What are the differences between brown rice vs white rice? Is one healthier? Here’s what you need to know before planning your meals.
Brown rice vs white rice: which is better? Have you ever wondered which of the two to incorporate in your meal?
As a cookbook author and expert in the Mediterranean diet, I’ve researched the differences. Here’s what I found!
Brown Rice Vs White Rice: Overview
First, let’s define each type of rice. Are brown rice and white rice different varieties, or the same food?
Rice is a seed of grass species. It’s the most widely consumed staple food in the world, a staple for more than 3.5 billion people worldwide. There are many varieties of rice: white rice, brown rice, jasmine rice, basmati rice, and more.
What is white rice? White rice is rice that is processed to remove its hull, bran and germ.
What is brown rice? Brown rice is the entire whole rice grain. It keeps the nutrient-packed bran and germ and only has the hull removed.
Bottom line: Brown rice and white rice are the same ingredient processed differently!
Comparison of Cook Times
The main difference in cooking with brown rice and white rice is the cook time. Since white rice is so much faster, it’s what I often cook on weeknights. Here
White rice takes 15 minutes to cook and 5 minutes to stand. This includes the time to boil the water and then steam the rice at the end.
Brown rice takes about 45 to 50 minutes to cook and 10 minutes to stand. It takes longer than white rice because it is less processed. Short cut: Use our fast brown rice method, which is just 35 minutes total.
So if it takes so much longer to cook brown rice…is it worth it? Let’s review the basic nutritional differences between brown rice and white rice. Here’s the basic nutrition facts for 1 cup of cooked rice:
As you can see from the table above, brown rice has three times the fiber of white rice: brown rice has 3 grams per cooked cup vs under 1 gram for white. In terms of the nutrients, here’s the breakdown:
Brown rice has lots of nutrients. It’s a good source of folate, riboflavin, potassium, calcium, and manganese.
White rice loses most of the fiber and many nutrients in the milling, though enriched white rice has some added back. This is missing simply because the rice doesn’t contain the nutrient-packed bran and germ.
Glycemic Index
Another measure to look at is glycemic index. The glycemic index score (GI) shows how a food affects a person’s blood sugar levels. A low score indicates that the food has less impact on your blood sugar, so low levels are good here. This is specifically relevant for people with diabetes. Scores range from Low GI: 1 to 55, Medium GI: 56 to 69, and High GI: 70 and higher. (Read more at Mayo Clinic.)
Brown rice has a glycemic index of 68, a medium level. (source)
White rice has a glycemic index of 73, a high level. (source)
Taste, Texture, and Storage
There are a few more differences to discuss: brown rice is nutty and chewy, and works great with stir fries and or in grain bowls. White rice is soft and mild, and it’s a great side for curries, stews, and saucy dishes. I personally feel like brown rice doesn’t work with a curry as well
Brown rice can actually go stale or rancid faster than white rice, since it has the bran and germ and they have natural oils. Try to use brown rice within 6 months. White rice can actually store indefinitely at room temperature.
The Bottom Line
Reference the table above and you can see the following differences between quinoa vs brown rice:
Calories, carbs and protein: Brown rice and white rice are essentially the same.
Fiber: Brown rice has 3 times more fiber than white rice, which has virtually no fiber.
Fat: Brown rice has slightly more fat than white rice, but it’s still a very low fat food.
Nutrients: Brown rice is loaded with beneficial nutrients; white rice has none.
Glycemic index: Brown rice is medium on the GI scale and white rice is high.
Cook time: White rice takes 20 minutes total, and brown rice takes about 1 hour.
Bottom line: Both whole grains are part of a healthy diet. Brown rice has more nutrients and fiber than white rice, making it a more nutritious option. But white rice is still a healthy option if you are getting fiber and nutrients from other parts of your meal: like a stir fry with lots of veggies and white rice. Choose the one that fits your cooking time constraints and makes the meal taste best.
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This easy Dutch oven bread has a crisp crust and a soft, tangy crumb with only about 30 minutes of hands-on time. Here’s my step-by-step method and a video!
Are you looking for an artisan bread recipe that’s easy to make and has that perfect crusty bread texture? Meet my Dutch oven bread recipe!
