What can you cook with just two ingredients and zero prep time? Crock pot rice! All you need is some rice, water, and salt. You can add any different spices and seasonings you want like butter, garlic, black pepper, and fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, paprika, and basil. Whatever you like, just add it and your rice will soak up the flavors as it cooks.
If you have trouble making rice the regular way (on the stovetop in a pot of water) or even in a rice cooker, you have to try the slow cooker. Before, cooking rice was a toss-up. Sometimes it came out mushy and other times it was still hard. But with crock pot rice, you get perfectly cooked rice with every batch. Cooking rice in a crockpot is now one of my favorite ways to make it.
Different rice dishes
The awesome thing about rice is that it goes with everything. You can make it sweet, savory, spicy, or sour. Make it with your favorite broth or a bit of wine. Cook on low heat for 3 hours and you have perfectly cooked rice every time. You can add chicken for chicken and rice, stir in some hot sauce and cayenne pepper for spicy rice, or flavor it with lemon and pepper to make lemon pepper rice. For a side dish or a whole meal, rice is delicious and easy to make in the slow cooker.
How much liquid
One thing that can be difficult to get right is how much liquid to use. How you are cooking it makes the difference. In the slow cooker, 2 cups of water to 1 cup of rice is about the right amount. It really depends on what kind of rice you are cooking and even what kind of liquid you use. Just add what the recipe calls for, give it a good stir, and check it once or twice while it cooks.
All about the grains
According to the Health.com site, the type of rice and grains really does make a difference. Brown rice has whole grain including the bran layer, which is the healthiest part of the rice. White rice has the most calories and the least nutrients. But there are different types as well. Arborio rice is a medium grain rice and has a creamy texture. Basmati is long and dry with a nutty flavor. Black rice is the healthiest and has an earthy taste.
What to serve with rice
- Jasmine rice with rosemary served with pork tenderloin.
- Country fried steak and rice with gravy.
- Pineapple pork and white rice with teriyaki sauce.
- Cheesy rice with ground beef and green peppers.
- Sweet and sour rice with grilled chicken.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to cook rice in a slow cooker?
Cooking times will be different depending on the type of rice you are cooking. Also, the cook time will depend on how much rice you are making. One more thing, cook times are different whether you use low or high heat. If you cook on high, check it after 2 hours. Wild rice takes the longest to cook.
Why is my rice still crunchy?
It could be that your slow cooker was not hot enough or you did not let it cook long enough. It could also be crunchy if you do not add enough liquid to your slow cooker rice. Be sure to follow the recipe exactly because recipes are like a science that has been tested by professionals. You can try soaking your rice in water for half an hour before cooking to prevent dry rice.
Is brown rice healthier than white rice?
White or brown rice are both good but brown rice is a bit healthier because it has more nutrients and fewer carbohydrates. Brown rice is a whole grain while white is refined. Long-grain rice (white or brown rice) is longer and thinner than regular rice and has more nutrients and fiber. In fact, 1 cup of long-grain rice has three times the amount of fiber in 1 cup of rice.
Tips and Tricks
- One cup of uncooked rice is about two cups of cooked rice depending on what type you are using. White rice cooks up fluffier than brown or long-grain rice.
- Spray your slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray to keep rice from sticking.
- Cooking time will vary depending on the type of rice, how much rice, and what temperature you use.
- Cover your rice with a piece of parchment paper before putting the lid on to help it steam and get more tender.
- Rinse your rice before cooking to get rid of excess starch.
- Always taste and season with salt and pepper before serving.
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