72 Tasty Brown Rice Recipes That Outshine White Rice

Felicia Lim

Fri, April 25, 2025 at 3:15 PM UTC

17 min read

Brown rice has a lower glycemic index than white rice, making it a healthier choice for those with diabetes or insulin resistance.
Brown rice can be cooked quickly on the stove or in the microwave, with soaking before cooking helping to speed up the process and aid in digestion.
Brown rice can be used in a variety of dishes, from burrito bowls to sushi, providing endless options for incorporating this healthy grain into meals.

If you're a fan of rice like we are, and can't get enough of it, then you'll want to incorporate these 72brown ricerecipesinto your meal rotation. White rice is definitely more common, but brown rice adds an earthier flavor and is slightly chewier in texture.

Related: 75 Easy Rice Recipes

Is Brown Rice Healthy?

In comparison to white rice, brown rice has a lower glycemic index, which means it increases your blood sugar more slowly than its white counterpart. For those with diabetes or insulin resistance, choosing brown over white (in equal quantities) will be a healthier choice.

How To Cook Brown Rice

The best thing about brown rice is it cooks quickly! You can even buy microwavable, ready-to-eat brown rice pouches that are ready in 90 seconds. If you're cooking brown rice on the stove, you will want to follow the directions on your box of rice but most brown rice cooks in 45 minutes or less. Use around 6 cups of water for every cup of brown rice. Also, soaking your rice before cooking can speed up cooking times and also help remove phytic acid, which is found in the grains making it easier to digest.

What To Do With Brown Rice

Brown rice can be used like your would normal white rice, and some of the delicious recipes with brown rice include snacks such as brown rice cakes, salads like Cowboy rice salad or lime and coriander brown rice bean salad.

Related: Brown Rice vs. White Rice

What Can I Make With Brown Rice?

You may also make hearty Mexican-inspired meals such as brown rice burrito bowl and brown rice with black beans and corn, or Japanese-inspired recipes such as veggie brown rice sushi and brown rice sushi balls. Brown rice can also be used in soups such as lentil brown rice soup or even in desserts like creamy brown rice pudding.

The options are literally endless!

Here are 72 of the best brown rice recipes to love this healthy grain. Browse through them, make sure you pin your favorites and get ready to bust out that rice cooker!

Best Brown Rice Recipes

Brown Rice Burrito Bowl With Spicy Black Beans and Onions

This bold-flavored brown rice burrito bowl with spicy black beans and onions is gut-friendly and delicious at the same time!

Get the recipe: Brown Rice Burrito Bowl With Spicy Black Beans and Onions

Super Easy Brown Rice and Veggie Meatloaf

In this healthier meatloaf, the added vegetables give great texture and crunch, and the Greek yogurt and brown rice do wonders in holding everything together.

Get the recipe: Super Easy Brown Rice and Veggie Meatloaf

Brown Rice and Quinoa With Apricots and Pistachios

Serve this delicious brown rice and quinoa with apricots and pistachios as a side dish to a Mediterranean meal, pour over salad greens, or add tofu or chicken.

Get the recipe: Brown Rice and Quinoa With Apricots and Pistachios

Roast Brussels Sprouts With Wild Brown Rice

Roast Brussels sprouts and wild brown rice is a side dish to serve not only during the holidays but whenever Brussels sprouts are in season.

Get the recipe: Roast Brussels Sprouts and Wild Brown Rice

Kimchi Brown Rice Breakfast Bowls

Hearty brown rice is cooked with probiotic-rich kimchi, garlic, ginger and soy sauce, then topped off with a crispy fried egg!

Get the recipe: Kimchi Brown Rice Breakfast Bowls

Cilantro Egg Fried Brown Rice

Cilantro egg fried brown rice—a mixture of cooked brown rice, egg omelet slices and fresh cilantro, stir-fried to form a quick and easy side dish.

Get the recipe: Cilantro Egg Fried Brown Rice

Southwestern Lentil Brown Rice Bake

Southwestern lentil and brown rice bake is cheesy, delicious meatless comfort food even a carnivore will love and is super easy to prepare!