It’s got a beautiful crust and artisan bread appearance, but it takes only about 30 minutes of active time. It’s baked in a Dutch oven to get that crispy crunchy exterior. It’s got a very light tang from some Greek yogurt, and it’s the perfect texture for making sandwiches.
5 Star Reader Reviews
“This bread is SO good. I especially love making it for friends who need a meal, or as thank you gifts, or even alongside a housewarming gift.” -Liz
“I made this recipe today and it was outstanding. Crust was crunchy and the crumb was perfect. Looked like a professionally made loaf of bread. Thanks so much for sharing it.” -Karen
Why You’ll Love This Dutch Oven Bread
It’s easy. I like to call this recipe “cheater’s sourdough” because it’s way less work than sourdough and just as delicious.
It tastes like bakery bread. Three types of flour and Greek yogurt give this homemade bread real depth of flavor: and there’s no starter required!
You’ve got a video to show you how. Alex and I are so enthusiastic about the merits of home bread baking, we’ve made a video tutorial too.
Video Tutorial
This Dutch oven bread is very easy to make: the only tricky part is shaping the dough into a beautiful loaf shape. Because it’s difficult to describe in words, we’ve created a video tutorial to walk you through it! Here I am in our kitchen showing you how to make it!
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make the best Dutch oven bread, you’ll need a handful of very specific ingredients. To ensure you get perfect results every time, it’s crucial that you follow the recipe exactly as written. For this Dutch oven bread recipe, you’ll need:
All-purpose flour and bread flour: Using equal parts of each here gives the perfect chewy, tender texture. Bread flour has more protein, which gives it a more tender crumb. (See my Bread Flour Pizza Dough for more about bread flour.)
Whole wheat flour: Just a bit adds a nutty flavor.
Kosher salt: This brings out the flavor of the bread.
Instant or active dry yeast: Either type works here.
Water: Use purified water at room temperature.
Greek yogurt: Here I’ve added yogurt to give the bread a tangy flavor. I’ve successfully made bread in a Dutch oven using plain coconut yogurt as well, so it’s possible to make this bread vegan if desired.
Required Tools
Making Dutch oven bread requires just a few more tools outside of a Dutch oven! We’ve linked to the exact tools that we used in the video, but you can use whatever suits you!
Oven gloves for easily removing the bread from the oven (optional)
The Best Dutch Oven for Bread
What size Dutch oven do you need for bread? A 5 to 6 quart pot is great for loaf: big enough for the dough to rise, and small enough to hold in the steam. You can also use a 7 quart pot if that’s what you have.
Staub Dutch Oven 5.5 QuartI also have this Staub Dutch oven, my workhorse Dutch oven that I use for everyday soups, risottos and more. The 5 quart size is perfect for a large batch of soup or chili.
How to Make Dutch Oven Bread, Step by Step
Alex is the bread baking master in our household, and he created this simple method for people (like me!) who might not be up for the labor of sourdough. Again, I like to call it “cheater’s sourdough” because it’s way less work than sourdough and just as delicious.
It takes very little hands on time: most of the time in the recipe is waiting for the bread to proof and bake. For this recipe, you’ll need a stand mixer and a Dutch oven. Here are the basic steps for baking bread in a Dutch oven.
Mix the dough (10 minutes). Our recipe uses three types of flours to get that perfect artisan bread flavor and texture, and it’s a Greek yogurt bread recipe to bring a slight tang. You’ll use a stand mixer to knead the dough since it’s too sticky to knead by hand.
Proof the dough (about 1.5 hours). Allow the dough to double in size in a warm place. We typically use our oven proof setting, and cover our bread in reusable plastic bag.
Shape the dough (5 minutes). Shape the dough into a loaf shape. It’s easiest to watch the video above for this part!
Proof the dough again (30 minutes). Allow the dough to rest again, this time at room temperature. Start preheating the oven with the Dutch oven inside.
Bake the dough (40 minutes). Place your bread directly into the Dutch oven, and bake for 17 minutes. Then remove it, reduce the oven temp, and bake for another 23 minutes.
