How to Make Brown Rice Taste Good: 7 Ways to Do It

Have you recently started cooking brown rice instead of white rice? Are you thinking about how to make brown rice taste good?

The first time I boiled brown rice, I was unsure if I had done it right. Its texture and taste were noticeably different from white rice. Later, I realized that brown rice has a stronger and nuttier flavor than white rice. The grains also have a chewy consistency, unlike the soft texture of cooked white rice. It might not suit everybody’s taste buds.

If you do not like the taste of brown rice, I have covered the seven best ways to make it more delicious. Let us talk more about them.

7 Ways to Make Brown Rice Taste Good

The secret to cooking tasty brown rice is to cook it with additional ingredients. I experimented with many, such as butter, garlic, vegetables, Mediterranean spices, and Italian herbs.

The best part about cooking rice with these ingredients is that you do not require extra cookware. This way, you will not have to wash anything more and waste your time.

Let us look at the various ways to enhance your brown rice’s flavors.

1. Use Butter, Garlic, and Onions

You can rarely go wrong with butter and garlic. It is one of my favorite combinations to improve any dish, including brown rice.

Butter, garlic, and onions provide a rich creaminess and buttery flavors to your brown rice. This balances its chewy texture and blandness.

Step by Step Instructions for Butter Garlic Brown Rice

Step 1: Add one tablespoon of butter to a cooking pot.

Step 2: Turn up the heat to medium high flame.

Step 3: Sauté half an onion and three finely chopped garlic cloves in the butter for 5 minutes.

Step 4: Add one cup of rinsed brown rice to the cooking pot.

Step 5: Sauté the brown rice for 5 minutes in the butter mixture.

Step 6: Pour two cups of water and sprinkle a pinch of salt for one cup of brown rice. Do not add too much salt if you are using salted butter.

Step 7: Close the lid tight. Allow the rice to cook on a medium high flame.

Step 8: Once the water starts boiling, let the rice cook for 40 to 45 minutes on low heat.

Step 9: Turn off the heat when the grains look puffy. Your butter garlic brown rice is ready.

Why this works: The butter adds richness and creaminess. The garlic and onions add savory depth. The fat from the butter helps soften the chewy texture of the brown rice.

2. Cook It Pilaf Style

I do not always prefer the butter garlic combination, as it gets repetitive. Instead, I cook the brown rice in a pilaf style with toasted aromatic spices.

You can also try cooking flavorful spices like bay leaves, cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves with brown rice. These spices add a unique Mediterranean twist to simple rice.

Step by Step Instructions for Pilaf Style Brown Rice

Step 1: Pour one tablespoon of vegetable oil into a cooking pot.

Step 2: Add one cup of rinsed brown rice. Toast it on medium high flame.

Step 3: Once the grains smell nutty, throw in one bay leaf, two to three cardamoms, one cinnamon stick, and two cloves. Toast everything for 5 minutes.

Step 4: Add two cups of water and half a teaspoon of salt for one cup of brown rice.

Step 5: Close the lid. Let the rice cook on a medium high flame.

Step 6: Reduce the heat to low once the water starts boiling. Allow the rice to cook for 35 to 40 minutes.

Step 7: Open the lid and check if the rice grains look soft and fluffy.

Step 8 (Optional): Add three to four tablespoons of water if the rice has not cooked properly. Let it boil again for a few minutes.

Step 9: Turn off the stove. Transfer your brown rice to a bowl.

Why this works: Toasting the rice and spices in oil releases their natural oils and aromas. The spices add warmth and complexity. The pilaf method creates fluffy, separate grains.

3. Use Chicken Broth for Boiling Brown Rice

There are days when you do not feel like chopping even one vegetable. During such days, this is the quickest and healthiest solution to make brown rice taste good.

Cooking brown rice in chicken broth adds a savory flavor and a thicker texture to the grains. It also makes your dish more nutrient rich.

Step by Step Instructions for Chicken Broth Brown Rice

Instead of using water to boil brown rice, use chicken broth in the same proportion. Therefore, you need to add two cups of chicken broth for each cup of brown rice.

Note: Reduce the salt content while boiling brown rice if the broth contains salt.

Why this works: Chicken broth adds umami and savory flavor that water cannot provide. The gelatin in the broth gives the rice a slightly thicker, more satisfying texture.

4. Fry the Rice in Olive Oil, Parsley, and Lemon

You should cook brown rice in olive oil with parsley and lemon if you want something truly refreshing.

Parsley and olive oil give an earthy flavor to brown rice, whereas lemon adds a fresh tanginess. When you combine these ingredients, you get a recipe straight from heaven.

Step by Step Instructions for Lemon Parsley Brown Rice

Step 1: Pour one tablespoon of olive oil into a cooking pot.

Step 2: Add one cup of rinsed brown rice. Toast it on a medium high flame.

Step 3: Squeeze two whole lemons into the toasted rice. Sauté everything well.

Step 4: Sprinkle one fourth teaspoon of dried parsley or basil. Ensure that you do not add too much, as dried herbs have an overpowering flavor.

Step 5 (Optional): Add half a teaspoon of chili flakes if you want to make your brown rice a little spicy.

Step 6: Sauté everything well. Add two cups of water for one cup of rice. Sprinkle half a teaspoon of salt too.

