Brown Rice Risotto Recipe: 4 Tips for Making the Rice Dish
Written by MasterClass
Last updated: Feb 23, 2023 • 2 min read
Learn how to make brown rice risotto for a simple weeknight side dish or main course. You can mix in meat, seafood, or vegetables to make it a hearty meal.
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What Is Brown Rice Risotto?
Brown rice risotto is a creamy Italian rice dish made with brown, short-grain rice. Brown rice gets its name and color from the bran coating surrounding the kernels. After growers harvest the rice, they either leave the bran and germ layers intact or remove them, yielding brown or white rice, respectively. Brown rice risotto has a nuttier and chewier texture than traditional risotto made with white Arborio rice.
Generally, brown rice has more dietary fiber and nutrients—including vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, and calcium—than white rice. However, both types of rice contain equivalent amounts of carbs and calories. Still, you might prefer brown rice as it is less processed, making it a whole-grain option for risotto.
4 Tips for Making Brown Rice Risotto
When making brown rice risotto, consider the following variations and ingredient substitutions:
- 1. Add more liquid if using long-grain rice. Risotto recipes generally call for short-grain rice. You can use long-grain rice if short-grain rice is unavailable. However, you will need to double the liquid and the cooking time because long-grain rice requires more liquid and time to break down.
- 2. Cook the rice on low. The key to risotto is the cooking method: Sauté the starch and then cook it on low heat as you add ladles of broth. This allows the rice to release its starches gradually, yielding a perfectly al dente result.
- 3. Make it hearty. Brown rice risotto is easily customizable with meat, seafood, or veggies. Popular risotto recipes with brown rice include butternut squash risotto, mushroom risotto, and pumpkin risotto.
- 4. Remove the risotto from heat before adding dairy. Take the risotto off the heat before stirring in Parmesan cheese to yield a creamy texture. The fats found in dairy products can break and separate when heated.
Brown Rice Risotto Recipe
makes
prep time
10 mintotal time
55 mincook time
45 minIngredients
- 1
In a medium saucepan on the stovetop over high heat, bring broth to a boil then reduce heat to low, keeping the broth just below a simmer. You want the broth to be about the same temperature as the rice while it’s cooking.
- 2
In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat butter over medium heat, then add the shallots and cook until softened and translucent, about 4 minutes.
- 3
Add the garlic and stir continuously until fragrant, about 30–60 seconds.
- 4
Add rice to the onion-garlic mixture, season with salt, and stir to combine. Continue stirring until rice is well coated and becomes translucent, 2–5 minutes.
- 5
Add about ½ cup warm broth and a splash of wine to the rice mixture. Stir often, until the rice has fully absorbed the liquid. Add the remaining broth in ½ cup increments, following each addition with a splash of wine and allowing the rice to absorb liquid between additions until rice is al dente, about 25–35 minutes. (You may not need all of the liquid.)
- 6
Remove pan from heat and add ½ cup cheese and pepper, stirring to combine. Cover and allow to rest 5 minutes.
- 7
Serve with additional cheese.
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