That’s it! You’ll find this bread tastes AMAZING, and has the perfect crispy crust and soft interior. It’s definitely a favorite in our family. And we love that the texture is just perfect for sandwiches. Are you ready for baking bread in a Dutch oven? Head to our recipe below.
Bread Toppings
I haven’t tried adding grains or seeds to either the top of this Dutch oven bread or mixed into the dough itself, but you certainly could. If you’re craving a seedy bread, I also recommend making our No Knead Artisan Multigrain Bread. It’s also very easy to make and tastes amazing!
How This Compares to No Knead Bread
Many Dutch oven bread recipes are no knead bread, where you stir together a wet dough and then let it sit overnight. This loaf is different: the stand mixer kneads the dough for 8 minutes, which builds structure quickly. That’s why it’s ready the day you mix it!
Store the bread wrapped in a cloth or in a bread bag on the counter for up to 2 days. Skip the refrigerator, which makes bread go stale faster.
This no knead artisan bread freezes very well. You can either freeze the entire loaf, or pre-slice the loaf and freeze it that way (this method works well if you plan on using it for sandwiches over a period of time). Just note that you’ll need to freeze this bread in a freezer bag, otherwise it may get freezer burn or dry out once frozen.
Ways To Serve It
I hope you’ll try out our method for how to bake bread in a Dutch oven: let me know if you try it and what you think! One last thing: this bread is perfect slathered with butter or peanut butter and a bit of Homemade Strawberry Jam. I also love it for any type of sandwich like a pesto sandwich or caprese sandwich, or as toast like avocado toast.
Dietary Notes
This artisan Dutch oven bread is vegetarian and has a vegan, dairy-free and plant-based variation (see below).
This easy Dutch oven bread has a crisp crust and a soft, tangy crumb with only about 30 minutes of hands-on time. Here’s my step-by-step method and a video!
Mix the dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer with a dough hook, combine the flours, kosher salt, and yeast. Stir lightly with the dough hook to combine. Add the water and Greek yogurt and stir again until just combined. (Note: You need a stand mixer for this recipe as kneading by hand would be too sticky.)
Proof the dough: Place bowl and dough hook on stand mixer and knead for 8 minutes on low speed. After mixing, transfer the dough to a small bowl. Cover and allow to rise in a warm place (we use an 80° proofing oven) until doubled in size — 1.5 to 2.5 hours.
Preheat the Dutch oven: When the dough has risen, place a Dutch oven in the oven and preheat to 475°F. Prepare a piece of parchment paper about 8 inches wide by 12 inches long.
Shape the dough (watch the video instructions!): Scrape the dough onto a lightly floured counter; the dough should be formed into a gently rounded shape. Rub just enough flour onto the top of the dough so that it isn’t tacky. Use the bench scraper to flip the dough so that the floured side is down. Gently stretch the dough into a rectangle. Moving quickly, fold the top third of the dough down, and the bottom third up to create a packet. Rotate the dough 90 degrees and gently roll it into a log shape. Be careful to not press the dough or deflate it. Use your hands to gently pull the dough tight and pinch off the seams at the end of the dough. Carefully transfer the dough to the parchment paper and allow to rest uncovered for 30 minutes.
Bake the bread: After the dough has rested, use a lame or sharp knife to cut a shallow slit at angle across the top of the dough. As quickly as possible, using a hot pad remove the lid from the Dutch oven and carefully place the parchment paper with dough into the Dutch oven. Cover it and set the timer for 17 minutes.
Reduce the oven temp and continue baking: After 17 minutes, reduce the oven temperature to 400°F. With a hot pad remove the Dutch oven, carefully take out the bread. and set the bread directly onto the oven rack. Bake for an additional 23 minutes.
Cool the bread: Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool on a cooling rack for at least 45 minutes. After cooling, the bread is ready to eat. Store the bread wrapped in cloth or in a bread bag on the counter for up to 2 days, or freeze it wrapped in foil in a plastic bag for several months.
Notes
*This Dutch oven bread has been successfully tested using plain coconut yogurt as a vegan variation.
This zingy citrus salad dressing whisks up in minutes using fresh orange and lemon juice. It’s a bright lemon orange vinaigrette that makes any salad taste incredible.
