How to Perfectly Cook Brown Rice

By Rhonda Parkinson

Updated 05/04/18

Brown rice in bowl with wooden scoop
Lilli Day/Photodisc/Getty Images

Cooking brown rice can be a little tricky. Unlike white rice, brown rice still has mineral-rich layers of bran - the extra thickness means that brown rice takes longer to cook. For extra flavor, try cooking the rice in vegetable or chicken broth instead of water.

Difficulty: Easy

Time Required: 2 hours

What You Need

  • Brown rice
  • A medium-sized saucepan, with lid

Here's How

  1. Soak 1 cup of brown rice for 1 hour and drain.
  2. Add the rice to a medium-sized saucepan and cook, uncovered, on medium-high heat until the rice is dry (2 to 3 minutes). Stir in a small amount of salt if desired.
  3. While dry cooking the rice, bring a kettle of water to a boil. Add 2 1/4 - 2 1/2 cups boiling water to the rice and wait for the water to return to a full boil.
  4. When the water has returned to a full boil, turn the heat down to medium-low (a range setting of about 3). Cover and cook the rice until the water is fully absorbed (about 40 minutes). Do not stir the rice.
  5. Remove the rice from the heat, and let sit, still covered, for at least 10 minutes.
  6. Fluff the rice with a fork and serve.