Slow cookers are a fantastic tool for hands-off cooking, but can they really make fluffy, perfectly cooked rice? The answer is yes! They use a long, slow cooking process to help deliver maximum flavor to your meals. The beauty of slow cookers is that you can “set it and forget it”—simply add your ingredients, set the required temperature and time, and let it do the work while you go about your day. Slow cooker meals are ideal for days when you’re short on time and need a meal ready for you when you get home that’s still hearty and delicious for the whole family.
Slow cookers are great to tenderize meat and other ingredients, helping to build deep flavors over time, but can rice be prepared in a slow cooker? Keep reading to learn the best way to prepare rice in a slow cooker!
How to Cook Rice in a Slow Cooker
Using a slow cooker for rice is especially useful when preparing large quantities. When preparing rice as part of a larger meal like a stew, a slow cooker enables the rice to be cooked alongside the other ingredients to meld the flavors together.
Preparing rice in a slow cooker is a simple, hands-off process that works similarly to a rice cooker. After rinsing your rice and measuring the appropriate rice-to-water ratio, simply add the rice and water to the slow cooker, cover and cook.
Cook times, as well as the rice-to-water ratio, depends on the type of rice you’re making. Different rice varieties, like brown rice, jasmine rice and basmati rice, can take longer to cook and may need more water to fully absorb. Instant rice, like Minute Instant Rice, has a very short preparation time by contrast. When using Minute Rice in slow cooker recipes, it’s best to add it to the slow cooker towards the end of the recipe, with around 20 minutes left, to avoid the rice becoming mushy. Alternatively, prepare Minute Rice on the stovetop and serve your slow-cooked meal on top.
Tips and Tricks for Slow Cooker Rice
- Double check your rice-to-water ratio depending on the type of rice you’re preparing. For standard white rice, the typical ratio is one cup of rice for every two cups of water, but this can vary depending on your rice variety. Cook time will also vary depending on if you’re preparing white rice, brown rice, instant rice or another type.
- Rinse your rice thoroughly before adding to the slow cooker. This removes excess starch to ensure grains don’t stick together.
- Coat your slow cooker with a non-stick spray or another coating to help prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom.
- Add a pinch of salt to the slow cooker along with the rice and water to enhance the flavor.
- Stir the rice after an hour, if possible. This step can help the rice cook more evenly and prevent any rice from sticking to the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Add some extra flavor to your rice by replacing plain water with chicken broth or vegetable broth.
Easy & Flavorful Slow Cooker Rice Recipes to Try
While rice alone is easy to prepare in a slow cooker, these appliances are also great to prepare entire meals effortlessly at home. When paired with Minute Rice, you can make meals even more quickly and easily. Check out these simple slow cooker recipes to start enjoying comforting home-cooked meals today.
Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore
With tender chicken, a rich tomato sauce and white rice, this Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore is the perfect weeknight dinner that blends convenience and flavor. After browning the chicken, this dish is totally hands-off—simply add everything into a slow cooker and let it do the work. Serve atop Minute Instant White Rice to absorb the savory sauce and enjoy.
Slow Cooker African Peanut Stew
For a taste of West Africa that you can achieve in your own kitchen, this Slow Cooker African Peanut Stew is a must-try. It’s a great vegetarian option that’s nourishing and satisfying, with creamy peanut butter, hearty chickpeas and tender sweet potatoes blending together in a rich broth in your slow cooker. Serve this tasty stew alongside Minute Instant Basmati Rice or mix the rice right into the finished stew for added flavor and texture.
Slow Cooker Tuscan Bean Stew
Another wonderful meatless option you can prepare with ease in your slow cooker is this Slow Cooker Tuscan Bean Stew. Loaded with wholesome vegetables like kale, tomatoes and onions, along with protein-packed cannellini beans, this stew comes together effortlessly in a slow cooker. Simply combine the ingredients into your slow cooker and let it do the work for 3 to 6 hours, stirring in already-prepared Minute Instant White Rice once finished.
Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Pork
Bring bold, tangy flavors to your table with this Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Pork recipe. Add pork tenderloin, onions, broth, sweet and sour sauce and garlic to your slow cooker and let it cook for 6 to 7 hours while you focus on tackling the rest of your day. Then, add in pineapple, green bell pepper and Minute Instant White Rice to absorb all these tasty flavors and cook for another 20 minutes before you dig in!
Slow Cooker Chicken and Curry Rice Bowls
These Indian-inspired Slow Cooker Chicken and Curry Rice Bowls are ideal for a family dinner when you’re short on time but craving a hearty, flavorful meal. Chicken breast, coconut milk, chicken broth, onion, lime juice and curry powder cook low and slow in a slow cooker for 8 hours, until the chicken is perfectly tender. When dinnertime arrives, simply shred the chicken and serve with aromatic Minute Instant Jasmine Rice, drizzled with curry sauce.
How to Cook Fluffy Rice in a Slow Cooker Every Time
Cooking rice in a slow cooker is a simple and convenient way to prepare large quantities of perfectly cooked rice with minimal effort. Whether you’re preparing rice as part of a hearty stew or a flavorful curry, your slow cooker ensures that all ingredients meld beautifully together, giving you a meal full of flavor.
With Minute Rice, you can enhance your slow cooker recipes even further by adding rice near the end or preparing it separately for a quick and easy side. With these tips and tricks, you can make delicious and comforting meals with rice without ever having to worry about fussing over the stove. Let your slow cooker do the work, and enjoy effortless, satisfying dishes that everyone will love!
