If you’re a fan of meal prep, parboil rice is just the thing you need to add to any meal for convenience and just maybe an extra touch of flavor.
Today, I am sharing with you the simplest method on how to parboil rice for any occasion.
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How to Parboil Rice
Parboiling is a quick and easy method that will help kick-start your meals. So grab your rice and start parboiling. You won’t be disappointed.
Before we begin, you will want a pot to prepare the rice. I use a 5-quart dutch oven, though a large pot will work as well.
Additionally, the amounts listed below are how I always parboil my rice. However, As long as you have enough water, it doesn’t really matter how much rice you do at a time.
Ingredients
- 6 cups of water
- 1 cup of long-grain brown rice
- 1 teaspoon of salt
Instructions
Step 1: Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
Step 2: In a large dutch oven, bring 6 cups of water to a boil over high heat.
Step 3: Once the water is boiling, add the salt to the pot and then add the rice. I like to give the rice a quick stir, but it’s not entirely necessary.
Step 4: Cover and allow it to boil for 5 minutes. You’ll want to stay near while it’s boiling to keep an eye on things. If necessary, reduce the heat to maintain a gentle boil.
Step 5: After 5 minutes, turn off the heat and carefully strain the rice through a fine-mesh colander or strainer. Allow the rice to cool to room temperature before transferring it to freezer-safe bags.
Step 6: Label the bags with the date and contents, seal them tightly, and place them in the freezer. Parboiled rice will keep in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Top tip: Use a spoon to spread the rice out to speed up the cooling process.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Let’s be honest: most recipes require more time than you can spare with a busy schedule. Parboiling rice not only saves time but actually is a very effective way to cook rice.
- This rice recipe will surprise you with how convenient it is, and how easily you can prep your rice for later recipes once you learn how to do it.
- The great thing about this rice recipe is that it can be used in all your regular dishes with the added advantage of a shorter cooking time. This is especially useful for recipes with a brief cooking time because waiting for the rice to fully cook or soften when it hasn’t been parboiled first can cause the rest of the meal to be overcooked.
- It’s as simple as taking the parboiled rice from the freezer, adding it to your favorite dish, and finishing the cooking process. Rice can be added to a variety of dishes, from one-pot meals to stuffed bell peppers to [your fav dish here], which is why I love rice.
What Is Parboil Rice?
Parboiled rice is rice that has been partially boiled, helping to retain more nutrients in the grain, resulting in a firmer, less sticky texture when cooked.
Once your rice has been parboiled, allow it to cool slightly, then freeze in freezer-safe ziplock bags. When you need rice for your next recipe, simply defrost it, and it’s ready to cook.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much water should I use for cooking rice? The recommended measurement in this recipe is 6 cups water per 1 cup rice ratio.
But because we are not cooking the rice until it absorbs all the water, it really doesn’t matter. Just as long as you have enough water!
Is parboil rice gluten-free? Yes. From its natural form, rice is gluten-free.
Can I cook parboiled rice in a rice cooker? The short answer is yes. Once the rice is half-cooked, turn off the rice cooker and remove it from the heat, preventing it from further cooking.
Can it be used in all types of cuisines? Rice is an extremely versatile ingredient used in Mexican, Chinese, and American dishes and more.
Final Thoughts
This recipe is truly so simple and a total time saver. I can’t tell you how many times I have grabbed my parboiled rice from the freezer and thrown it into so many of my favorite dishes.
If you like trying new delicious time-saver hacks, parboil rice is the way to go. When needed, grab your rice and complete any meal with it.
Is this recipe simple? Let me know in the comment section below.
Here are some of my favorite recipes I like to beef up with parboiled rice.
How to Parboil Rice Quickly & Easily
Ingredients
- 6 cups of water
- 1 cup of long-grain brown rice
- 1 teaspoon of salt
Instructions
- Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
- In a large dutch oven, bring 6 cups of water to a boil over high heat.
- Once the water is boiling, add 1 teaspoon of salt to the pot and then add the rice. Feel free to give it a quick stir to help break up any clumps.
- Cover and allow it to boil for 5 minutes. Keep an eye on things. If necessary, reduce the heat to maintain a gentle boil.
- After 5 minutes, turn off the heat and carefully strain the rice through a fine-mesh colander or strainer. Allow the rice to cool to room temperature before transferring it to freezer-safe bags.
- Label the bags with the date and contents, then seal them tightly and place them in the freezer. Parboiled rice will keep in the freezer for up to 2 months.
