If You Don't Have Instant Brown Rice In Your Pantry, You're Missing Out On A Quick Fix

Instant brown rice is a shortcut well worth the while. Ready in two to 10 minutes, instant brown rice holds up to its name in the fact that it is, to a greater extent, instant. But what makes it unique among other foods that are generally associated with being fast or quick is that, not only is it a shortcut in the sense that it saves you time and effort, but it does so without cutting any nutritional corners. In fact, instant brown rice is just about as nutritious as the non-instant stuff — only, all it requires is a few minutes covered on the stove before it's time to sit down and eat. 

Being a whole grain, brown rice is generally considered a healthier alternative to white, but it takes a lot more time to prepare — about 45-50 minutes.  Instant brown rice, on the other hand, comes pre-cooked, requiring just a few minutes to rehydrate, making it all the easier to prepare a healthy meal in less time. That's especially the case when you're eating brown instant rice, as it contains all of the whole grain — including the germ, bran, and endosperm — that make it heart healthy.. While even the best instant rice brands might come with a few sacrifices taste-wise, they can be easily mitigated. 

You're probably thinking, there has to be a catch, but when it comes to instant brown rice, there isn't much of one. The only downside is the fact that it's an instant alternative to something normally cooked fresh. Being precooked, dried, and then rehydrated, it's only natural that brown instant rice loses some of its flavor and texture. Fortunately, there are multiple ways you can bring instant brown rice back to life. An easy way to get more flavor in your instant brown rice is to opt for broth instead of water.

Substituted at a 1:1 ratio, you can use chicken, beef, vegetable, or even bone broth. If you have the time, you can also sauté the uncooked rice in cooking oil or butter prior to adding the liquid. This will add further dimension and amp up the flavor of the brown rice by bringing out its natural nuttiness, all while helping to improve the texture of the rice and shortening the overall cook time. So be sure to keep an eye on it once you do add the liquid.

Other ways to add flavor to your instant rice could be as simple as adding garlic or herbs, or even some cheese. Either way, your instant rice is sure to taste and feel just as good as it would if it weren't quite so instant — and without sacrificing any of your time, or its nutrients.