Looking for a tangy salad dressing to liven up your greens? This zingy citrus salad dressing is where it’s at! It’s got both fresh lemon and orange juice, and it’s perfectly balanced.
I originally made this dressing as part of a fennel orange salad, and it was so refreshing I couldn’t stop eating it! This vinaigrette works in the winter during citrus season, and as a light healthy dressing for summer salads. It’s a favorite in our house and I hope it will be in yours too!
5 Star Reader Reviews
“I’ve been making this dressing exactly as the recipe calls for it to be done for years. It’s quick, easy, delicious, and versatile.” -Lindsey
“Very delicious, and easy, quick to make! Thank you!” -Linelle
Ingredients You’ll Need
This citrus salad dressing is a simple vinaigrette that uses orange and lemon juice in place of vinegar. Here’s what you’ll need:
Orange juice and zest: Use fresh squeezed orange juice, plus the zest of half the orange. The zest is what makes the flavor really pop!
Lemon juice: Adding fresh lemon juice makes for a super tangy dressing.
Dijon mustard: Mustard adds a savory note and also helps emulsify the dressing so it stays creamy.
Maple syrup: This balances the acidity; you can also use honey or agave syrup.
Olive oil: This is my favorite heart-healthy oil for salad dressings.
How To Make Citrus Salad Dressing
This fresh and healthy citrus salad dressing comes together in a flash! The only main task is juicing the lemon and orange, then whisking together the dressing. Here are a few tips for this simple vinaigrette:
Use a juicer. While you can juice citrus without it, I always use my trusty juicer for citrus to quickly juice it and keep the seeds out. (Anytime I try it with my hands, I get seeds in whatever I’m making!) Here’s the juicer I use: it works great!
For zesting: a microplane or grater. I add the zest of ½ orange to this dressing to make it pop. I use a microplane to make quick work of zesting. If you don’t have one, use a grater. Smaller zesters that are more like bar tools don’t work as well here. Here’s more on How to Zest an Orange.
Add the olive oil gradually to make a creamy emulsion. Add the olive oil gradually, tablespoon by tablespoon. Whisk until it combines, then add another. This is the key to getting a creamy emulsified salad dressing.
Variations To Try
Here are a few ways to add different flavors to this dressing:
Add garlic: Add half a grated small garlic clove for a more savory dressing.
Stir in shallot or herbs: A teaspoon of minced shallot or chopped chives to add subtle onion notes.
Change the citrus: Blood orange, grapefruit, or lime juice also can work for parts of the juice.
Swap the sweetener. As I noted above, honey or agave syrup both work in place of maple syrup.
Ways to Serve This Citrus Salad Dressing
This citrus salad dressing goes well on lots of different types of salads! It would also make a great flavoring for green beans or broccoli as a side dish. Here are our favorite ways to serve it:
Fennel orange salad. This fennel orange salad accentuates the orange in our fennel orange salad perfectly.
Kale salad. It would be perfect on this BEST Kale Salad — add it to taste.
Arugula salad. Brighten up this Easy Arugula Salad with citrus vinaigrette (to taste).
Vegetables. This Best Steamed Broccoli or Steamed Green Beans would also be fantastic tossed with a little citrus salad dressing before sprinkling with feta cheese.
You can store this dressing refrigerated for up to 1 week. Olive oil firms up when it’s cold, so bring it to room temperature before serving and then give it a quick shake or whisk.
Dietary Notes
This recipe is vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free and gluten-free.
This zingy citrus salad dressing whisks up in minutes using fresh orange and lemon juice. It’s a bright lemon orange vinaigrette that makes any salad taste incredible.
Zest the orange. In a medium bowl, mix the orange juice, orange zest, lemon juice, mustard, maple syrup, salt and a grind of fresh black pepper.
Gradually whisk in the olive oil 1 tablespoon at a time (8 tablespoons total), until creamy and emulsified. If desired, season with additional salt. Store refrigerated for up to 1 week; bring to room temperature prior to serving.
Here’s how to make fluffy cilantro lime rice with lime zest, juice, and fresh herbs. This Chipotle-style side makes every burrito bowl better!
