How to Cook Brown Rice In a Slow Cooker or Crockpot [Perfectly]
Brown rice is a versatile grain, but many people are intimidated by it because it takes a long time to cook. If you want to add more whole grains to your diet, brown rice is a great option. You can use brown rice in various dishes like salads and soups.
Also, brown rice is high in fiber, and you can stay healthy with this cheap grain. In this article, I’ll show you how to cook brown rice in a slow cooker so you can cook them anytime.
Steps to Cook Brown Rice in Slow Cooker
A slow cooker can cook brown rice perfectly without any undercooked edges. Also, the timing works perfectly to manage other works while cooking brown rice in the slow cooker. Use proper water measurements, such as 5 cups of water for 2 cups of brown rice or 2-3 cups for every 1 cup of rice. The rice will be cooked for 2 to 5 hours.
Step 1: Prepare the Rice
If you do not know the correct measurement, use a measuring cup. 1 to 2 people can eat 1 cup of cooked rice because the rice becomes fluffy. Then put the rice in a pot or fine mesh sieve then wash it until the water is clean. Drain the excess water and keep them in a side.
Step 2: Spray Grease Into the Slow Cooker
Spray some oil into the cooker or rub softened butter into the bowl. Rice won’t stick together with a bit of oil.
Step 3: Add Rice and Water to The Cooker
Dump the freshly rinsed rice in the slow cooker and distribute them evenly over the cooking surface. Then pour water that is approximate twice the size of rice. Then a quick whole stir is good, or you can use boiling water with the rice.
Step 4: Cover the Cooker
Cover the cooker with parchment paper and leave some extra on all sides.
Then cover the cooker with a lid. Using the parchment is unnecessary, but this extra paper will lock the moisture and heat the rice quickly if you are in a hurry.
Step 5: Switch On the Cooker
If you set the low heating option, the rice will take 3 to 4 hours. In high settings, it will take 2 to 3 hours. Just turn on the slow cooker and do nothing.
The water will be absorbed entirely when the rice is cooked. After cooking, stir the rice thoroughly.
Sometimes rice can be uncooked in the slow cooker when you don’t put enough water. The rice and water ratio should be perfect. Otherwise, the rice would be crunchy. If you face this problem, add more water and cook the rice. Also, the rice could be mushy and meats in the crock pot using too much heat.
Are Slow Cookers Good for Rice?
Slow cookers are designed to simmer food over an extended period, which is great for recipes like stews and soups but not for rice. Rice needs to be cooked quickly; otherwise, it will become mushy or overcooked. The longer rice is soaked in water, the more it will lose its taste and profile.
Some slow cooker has a rice cooker setting; you can use it for cooking rice. But still, a slow cooker is not recommended for cooking rice.
Is It Better to Cook On Low or High in a Slow Cooker?
The cooking temperature depends on several factors, such as what type of food you want to cook, how much time you want to use, etc. cooking food in low heat makes the food taste tender and flavorful.
The food will cook quickly if you use high heat. However, the food will be cooked unevenly, only the outer layer will be crispy, and the inside will remain raw. So, use low heat for cooking enormous cut meat or other things.
