They say brown rice is a healthy choice to put on your plate. But if you’ve had brown rice, chances are you may not have been convinced. It can taste a little blah, and the texture can feel dry and unwelcoming.
No wonder everyone tends to go for white rice!
However, if you learn how to make brown rice taste better, you will soon see how wonderful it can be on your plate. And you will start choosing it more often over white rice to serve with your meals.
Cooking Tips for How to Make Brown Rice Taste Better
When it comes to making brown rice better, the first step is in your preparation. You may find that the usual ratio of liquid to rice at 1:2 may not make your brown rice any better.
That’s why you should boil 6 cups of water, then add one cup of brown rice. Cook it uncovered and let it boil for 30 minutes. Then you can strain any remaining liquid away.
You can also choose to use broth as your liquid (vegetable, chicken, or beef) to instantly infuse it with more flavor. With this cooking method, you can master the texture of brown rice and make it more enjoyable.
However, even if you use broth to give it more taste, it might not be enough to win you over. And if you’ve got kids at your dinner table, you’re going to need to do a little more to convince them that brown rice is delicious.
Fortunately, you can season it to liven it up and make it a match for any meal!
Make Brown Rice Taste Better with These Simple Tricks
Brown rice doesn’t have to be bland and boring. Once you get the liquid-to-rice ratio right and improve the texture, making it taste better is easy!
Use Garlic Salt
Perhaps the easiest trick for making brown rice taste better is to add garlic salt. Simply shake it on right after straining out any leftover water, mix it up, and serve.
Try Bouillon
Serve your brown rice with a simple grilled chicken breast, which will taste like it came from a restaurant if you use bouillon. When boiling your rice, throw a cube or granules into the water to boost the flavor.
Add Beans
Add a can of black beans, pinto beans, or red beans to your brown rice for a one-dish delight on the heartier side. You can season it with a hint of salt and cumin to give it a Tex-Mex taste, perfect for serving with your taco night.
Or Add Salsa
With or without the beans, you can put some salsa into your brown rice. Adding just a little cumin and fresh cilantro will make this a flavor everyone craves for dinner!
Get Saucy
You can tailor your brown rice to any meal by adding a little sauce right after it’s done cooking. Just a dash of soy sauce will help you pair it with almost any Asian dish. You can also liven it up with a dash of tabasco or hot sauce, especially for something served with a Cajun-style meal.
Make it Meaty
With a healthy meal of veggies, why not make your brown rice taste better with a little meat? Likely, you’ve noticed that’s what makes fried rice from your local Chinese takeout place so amazing – all those little bits of tasty pork. Make a dirty rice style with cooked ground beef or sliced sausage; the whole family will fight over the last bit of your brown rice.
Butter is Better
When you have very little to work with, you can make brown rice taste better by adding butter and pepper. It’s so simple, yet it works beautifully for making brown rice a nice side that goes well with any home-cooked meal.
Change It Up with Cheese
While it’s not the healthiest way to make brown rice taste better, you can jazz it up with cheese. Cheddar works great for most meals though if you want something with a bit more Italian flair, give it some freshly-grated parmesan.
Add Something Acidic
Depending on how you’re going to serve your brown rice, you may find that adding vinegar can give it a fun new flavor. Apple cider vinegar or balsamic vinegar can help by adding a slight sweetness to liven up your rice. Or you can use fresh-squeezed lemon juice with olive oil and salt and pepper for a healthy, refreshing, and incredibly tasty brown rice dish.
Fill It with Veggies
Now that you’ve got texture figured out, you can make sure you eat more veggies (and your kids do, too!) by adding veggies to your brown rice. The best way to accomplish this is by making half the liquid ratio water and the other half a salsa or vegetable juice. Tomato juice and carrot juice will work best here, so use them for cooking the rice. The color will look brilliant, the flavor will be wonderful, and it will be even more nutritious.
Alternatively, you can add sauteed veggies to the rice right after cooking. Sauté up diced yellow onions and then add some peas. Or throw in a handful of spinach as the rice finishes so it will wilt up perfectly right before you serve it.
Let the Mediterranean Inspire You
Mediterranean cuisine is always so full of flavor yet so nutritious. When you’re making something elegant from this region, like braised meats or even a dish of lemon chicken, try adding a tablespoon or two of toasted pine nuts to your cooked brown rice. This will give it a fun crunch as well as more flavor. Or, if you’d rather have a sweeter way to bring the Mediterranean to your table, add in dried cranberries. You can also combine them together for a sophisticated meal.
Bring the Flavors of Japan
Another way to let the texture and flavor shine in making brown rice better is to use Japanese flavors. You’ll love this with grilled meats or when serving Japanese meals like tonkatsu. After you cook your rice using the ratios discussed above, add a tablespoon of rice vinegar, steamed shelled edamame, thinly-sliced scallions, and toasted sesame seeds.
