Brown rice is a nutritious, filling side to add to any meal. It has a nutty flavor and slightly chewy texture. Why does brown rice take longer to cook?
Brown rice takes longer to cook because the rice grains have several layers. It takes longer for the water to penetrate and soften the grains. Brown rice takes an average of 50 minutes to cook.
How Long Does It Take To Cook Brown Rice?
It takes 40-50 minutes to cook brown rice on the stove. When I use my rice cooker, it takes 50-55 minutes to cook brown rice. If you use an Instant Pot, brown rice takes 30 minutes to cook.
Why Does Brown Rice Take 45 Minutes To Cook?
Brown rice takes about 45 minutes to cook because it has more layers of rice grain. Brown rice contains the bran, germ, and endosperm. Brown rice takes longer to soften because the water must penetrate all grain layers.
In contrast, white rice contains just the endosperm. White rice takes about half as long to cook because it includes fewer layers than brown rice.
Does Brown Rice Need More Water To Cook?
Yes, brown rice needs more water to cook. Brown rice typically needs a 2:1 water-to-rice ratio. For example, you’ll need four cups of water if you cook two cups of brown rice.
The exact amount of water you need depends on your taste preferences. If you like firm rice, add a bit less water. If you want soft rice, add a bit more water. Don’t be afraid to experiment and adjust the amount of water to find the consistency of brown rice you enjoy.
How Can I Cook Brown Rice Quickly?
There are a few ways I speed up the cooking process:
Soak Overnight
Perhaps you’ve soaked dry beans before cooking. I soak my rice the same way:
First, I measure and rinse my brown rice. Then, place the rice in a large bowl and fill the bowl with water. I let the bowl sit overnight in my refrigerator.
When I cook my rice the next day, it only takes about 30 minutes to cook. The grains have already absorbed water, so they start the cooking process already soft.
Use A Quicker Cooking Rice
Basmati rice takes about 20 minutes to cook. So, if you’re short on time, choose basmati rice. Basmati rice has an intense floral, nutty flavor that makes your kitchen smell wonderful. If you’ve never tried it, pick some up at your local grocery store or order online.
Choose Minute Rice
Minute rice is the fastest-cooking rice. Many brands offer brown minute rice. Minute rice is parboiled, so it cooks in about 10 minutes!
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Brown Rice Take Longer To Absorb Water?
It does take longer for brown rice to absorb the water. Since brown rice has more layers, it takes longer for the water to soak through the grains.
Adding more water ensures the grains absorb all they need to soften. It also helps make up for evaporation due to the longer cooking time. If you don’t add enough water, your brown rice won’t soften.
Why Is My Brown Rice Still Hard After 30 Minutes?
Brown rice needs about 45 minutes to cook. After 30 minutes, your brown rice will still be hard. Let your brown rice cook for at least 45 minutes before testing to see if it’s done. Sometimes, my brown rice takes 50-55 minutes to cook.
Why Is My Brown Rice Not Cooking?
If your brown rice isn’t cooking, make sure you’ve:
- Measured your rice correctly: heap your rice into your measuring cup and level it off with a knife.
- Soak your rice first: rinse and then soak in plenty of water for at least 30 minutes.
- Cook for at least 45 minutes.
- Let your rice rest for 10 minutes after cooking.
Final Thoughts
Brown rice takes longer to cook because it has more layers of grain. It takes longer for water to soak through the layers and soften the rice. Plan to soak your rice first and cook it for about 45 minutes.