Step 7: Close the lid. Let the rice cook on a medium high flame.

Step 8: Reduce the heat to low once the water starts boiling. Cook the rice for 40 to 45 minutes.

Step 9: Turn off the stove when the rice grains look tender and fluffy.

Why this works: Olive oil adds a fruity, peppery flavor. Lemon adds brightness and acidity. Parsley adds an earthy, fresh note. The combination cuts through the nuttiness of brown rice beautifully.

5. Try Toasted Sesame Seeds and Salt (Gomasio)

I have loved watching videos and reading about Japanese cuisine for a while, so I stumbled across gomasio, or sesame salt.

Gomasio is a Japanese seasoning consisting of toasted sesame seeds and salt. One day, I made this seasoning for a noodle soup and also used it with brown rice.

The results were pleasantly surprising because gomasio introduced a hint of smokiness and nuttiness to the brown rice.

Step by Step Instructions for Gomasio Brown Rice

Step 1: Toast one cup of sesame seeds over medium heat in a frying pan or skillet.

Step 2: Turn off the stove once the seeds look golden brown after about 5 minutes.

Step 3: Transfer the toasted sesame seeds to a grinder. Add one teaspoon of salt.

Step 4: Grind the mixture until it turns into a fine powder.

Step 5: Add one to two teaspoons of gomasio while boiling your brown rice.

Note: You can use any type of sesame seeds for the gomasio mix. I have used white, but the best option is a mix of white and black sesame seeds.

Why this works: Toasting the sesame seeds brings out their natural oils and nutty flavor. The salt enhances the taste of the rice. Together, they add a smoky, savory, nutty profile to plain brown rice.

6. Stir Fry the Rice (Fried Brown Rice)

Stir frying brown rice turns a basic dish into a fancy one with umami and charred flavors. It also provides you with a healthy dose of greens.

I prefer this method when I have some extra time to spare, as chopping vegetables is time consuming. However, it is super easy once you have the ingredients.

Step by Step Instructions for Fried Brown Rice

Step 1: Take a wok or a cooking pot.

Step 2: Sauté three finely chopped garlic cloves in any neutral flavored oil, like vegetable oil, over medium heat.

Step 3: Add any vegetables you like to the cooking pot. I have used one diced bell pepper, two finely chopped green chilies, and one cup of thinly chopped cabbage.

Step 4: Stir fry the vegetables on high heat until they develop a slightly smoky fragrance. I also suggest letting them burn a bit for extra crispiness.

Step 5: Sprinkle black pepper and salt as per your preferences.

Step 6: Add one cup of refrigerated and cooked brown rice to the stir fried vegetables. Fry everything quickly on high heat.

Step 7: After stir frying the vegetables and rice, add some sauces. I recommend adding one tablespoon of soy sauce and one tablespoon of vinegar. You can also add sesame oil, oyster sauce, or fish sauce.

Step 8: Keep stirring and frying everything on high heat for 5 to 10 minutes. Ensure that the rice does not stick to the cooking pot.

Step 9: Once the rice has a lovely burnt fragrance, transfer it to a bowl and enjoy.

Why this works: Using day old, refrigerated rice prevents mushiness. High heat creates wok hei, a smoky charred flavor. The sauces add umami, saltiness, and tanginess.

7. Cheesy Brown Rice

Cheese can fix any bland dish just like butter and garlic. I suggest shredding some cheese on your cooked brown rice and letting it melt.

Trust me, cheese can soften the chewy texture of the grains and make them creamy. It can also add a distinct flavor based on its type.

Step by Step Instructions for Cheesy Brown Rice

Step 1: Cook your brown rice using your preferred method.

Step 2: While the rice is still hot, sprinkle shredded cheese over the top.

Step 3: Cover the pot for 1 to 2 minutes to let the cheese melt.

Step 4: Stir the melted cheese into the rice until evenly distributed.

Step 5: Serve immediately.

Best cheeses to use: Cheddar for sharpness, Parmesan for nuttiness, Mozzarella for creaminess, or Pepper Jack for heat.

Why this works: Cheese adds fat, salt, and umami. The milk solids in cheese create a creamy coating on each grain. The melted cheese softens the chewy texture of brown rice.

Final Thoughts

The next time someone tells you that brown rice does not taste good, make them try these methods.

Adding just a spoonful of butter or olive oil to brown rice can completely change its taste. Stir frying with vegetables, Italian herbs, or spices can also make your brown rice taste much better.

It is up to you to decide what type of flavors you want in your brown rice and choose a method from this list accordingly.

Quick Reference Summary Table

Method	Key Ingredients	Flavor Profile	Difficulty
Butter, Garlic, Onions	Butter, garlic, onion	Rich, savory, creamy	Easy
Pilaf Style	Bay leaf, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves	Warm, aromatic, Mediterranean	Medium
Chicken Broth	Chicken broth	Savory, umami, rich	Very Easy
Olive Oil, Parsley, Lemon	Olive oil, lemon, parsley	Fresh, bright, earthy	Easy
Gomasio	Toasted sesame seeds, salt	Smoky, nutty, Japanese	Medium
Stir Fry	Vegetables, soy sauce, vinegar	Umami, charred, savory	Medium
Cheesy	Shredded cheese	Creamy, rich, indulgent	Very Easy