How to Cook Brown Basmati Rice in a Rice Cooker: Water Ratio and Time
Use 1 cup of brown basmati rice to 1¾ cups of water or broth, the ratio Lundberg Family Farms gives for its brown basmati. Lundberg says to use the same ratio in a rice cooker as on the stove.
Rinse the rice, add the water, choose the Brown Rice setting, and rest for 10 minutes before fluffing. If the rice is still firm, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water and cook a little longer.
- Ratio: 1 cup brown basmati to 1¾ cups liquid, measured with the same standard cup.
- Use the Brown Rice setting. The White Rice setting often leaves brown rice chewy.
- Aroma says brown rice takes about 30 to 40 minutes for 2 cups in its cookers.
- Soaking for 30 minutes gives softer, longer grains; use a little less water if you soak.
- Let it steam for 10 minutes with the lid closed before opening.
Brown basmati rice to water ratio for a rice cooker
Lundberg’s measurement chart for its Organic Brown Basmati Rice uses the amounts below. One serving is ¾ cup of cooked rice. The butter or oil is optional but helps keep the grains separate.
| Dry brown basmati | Water or broth | Butter or oil | Servings |
|---|---|---|---|
| ½ cup | 1 cup | 1½ tsp | 2 to 3 |
| 1 cup | 1¾ cups | 1 tbsp | 4 to 6 |
| 2 cups | 3½ cups | 2 tbsp | 8 to 10 |
Other brands may vary slightly, so check your bag. Use a standard US measuring cup for both rice and water, not a mix of the rice cooker cup and a measuring cup.
Can you use the water lines in the pot?
Only if your cooker has separate Brown rice lines and you use the cooker’s own cup. Aroma notes its cup is about ¾ of a US cup. The white rice lines will not give brown rice enough water.
How to cook brown basmati rice in a rice cooker
- Measure. Measure the rice with a standard cup and level it off.
- Rinse. Rinse in a fine sieve under cold water until it runs mostly clear, then drain well.
- Soak (optional). Soak for 30 minutes for softer, longer grains. Drain, and use 2 to 3 tablespoons less water per cup.
- Add liquid. Put the rice in the pot with 1¾ cups water or broth per cup, plus butter or oil and a pinch of salt.
- Cook. Choose Brown Rice. On a basic one-switch cooker, press Cook.
- Rest. When it switches to Warm, leave the lid closed for 10 minutes. Lundberg also rests its stovetop rice for 10 minutes.
- Check and fluff. If it is firm, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water and cook or rest a little longer. Fluff gently with a paddle.
How long does brown basmati take in a rice cooker?
Aroma, the rice cooker brand, says 2 cups of brown rice take about 30 to 40 minutes in its cookers. White basmati is much faster, at about 15 to 25 minutes.
Cookers with a dedicated Brown Rice program, such as fuzzy-logic and induction models, often take longer, an hour or more, because they soak the rice before cooking. Lundberg’s stovetop method simmers for 40 minutes, then rests 10.
| Method | Approximate time |
|---|---|
| Basic rice cooker | About 30 to 40 minutes, plus 10 minutes rest |
| Rice cooker with Brown Rice program | Often an hour or more, including soaking |
| Stovetop (Lundberg) | 40 minutes simmer, plus 10 minutes rest |
Brown basmati vs white basmati in a rice cooker
| Brown basmati | White basmati | |
|---|---|---|
| Bran layer | Kept | Removed |
| Water per cup | About 1¾ cups | Less; check the bag |
| Setting | Brown Rice | White Rice |
| Texture | Nutty, chewier | Soft, fluffy, separate |
Can you swap one for the other in your rice cooker? Yes, but change the water and the setting. Using white basmati amounts for brown basmati is the most common cause of crunchy rice.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Crunchy or undercooked | Too little water, or White Rice setting | Add 1 to 2 tbsp water and cook longer, as Lundberg suggests |
| Mushy or wet | Too much water, or soaked rice with full water | Use less water after soaking; rest with the lid off for 5 minutes |
| Sticky | Not rinsed, or stirred hard | Rinse well; fluff gently |
| Foam from the vent | Starch or an overfull pot | Rinse well; add a little oil; cook a smaller batch |
Storing cooked brown rice
Cool the rice quickly in a shallow container and refrigerate it within 2 hours. The USDA says leftovers keep 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator, or longer in the freezer.
Frequently asked questions
What is the water ratio for brown basmati rice in a rice cooker?
About 1 cup of rice to 1¾ cups of water or broth, the ratio Lundberg gives for its brown basmati. Use the same ratio in a rice cooker as on the stove.
How long does it take to cook brown basmati rice in a rice cooker?
About 30 to 40 minutes in a basic cooker, plus 10 minutes resting. Cookers with a Brown Rice program can take an hour or more.
Should I soak brown basmati rice?
It is optional. A 30-minute soak gives softer, longer grains. Reduce the water by 2 to 3 tablespoons per cup if you soak.
Can I use broth instead of water?
Yes. Lundberg lists water or broth in the same amounts. Use low-sodium broth and reduce the added salt.
Why is my brown basmati still hard?
Usually too little water or the White Rice setting. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water, close the lid and cook or rest a little longer.
The bottom line
For brown basmati in a rice cooker, rinse the rice, use 1¾ cups of water per cup, cook on Brown Rice, and rest for 10 minutes. Add a splash of water if it is still firm.
- Lundberg Family Farms, Organic Brown Basmati Rice (measurement chart, stovetop and rice cooker instructions).
- Aroma Housewares, How Long Does It Take in an Aroma Rice Cooker?
- USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, Leftovers and Food Safety.
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