How to Cook Brown Rice in Broth

This easy method shows you how to cook brown rice in broth so it turns out perfectly every time. The broth adds a boost of flavor and richness to the rice, making your meals extra delicious. You’ll never make plain rice again.

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There are so many ways to use cooked rice, so this recipe is going to come in seriously handy. We use it in this tasty rice salad with tuna or in these flavorful curry chicken rice bowls. Yum!

Why you will love this recipe

• Never have a batch of plain rice again. Cooking the grains in broth infuses so much flavor.
• It is an easy upgrade. Just swap the plain water for broth. Boom.
• This recipe is naturally gluten-free. Bonus!

Ingredient notes

Find the complete ingredient list, with measurements, in the recipe card below.

• Brown Rice – Brown rice is a whole grain rice. It is less processed and more nutrient-dense than white rice because it retains the bran and germ.
• Butter – We use a bit of butter to add rich flavor and prevent the rice from sticking together.
• Broth – Instead of water, using broth to cook the rice adds taste and, depending on the broth you use, can add nutrients to the rice too, such as using bone broth. I don’t add salt to this recipe as the broth provides that.

Equipment

Fine Mesh Strainer: Important for rinsing brown rice.

Medium Saucepan: You will need a medium pot with a tight-fitting lid.

Instructions

Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for the FULL recipe details.

Step 1

Start by measuring the rice and adding it to a fine-mesh strainer. Place the strainer under cool running water and rinse well, shaking it as you rinse.

You want to let the water run over it for at least a minute and then drain it well.

This helps to remove any residue that could affect the taste of the cooked rice.

Step 2

Then, add the rinsed rice to the pan along with the butter, and pour the broth over top.

Step 3

Next, place the pot on the stove over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a boil.

Step 4

Then, reduce the heat to low and cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid.

Simmer the covered rice over low heat on the stovetop for approximately 40 minutes.

Step 5

Next, remove the pot from the heat and leave it covered. Let it stand for 10 more minutes.

Finally, remove the lid and fluff the rice with a fork.

Substitutions and recipe variations

• Choose from any type of brown rice for this recipe. Different types of rice include short-grain brown rice, medium-grain or long-grain brown rice, jasmine rice, or brown basmati rice.
• You can also make this recipe using white rice if you prefer. You will need to adjust the cooking time as white rice takes much less time to cook than brown rice.
• Instead of butter, you can add olive oil or avocado for some plant-based richness.
• Spice it up! Experiment with different spices such as curry powder and cumin.

Go the few extra steps and make cilantro lime brown rice. It is a delicious side dish for spicy chicken or taco dishes.

For chicken dishes, use chicken broth; for beef, use beef broth for your rice. The flavors will enhance your main protein. Vegetarian? Use homemade vegetable broth or mushroom broth to cook the rice.

Serving suggestions

We are big fans of prepping healthy side dishes to have on hand for meals. We love this brown rice recipe for tossing into a stir-fry or creating yummy grain bowls like this tasty Buddha Bowl with a lemon tahini dressing or this delicious copycat for Benihana fried rice.

Use it as a base layer for taco rice bowls. We love it in this Mexican-inspired chicken rice bake.

Try creating takeout at home with this healthier homemade chicken fried rice.

We love it for serving with slow cooker meals. Try this easy 5-ingredient Crockpot chicken for a healthy, gluten-free option.

Who doesn’t love a quick stir-fry dinner? Cook up some chicken and veggies with this tasty gluten-free stir fry sauce and dump some perfect rice into the mix. Delicious.

FAQS

Storage tips

To Store: Once the rice has cooled to room temperature, transfer any leftovers to airtight containers or resealable plastic bags. For food safety, be sure to refrigerate the cooked rice within two hours of cooking. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days.

To Freeze: Portion the rice into airtight freezer bags or containers, remove as much air as possible, and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator before reheating.

Recipes using cooked rice

*Originally posted November 15, 2023, and updated on September 3, 2026.*

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