10+ Brown Rice Recipes to Nourish Your Meals

Brown rice is a nutritious and versatile ingredient that can enhance various dishes. With its nutty flavor and chewy texture, it works well in salads, stir-fries, and stuffed vegetables. You can easily try countless delicious brown rice recipes at home.

Incorporating brown rice into your meals can lead to healthier eating habits. It’s full of fiber and essential nutrients, making it an excellent base for many recipes. With the right ingredients and cooking methods, you can create tasty meals that everyone will enjoy.

1) Creamy Brown Rice with Mushrooms

Creamy brown rice with mushrooms is a comforting dish you can make easily at home. It brings together the nuttiness of brown rice and the rich flavor of mushrooms for a delicious meal.

You can use baby bella mushrooms for a deeper taste. Combine them with vegetable broth and reduced-fat cream cheese for creaminess without too many calories. Sauté some onions and garlic first to build a flavorful base.

This recipe is perfect for a weeknight dinner. It can be served as a side or a main dish, depending on your preference.

Ingredients

• 1 cup brown rice
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup baby bella mushrooms, sliced
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup reduced-fat cream cheese
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
2. Sauté onions and garlic until soft.
3. Add mushrooms and cook until browned.
4. Stir in brown rice and vegetable broth.
5. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and cover.
6. Simmer for 40-45 minutes until rice is tender.
7. Mix in reduced-fat cream cheese and stir until smooth.
8. Season with salt and pepper as desired.

2) Brown Rice and Vegetable Stir Fry

Making a brown rice and vegetable stir fry is easy and quick. You can use any veggies you have at home. This is a great way to use up leftovers and enjoy a healthy meal.

Start by cooking your brown rice. While the rice cooks, chop your favorite vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, and carrots.

Heat some oil in a pan and add the veggies. Stir them for a few minutes until they are tender.

Once the vegetables are ready, stir in the cooked brown rice. Add soy sauce or your favorite seasoning to enhance the flavor. Toss everything together until heated through. Enjoy your tasty stir fry!

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked brown rice
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (like bell peppers, broccoli, carrots)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook brown rice according to package directions.
2. Chop vegetables into bite-sized pieces.
3. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat (350°F / 175°C).
4. Add vegetables and stir-fry for 3-5 minutes.
5. Stir in cooked rice and soy sauce.
6. Mix until everything is heated through.

3) Spicy Brown Rice Pilaf

Spicy brown rice pilaf is a flavorful dish that adds zest to any meal. It combines the nutty taste of brown rice with spices and broth for added depth. You’ll enjoy its warm, comforting flavors.

To make this dish, you start by heating oil in a skillet. Sauté the rice and spices for a minute to release their aromas. Then, add broth and bring everything to a boil.

As it cooks, the rice absorbs the liquid and flavors. It’s quick and easy, making it a perfect side or main dish on busy nights.

Ingredients

• 1 cup brown rice
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add brown rice, chili powder, and cumin. Sauté for 1 minute.
3. Pour in the broth and season with salt and pepper.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat. Cover and simmer for about 30 minutes at 350°F (175°C).
5. Fluff with a fork before serving.

4) Brown Rice and Black Bean Burrito Bowls

Brown rice and black bean burrito bowls are a delicious and filling meal. They are quick to prepare and perfect for lunch or dinner. You can customize them with your favorite toppings, making them a fun way to enjoy healthy ingredients.

Start with cooked brown rice as your base. Then add black beans for protein and fiber. You can also include fresh veggies like bell peppers, corn, or tomatoes for extra flavor and nutrition.

Top your burrito bowls with avocado, salsa, or cilantro for a tasty finish. These bowls are a great way to enjoy a balanced meal all in one dish.

Ingredients

• 3 cups cooked brown rice
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup corn (optional)
• 1 cup diced tomatoes
• 1 avocado, sliced
• Fresh salsa
• Chopped cilantro

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the brown rice according to package instructions.
2. In a bowl, mix cooked brown rice with black beans.
3. Add corn and diced tomatoes.
4. Top with avocado slices and fresh salsa.
5. Sprinkle with chopped cilantro.

5) Lemon Herb Brown Rice

Lemon Herb Brown Rice is a bright and flavorful dish. You can enjoy it as a side with your favorite meals or as a base for a grain bowl. The combination of lemon and fresh herbs adds a refreshing taste.

To make this dish, you’ll need brown rice, lemon juice, lemon zest, and a mix of your favorite herbs like parsley or thyme. This adds a burst of flavor while keeping it simple. You can also try adding garlic for an extra kick.

Ingredients

• 1 cup brown rice
• 2 cups water or broth
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Juice and zest of 1 lemon
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh herbs (parsley, thyme, or your choice)
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse the brown rice under cold water.
2. In a pot, bring water or broth to a boil.
3. Add the rice, reduce heat, and cover.
4. Cook for about 40-45 minutes, or until the rice is tender.
5. Fluff the rice with a fork and mix in olive oil, lemon juice, zest, herbs, and salt.