Get the recipe: Southwestern Lentil Brown Rice Bake

Teriyaki Turkey Brown Rice Bowls

The delicious, sweet teriyaki sauce and the (kind of) hidden veggies in this Teriyaki Turkey Rice Bowl make this one of those healthy ground turkey recipes that your whole family will love!

Get the recipe: Teriyaki Turkey Rice Bowl

Healthy Chicken and Shrimp Paella

A simple-to-make paella using brown rice, chicken, shrimp, turmeric, smoked paprika and fresh lime juice. Perfect for a special occasion or weekly meal prep!

Get the recipe: Healthy Chicken Shrimp Paella

Related: 40 Best Soul Food Recipes

Instant Pot Korean Beef and Brown Rice

This tender beef is served in a rich, sweet, and savory sauce inspired by Korea. You can also cook brown rice at the same time—all in the pressure cooker or Instant Pot!

Get the recipe: Instant Pot Korean Beef and Brown Rice

Quick and Easy Chicken Fried Rice

How to make the most delicious homemade chicken fried rice. Quick and easy stir-fry dinner recipe that's so much better than takeout!

Get the recipe: Quick and Easy Chicken Fried Rice

Brown Rice Black Bean and Sweet Potato Bowl

You'll love this protein-packed bowl filled with chorizo made from soy, brown rice, black beans, sweet potatoes, lettuce, guacamole and sour cream.

Get the recipe: Brown Rice Black Bean and Sweet Potato Bowl

Lime and Coriander Brown Rice Bean Salad

Bursting with wonderful flavors, this salad makes a tasty main course or side dish.

Get the recipe: Lime and Coriander Brown Rice Bean Salad

Vegan Brown Rice and Lentil Soup

This brown rice and lentil soup is loaded with flavors and packed with protein and fiber. It's also naturally vegan, super delicious and feels like proper comfort food!

Get the recipe: Vegan Brown Rice and Lentil Soup

Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice

Dry red beans and brown rice are cooked together with flavorful seasonings in the Instant Pot in this easy vegetarian staple!

Get the recipe: Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice

Cowboy Rice Salad

Based on the famous Cowboy Caviar, this brown rice salad is filled with bright, zesty flavors, plenty of juicy veggies, nutty brown rice and drizzled with a fabulous Southwestern lime dressing!

Get the recipe: Cowboy Rice Salad

Brown Rice Veggie Bowl

This brown rice veggie bowl is filled with hearty and nutritious ingredients! Albeit considered "healthy," this meal satisfies the taste buds and is filling! Steamed brown rice mixed with your favorite veggies flavored with spices and topped with crunchy nuts!

Get the recipe: Brown Rice Veggie Bowl

Salmon Brown Rice Bibimbap

This salmon brown rice bibimbap will be your favorite type of dinner. A bowl with a little bit of everything—textures, colors, flavors, nutrients—and all mixed up to tease the tongue with every spoonful.

Get the recipe: Salmon Bibimbap

Curried Rice Salad With Orange

A curried brown rice salad with flavorful orange-curry dressing and crunchy pistachios.

Get the recipe: Curried Rice Salad With Orange

Grilled Chicken Souvlaki Quinoa Brown Rice Bowls

Grilled Greek chicken souvlaki quinoa brown rice bowls—a Mediterranean-inspired weeknight chicken dish full of bright flavors served with grilled vegetables, olives and feta on a bed of quinoa and brown rice.

Get the recipe: Grilled Chicken Souvlaki Quinoa Brown Rice Bowls

Brown Rice Jollof

This Brown Rice Jollof is a healthier alternative to this favorite African dish.

Get the recipe: Brown Rice Jollof

Brown Rice Cakes

Brown rice cakes are so dang delicious and easy to make, you'll keep this simple recipe in heavy rotation for your mealtime planning.

