Thermomix brown rice is easy and so much healthier than white rice. The perfect nutty, fluffy rice is simple with this basic brown rice recipe.
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
I love the earthy, nutty flavour of brown rice but when I had to cook it on the stove it just took too long so our family had a habit of eating mostly white rice!! Even with a rice cooker, I found the brown rice would stick to the bottom of the cooker, or the water would overflow.
Making brown rice in the Thermomix was initially fraught with the same disappointments. The Thermomix recipe would either produce undercooked rice or in the worst case an overflowing TM bowl. I'm pleased to say this recipe produces perfect Thermomix brown rice every time!
This makes me super happy because brown rice is not only tastier, but it's so much healthier. Just the fact that it includes more fibre and antioxidants than white rice makes the switch worthwhile.
Table of contents
Nutrition White Rice Vs Brown Rice
Brown Rice
- Brown rice is a whole grain containing bran and germ. This means it provides more fibre, vitamins, and minerals.
- 100 grams (3.5 ounces) of cooked brown rice = 1.8 grams fibre. Fibre takes longer for the body to process so it keeps you feeling full longer.
- Brown rice contains 45% of the RDI of Magnesium. Magnesium helps control blood sugar and reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes.
- Brown rice has a low GI of 50
- Brown rice has been shown to lower blood sugar levels
- 100g cooked brown rice calories = 112 calories
White Rice
- White rice is a refined grain that has had the bran and germ removed and the grain polished. This removes a significant amount of fibre and the vitamins and minerals contained in the outer layer.
- 100 grams (3.5 ounces) of white rice = 0.4 grams of fibre.
- White rice contains only 24% of the RDI of Magnesium.
- White Rice has a High GI of 89 and can cause insulin spikes.
- 100g cooked white rice = 130 calories
Vitamin and Mineral Comparison
Brown rice contains more Thiamine, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Magnesium, Phosphorous, Iron, and Zinc.
Additional Rice Health Note
Rice contains arsenic, which is a dangerous and toxic element. Arsenic is found in nearly all food and drinks due to environmental pollution. The levels of arsenic in rice and seafood tend to be higher than in other food items.
The level of arsenic in rice also varies depending on the region the rice is grown in, the species of rice, and the farming practices.
Reducing Arsenic in Rice
- To reduce the arsenic content of rice it should be thoroughly washed in clean water. This can reduce the arsenic content by more than 67%
- Choose basmati or jasmine rice, brown or white.
- Choose rice from the Himalayan region, including North India, North Pakistan, and Nepal.
Eating a varied and diverse diet is the most important factor in good health. We need the nutrients provided by a wide range of food. Variety ensures that we not only get the nutrients we need but don't get an overload of one nutrient, antinutrient, or element.
Other Rice Recipes
If brown rice is not your preference try some of my other Thermomix rice recipes.
Cooking Brown Rice TM31 Method
Some recipes require a bit of modification for the TM31 due to the smaller bowl size. Recently I had a lovely reader text me and we figured out the best method for cooking brown rice in the TM31. Thank you so much Kathleen Smith for doing this. I'm sure a lot of TM31 owners will appreciate the effort you have gone to. Especially since you now have enough rice to last WEEKS!
Rice Recipe Adjustments
- 200g brown rice
- 900g water
- Cook 30 min/Varoma/Speed 4 (the water will bubble up a bit but it won't overflow)
ThermoKitchens Best Thermomix Recipes
Would you like to take a look at some of my best Thermomix recipes? These are recipes that continue to be my most popular Thermokithen recipes, year after year. Have a try and let me know what you think! Thermomix pancakes and Thermomix coleslaw plus my famous Easy Chicken Curry These are all recipes my followers are loving. Also, I would love to know what you think about my Retro Peanut Loaf! It's another handy lunchbox loaf!
FAQ Brown Rice
The measurements are pretty exact, if you add any extra water or rice it may bubble up a little bit.
