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Brown Rice In 10 Minutes: Does It Work?

June 14, 2012   37 Comments

A reader asked me about Minute Brown rice and I had never tried it. I had always associated it with instant oatmeal.

Brown Minute Rice

I don't like instant oatmeal at all because it lacks the texture of whole oats oatmeal so I have always avoided "Minute Rice" because I thought it was somehow different than regular rice.

Also, I have spent HOURS trying to figure out how to cook regular brown rice (see: Brown Is Beautiful: Making The Switch To Brown Rice). I was very skeptical when I picked up this box of Minute brown rice.

Brown rice in 10 minutes? What is this stuff? Radioactive?

Turns out it isn't radioactive, it is just parboiled. The kind people at Minute rice partially boil the rice and then dry it so it cooks in less time.

This processing must destroy the nutritional content, right?

When I compared the nutrients to my regular brown rice package they were exactly the same. This is one of those instances when "processing" seems to do nothing to the overall health of the food.

It tasted just like my baked brown rice. I was in a hurry on Monday (and had run out of my stash of cooked brown rice) and I grabbed this box. The crowd went wild as I served my family brown rice in 10 minutes. Actually, my crowd poured ketchup all over their rice. oh well.

There is a downside to Minute brown rice. It costs about $2.60 per pound versus the regular stuff at $1.50 per pound. You are paying a premium for the parboiling, packaging, and marketing of the rice.

But, when you are pressed for time, this is a healthy alternative to white rice and it tastes just like the regular SLOW rice. I am keeping a box for emergencies.

For 2/3 cup cooked = 150 calories, 1.5 g fat, 34 g carbohydrates, 0 g sugar, 3 g protein, 2 g fiber, 10 mg sodium, 4 Points+

Have you tried Minute Brown Rice? Please share.

Other posts you might like:

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Brown Is Beautiful: Making The Switch To Brown Rice

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This low calorie rice is a win-win substitute for real rice......

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37 Comments:

Thank You!!! I have always wondered that! Love your blog!

I wish you could get that in the UK

Haven't tried it because when I do cook brown rice (which cooks perfectly in my rice cooker) I cook too much and freeze the leftovers in sandwich bags for re-heating on the days I'm in a rush. Love your blog!

have always used the 10 minute version - Uncle Ben's is another good time saver - his works in the microwave in 90 seconds. Never had the time or inclination after working all day to wait 45 min on brown rice.

I had the same initial reaction, and generally pop my regular brown rice in the rice cooker (which works GREAT, takes about 35 minutes, but you really do have to follow the instructions including rinsing the rice). However, I always keep the quick brown rice b/c in a pinch, it makes the difference!

I use a 10 minute version all the time. There's a 90 second one that's delicious. I buy that one when I have coupons. Both come out much better than when I try to do it the long way. And I never plan enough time to cook rice.

Thank you for this. I have often wondered about it too. I love to read your blog and get so many ideas and good info. @ Personal trainer Brighton....I bet Uncle Ben's has an instant brown rice. There were just as many, if not more , convenience foods on the shelves in the UK supermarkets as in the US, I noticed when over there last.

I have used this and it is really good. They also have the individual bowls (3/4 cup) that you microwave and it is very good also. Walmart carries them.

I've used it and I'm afraid I disagree; I didn't like the texture at all. I do, however, buy the Uncle Ben's 20 min brown rice; I don't find much difference in that stuff and the regular 40 min brown rice.

Another great product that is even faster than the Minute Rice is Trader Joe's frozen brown rice. It's done in less than five minutes and it has that nutty bite to it that I think the Minute Rice lacks. It's not practical for a crowd, though.

Wow! I would have NEVER even picked it up-thank you!!! I buy the success boil in bag rice a lot for convenience and speed-10 min in bowl of water in micro. I printed out a recipe on this site I think, for how to bake brown rice in the oven but have yet to try it. It NEVER occured to me to make a big batch of rice and freeze it in bags! DUH!!!!!!! I do it with everything else. I feel so stupid now. Def going to do that!

