How to Cook Brown Rice Pudding

Isabella Cannon

| 2 min read

Rice pudding is a popular, ancient dish made by simmering rice in milk with spices. As the rice cooks, it releases starch, which thickens the milk and suspends the grains of rice, contributing to its creaminess. You can start with either uncooked rice or cooked rice, which is nice if you have leftovers you want to use.
Many rice pudding recipes are made with white arborio rice, but substituting for brown rice can add a nutrient boost. Due to its milling process, one cup of brown rice has up to 3 grams more fiber than the same amount of white rice. It also contains more manganese, selenium and magnesium, nutrients the body needs to stay healthy.
Cooking rice pudding is as easy as boiling rice and putting all the ingredients into a saucepan and simmering until the rice is very tender and the mixture thickens up. You can serve rice pudding warm or chilled and enhance its flavor by including a variety of spices or topping it with fresh fruit.

How to Cook Brown Rice Pudding

Total Time:

10 minutes

Prep Time:

1 hour

Cooking Difficulty:

Easy

Serving Amount
Ingredients

  • 2 cups water

  • 1 cup uncooked brown rice

  • 1⁄4 tsp.  salt or according to preference and health needs

  • 1 cup milk of choice

  • 6 ounces  evaporated milk

  • 1⁄4 cup honey

  • 1 Tbsp. brown sugar

  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract

  • cinnamon if desired

Instructions
  • Step 1

    Bring the water and brown rice to a boil in a saucepan. 

  • Step 2

    Add salt, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 35 minutes. Remove from heat, keep it covered and allow to rest for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork. 

  • Step 3

    Stir in the milk of choice, evaporated milk, honey and brown sugar.

  • Step 4

    Simmer uncovered, stirring often, for 40-50 minutes or until it has reached pudding consistency.

  • Step 5

    Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.

  • Step 6

    Enjoy warm sprinkled with cinnamon or chilled with berries.

How to Store Leftover Rice Pudding

Rice pudding should be cooled completely before storing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three to five days. You can also freeze rice pudding for up to three months. Let it defrost in the refrigerator overnight before use.
Photo credit: Getty Images
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