Just watch the Thermomix for a few minutes, if the water doesn't go down between each surge you may need to slightly reduce the water level. If you do reduce the water you may need extra water toward the end of the cooking time.
Yes, weigh the rice dry and then wash it thoroughly in the basket before you put the basket back in the TM bowl.
Yes, that is correct. Follow the recipe, but replace the amount of rice and water, and adjust the cooking time.
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Thermomix Brown Rice
Equipment
- Internal Steam Basket
Ingredients
- 1200 g water tap water
- 250 g Brown Rice
- 1250 g water warm tap water
Instructions
- Add the internal steam basket to the TM bowl.250 g Brown Rice
- Weigh the rice into the basket
- Add the 1200 litre water to the TM Bowl. Wash 15 sec/Speed 9.1200 g water
- Remove the internal steam basket and reserve the rice.
- Discard water from the TM bowl.
- Add 1250g of fresh water. Place the internal steam basket back in the TM bowl. Cook for 45min/Varoma/ Speed 4.1250 g water
Notes
Nutrition
I hope you have enjoyed this story. Feel free to leave a comment or start a discussion. If you have made a dish from this site I would love to know what you thought!
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Thank you for stopping by,
Happy Cooking
j xx
Andrea says
Hi, new to thermo as I have been given a TM5, as my MIL has upgraded. Do I follow your recipe? Or the adjustment recipe?
Julie Carlyle says
Hi Anderea
Congratulations on your new Thermomix. Follow the recipe exactly as I have written it and you will have success.The TM5 is the same bowl size as the TM6.
The TM31 is smaller.
Happy Coooking
Julie
Fiona Gow says
Was so excited to try this (having recently upgraded from my trusty old 3.1 to a 6 and having NEVER found a decent brown rice recipe to replace my stove-top neverfail) - then discovered I didn't have any of my usual brown basmati rice in the pantry!
Threw in some black rice for a slightly lesser time - and the family raved!
Thank you - this is absolutely my base for "different" rice going forward!
Julie Carlyle says
Hi Fiona
I am so pleased you found and enjoyed my recipe. I also love trying all different types of rice and grains. It makes recipes so much more interesting and healthy. Thank you so much for your lovely message.
Have a wonderful day
Julie xx
Jen says
Hi Julie,
Would your recipe work if I used stock instead of water do yo think? When cooking rice, brown or white, in a saucepan or in a microwave oven, I like to use stock as it gives great cooked-in flavour to the rice.
Julie Carlyle says
Hi Jen
This would work perfectly with stock also.
Happy cooking.
Julie
Tracy says
This is an excellent recipe that I have used on many occasions. Thank you so much for sharing.
Tracy says
Brilliant recipe - I have used this on a number of occasions and it’s always great. Thanks so much for sharing.
Julie Carlyle says
Hi Tracy
Thank you so much for coming back and leaving your lovely comment. I am so pleased you enjoy the recipe.
Happy Cooking
J xx
Sarah-Jane says
Thank you for these instructions- I have an old TM31 and it worked perfectly
Julie Carlyle says
Hi Sarah Jane
I am so pleased you the recipe worked for you, all my recipes are tested in all Thermomixes.
Happy Cooking
j
chrissie says
just adding this recipe to my TM6 - with the new "add your own recipes" option - you say the recipe takes 28 mins - but then the instructions say varoma for 45 mins - have not tried it yet but hopefully it is better than other Brown Rice recipes I have tried in the TM6 - I only ever use Basmati rice and was disappointed that the rice cook book only used white rice
Julie Carlyle says
Hi Chrissi
I am pleased that you are enjoying my website. Please note that recipes you find on websites, magazines and cookbooks are protected by copyright law. This means as a user of the recipe you can’t upload them to the Cookidoo platform. In the Cookidoo terms and conditions that you agreed to when you started your Cookidoo 3.0 you agreed (even if you didn’t read it) that any recipe you add to Cookidoo is your own recipe that you developed yourself. You also have Cookidoo and Vorwek permission to reproduce any recipe you add to your Cookidoo in Cookbooks, on Cookidoo or however they would like to use it in the future. I know this is only a rice recipe but it is one of my most popular recipes because it does work and is good. Recipes like this bring traffic to my website that allows me to pay for the costs of keeping it running and developing new recipes for users. Unlike Thermomix and other recipe subscription sites I don’t charge anything to people who use my recipes. They are all free. So the only way I earn enough to support this website is by the traffic my popular recipes bring. (Traffic helps advertising revenue). My current advertising only just keeps the website afloat as it is…
Please consider not uploading the recipe on Cookidoo and simply coming back to my site when you’re making rice. Maybe you will find some more delicious recipes that will become favourites in the future. Have you tried my Char Sui Pork. It’s very delicious 🥰
I hope you support me and other recipe producer and don’t upload our recipes to Cookidoo.
