What Is Brown rice and How Can I Use It?

Brown rice is easier to cook with than it looks. Here's how to choose, use, and store it, what to substitute, and 285 recipes to get you started.

What is brown rice?

Brown rice (or "hulled rice") is unmilled or partly milled rice, a kind of whole, natural grain. It has a mild nutty flavor, is chewier and more nutritious than white rice, and becomes rancid much more quickly. Any rice, including long-grain, short-grain, or sticky rice, may be eaten as brown rice.

Brown rice and white rice have similar amounts of calories, carbohydrates, and protein. The main differences between the two forms of rice lie in processing and nutritional content. When only the outermost layer of a grain of rice (the husk) is removed, brown rice is produced.

To produce white rice, the next layers underneath the husk (the bran layer and the germ) are removed, leaving mostly the starchy endosperm.

Several vitamins and dietary minerals are lost in this removal and the subsequent polishing process.

A part of these missing nutrients, such as vitamin B₁, vitamin B₃, and iron are sometimes added back into the white rice making it "enriched".

Brown rice can remain in storage for months under normal conditions, but hermetic storage and freezing can significantly extend its lifetime.

Freezing, even periodically, can also help control infestations of Indian meal moths.

Quick facts

Where to find brown rice: Brown rice is usually found in the rice & beans section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.

In Chinese: 糙米
British (UK) term: Brown rice
en français: riz brun
en español: arroz integral

Recipes using brown rice

There are 285 recipes that contain this ingredient.

Lentils & Rice (Mujadara)

This is a "three-ingredient" anti-inflammatory Lebanese-inspired side dish (or vegetarian main) made with brown rice, lentils, and caramelized onions. Instant pot ready directions included.

Brown Mushroom Rice

Quick side dish with cooked brown rice sautéed in margarine with mushrooms and green onions. Simple, nutty, and ready in 20 minutes using leftover rice.

Very Cheesy Casserole

Packed with healthy whole-grain and cheesy goodness. 3 cheeses, feta, cottage and parmesan cheese plus beans and brown rice. This hearty casserole is tastes great and is loaded with nutritious healthful ingredients.

Chicken Ultraburgers

Chicken ultraburgers use cooked chicken pulsed with brown rice, Dijon mustard, and parsley for a lighter, healthier burger. A clever way to repurpose leftover chicken.

Lemon Rice with Cashews

Lemon brown rice with cashews, fresh lemon zest, and black pepper. A bright, nutty vegetarian side dish with just five ingredients that comes together in minutes.

Minted Peas & Rice with Feta

It tasted very refreshing and flavorful. The leftover was kept in the fridge and had it for brunch today, even better.

Orange-Sauced Chicken Stir-Fry

Orange-sauced chicken stir-fry coats tender chicken and crisp broccoli in a tangy orange juice and ginger sauce. A homemade takeout-style dinner ready in 25 minutes.

Quick Fried Rice

A delicious way to cook your leftover rice into a tasty meal. You can use pretty much any veggies you have on hand. Garlic, ginger, soy sauce and sesame oil give this fried rice and veggies lots of great flavors. Feel free to add some scrambled eggs or cooked chicken to give the protein a boost.

Olive Rice Salad

This scrumptious rice salad is perfect for a picnic with the family or a dinner party with friends.

Brunch Rice

For brunch recipes; this is one of our favorites. An excellent way to use up leftover brown rice with eggs, cheese, and veggies for a quick healthy breakfast.

Turkey Balls, Veggies & Brown Rice Soup

Use ground turkey to make meatballs, loaded with fresh veggies, and brown rice, this hearty soup is nutritious and delicious.

Sesame Vegetable Fried Rice

This is a delicious recipe that helps you make a tasty dish with leftover rice and whatever veggies you have on hand.

Greek Brown Rice Salad

A hearty Greek brown rice salad tossing nutty whole-grain rice with tomato, cucumber, feta, kalamata olives, and creamy avocado in a lemony, minty dressing. A fresh Mediterranean grain bowl.

Wild Rice & Artichoke Salad

Love this salad. We jut had some leftover wild rice, and we didn't have sweet bell pepper, so used the picked hot cherry pepper instead, also added some sliced celery and smoked tofu. It came out delicious. A very good side dish or can be a wholesome and tasty main dish as well.

Brown Rice Pudding Recipe for the Crockpot

A very easy to prepare brown rice pudding for your slow cooker or crockpot.

Asparagus Cashew Stir-Fry

Quick, easy and delicious. An ideal week day dinner.

Asparagus Shrimp Stir Fry

This easy yet tasty recipe is a great way to maintain the texture of asparagus. Tender but still crispy. The Chinese seasoning including soy sauce, sichuan oil, garlic, ginger and rice vinegar really brings tons of flavour into the dish. Serve it with cooked brown rice to make a wholesome meal.

Steamed Vegetable Curry with Sauce

Steamed vegetable curry over brown rice with a quick ginger-lime sauce. A 30-minute vegan main with bright, crisp vegetables and an aromatic Indian-spiced finish.

Veggie Taco Salad

Simple dish made with fresh corn, tomatoes and brown rice, and well seasoned with dried herbs, fresh cilantro and salsa!

Cashews, Lentils & Brown Rice Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

The combination of cashews, lentils, brown rice and other spices was delicious. Right balance of the flavor and the texture, we used cherry tomatoes instead, that's what we had on hand. It's a tasty yet nutritious meal.