Brown Rice is a great substitute for White Rice. Here's a tip when cooking Brown Rice. Combine Diced white onion,Sea Salt , 1/4 teaspoon oil in a skillet. Heat and light toast rice. Add mixture to boiling water and let simmer with a lid.

A *really* good alternative is Trader Joe's 3-minute (microwave) brown rice...they even sell an organic version....I use it constantly...and (based on labels), it looks like the same nutritional make-up.

I have tried this. It's okay, but I like the Minute microwave brown rice and brown and wild rice cups better. Surprisingly enough, the Cub Foods here in Rochester, MN doesn't carry it, but Fareway, a regional chain with fewer items on the shelves, does stock it. It's great for putting in my lunch box as the portion size is controlled.

Also, I buy brown basmati rice at the Indian market here. I use a microwave rice cooker from Pampered Chef (no affiliation except as a satisfied customer) and I have really good results.

And it's still a struggle to get my kids to eat the brown versions, even though they are adventurous eaters and have been exposed to it for years. They don't like whole-wheat pasta, either, but they will eat Dreamfields without complaint--it doesn't look like whole wheat pasta.

I'm not a BIG fan of brown rice but the MR was pretty good, as I said before. What I have found to be a very good brand is the Hytop brand (it may be local for us). Given a preference though, I would rather eat Trader Joe's whole wheat couscous. I've tried several kinds and this one is the most palatable for me.

I have used Uncle Bens brown rice in the boilable bags. I am going to try the Minute Brown Rice and see which i like better.

I love all the tips you give and happy you do all the footwork for us..LOl..

Good to know, if you need brown rice in a quick minutes, however I use Trader JOe's Organic Brown Rice and it cooks in the micriwave for 3 minutes! It's my favorite!!

I use it for my Fricassee and other soup/stew like recipes that call for cooked rice, I just add the box and the rice absorbs the juices/flavor of the recipe "hiding' the brown rice flavor from the kids...

Since brown rice has become more popular, I have noticed several grocers in my area are carrying store brand instant brown rice, which is significantly less expensive than the name brand.

Just enjoyed perfectly cooked and fluffy Tr Joes organic brown rice as many above have mentioned; when the bag puffs in my microwave, usu 3 mins, its done and yummy! Sometimes I like to toss in sauteed onions and fresh herbs, whatever is available. Its handy for quick soup additions too. I also keep on hand bulk organic br rice from my local health food market for when time allows more leisurely cooking. Leftovers for breakfast with cinnamon and honey or maple syrup--yum! Now after reading this I think I'm going to try freezing some of my own for quick-prep and save some$! Thanks for this great exchange of ideas, Snack Girl!!

I have always loved brown rice. For a real treat try and find the super short grain Asian varieties. The grains are almost the same shape as pearl barley. The taste is super nutty. Just allow for a long slow cook and be sure to rinse ahead of time. It's worth it!

Has anybody tried cooking brown rice in a crock pot? If so, how did it turn out, and how do you do it.

Another way to cook rice more quickly is to cook it like pasta. Bring a big pot of water to boil, toss in your rice, and keep it boiling until it finishes cooking. In general, it usually takes about half the time (so white rice would take ~10 minutes and brown rice would take ~20 minutes). You'd want to check it to make sure it's done to your liking, and you'd need to drain it, which is kind of a pain. But it's quicker than cooking it the regular way, and cleaning the pot is a lot easier too. :-) Plus, the grains stay separate and fluffy, rather than becoming a sticky lump.

I have always heard that Uncle Ben's Converted rice is some of the healthiest rice out there. Not the minute or instant white...it's because the converting process gets all the vitamins and minerals from the hull inside the grain. Not only that, it has much, much lower glycemic levels.

If I am incorrect on any of this, please let me know. Thanks! :-)

Thanks for reminding me, Debbie, I, too, love short-grain brown rice [by Lundgren's] which I store in my retro blue Ball jars, I forgot it isn't bulk as I mentioned above, the rest of my jars contain bulk grains but not the brown rice! Lundgren's SH br rice cooks up similar to white, fluffy, but with the extra great nutty flavor.

i was hoping you'd say it's healthy! i love it, i get the 1 min in the microwave individual cups kind cause i'm the only one in my family that will eat it, and i love the kind they make now with quiona or whatever that word is. yumm!! so glad that's one thing i'm eating right. :)

Thanks for the product review!

