For a hands-off side dish that turns out fluffy every time, Perfect Baked Brown Rice comes together with just rice, water, and a pat of butter. Baked uncovered until tender, this method delivers consistently great results without a rice cooker. It’s an ideal staple for busy weeknight dinners when you need a reliable, fuss-free grain.
This post may contain affiliation links. Please read my disclosure policy .
Why We Love This Effortless Side
- Consistently Perfect – Even cooking gives you fluffy results without the stovetop guesswork.
- Hands-Free Ease – Pop it in the oven and focus on your main dish or just relax.
- Simple Ingredients – You likely have everything you need already in your pantry.
- Versatile Base – Pairs beautifully with everything from weeknight stir-fries to holiday feasts.
What You’ll Need for Your Baked Brown Rice
For the rice
- Long-Grain Brown Rice – This is the star of the dish, so make sure you’re using the long-grain variety for the best texture.
- Boiling Water – Hot water speeds up the cooking process and ensures perfectly tender grains.
For flavor
- Unsalted Butter – A little goes a long way to add richness and a subtle buttery finish.
- Kosher Salt – Essential for seasoning—don’t skip it!
Let’s Talk About Your Time in the Kitchen
I know how precious your evening time is, so I love that this method is mostly hands-off. You’ll spend about 5 minutes getting everything ready—just a few moments of measuring and pouring that feel more peaceful than rushed.
Then, the oven does the heavy lifting for a full hour, filling your home with a warm, nutty aroma. In just over an hour total, you have a wholesome, perfectly roasted brown rice dish ready to grace your table. It’s the kind of slow, reliable cooking that fits a cozy weeknight perfectly. For another simple side that comes together while your main bakes, you might enjoy my Mediterranean Quinoa Salad.
Baked Brown Rice
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups long-grain brown rice
- 2 3/4 cups boiling water
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Method
- Preheat your oven to 375°F and lightly grease an 8×8 inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
- Pour 1 1/2 cups of long-grain brown rice into the prepared baking dish, spreading it into an even layer.
- Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of kosher salt evenly over the rice and dot the top with 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter, cut into small pieces.
- Carefully pour 2 3/4 cups of boiling water over the rice, ensuring all grains are submerged.
- Cover the baking dish tightly with a double layer of aluminum foil to trap the steam.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour, until the rice is tender and has absorbed all the water.
- Remove the dish from the oven, uncover, and fluff the rice gently with a fork before serving.
Nutrition
Private Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Gentle Tweaks for Different Dietary Needs
If you’re sugar conscious or focusing on low glycemic foods, brown rice is a wonderful, whole-grain choice. Its natural fibers help make it a more glucose-friendly option compared to white rice. For a diabetic-friendly version, you could simply reduce the butter or use a heart-healthy oil. A little splash of olive oil gives it a lovely richness without any dairy.
My Favorite Little Kitchen Secrets
Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks that make this fluffy baked brown rice side even more special. They’re simple shifts that can make a big difference in your final dish.
- For a flavor twist, swap the butter for a tablespoon of olive oil and add a crushed garlic clove to the water before baking.
- If you need it gluten-free, just double-check that your broth is certified GF if you use it instead of water.
- Always let the rice sit for 5 minutes after baking before fluffing; it helps the grains settle and absorb any last steam.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container; it reheats beautifully with a splash of water to bring back its tenderness. It pairs wonderfully with something like a simple baked salmon for another meal.
Nourishing Your Body with Every Bite
This savory baked rice with kosher salt isn’t just comforting; it’s genuinely good for you. Brown rice retains its bran and germ, packing in fiber, vitamins, and minerals that white rice loses. It’s a wonderfully grounding and nourishing base for any meal.
A single serving offers a steady release of energy, making you feel satisfied longer. The method itself, using just a pat of butter, keeps added fats minimal. For a deeper dive into the nutritional profile of whole grains, I have a guide that might interest you. Organizations like America’s Test Kitchen also highlight the benefits of cooking whole grains properly to maximize their nutritional value.
A Lighter Take on a Classic Side
If you’re looking to keep things even lighter, this recipe is wonderfully adaptable. You can easily omit the butter altogether—the rice will still bake up perfectly fluffy with just water and salt. For a different flavor profile, a light vegetable broth adds depth without any extra fat.