Bean & Rice Burritos (Whole Wheat)

Last week, went to Toronto, saw a big fat burrito restaurant, and the burrito definitely impressed me. Once we were back home, I found this recipe and made my own version. Definitely a delicious yet nutritious recipe that I recommend to everyone!!

Ginger Chicken Stir-Fry

Yum! I added some sliced red bell pepper strips to give the dish more colour. Used fresh broccoli instead of mixed frozen veggies, and added a drizzle of sesame oil and rice vinegar in the end as well as some sesame seeds. Enjoyed the dish with a bowl of rice, so good!

Quick Asian Risotto

Using cooked short-grain brown rice makes this super quick and tasty Asian risotto, it can be an appetizer or a simply delicious meal!

Favorite Brown Rice & Lentil Stew

There are lots of good-for-you stuff in this stew, and it's also very tasty. A deliciously warm stew is perfect on a cool fall day.

Multi-Grain Hot Cereal for Crockpot

Super easy and super healthy multi-grain Hot Cereal (Slow-Cooker) recipe. Loads of complex carbs to keep give you energy all morning.

Curry Rice Salad

Loved the idea of infusing curry, chili powder and cumin seeds in the oil, which made the curry oil so flavorful. The combination of apples, bell peppers, celeries, raisins, and peas (I used peas instead of snow peas) was delicious with the curried rice.

Easy Beef Stir Fry (Low Fat)

Turn on the wok and try this scrumptious recipe that you will want to make every single week.

Burger Mix (Vegetarian)

A tasty make ahead vegetarian burger mix. Make in advance and have vege burgers ready in a flash for a quick and healthy snack or meal.

Veggie Meatloaf with Checca Sauce

A meat-less loaf with a quick and fresh tomato sauce. Freezes well, an easy make-ahead favorite packed with chunks of corn, lentils and rice. One of the best vegetarian loafs I've ever tried.

Rice Nut Loaf

Vegetarian rice nut loaf packed with brown rice, sharp cheddar, walnuts, sunflower seeds, and sesame seeds. Sliceable and served with spaghetti sauce.

Scrapple Croquettes

Pennsylvania Dutch scrapple mixed with rice and chopped hard-boiled eggs, breaded and deep-fried into golden croquettes. Crispy, savory, and on the table in 15 minutes.

Chicken with Fruit & Cheese

Juicy chicken breasts meet silky pear puree and tart cranberries, topped with tangy feta cheese for a sweet-savory dinner that's ready in 40 minutes. Perfect over nutty brown rice.

Chicken & Peach Delight

Homemade baby food blending cooked chicken, brown rice, ripe peach, and a sprinkle of wheat germ for a nutrient-rich first-foods meal. Quick to make and gentler on small tummies than store-bought.

Two-Day Chili

Vegan slow cooker black bean chili with brown rice, carrots, and tomatoes cooked overnight in a crockpot. A hands-off, two-day recipe where time does all the heavy lifting for deep, rich flavor.

Vegetarian Pot Stickers with Dipping Sauce

Crispy pan-fried vegetarian pot stickers filled with tofu, brown rice, shiitake mushrooms, and olives, served with a fresh tomato-daikon-shiso dipping sauce.

Favourite Red Beans & Rice with Salsa

Vegan red beans and rice: two kinds of red beans simmered with chili, cumin, and tomato, folded into brown rice and served with fresh salsa. A high-fiber, gluten-free, meatless take on the Southern classic.

Stir Fry with Black Bean Sauce

A quick and easy recipe to use up your leftover rice, and make you a delicious meal!

Beef, Brown Rice & Feta Casserole

Mediterranean-style casserole layering brown rice, seasoned beef, crumbled feta, black olives, and dried mushrooms in a garlicky tomato sauce, topped with Parmesan and baked until bubbling.

Cashew & Tomato Brown Rice

One-pot brown rice simmered with sundried tomatoes, cashews, fresh basil, and lemon zest. A hearty vegan rice dish packed with chunky vegetables and bright Mediterranean flavor.

Rice & Peas with Tempeh

Caribbean-style rice and peas gets a vegan upgrade with cubed tempeh, coconut-toasted brown rice, black-eyed peas, and cinnamon. A hearty plant-based main with island flavor.

Le Risotto Aux Champignons Tessinois

Ticino-style brown rice mushroom risotto with rosemary, dried mushrooms, and red wine. A rustic Swiss-Italian vegetarian dish from Italian-speaking Switzerland.

Turkey & Broccoli Stir-Fry

Turkey breast strips tossed in honey, soy, and garlic, then wok-seared with broccoli and red peppers and served over brown rice. This low-fat, 20-minute stir-fry is a weeknight winner for healthy eating without sacrificing flavor.

Brown Rice Saute with Parsley & Sage

Sauteed brown rice stir-fried with deeply caramelized onions, shredded carrots, sesame seeds, and a fragrant hit of sage, thyme, and fresh parsley. Vegetarian, hearty, and full of earthy warmth.

Cheesy Vegetarian Brown Rice & Bean Chili

Cheesy Vegetarian Brown Rice and Bean Chili recipe

Chili (Bar-On)

A hearty meatless chili with kidney beans, zucchini, green chiles, and brown rice simmered in a tomato base with cloves and vinegar. Even better the next day. Freezes like a dream.

Breakfast Bee Hoon

When preparing this popular breakfast dish at home you can control the type and quantity of oil being used, the type of bee hoon (organic brown rice bee hoon is widely available now and not expensive) and use as many different green vegetables as you have on hand to increase its nutritional profile.