Get the recipe: Brown Rice Cakes

Vegan Tofu Fried Brown Rice

This vegan fried rice recipe is the perfect weeknight dinner! Easy, healthy and so satisfying. It's full of plant-based protein thanks to oven-baked tofu, tons of veggies and even whole-grain brown rice.

Get the recipe: Vegan Tofu Fried Brown Rice

20-Minute Vegan Brown Rice Salad With Greens

This vegan brown rice salad is a super quick, easy, delicious way to enjoy more vegetables. You can use it for meal prep, or to add to the dinner table alongside other dishes.

Get the recipe: 20-Minute Vegan Brown Rice Salad With Greens

Vegan Brown Rice Sushi

Easy, 10-ingredient sushi with sticky brown rice and vegetables. Hearty, healthy and delicious.

Get the recipe: Veggie Brown Rice Sushi

Mujadarra (Brown Rice and Lentils With Caramelized Onions)

Don't be fooled by the simple ingredients in this Mujadarra. This classic dish is absolutely delicious!

Get the recipe: Mujadarra (Brown Rice With Lentils and Caramelized Onions)

Lentil Brown Rice Soup

A really simple lentil and brown rice soup recipe that is very easy to whip up, and makes a deliciously hearty meal for a chilly night.

Get the recipe: Lentil Brown Rice Soup

Stuffed Acorn Squash

This Italian sausage and brown rice stuffed acorn squash is a deliciously healthy easy weeknight meal idea made with sausage, whole grain rice and seasonal vegetables!

Get the recipe: Italian Sausage and Brown Rice Stuffed Acorn Squash

Dirty Brown Rice With Shrimp

A healthier twist on a Cajun classic, the addition of shrimp turns this "dirty brown rice" into a fabulous main dish.

Get the recipe: Dirty Brown Rice With Shrimp

Brown Rice and Sweet Potato Salad

This brown rice and sweet potato salad is a super yummy side dish that is simple enough for a weeknight meal and special enough for your holiday table.

Get the recipe: Brown Rice and Sweet Potato Salad

Brown Rice Stir Fry With Vegetables

This brown rice stir-fry with vegetables is life-changing and so simple. Add your favorite veggies or what's in season.

Get the recipe: Simple Brown Rice With Vegetables

Simple Brown Rice Salad With Pesto Vinaigrette

This simple brown rice salad is an absolute standby for any August barbecue, picnic or informal gathering.

Get the recipe: Simple Brown Rice Salad With Pesto Vinaigrette

Brown Rice Pilaf With Orzo

Brown rice pilaf with orzo is the side dish that goes with everything! Serve this easy whole-grain side with everything from roast chicken to curry.

Get the recipe: Brown Rice Pilaf With Orzo

Garlicky Carrot Brown Rice

Brown rice sautéed with fresh pressed garlic and onion in oil to lock in the flavors. Simply an irresistible side dish to complete (and complement) all your meals!

Get the recipe: Garlicky Carrot Brown Rice

Cilantro Lime Brown Rice

This cilantro lime brown rice is a perfect side dish for a wide variety of Mexican-inspired meals. Plus, it's simple to prepare!

Get the recipe: Cilantro Lime Brown Rice

Spanish Brown Rice

Flavor-packed and make-ahead easy for those busy weeknights; Spanish Brown Rice (AKA Mexican Brown Rice) for a good mouth party!

Get the recipe: Spanish Brown Rice

Perfectly Fluffy Brown Rice

No more sticky, mushy, wet brown rice. Perfectly fluffy brown rice is easy to make, once you stop cooking it like rice. The secret? Cook brown rice like pasta and you'll get foolproof fluffy brown rice every time!

Get the recipe: Perfectly Fluffy Brown Rice

Toasted Brown Rice With Mushrooms and Thyme

If you don't believe that brown rice recipes can be the best part of the meal, I dare you to try this toasted brown rice with mushrooms and thyme!

Get the recipe: Toasted Brown Rice With Mushrooms and Thyme

Corn Broccoli Brown Rice Casserole

A vegetable-filled casserole with the wholesome goodness of brown rice, broccoli and corn—perfect as a main dish or a side. Easy to prepare in very little time, but with impressive results!