Kind regards
Julie
Kristen says
New to Thermomix, do I put the mc in the lid when using this recipe?
Julie Carlyle says
Hi Kristen
Yes, put the MC in the lid to make the rice.
Happy cooking
j
Grace says
Hi, if I need to make a smaller serving for 2, what would be the time needed for the cooking?
Julie Carlyle says
Thanks so much, Grace
The same water and cooking time would be required for the rice.
Julie
Ally says
This worked really well and I liked the method. Made enough rice for 3-4 people. I just felt when it was finished the rice still had a tiny bit too much bite, so I put the lid back on and left it to sit for another 5 minutes and then it was perfect. I used half water from the kettle and half tap water, so perhaps if I started with boiling water it would have been done on time. I love that there’s no overcooked and wasted rice like what I get in my rice cooker. Thank you for the recipe!
summer says
Thank you for this method. Can you give any tips on how to make the Brown Rice sticky? We like to make sushi with it 🙂
Julie Carlyle says
Hi Summer
The key is to find short-grained brown rice. The long-grain brown will always separate.
You will need to cook the brown rice for 40min, not 20 mins.
I hope that helps.
Julie
Jane says
Hi! Which exact setting do I choose to “wash” the rice at speed 9? (Clever idea!) I have the Thermomix 6, in case that makes a difference in setting options. Thanks!
Julie Carlyle says
Hi Jane
All you need to do is have the water in the bowl. The rice in the internal steam basket. Then with the TM6 on manual mode (showing the three circles) tap the blade speed circle so that it becomes large. Turn the speed selection to speed 9. Allow the machine to run for the desired amount of time. (Watch the timer) Then press the silver selector button in to stop the blades. Washing the rice is done! Discard the dirty rice.
Ruth says
Made this rice many times, always turned out perfectly.
Have some left to freeze for another meal.
Thank you so much for sharing it with us all.
Katherine says
What is the wash mode to wash the rice at speed 9?
Julie Carlyle says
This is a manual recipe. The Speed 9 blasts the rice in the basket with water. This washes all the milky residue off. Then the water is discarded and clean water added for cooking.
Happy cooking
J
Sue says
I am very impressed with how the rice has turned out.
Thankyou
Julie Carlyle says
Hi Sue
Thank you so much 🌸🌸
Julie
Layla says
Isn't the varoma the thing that goes on top of the thermomix? Why does the rice cooker setting not come with any instructions and why do you not use it to make rice?
Julie Carlyle says
The Varoma means steam in German. So the large basket which sits on top of the Varoma is a Steaming basket. There is also a temperature setting on the Thermomix called Varoma. This is the maximum temperature the TM will go to and is the steaming temperature.
I hope that helps.
The basket that you’re calling a rice basket is the internal basket and can be used to cook rice, vegetables or anything you don’t want the blades to hit.
Happy Cooking
J
Mel says
This is perfection! Could not be any any happier! Great recipe.
Emma Corcoran says
Easy and delicious. I constantly stuff up rice and was glad to find this fool proof and a delightful side.
Sarah C says
Thanks for the great instructions. With these settings, was able to make brown rice to a perfect consistency!