 Why Cook Brown Rice?

OK, let's dive into the epic battle of the grains: brown rice versus white rice. So, here's the scoop on why brown rice is basically the superhero of the rice world. First off, brown rice retains more of the good stuff – namely fibre and protein - than white rice. It's like the Avengers of the grain universe, with antioxidants and nutrients teaming up to fight for your health.

Now, let's talk about the whole "processing" drama. White rice is technically processed, which means it goes through this intense refining process that strips away the outer layers, leaving it kinda naked in terms of nutrients. Brown rice, on the other hand, keeps it real – it's got the whole grain package intact. So, when you're chowing down on that nutty goodness, you're not just enjoying a tasty bowl of carbs; you're giving your body a nutrient-packed power-up.

🍛 Perfect Brown Rice in an Instant Pot

As always, the full recipe is in the card at the bottom of this page, but let's take a visual run-through of how to cook perfect rice. First, here's how to cook it in an instant pot!

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1. Wash the rice. This removes any starch from the exterior of the grains and makes sure the cooked rice doesn't clump together in one big ball. That ain't good! Just submerge in water and rub through your fingers.

2. Drain the rice: Now we drain off all the water. If you have the time, leave the rice to drip dry for a few mins. This means the rice is dry when going into the pot, and won't throw off our rice to water ratio.

3. Cover with water: Now we put the rice into the instant pot and cover with the perfect amount of water. The ratio for cooking brown rice in the instant pot is 1:1.25. That means if you put one cup of dry brown rice in the pot, you'll need to cover it with 1 and ¼ cups of water.

4. Cook the rice: Seal the lid and make sure the steam valve is closed on the top of the instant pot. Cook on high pressure for 18 mins then let the pressure release naturally for 10 mins. Release any extra steam and leave to rest/steam for a further 5 mins. Hey presto! Perfect brown rice!

🥘 Stove-top Method

The first two steps from above (washing and draining the rice) are the same for this method! When cooking brown rice on the stove, you'll want to follow these steps:

1. Cook the rice: Cover with twice the amount of water (1:2 ratio of rice to water) and bring to a simmer. Immediately cover with a lid and reduce to the lowest temp possible for 25 mins.

2. Steam the rice: Now the rice is cooked, we need to remove the lid and take the rice off the heat. Cover with a tea towel and cover with the lid again. The tea towel traps the steam in the pan and cooks the rice to fluffy perfection.

🤷‍♀️ Perfect Brown Rice FAQs

Q: What is the ratio of rice to water for perfect brown rice?

A: This depends on your method for cooking the brown rice. For stove-top brown rice, the ideal ratio of rice to water is 1:2 (meaning twice as much water, by volume, to rice). For instant pot brown rice, use 1:1.25 ratio.

Q: Is brown rice gluten free?

A: Yes, brown rice is naturally gluten-free. It is an excellent alternative for individuals with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease. However, it's crucial to ensure that cross-contamination does not occur during processing or cooking. Check labels and purchase from reputable sources to guarantee the absence of gluten contamination.

Q: Can brown rice be reheated?

A: Yes, but with care! Only reheat rice if it was refrigerated immediately after cooling and is no more than 1 day old. To safely reheat brown rice, place the desired amount in a microwave-safe container and add a tablespoon or two of water to maintain moisture. Cover the container with a microwave-safe lid, then heat on medium power in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between, until piping hot throughout. Do not reheat rice more than once.

Looking for something to serve your brown rice with? Why not try my smoky three bean chilli?