Get the recipe: Corn and Broccoli Brown Rice Casserole

Mexican Brown Rice

Healthy Mexican rice that tastes amazing! This recipe is made with brown rice, which is perfectly fluffy after baking in the oven.

Get the recipe: Mexican Brown Rice

Simple Brown Rice Pilaf

Serve up an easy side dish tonight with this simple brown rice pilaf. Based on whole grain and packed with flavor, it's a great supporting actor.

Get the recipe: Simple Brown Rice Pilaf

Chickpea Brown Rice Spinach Artichoke Casserole

This vegan, gluten-free chickpea brown rice spinach artichoke casserole incorporates the beloved spinach-artichoke combination into a grounding, nourishing vegan casserole that sticks to your ribs and is guaranteed to warm you right up.

Get the recipe: Chickpea Brown Rice Spinach Artichoke Casserole

Egg-Fried Brown Rice

Egg-fried brown rice is an easy main or side dish. Leftover brown rice is stir-fried with vegetables and eggs to create healthy, filling street food.

Get the recipe: Egg-Fried Brown Rice

Brown Rice Sushi Balls

You can enjoy these brown rice sushi balls right after you make them or chill them for later. They're conveniently portable if you take care to keep the container upright.

Get the recipe: Brown Rice Sushi Balls

Brown Rice Salad

This brown rice salad recipe is easy to prepare in less than 15 minutes and full of goodness.

Get the recipe: Brown Rice Salad

Brown Rice Pilaf

Healthy bell peppers, carrot, celery and onion alongside Italian parsley infuse this easy brown rice pilaf with a divine savory and herbaceous aroma.

Get the recipe: Brown Rice Pilaf

Blackened Chicken Brown Rice Bowls with Avocado Cream

These blackened chicken brown rice bowls are packed with spicy seared chicken, sweet potatoes, black beans, and hearty brown rice.

Get the recipe: Blackened Chicken Brown Rice Bowls

Brown Rice and Lentils

Combine brown rice and lentils and you have a perfect source of vegetarian protein.

Get the recipe: Brown Rice and Lentils

Mushroom Brown Rice Bowl

This clean-eating mushroom brown rice bowl is a delicious and filling meal.

Get the recipe: Mushroom Brown Rice Bowl

Related: 55 Best Mushroom Recipes

Indo-Chinese Vegetable Fried Brown Rice

Indo-Chinese vegetable fried brown rice makes a deliciously hearty meal.

Get the recipe: Indo-Chinese Vegetable Fried Brown Rice

Sausage Zucchini Brown Rice Skillet

Sausage zucchini and brown rice is an easy, flavorful one-pan meal you'll want on repeat! It includes whole grain, veggies and lean protein so you just can't go wrong here. The perfect busy-day recipe!

Get the recipe: Sausage Zucchini and Brown Rice Skillet

Spanish Brown Rice and Beans

This Spanish brown rice and beans is made with healthy brown rice and it also has the perfect combo of vegetables and spices that will elevate any Mexican-style meal.

Get the recipe: Spanish Rice and Beans

Creamy Brown Rice Pudding

This creamy brown rice pudding is a healthy twist on the traditional rice pudding you've probably come to know and love.

Get the recipe: Creamy Brown Rice Pudding

Brown Rice Salad With Garden Vegetables

Nutty brown rice, sweet crunchy vegetables and flavor-packed herbs. This brown rice salad is not your average salad. It is nutritious and delicious.

Get the recipe: Brown Rice Salad With Garden Vegetables

Brown Rice With Spinach and Parmesan Cheese

Brown rice with spinach and parmesan cheese is an easy, healthy, one-pot side dish with just a few simple ingredients!

Get the recipe: Brown Rice With Spinach and Parmesan Cheese

Cheesy Zucchini Brown Rice

Cheesy zucchini brown rice is a comforting side dish the whole family will love! Whole grain, gluten-free, vegetarian and loaded with zucchini and cheese!