Wow! Thanks for doing the research on this!

I haven't tried the minute rice, but I use Uncle Ben's brown rice in either the ready to go foil bag or the single serving cups. It takes ***90 seconds*** to heat up in the microwave. To me it tastes the same as my 1.5 hrs cooking time regular brown rice. The price is a premium of course but when I am late to work and I realize that I am out of brown rice that I made in a large batch a day or two ago....it is wonderful in a pinch and no pots....easy for work.

Also, I believe Mr. Kimball on America's Test Kitchen chose Uncle Ben's in their taste test.....

Good to know! I usually do like others and make it in batches to toss in the freezer, but good to know this convenience food doesn't suffer nutritionally. FWIW, Birds Eye also has frozen brown (and white) rice, which I find in my local Shaw's and Roche Bros. chains, and Whole Foods has their 365 Everyday brand of frozen brown rice too (as well as frozen Jasmine rice).

I too like the frozen bags of brown rice. I make extra rice and freeze it when I remember, but the packaged frozen works in a pinch, just way too expensive. I have never, and will never buy instant rice!

Instant rice has absolutely no flavor or texture to me. My SIL had me over for a fried rice dinner and it was instant rice - blech! Ack! Ptooey!

(We ate it up and did NOT complain - it's the thought that counts) but I was shocked because I didn't think people actually ate that stuff, lol!

I have a microwave rice cooker that's perfect for one or two people. It holds up to 2 cups of dry rice (but not American cups--the little Japanese rice measuring cups--they're probably more like 3/4 cup each and in metric.)

The inside pot that the rice and water boil in, is ceramic. The outer container (which catches overflow starchy water) is plastic as is the lid. It cost me around twelve dollars and depending on how much rice I'm cooking it takes 12-15 minutes in the microwave.

That way I can cook brown basmati which is my favorite.

Lisa, I agree that the instant brown rice is such a great convenience and there's really no down side except the price. I also sometimes buy frozen brown rice which cooks up perfectly in the microwave in 3 minutes. Amazing!

I always hated making rice because it takes 20-30 minutes and I like quick and easy meals. Tried the minute rice but I always felt there was either too much water still on it or it came out a bit more al dente than I like! Have you ever tried the Uncle Ben 60 second rice. I thought there would be loaded with sodium, but the Brown Basmati actually has 0%. And, it's only 60 seconds in the microwave and you're ready to eat! Here's the Uncle Ben site to check out the Nutrition Facts Panel http://bit.ly/1d10Z9b Try it out some time. I like it better than Minute Brown Rice.

I never liked brown rice, but Minute BR won America's Test Kitchen taste test so I tried it. I'm sold on it; easy to prepare and tastes nutty. Quick to make and easy clean up. I highly recommend it!

I have tried this. It's okay, but I like the Minute microwave brown rice and brown and wild rice cups better. Surprisingly enough, the Cub Foods here in Rochester, MN doesn't carry it, but Fareway, a regional chain with fewer items on the shelves, does stock it. It's great for putting in my lunch box as the portion size is controlled.

Also, I buy brown basmati rice at the Indian market here. I use a microwave rice cooker from Pampered Chef (no affiliation except as a satisfied customer) and I have really good results.

And it's still a struggle to get my kids to eat the brown versions, even though they are adventurous eaters and have been exposed to it for years. They don't like whole-wheat pasta, either, but they will eat Dreamfields without complaint--it doesn't look like whole wheat past

Literally typed "Why does Brown Minute Rice not turn out?" Into Google and this popped up :)

I followed the directions to a tee and the rice was still chewy. So I tried microwaving it afterwards for an additional 2 minutes. Still chewy, but edible. Is there some magic formula I dont know about? I did the correct ratios and time.

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