This chewy baked grain side with butter is fantastic as-is, but it’s also a blank canvas. Try stirring in some fresh herbs like parsley or chives after baking for a burst of freshness without calories. For another light and healthy main to pair it with, our lemon herb baked cod is a favorite. You might also find inspiration in our bright mango quinoa bowl for other wholesome grain ideas.
Gathering Around the Table Together
I love how this dish seems to bring a sense of calm to the dinner table. It’s the perfect brown rice side dish for a holiday gathering or a simple Tuesday night. I often serve it family-style in a big ceramic bowl, letting everyone help themselves.
It pairs beautifully with nearly everything. Try it alongside a savory ground beef bowl for a complete meal, or under a saucy stir-fry. The simple, nutty flavor complements rather than competes.
It reminds me of Sunday dinners at my grandmother’s house—nothing fussy, just good, honest food that makes everyone feel at home.
Helping You Avoid Common Pitfalls
Even the simplest recipes can have tricky spots, so let’s walk through them together. A little know-how ensures your baked brown rice recipe turns out perfectly every single time.
- Not Using Boiling Water: Pouring in cold water significantly increases the bake time and can leave the rice gritty. Always start with hot water for tender grains.
- Skimping on the Foil: If steam escapes, the rice won’t cook evenly. Ensure the baking dish is sealed tightly with a double layer of foil.
- Peeking While It Bakes: I know it’s tempting, but lifting the foil releases precious steam. Trust the process and wait until the timer goes off.
Following a trusted method, like Alton Brown’s baked brown rice method, reinforces the importance of these steps. For other dishes where technique is key, check out my tips for keeping baked ziti from drying out. I learned the hard way that patience is the secret ingredient in so many recipes.
Keeping Your Leftovers Just as Delicious
This recipe makes a wonderful amount, and I often purposely make extra for later. Let the rice cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container; it will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days.
To reheat, I simply place a single serving in a bowl with a tablespoon of water, cover it, and microwave it in short bursts until warm. The steam brings back its beautiful fluffy texture. It’s fantastic tossed into a rice bowl the next day or even warmed and served with a pan-seared steak. It’s like giving your future self a little gift of a ready-made meal.
I Hope You’ll Give This Simple Recipe a Try
There’s a quiet joy in mastering a simple, foundational recipe like this perfect baked brown rice. It becomes a reliable friend in your kitchen, a building block for countless nourishing meals.
I encourage you to try it this week. Let the oven do the work while you enjoy a slower moment for yourself. From my kitchen to yours, I hope this method brings you as much ease and comfort as it has brought me.
If you’re looking for more comforting baked dishes to add to your repertoire, I think you’d love our cinnamon baked apples for dessert, our savory baked dumplings for an appetizer, or our classic cheesy baked manicotti for a family feast. For another perfect side, our baked ziti with parmesan is always a crowd-pleaser.
More Cozy Comfort Food Favorites
If you loved this simple side, you might enjoy curling up with one of these other heartwarming recipes from the site.
Bang Bang Fried Rice – A spicy and savory twist on classic fried rice that comes together in minutes.
Ground Beef Rice Bowl – A hearty and satisfying bowl perfect for a busy weeknight dinner.
Chicken Sweet Potato Rice Bowl – Packed with wholesome ingredients and topped with a creamy sauce.
Cinnamon Baked Apples – A warm and spiced dessert that feels like a comforting hug.
Answers to Your Brown Rice Questions
Can you cook brown rice in the oven?
Absolutely! Baking brown rice in the oven is a wonderfully hands-off method. It uses steady, ambient heat to cook the rice evenly, resulting in a reliably fluffy baked brown rice every time, without any risk of burning on the bottom of a pot.
How long does it take to cook brown rice in the oven at 350 degrees?
At 350°F, your brown rice will typically need about 1 hour to become perfectly tender. It’s important to keep the dish tightly covered with foil for the entire cooking time to trap the steam, which is essential for cooking the grains through.
Is roasted brown rice healthy?
Yes, it’s a very healthy choice. Brown rice is a whole grain, meaning it contains all parts of the grain—the bran, germ, and endosperm. This packages in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, making this cooking method a great way to prepare a nutritious side dish.
How long to cook rice in the oven at 400 degrees?
I don’t recommend baking rice at 400°F as the higher heat can cause the water to evaporate too quickly before the rice has fully cooked, potentially leaving it dry or crunchy. Sticking to 350°F or 375°F yields much more consistent and fluffy results.
