How to cook brown rice

Nutty, chewy and toasted first for extra flavor.

Time: 1 hr 10 min · Difficulty: Easy · 5 steps

What you need

Steps

  1. Rinse the rice

    Water pouring from a jug over brown rice in a strainer resting on a bowl

    Put 1 cup of brown rice in a mesh strainer and pour cold water over it, shaking gently, until the water runs clear.

    Tip: shake off the extra water

  2. Toast it in butter

    A wooden spoon stirring brown rice in melted butter in a pan

    Melt a tablespoon of butter in the saucepan over medium heat. Stir the rice in it for about 2 minutes, until it smells toasty.

    Tip: nutty smell = ready

  3. Add water and boil

    A measuring cup pouring water into a pot of brown rice

    Pour in 2¼ cups of water and a big pinch of salt. Turn the heat to high and bring it to a rolling boil.

    Tip: brown rice is thirsty

  4. Cover and simmer

    Turn the heat to low and cover with the lid. Brown rice still has its bran coat, so it needs about three times longer than white rice.

    Tip: no peeking!

  5. Rest and fluff

    Take the pan off the heat with the lid still on and let it sit. Then fluff the rice with a fork.

    Tip: resting finishes the cooking

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