A drizzle of sesame oil also works if you don’t have sesame seeds. And if you have miso-paste, you should most definitely add it in. It will give your bland brown rice an umami flavor, with everyone gobbling up every last grain from their plates.
Or Give It an Indian Restaurant Vibe
Brown rice will feel boring if you serve it with Indian curries and dishes. The reason the rice at Indian restaurants has such a lovely flavor is because it is cooked with aromatics. You can give your brown rice a taste everyone will love as you explore this cuisine in your kitchen by simply adding a few things.
Put a cinnamon stick, some whole cloves (about 6 should do it), and add 2 whole garlic cloves to your liquid as you cook your brown rice. When the rice is finished, remove those add-ins and serve for aromatic and flavorful brown rice.
Use Fresh Herbs
There’s a way to make brown rice taste better with any meal you serve, regardless of the cuisine you’re pairing it with. The answer lies in fresh herbs. You’ll want to add ¼-cup to a ½-cup of fresh chopped herbs after the rice is fully cooked, then serve promptly. You can use parsley, basil, cilantro, scallions, thyme, rosemary, sage, or even a combination of them all.
A little squeeze of lemon can also bring out the flavor, making it a lovely match for roasted meats. Or you can use a squeeze of lime, especially when using cilantro, to give it that Tex-Mex taste.
Try a Caribbean Twist
Steal a page from Caribbean cooking using light coconut milk as the liquid for brown rice that is never boring. You’ll also want to add ½ teaspoon of ground allspice, salt, ground cloves, and a little dried thyme. These sweet and savory flavors come together for bold, excellent tastes with jerk chicken, Hawaiian chicken, or any other grilled meal.
Make Curry Rice
No matter what you’re making as your main dish, one way for how to make brown rice taste better is with curry powder. You’ll want to sauté a diced onion in olive oil until it’s lightly browned, then add your rice, a little salt, and curry powder. Stir this together so the rice is coated well, then, add your liquid and cook. You can use water here, though using broth will ensure this curry rice kicks butt at your dinner table.
Toast the Rice First
You probably noticed in the curry rice suggestion above that it calls for toasting the grains before adding in the liquid. You can do this with any type of brown rice improvement from this list. Toasting those dry grains in a little butter or olive oil gives it so much more flavor, like something you’d get at a restaurant. You can keep it simple or add seasonings. Experimenting with your favorites is bound to give you the most delicious results!
Use What You’re Making to Season Your Brown Rice
And finally, we have one last pro chef tip for you on how to make brown rice taste better. Take a look at your main dish and let that be your inspiration. If you’re making herby roasted chicken, try using those same herbs and seasonings in your brown rice.
You can toast the grains first or simply get right to cooking. The point is to infuse the brown rice with the main dish flavors. Bay leaves are great for creating elegant sophistication in your meals. Just be sure to remove them before serving. This is an excellent addition to curries too.
Different spices evoke different sensations, so choose coriander or cardamom for Indian or Southeast Asian dishes. Ginger or lemongrass go great for Thai or Malaysian meals. Cumin boosts Chinese and Mexican dishes, while dried herbs like oregano and thyme truly shine in French and Italian fare.
One Last Thing to Remember When Making Brown Rice Better
The secret to making brown rice taste better is all in the water-to-rice ratio. Once you master the texture, adding more flavor is easy. You can do so by swapping the water for broth or adding vegetables, spices, herbs, and seasonings to your rice. Whole spices work best in the liquid to cook with the rice, while ground or chopped seasonings are best to add after cooking and before serving.
Even toasting the rice slightly before pouring in the liquid can make big changes to the flavors. The best part is exploring all the options to make your brown rice unique every night!
FAQs
Is Brown Rice Low In Histamine?
Yes, brown rice is generally low in histamine. However, storing and cooking it properly is essential to maintain low histamine levels. Ensure that you:
- Store brown rice in a dry, cool place
- Cook it shortly after purchase
- Avoid using leftovers or rice that has been stored for an extended period
Does Brown Rice Have Yeast?
No, brown rice does not contain yeast. However, yeast may be present if the rice has been fermented or comes in contact with yeast during its processing or preparation.
Can You Cook Brown Rice And Quinoa Together?
Yes, you can cook brown rice and quinoa together. To do so:
- Rinse both grains thoroughly
- Combine them in a 1:1 ratio
- Use a 2:1 water-to-grains ratio
- Bring to a boil and then cook on low for 30-35 minutes.
What Does Brown Rice Taste Like?
It has a mild, nutty flavor and a more distinct taste than white rice due to its bran and germ layers, which provide additional nutrients and fiber.
Can You Freeze Cooked Brown Rice?
Yes, you can freeze cooked brown rice. To do so:
- Allow the rice to cool completely
- Divide it into desired portions
- Place the portions in airtight containers or freezer bags
- Label and date the bags or containers
- Freeze for up to 3 months
Is Brown Rice Vegan?
Yes, brown rice is vegan.