Brown Rice has a delicious nutty flavor and a slightly chewy texture. Brown rice can be cooked either on the stove top or, my favorite method, in the oven! Baking it in the oven next to the meatloaf, roast, or even broiled salmon is insanely easy. Simply combine rice, water,butter and a sprinkle of salt, let bake, and enjoy!  Oven Brown Rice in a white bowl I purchase a long grain brown rice, not instant or short grain. It can be cooked on the stove top (directions below) but honestly, baked brown rice is so easy and comes out perfectly fluffy every time.

Tips for Making Brown Rice

To ensure success, follow these simple tips!

  • Add enough water: By adding enough water or broth for the rice to absorb it will prevent uncooked rice from baking to the bottom of the pan or casserole dish (keep in mind brown rice needs more water than white rice)!
  • No Peeking: Peeking lets steam out which increases cook time. The released steam can also interfere with the rehydration of the rice.
  • Add heated water or broth: In the oven method, you’ll want to use boiling water or broth. Of course on the stove top, you can just bring it to a boil before adding the rice.
  • Rest time: Allow the rice to rest once cooked (again, no peeking), this allows it to continue to absorb any remaining water.

Oven Brown Rice in a white bowl with four pads of butter on top

To Bake Brown Rice

With only 4 ingredients and even fewer steps, this recipe makes the best brown rice with almost no effort at all!

  1. Combine all the ingredients in a casserole dish or dutch oven (per recipe below). Cover tightly.
  2. Bake for 60 to 75 minutes or until the rice is fully cooked. Fluff with a fork and serve!

Overhead shot of Oven Brown Rice in a white bowl

Brown Rice on the Stove Top

  1. Bring 2 1/2 cups water to a boil.
  2. Add 1 cup long grain brown rice, 1 tablespoon butter and a pinch of salt. Cover and simmer 40-50 minutes or until water is absorbed.
  3. Allow to rest 5 minutes covered. Fluff with a fork and serve.

How to Store & Reheat Cooked Rice

This easy oven-baked rice is so easy to store and reheat. Make a big batch to keep on hand for the week!

  • To Store: Keep it in a tightly sealed container in the fridge until you are ready to use it again. It should last about a week.
  • To Reheat: Simply put it in a pot or baking dish, add some liquid like water or broth, cover with a lid or aluminum foil and bake at 350°F until it is fully heated. You can also microwave or stove-top reheat it the same way!

Don’t forget to adjust the seasonings to make it like new again!

Other Delicious Ideas

Put some frozen veggies like carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, or zucchini in with the rice. The frozen veg will cook and add a little extra moisture to the rice! Or, you can add some cooked leftover shredded chicken or cooked ground beef, onions and chopped tomatoes. With a little taco seasoning, you’ve got a quick and easy cilantro tomato rice dish or burritos!

Simple Rice Sides You’ll Love

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Oven Brown Rice in a white bowl
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How to Cook Brown Rice (oven/stove)

Make this simple side dish perfectly fluffy every time.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 4
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Ingredients  

  • 1 ½ cups brown rice
  • ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
  • ¼ cup butter
  • 2 ¾ cups boiling water

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 375°F.
  • Combine all ingredients in a casserole dish with a lid.
  • Cover and bake 60-70 minutes, or until rice if fully cooked.
  • Rest 5 minutes, fluff and serve.

Notes

Stove Top Method
Decrease water to 2 1/2 cups and bring to a boil. Add remaining ingredients and cover. Simmer 40-50 minutes or until water is absorbed. Allow to rest 5 minutes covered. Fluff with a fork and serve. 
5 from 14 votes

Nutrition Information

Calories: 360 | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 405mg | Potassium: 191mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 355IU | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Oven Brown Rice in a bowl with a title
Oven Brown Rice in a bowl with butter on top with a title
Oven Brown Rice with a title

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About the author

Holly Nilsson is the creator of Spend With Pennies, where she creates easy, comforting recipes made for real life. With a passion for nostalgic flavors and simplified techniques, Holly helps busy home cooks create delicious meals that always work. She is also the author of “Everyday Comfort,” which promises to inspire even more hearty, home-cooked meals.
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Comments

  1. Hi! For the nutrion facts, is this per serving or the whole dish? If it is per serving, how much is a serving size?
    Thanks!!

    1. I haven’t tried only half a cup so I can’t say for sure Le Ra. But I would start with 230 mL and keep an eye on the recipe as it cooks and adjust as necessary.

      1. I always seem to forget to boil the water before I put it in and it still comes out just fine. I just cook a little longer. this is a great way to cook rice. I add peas, carrots and soy sauce to make a baked fried rice just add scrambled egg and green onions after baking the rice

  2. I think this will be chewey n delicious! I love baked oatmeal!
    Feels more hearty when baked I think. More satisfying……5 stars

  3. Simple and delicious way to make brown rice, especially if you are using the oven for another part of the meal. This rice is effortless and so, so good!