If you’re making a burrito bowl, tacos, or enchiladas, here’s my go-to side dish: this easy Cilantro Lime Rice recipe! Adding cilantro, lime juice and lime zest to plain rice catapults it to an entirely different level.
The ways to serve it are endless: use it in burrito bowls (Chipotle style!), tacos, or as a side for grilled shrimp skewers. It’s so versatile, I’ve made it so many times. Really, any meal is better with a little cilantro lime rice!
5 Star Reader Review
“I literally love this recipe, it’s delicious and good for just a random little snack. Thank you for the recipe!” -Alora
How to Make Cilantro Lime Rice
This cilantro lime rice recipe is fast and easy: and only includes a few extra steps to boiling up a pot of rice. But for the amount of flavor it adds, you’ll want to make it this way every time! It takes a pot of rice from bland to irresistible. Here are the basic steps:
Cook the rice. It starts basic! Use any long-grain rice.
Stir in salt and garlic powder, then steam 10 minutes. Remove the rice from the heat. Quickly uncover and add garlic powder and salt, then cover and let it steam. This allows the seasonings to infuse while the rice steams.
Stir in chopped cilantro, lime juice and lime zest. Then uncover and stir in the cilantro and lime! Using both juice and zest infuses the entire pot with tangy flavor.
When to Add Cilantro and Lime to Rice
You’ll want to add the cilantro and lime after you have cooked and steamed the rice. This is important because the cilantro is very delicate. If you boiled it along with the rice, it would lose all flavor and become very soggy.
Lime zest and juice also lose flavor if they’re boiled, so it’s best to add them at the end for the most zingy flavor.
White Rice or Brown Rice?
White rice is best flavor-wise for cilantro lime rice, in our personal opinion. But do you prefer brown rice? There are some health advantages of brown rice vs white rice. Use either one here! Here’s what to know:
Use long grain rice either way. Short grain doesn’t result in the best texture for this style of rice.
Brown rice works with the same instructions: just cook it for 45 minutes instead of 15!
How to Make It in a Rice Cooker or Instant Pot
You can also make this recipe in a rice cooker or Instant pot! Here’s what to do:
Rice cooker: Add 1 cup long grain white rice and water to the 1-cup line, then cook on the white rice setting. When it switches to warm, stir in the salt and garlic powder and close the lid for 10 minutes. Then open and fold in the cilantro, coconut oil, lime juice, and zest.
Instant Pot: Rinse 1 cup long grain white rice and add it to the pot with 1 cup water. Cook on high pressure for 4 minutes, then let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes. Stir in the salt, garlic powder, cilantro, oil, and lime. Here’s my full method for Instant Pot white rice.
Use cilantro lime rice in a shrimp bowl for an easy (and tasty) dinner
Ways to Serve Cilantro Lime Rice
Here are a few of my top ways to serve this tasty rice:
Cilantro lime rice works to make ahead; refrigerated it for up to 4 days. To reheat it, place it in a pan on the stovetop, add a few tablespoons of water, and heat over medium heat until warmed through. Adding a squeeze of fresh lime juice also helps to revive the flavors.
You can freeze cilantro lime rice for up to 3 months, though the cilantro will turn darker after it’s frozen and thawed. Add fresh cilantro when serving!
Dietary Notes
This cilantro lime rice recipe is vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free and gluten-free.
Add the rice to a saucepan with 2 cups water. Bring it to a boil, then cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until the water is absorbed. While the rice cooks, prep the cilantro, lime juice and lime zest.
Remove from the heat, then uncover and stir in the salt and garlic powder. Return the cover and allow to steam for 10 minutes. Uncover and stir in the cilantro, coconut oil, lime juice and lime zest. Refrigerate leftovers; to reheat, heat on the stovetop or in the microwave with a few tablespoons water until warmed and moist (you may need to add a pinch more salt).
Notes
*This recipe makes 4 modest servings. For larger servings, make 1.5 or 2 times the recipe.
**You can also use this method with brown rice if you like. Follow the same instructions, but simmer for 45 minutes in Step 1.
Love cilantro?
Of course, we know lots of haters. But not us! Here are a few top cilantro recipes to use this tasty herb:
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