Curried Brown Rice

Curry brown rice is a super simple, versatile, and delicious side dish you can serve with any main dish. I love to make this on a Monday evening to enjoy with dinner, and then pack up the rest to have a hearty side for the week. If you are interested in cooking brown rice dishes, also check out our Brown Jasmine Rice Recipe.

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Ingredients

The ingredients for this curried rice with raisins are so simple and full of ingredients you probably already have hanging about in your pantry. We will need:

Extra virgin olive oil
Onion: You can use both yellow and white onion in this recipe. Be sure to chop it finely.
Bell pepper: Use more savory green bell pepper or sweeter yellow or red bell pepper.
Curry powder: My favorite store-bought curry powder is Simply Organic Curry Powder (affiliate link), which is what I use for many Indian rice recipes.
Fresh garlic cloves
Brown Basmati rice: Brown basmati rice is a long grain aromatic rice easy to find in the rice or global section of major grocery stores. My favorite brand is Pride of India (affiliate link.) If brown basmati rice is unavailable, brown jasmine rice is a great substitute.
Vegetable stock: Use Homemade Vegetable Stock, low sodium store-bought vegetable broth, or opt for Chicken Stock if not concerned about keeping it vegetarian.
Kosher salt
Raisins: Raisins provide a nice pop of sweetness, but the trick is to soak them beforehand (more on this below). If you can get your hands on sultanas or dried currants, either one would be a great substitute.
Sunflower seeds: Be sure to purchase unsalted sunflower seeds.
Citrus juice: This recipe can use fresh lemon juice or lime juice interchangeably.
Fresh herbs: Go for fresh parsley, fresh cilantro, or a mix of both to suit your taste.

Optional Add-Ins / Variations

Jalapenos: One small seeded and diced jalapeno can be added along with the bell pepper to add a nice spicy bite.
Homemade curry powder: If you don’t have curry powder on hand, make your own by mixing together 2 Tablespoons each ground coriander and ground cumin, 1.5 Tbsp ground turmeric, 2 teaspoons ginger, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, and ½ teaspoon each ground black pepper, ground cardamom, ground nutmeg, and cayenne pepper. Use 1 teaspoon for this recipe and store the rest in your spice cabinet.
Extra spices: Up the curry flavor with the addition of 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds.
Coconut milk: If you want to turn this dish into a coconut curried brown rice, replace 1 ¾ cups of the vegetable stock with one (13.5 ounces) can of coconut milk, and use 1 ¼ cups of vegetable stock to total 3 cups of liquid.
Craisins: Swap out the raisins for dried cranberries instead.
Nuts: Toasted slivered almonds or cashews are a great substitute for sunflower seeds.
Green peas: Add 1/2 cup frozen green peas while the rice is resting for some color and extra protein.

How to Make Curried Brown Rice?

If you have ever wondered how to spice up brown rice, this easy curry rice recipe will get you there. Here’s how to make it in a few easy steps:

A collage of images showing how to make curry rice.

Rinse rice: Place brown basmati rice in a colander and thoroughly rinse under cold water.
Saute aromatics and curry powder: Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a medium saucepan for about 1 minute. Add onion, pepper, and curry powder and saute, stirring frequently, for 4-5 minutes or until vegetables have softened. Add garlic and saute for 1 minute.
Toast rice: Pour in the rinsed basmati rice and fry rice gently, stirring constantly, for 7-8 minutes.
Add the stock: Pour in the vegetable stock, cover, and bring to a boil. Once the rice has come to a boil, reduce the heat to low.

A collage of images showing how to make this recipe.

Cook rice: Simmer for 45-55 minutes or until all the liquid has been absorbed. Turn off the heat and allow it to rest, with the lid on, for 10-15 minutes.
Soak raisins: While the rice is cooking, place the raisins in a heat-proof small bowl and cover with hot boiling water. The raisins will plump up as the rice is cooking.
Add mix-ins: After the rice has rested, fluff it with a fork. Drain the raisins and fold them in, along with the sunflower seeds.
Finish and serve: Drizzle with lemon or lime juice. Taste for seasoning and add more if desired. Finish with fresh parsley or cilantro and serve.

How to Make Ahead, Store, and Reheat Leftovers?

Brown rice with curry powder is a wonderful make-ahead side dish and one that I make regularly in my kitchen. To meal prep and store for later, simply:

Make Ahead: Prep on a Sunday or Monday evening to enjoy dinner throughout the week. Simply place it in meal prep containers with your choice of cooked meat and/or vegetables in individual portions.
Store: Place leftover rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. We do not recommend freezing.
Reheat: Place the rice on a microwave-safe plate, add a splash of water or broth, place a damp paper towel on top, and reheat in the microwave in 30-second increments until warmed through.

Serving Suggestions

Brown rice curry is a delicious and hearty side dish that can be paired and enjoyed with a number of different meals. You could try serving it with:

Side of yogurt or raita: Enjoy with a cooling bowl of yogurt or Indian raita for a creamy, tangy counterpoint to the richness of the rice.
Curry dishes: Enjoy it with an array of curry dishes, such as Cauliflower Curry or Butternut Squash Curry Soup.
Meat dishes: Make it a complete meal by serving it alongside filling protein like Baked Chicken Kabob, Yogurt Marinated Chicken, or Baked Bone-In Chicken Breasts.

Brown rice curry in a Dutch oven from the top view.

Expert Tips

Rinse rice: Rinse the rice in a fine mesh strainer under cold running water for about 1-2 minutes or until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch and ensures the rice does not become too sticky.
No need to soak: While it is customary to soak brown basmati rice for 30 minutes prior to cooking, we found the rice texture to be just as tender and pleasing without soaking beforehand.
Fry in oil: Toasting or ‘frying’ the rice in olive oil and curry spices helps to prevent the rice grains from clumping or sticking. It also evenly distributes the flavors onto the rice grains, making each bite as delicious as the next.
Use the right ratio of liquid to rice: We found the best ratio of liquid to brown basmati rice to be 2:1. If there appears to be excess liquid in the pot, add 5-minute increments to the cooking time until all the stock is absorbed. Remove from the heat when done.
Increase curry spices: You can adjust the curry to your desired taste. Adding more may also change the color of the rice.
Do not stir: As soon as you add the vegetable stock to the pot, refrain from stirring, as this can cause the rice grains to break, resulting in a stickier product.
Allow the rice to rest: The key to fluffy rice is to allow the rice to rest once it is done cooking. Leave the lid on and steam the rice for 10-15 minutes to allow the moisture to distribute evenly.
Taste for seasoning: Be sure to give it a taste and add more salt if needed.

FAQs

Can you add butter to brown rice?

Yes, butter can replace olive oil in just about all brown rice recipes. Heat and melt butter in the pan just as you would the olive oil.

What can I add to brown rice for taste?

A few aromatics, like onions, peppers, and garlic, along with warming spices, in this case, curry powder, add flavor, spice, and plenty of taste to brown rice.

Should I soak my brown rice before cooking?

Although it is usually recommended to soak brown rice before cooking, we simply rinsed the rice in a fine mesh strainer under cool running water for 1-2 minutes, and the rice came out perfectly.

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If you try this Curried Brown Rice recipe, please take a minute to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. It helps others who are thinking of making the recipe. And if you took some pictures, be sure to share them on Instagram using #foolproofeats so I can share them on my stories.