6) Brown Rice and Chicken Casserole

Brown rice and chicken casserole is a tasty and healthy meal you can make easily. This dish brings together lean chicken, brown rice, and plenty of vegetables for a complete dinner. It’s perfect for busy weeknights and satisfies the whole family.

To make this casserole, you start by cooking the brown rice. Then, mix in chicken, veggies, and your favorite seasonings. Bake everything together until the chicken is done and the flavors blend nicely.

You can also enjoy leftovers the next day, which makes this dish even better for meal prep!

Ingredients

• 2 cups brown rice
• 1 pound chicken breasts, diced
• 2 cups mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, etc.)
• 1 onion, chopped
• 4 cups chicken broth
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook the brown rice according to package instructions.
3. In a large bowl, mix cooked rice, chicken, vegetables, and onion.
4. Pour in the chicken broth and season with salt and pepper.
5. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish.
6. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked.

7) Curried Brown Rice with Chickpeas

Curried brown rice with chickpeas is a delicious and easy meal. It combines the nutty flavor of brown rice with the creaminess of chickpeas. This dish is both filling and comforting.

Start by cooking the brown rice according to package instructions. While the rice cooks, heat some oil in a pan and sauté onions until they are soft.

Add garlic and your favorite curry spices for a flavorful kick. Once the rice is ready, stir in the cooked chickpeas and some diced tomatoes. Let everything simmer together, so the flavors blend well. You can add spinach for extra nutrition and color.

Ingredients

• 1 cup brown rice
• 2 cups water
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon curry powder
• 1 can (14 oz) chickpeas, drained
• 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
• Spinach (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook brown rice in water until soft.
2. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.
3. Sauté onion until soft, then add garlic and curry powder.
4. Stir in chickpeas and diced tomatoes.
5. Mix in cooked rice and spinach if using.
6. Simmer for 5-10 minutes and serve.

8) Garlic Butter Brown Rice

Garlic butter brown rice is a tasty and simple dish. It pairs well with many meals. The buttery flavor and garlic aroma make it delightful.

To make this dish, start by cooking your brown rice. While it cooks, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat.

Add minced garlic and sauté it until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Once the rice is ready, combine it with the garlic butter mixture. Mix well to ensure every grain is coated. Season with salt to taste, and you’re good to go!

Ingredients

• 1 cup brown rice
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2-3 garlic cloves, minced
• Salt to taste
• 2 cups water or broth

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the brown rice according to package instructions.
2. In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
3. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes.
4. Combine cooked rice with garlic butter.
5. Season with salt and serve.

9) Brown Rice Sushi Rolls

Making brown rice sushi rolls is a fun way to enjoy healthy ingredients wrapped in nori. You’ll use sticky brown rice, which adds a nutty flavor. Fill your rolls with fresh vegetables or your favorite proteins.

Start by cooking your brown rice according to the package instructions. Once it’s ready, mix in rice vinegar, sugar, and salt to give it that signature sushi taste.

Lay out a sheet of nori on a sushi mat. Spread a thin layer of the seasoned brown rice across the nori, leaving some space at the top. Add your chosen fillings, then roll it tightly.

Slice your sushi rolls and enjoy them with soy sauce or wasabi. It’s a delicious and healthy treat!

Ingredients

• 2 cups brown rice
• 3 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp sugar
• ½ tsp salt
• Nori sheets
• Fillings (vegetables, proteins)

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the brown rice according to package instructions.
2. Mix rice vinegar, sugar, and salt in a bowl.
3. Combine the mixture with the cooked rice.
4. Place nori on a sushi mat.
5. Spread rice on nori, leaving space at the top.
6. Add your favorite fillings.
7. Roll the sushi tightly from the bottom.
8. Slice and serve with dipping sauce.

10) Coconut Lime Brown Rice

Coconut lime brown rice is a tasty side dish that adds a tropical touch to your meal. The combination of coconut milk and lime juice gives the rice a unique flavor that pairs well with many main dishes.

To make this dish, start with brown basmati rice for a nutty taste. The coconut milk adds creaminess, while lime juice brings a refreshing zing.

You’ll enjoy how easy it is to prepare. Simply cook the rice in coconut milk and water, then stir in lime juice for the perfect finishing touch.

Ingredients

• 2 cups brown basmati rice
• 1 can (13.5 ounces) full-fat coconut milk
• 2.5 cups water
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 teaspoon salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse the brown basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
2. In a pot, combine the rice, coconut milk, water, and salt.
3. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce it to a simmer.
4. Cover and cook for 40-45 minutes or until the rice is tender.
5. Remove the pot from heat and stir in lime juice before serving.