How To Make Boiled Brown Rice

When you're ready to try your hand at boiled brown rice, here are some options to choose from:

*(Refer to the Brown Rice Recipes main page to learn how to select and clean & prep your brown rice.)

Option 1: Begin by mixing your drained pre-soaked brown rice and fresh water together in a pot with a lid. (The ratio of rice to water is 1 1/2 cups water for every 1 cup of rice.)

Over high heat, bring the rice and water, uncovered, to a boil. When the water starts boiling, cover, and reduce the heat to low. Allow the rice to simmer for 20-40 minutes.

(Why the great time difference? The water content of your rice is dependent upon the age, which is nearly impossible to know. Once you purchase your rice from one particular source, chances are the cooking time will be the same for all successive batches you buy.)

Next, turn off the heat -- your boiled brown rice is almost done! But first you must let the rice sit in the covered pot for about 10 minutes more.

If you get busy and realize your rice has been sitting for a half hour (eek!), no worries! It's okay to let it sit longer, but just don't let it sit for LESS THAN that 10 minutes. Just keep in mind that the longer you let it sit, the less chewy it will be. I, for one, like my rice to have a bite, not to be soft and sticky, so experiment with your times -- 10 minutes is usually perfect.

You can use the above method with non-pre-soaked brown rice too. Just increase the water to 2 1/4 cups per 1 cup of rice. Follow directions as above but cook for 45 minutes instead.**

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Option 2: Otherwise known as the "Pasta Method". Some cooks swear by this method. Just boil a big pot of water. Toss in the rice. Let boil for 30-45 minutes until tender. Then drain in a colander. Give this method a try -- it might work perfectly for you!

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Option 3: Pilaf Method. This is the same as Option 1, however the FIRST thing you'll add to the pot is some non-dairy butter, coconut oil, or extra-virgin olive oil. If making a "true pilaf", add onions and garlic to the pot and saute for 1-2 minutes. Otherwise, when hot add the rice and saute for a few minutes. This brings a delicious nutty flavor out of the rice. Next, add the water and follow instructions from Option 1.

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Your boiled brown rice is now ready to be used in any way you'd like. Use the Brown Rice "Vegan Flavor Matches" to create your very own recipe!

**Your water will need to be adjusted according to the amount of rice you use. The following are based on non-pre-soaked brown rice:

1 1/2 cups brown rice
3 cups water

2 cups brown rice
3 3/4 cups water

3 cups brown rice
5 1/2 cups water

(As stated above, use 1 1/2 cups water for every 1 cup of pre-soaked brown rice -- easy peasy!)

Do you have a question about boiling brown rice?
Click here to ask on the vegan Brown Rice main page.

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