How to Season Brown Rice

Co-authored by JoAnna Minneci

Seasoning your brown rice makes this already yummy food into a delicious addition to a number of dishes! While there is no "right way" to season brown rice, there are a few tried-and-true methods. You can toast your rice to bring out a nutty flavor, cook it in a broth for a rich and salty tang, or add various herbs and spices to create unique flavor profiles. After you get these basics down, you can change up your seasoning methods however you like in order to make your brown rice exactly how you like or match it with different dishes to build incredible, restaurant-worthy meals.

Ingredients

Toasting Your Rice

1 cup (175-185 grams) of rice
1 tablespoon (15 mL) of cooking oil or melted butter
¼-1 teaspoon (1-4 grams) of herbs and spices like oregano, pepper, parsley, or turmeric
1 tablespoon (14 grams) of aromatic seasonings like shallots, garlic, or ginger

Cooking Your Rice in Broth

1 cup (175-185 grams) of rice
2.5 cups (590 mL) of broth

Seasoning Your Rice with Herbs and Spices

2/3 cup (115-125 grams) of rice
1.3 cups (310 mL) of water
1 tablespoon (15 mL) of soy sauce
0.5 teaspoons (2.5 mL) of dried basil
0.25 teaspoons (1.2 mL) to 0.5 teaspoons (2.5 mL) of ground ginger
0.125 teaspoons (0.62 mL) of cayenne pepper
1 bay leaf

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Toasting Your Rice

1
Combine your rice with cooking oil or melted butter in a pan. Put 1 cup (175-185 grams) of rice into a pan and pour enough cooking oil or butter in to evenly coat it, usually 1 tablespoon (15 mL). Toast the rice in the oil over medium heat. You'll know it's starting to toast once you smell a nutty aroma.^{[1]
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- Avoid grapeseed and canola oil. Instead, use fattier oils like sesame oil, coconut oil, or olive oil to get more flavor.^{[2]
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2
Mix in the herbs and spices of your choice. Your choice of herbs and spices will depend on the specific flavor profile or ethnic cuisine you're interested in making.^{[3]
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Research source} Regardless of what seasonings you choose, sprinkle them over your toasting rice a little bit at a time until they are at the strength you like based on your own tastes.^{[4]
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- Seasonings like oregano, pepper, parsley and turmeric go well with brown rice, usually in amounts between ¼ teaspoon (1 gram) and 1 teaspoon (4 grams) depending on your tastes.^{[5]
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- Adding aromatic seasonings in small amounts (a single shallot, a clove of garlic, or 1 tablespoon (14 grams) of chopped ginger) will give your rice tons of flavor.

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1
- You can also saute the rice with garlic and oil under low heat.
2
Add 2.5 cups (590 mL) of boiling water to the pan. While your rice is toasting, boil water separately in a pot or kettle. When it has reached a boil, pour it over your seasoned rice in the pan.^{[7]
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Simmer the rice for 20 minutes. After adding the boiling water, stir the contents of your pan and then cover it with a lid. Cook the mixture on low for 20 minutes.^{[8]
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- Once the rice is cooked, let it stand for 5 minutes, then uncover it and fluff it with a fork.^{[9]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Cooking Your Rice in Broth

1
Put the rice and broth in a large pot. Mix 1 cup (175-185 grams) of rice and 2.5 cups (590 mL) of broth together in a pot. Make sure to use a pot with a wide base, so that the heat from your stove disperses as evenly as possible.^{[10]
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- You can also consider using a liquid mixture of half broth and half water to add some flavor to your rice without making it too rich depending on your tastes.^{[11]
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- Chicken stock can be added to the rice to give it more flavor.
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Bring the broth to a boil. Cook your rice and broth mixture on high heat until the broth begins to bubble. You should stir the mixture regularly during this stage to prevent the rice from sticking to your pot.^{[12]
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Cover the pot and let it simmer for 40-50 minutes. Turn your stove down to low heat and cover your rice and broth mixture with a lid. Let the mixture simmer until the rice has absorbed most of the moisture and has a tender texture.^{[13]
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- Stir your rice occasionally to keep it from sticking to your pot.^{[14]
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- Let your cooked rice stand for 5 minutes covered and then fluff it with a fork.^{[15]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Seasoning Your Rice with Herbs and Spices

1
Bring rice and water to a boil. Combine your rice and water in a small saucepan at a ratio of 2/3 cup (115-125 grams) of rice to 1.3 cups (310 mL) of water. Cook the rice and water on high heat until it begins to bubble.^{[16]
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Simmer the rice for 35-45 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and cover your rice. Cook the rice at a low simmer until it has absorbed all of the moisture in the saucepan. The rice should be tender but not mushy.^{[17]
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Mix your seasonings into the rice. Add 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of soy sauce, 0.5 teaspoons (2.5 mL) of dried basil, 0.25 teaspoons (1.2 mL) to 0.5 teaspoons (2.5 mL) of ground ginger, and 0.125 teaspoons (0.62 mL) of cayenne pepper to your cooked rice. Allow your rice to sit covered for 5 minutes and then fluff it with a fork^{[18]
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- You can also season your rice with other herbs and spices according to your tastes. The herbs and spices you use will depend on your own personal tastes and the cuisine you're trying to prepare.
- Whole spices will give your dish a more subtle flavor, while ground spices will help bring out the flavor of your rice.^{[19]
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- Adding a bay leaf to your pan will give your dish an earthy flavor that will complement almost any rice dish.^{[20]
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Community Q&A
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Question

Is brown rice good for you?

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Yes, brown rice is a whole grain and a great source of complex carbs and fiber!
Question

Can I use chicken broth instead of water to cook brown rice?

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Yes, definitely! Using chicken broth will give your rice a rich, savory flavor. You can also use other types of broth, like vegetable stock or beef broth.
Question

Why do you add vinegar to rice?

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Adding a little vinegar to the water when you cook your rice can rinse away extra starch and make your rice fluffier.