Get the recipe: Cheesy Zucchini Brown Rice

Ground Turkey Fried Brown Rice

This ground turkey fried brown rice is a healthier twist on a takeout classic!

Get the recipe: Ground Turkey Fried Brown Rice

Crunchy Brown Rice Bowls With Salmon and Herbs Tahini Dressing

These crunchy brown rice bowls are simple, easy to make and packed with flavor and texture. Loaded with sweet honey-glazed salmon, golden brown rice and a creamy herbed tahini dressing.

Get the recipe: Crunchy Brown Rice Bowls With Salmon and Herbs Tahini Dressing

Vegetable Dirty Rice

This vegetable dirty rice relies on lentils and kidney beans for protein and texture while leaning on onion, bell pepper, celery and spices to bring out savory, umami-filled flavors. Long-grain brown rice ties all the ingredients together!

Get the recipe: Vegetarian Dirty Rice

Related: 100+ Best Vegan Recipes

Coconut Curried Brown Rice

Delicious, savory coconut curried brown rice made with warming spices, crispy tofu, tons of veggies and creamy coconut rice.

Get the recipe: Coconut Curried Brown Rice

Edamame Salad With Brown Rice and Sesame Dressing

A fresh and healthy edamame salad with brown rice and microgreens.

Get the recipe: Edamame Salad With Brown Rice and Sesame Dressing

Garlic Kale and Brown Rice Salad With Lemon Dressing

Garlic kale and brown rice salad with a zippy lemon herb dressing! This side dish recipe is so simple and it complements almost any main dish.

Get the recipe: Garlic Kale and Brown Rice Salad With Lemon Dressing

Basil Brown Rice With Lemon Peas

The basil brown rice with lemon and peas dish is an easy side full of spring flavor and great for weeknight meals.

Get the recipe: Basil Brown Rice With Lemon and Peas

Jamaican Rice and Peas

This easy-to-prepare and delicious Jamaican Rice and Peas uses long-grain brown rice and it is cooked in seasoned coconut milk for a true taste of the island.

Get the recipe: Jamaican Rice and Peas

Instant Pot Brown Rice Chana Pulao

This Instant Pot brown rice chana pulao is an easy one-pot pulao made with chickpeas, brown rice and spices. The perfect meal for busy days, also vegan and gluten-free.

Get the recipe: Instant Pot Brown Rice Chana Pulao

Chicken Teriyaki Brown Rice and Broccoli

This chicken teriyaki bowl is a wonderfully balanced weeknight meal that's filling, nourishing and so tasty!

Get the recipe: Chicken Teriyaki Brown Rice and Broccoli

Instant Pot Fiesta Brown Rice

This Instant Pot fiesta brown rice is a healthy, vegan side to serve with beans or any Mexican meal.

Get the recipe: Instant Pot Fiesta Brown Rice

Baked Brown Rice Risotto With Asparagus

This oven-baked brown rice risotto is a creamy, delicious dish that doesn't require the constant stirring needed for traditional risotto. With asparagus, thyme and lemon, it's a comforting vegetarian meal for the early spring!

Get the recipe: Baked Brown Rice Risotto With Asparagus

Kidney Bean Brown Rice Salad

A light, fresh taste with just a hint of sweetness, this protein-packed kidney bean brown rice salad is vegetarian-friendly and is a quick and easy side or main.

Get the recipe: Kidney Bean Brown Rice Salad

Related: 60 Best Black Bean Recipes

One-Pan Chicken and Brown Rice With Vegetables

One-pan chicken and brown rice with vegetables—simple and effortless meal, made on the stovetop in just one pan and loaded with flavor.

Get the recipe: One-Pan Chicken and Brown Rice With Vegetables

Southwest Lentil and Brown Rice Casserole

This Southwest lentil and brown rice casserole is a cozy, hearty, vegetarian dinner that's perfect for a cold night! Easy to make and great for meal prep.

Get the recipe: Southwest Lentil and Brown Rice Casserole

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