Have you wondered if you can cook rice in beef stock instead of water? Will it make a huge difference?
One day, I accidentally purchased beef stock instead of chicken stock and thought, “Can I cook rice in beef stock?” Well, I decided to do it, and the results did not disappoint!
You can cook rice in beef stock just like you do with water or chicken stock. Beef stock enhances the rice’s flavor, improves its texture, and adds nutrients. The quantity of beef stock used to cook rice is the same as the quantity of water required.
Why Cook Rice in Beef Stock?
Since I discovered that I can cook rice in beef stock, I have stopped using water. Trust me, once you start, there is no going back.
Below are the reasons why I prefer cooking rice in beef stock over water.
1. Flavor Enhancement
I have never liked plain rice, so I am always looking out for ways to make it more flavorful.
One of my go-to options is cooking rice in beef stock. It’s easy and quick and turns plain rice into an appetizing dish.
Beef stock imparts a strong, savory flavor to the rice. Sometimes, the rice may also taste herby if the beef stock contains dried or fresh herbs.
2. Improves Texture
Apart from taste, beef stock can enhance the texture by making your rice slightly creamier.
The beef stock has a gelatinous consistency because of the presence of collagen from beef bones.
Therefore, the grains absorb the beef stock, becoming fluffier and creamier.
3. Added Nutrients
Using beef stock instead of water improves the nutrient content of your rice.
Beef stock is rich in protein and collagen, which help with muscle growth, healthy skin, and better joints.
Additionally, it may contain other nutrients from the vegetables used for preparing the stock.
How to Cook Rice in Beef Stock?
Initially, I thought cooking rice in beef stock would have a separate cooking process. Thankfully, there are no extra steps required.
Step 1: Soak the Rice
This step is important unless you are using a long-grain rice variety, like basmati or jasmine rice.
Soaking the rice removes the extra starch from the grains. As starch is responsible for the stickiness in rice, this step ensures that the cooked grains come out fluffy.
I have also observed that soaking speeds up the cooking time of rice.
All you need to do in this step is transfer one cup of rice to a large bowl.
Then, soak it in water for about six to seven hours.
Step 2: Rinse and Wash the Rice
Once you have soaked the rice for a few hours, it’s time to rinse and wash it! This step removes both impurities and extra starch from your rice grains.
First, strain the soaked rice grains using a sieve.
Then, place the sieve under running water and rinse the grains twice or until the drained water runs clear.
Step 3: Cook the Rice
Let’s get to the main step of cooking rice in beef stock.
First, combine one cup of rinsed rice and beef stock in a cooking pot. Keep in mind that the quantity of beef stock differs as per the rice variety.
- Basmati rice: 1 ½ cups beef broth per cup.
- Jasmine rice: 1 ¼ cups beef broth per cup.
- Medium-grain rice: 1 ⅓ cups beef broth per cup.
- Short-grain rice: 1 cup beef broth per cup.
- Brown rice: 2 cups beef broth per cup.
I have added 1 ¼ cups of beef broth, as I have used jasmine rice.
Next, add half a teaspoon of salt to the rice. If your beef broth contains salt, skip this step to avoid overly salty rice.
Allow the rice to cook over medium-high heat with the lid off until the water starts boiling.
Then, close the lid and cook the rice over medium-low heat for at least 20 to 25 minutes for long-grain varieties like basmati or jasmine rice.
The cooking time also differs depending on the rice variety.
Step 4: Check If the Rice is Cooked
Open the lid to check if the rice is cooked. The grains should feel fluffy and soft and give off a floral aroma.
If the rice looks undercooked or feels hard and chewy, add two to three tablespoons of beef stock. Cook it over low heat for a few extra minutes.
Once done, fluff the rice with a fork and serve it hot!
How to Make Homemade Beef Stock?
There have been times when I couldn’t find beef stock around me. As a result, I found the perfect recipe to make homemade beef stock from scratch. It is healthy, easy, and contains no harmful ingredients!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon of oil
- Salt and pepper (as required)
- ½ chopped onion
- ½ chopped carrot
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 pound of meaty beef bones
- 4 cups of water
Method
1. Heat one tablespoon of oil in a huge cooking pot.
2. Add half chopped onion, half chopped carrot, one bay leaf, and one pound of meaty beef bones to the cooking pot. Sprinkle salt and pepper, as required.
3. Sauté everything until the bones turn deep brown.
4. Then, pour four cups of water into the cooking pot and let it simmer.
5. Continue simmering the broth until the stock is reduced to about one cup. It may take up to an hour or more.
6. Once you have prepared the stock, let it cool to room temperature and refrigerate.
You can also check out this YouTube video to make the perfect beef stock.
Chicken or Beef Stock – Which is Better for Rice?
Both chicken and beef stock impart unique flavors and textures to the rice.
Beef stock has a strong beefy flavor, which can be slightly overpowering. In contrast, chicken stock has a much lighter and more delicate flavor than beef stock.
I suggest using beef stock when you want a more flavorful and meaty rice dish without adding extra ingredients.
However, chicken stock is a better option if you don’t want your rice to be overpowered by the strong meaty taste.
You should also avoid beef stock if you plan to add more ingredients to your rice.
Final Thoughts
Beef stock is one of the best ingredients to make your rice flavorful. The best part is that you don’t need to put in any extra effort.
Simply cook the rice in beef stock, and you will have a delicious dish ready!
FAQs
Can I use beef stock in a rice cooker?
You can use beef stock to cook rice in a rice cooker instead of water. Just add the rice to the rice cooker and pour in beef stock.
Can you make basmati rice with beef broth?
Cooking basmati rice in beef broth can make it more flavorful. Just boil 1 cup of basmati rice in 1 ½ cups of beef broth, cook it over medium-low heat for about 25 minutes, and you’re good to go!
Can you make minute rice with beef broth?
As per the official brand page, you can make minute rice by cooking it in beef broth. Just use one cup of beef broth for one cup of minute rice.
Can you make jasmine rice with beef broth?
You can make jasmine rice with beef broth. Add 1 ¼ cups of beef broth to 1 cup of jasmine rice and cook over medium-low heat for about 20 to 25 minutes.
