Minute Rice is a convenient way to cook rice mainly because it is partially cooked before it’s packaged. Instead of the 20 to 40 minutes traditional rice takes to cook, Minute Rice only needs a few minutes in boiling water before you have a delicious side dish. Can you use your rice cooker to cook Minute Rice?
You can use Minute Rice in your rice cooker, but it may not give the best results. Rice cookers are created to cook all varieties of regular rice, not Minute Rice. Most rice cooker cycles last too long and will end up overcooking your Minute Rice.
Can You Cook Minute Rice In A Rice Cooker?
Yes, you can cook Minute Rice in a rice cooker. Rice cookers can cook all types of rice, but they work best with long, medium, or short-grain rice. It may burn or turn mushy if you cook Minute Rice in your rice cooker. Minute Rice is designed to be cooked on the stovetop.
Cooking Minute Rice in your rice cooker will take longer than cooking it on the stovetop. White Minute Rice cooks for about five minutes on the stovetop. Brown Minute Rice takes about 10 minutes on the stovetop. If you use your rice cooker, it may take closer to 20 minutes to cook your Minute Rice.
If you only have a box of Minute Rice and a rice cooker, use what you have. Your rice cooker will cook your rice, even if it doesn’t turn out perfectly. You’ll still have a nutritious, healthy dish to eat with your meal.
What Is Minute Rice?
Minute rice is a long-grain rice. It’s precooked and then dehydrated before it’s packaged. Since it’s almost fully cooked, you just need to finish cooking it before eating. Minute rice is designed to cook in under 10 minutes on the stovetop.
Minute rice comes in different varieties, including:
- White
- Brown and Wild Rice
- Brown
- Jasmine
- Yellow
- Chicken and Herb
How Do You Cook Minute Rice In A Rice Cooker?
Cook Minute Rice in your rice cooker the same way you cook regular rice.
- Add the desired amount of rice from the box or package.
- Add water. Usually, one cup of Minute Rice requires one cup of water. Check the instructions for the exact amount of water you need.
- Push your machine’s “Quick Cook” or “Flash Cook” setting. Push the “White Rice” setting if you don’t have a quick setting.
- Once your machine finishes, let your rice rest for five minutes before fluffing and serving.
As the package directs, it’s best to cook Minute Rice on the stovetop. In a pinch, though, you can cook Minute Rice in your rice cooker.
3 Tips For Cooking Minute Rice In Your Rice Cooker
I don’t enjoy Minute Rice from the rice cooker. I find it quicker and easier to boil it on the stovetop. However, not everyone has access to a stove to boil water. If you need to use your rice cooker for Minute Rice, follow these tips:
- Don’t rinse Minute Rice–adding extra moisture to this rice increases the likelihood it turns out mushy.
- Monitor your rice while cooking–open the lid and check on it every few minutes during the cycle. This method will help prevent your rice from overcooking.
- Let it rest–let your rice rest for about five minutes after cooking so it becomes fluffy.
Do You Add Water To Minute Rice?
Yes, you should add water to Minute Rice. Minute Rice needs a 1:1 water ratio: one cup of Minute Rice to one cup of water. You can cook Minute Rice quickly on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Can You Substitute Minute Rice For Regular Rice?
You can substitute Minute Rice for regular rice if you cook the rice separately from the dish. Cook your rice as directed on the package and serve it with the rest of your meal.
If your recipe calls for rice cooked with the rest of the ingredients, like in a casserole, stick with the type of rice the recipe calls for. If you substitute Minute Rice for regular rice, your rice will overcook and become mushy. If you substitute regular rice for Minute Rice, your rice won’t cook thoroughly and will still be hard when the rest of your meal finishes cooking.
Can You Use Any Rice In A Rice Cooker?
You can use any rice in a rice cooker. Rice cookers cook jasmine, basmati, brown, white, and wild rice. They also cook other grains and can steam meat and veggies. They are quite versatile kitchen appliances.
The Bottom Line
You can cook Minute Rice in a rice cooker, but it may not be the best quality. Minute Rice cooks best on the stovetop or in the microwave.