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This single serving baked brown rice recipe is an easy, foolproof way to make perfectly fluffy rice in the oven. With just a few simple ingredients, you’ll get tender, flavorful rice every time without the hassle of stovetop cooking.
Featured Comment
“I’ll never make brown rice any other way again! It comes out perfect, light and fluffy, without having to watch it constantly on the stove top…”
– Gail
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make: Simple steps with reliable results.
- Fluffy Every Time: Evenly cooked, tender brown rice.
- Versatile: Great for bowls, salads, stir-fries, and more.
- One Dish Cooking: Everything bakes in the dish, so cleanup is minimal.
I love making baked brown rice this way because it’s completely hands-off once it goes in the oven.
No standing over the stove or worrying about burnt rice, it just turns out perfectly every time.
If you’ve ever struggled with cooking rice, you’ve got to try this method. It’s so easy!
Pair your fluffy brown rice with a single serving main dish like baked chicken thighs, bang bang shrimp for one, Salisbury steak for one, Tuscan chicken for one, or chickpea curry for one.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this small batch baked brown rice recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Brown Rice: Whole grain rice that’s hearty and nutrient-rich.
- Water or Broth: Use water, or substitute with chicken or vegetable broth for extra flavor.
- Butter: Adds richness to the rice.
- Salt: Seasons the rice; adjust to your taste.
How To Bake Brown Rice
See recipe card below for measurements.
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- In a 5×5-inch baking dish, combine rice, boiling water, butter, and salt. Stir to mix.
- Cover tightly with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
This makes one serving of rice.
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How To Season Brown Rice
Brown rice has a nutty flavor and chewy texture, but it also works as a base for adding extra flavor. Try these simple ideas:
- Herbs and Spices: Add dried thyme, rosemary, or oregano for warmth. Use cayenne, smoked paprika, curry powder, or Creole seasoning for bolder flavor. Finish with fresh parsley, cilantro, or chives.
- Aromatics: Sauté onions, garlic, or shallots before baking for deeper flavor.
- Broth: Replace some or all of the water with chicken, vegetable, or beef broth.
- Stir-Ins: After baking, mix in chopped nuts or dried fruit like cranberries or raisins for added texture and sweetness.
Expert Tips
- Seal Tightly: Cover the dish well with foil to trap steam and cook the rice evenly.
- Preheat Oven: Make sure the oven is fully heated before baking.
- Check at 45 Minutes: If the rice looks dry, add a splash of water, cover, and continue baking.
- Rest Before Serving: Carefully remove the foil (watch for steam) and fluff the rice with a fork.
What To Serve With Brown Rice
This baked brown rice pairs well with many meals. Try it with:
- Build a bowl: Use as the base for a salmon rice bowl or Greek chicken bowl topped with protein, vegetables, and sauce.
- Salads: Add to a hearty salad with chickpeas, spinach, and homemade vinaigrette.
- Soups: Serve alongside a single serving of tomato soup or a lentil stew for one.
- Stir-Fries: Use as a base for pork stir fry for one, chicken fried rice for one, or Mongolian beef for one.
Frequently Asked Questions
At 400°F, baked brown rice takes about 45 minutes.
Yes, starting with boiling water helps the rice cook evenly in the oven.
A small oven-safe dish, such as a 5×5-inch baking dish works perfectly.
Cooked brown rice can be refrigerated for up to 4 days.
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Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you’ve tried this oven-baked brown rice recipe or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
Also, if you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see!
Baked Brown Rice For One
Equipment
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup medium-grain or long-grain brown rice
- ⅔ cup water
- ½ tablespoon salted butter
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Place rice in a 5×5-inch baking dish.
- Bring water to a boil in a small saucepan or kettle, then pour over the rice. Add butter and salt, and stir to combine.
- Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake on the middle rack for 45 minutes.
- Remove foil carefully, then fluff the rice with a fork and serve.
Notes
-
- Seal Tightly: Cover the dish well with foil to trap steam and cook the rice evenly.
- Preheat Oven: Make sure the oven is fully heated before baking.
- Check at 45 Minutes: If the rice looks dry, add a splash of water, cover, and continue baking.
- Rest Before Serving: Carefully remove the foil (watch for steam) and fluff the rice with a fork.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Thank you for the recipe. I discovered baked rice and absolutely love it. Can you do this recipe in an air fryer?
I’m so glad you’re enjoying baked rice! I haven’t tested this recipe in an air fryer, so I’m not sure how it would turn out. If you decide to try it, I’d love to hear how it goes!
Does this work for white long grain rice?
Hi Marge, we actually have a recipe showing how to bake white rice – https://onedishkitchen.com/how-to-bake-a-single-serving-of-rice/
Hi Joanie, when doubling the brown rice recipe which size of dish do you recommend? Thank you.
I’d recommend using either a 6.5×6.5 inch baking dish that holds about 32 fluid ounces or a 6×8 inch dish or a dish that is similar in size.
Joanie, in this recipe you don’t rinse the rice first as in other recipes. Is that because this is cooked in the oven or should the rice be rinsed here as well?
I don’t rinse the rice in this recipe but you certainly can if you’d like. Brown rice’s bran is still intact, so it doesn’t have starch build up on the outside as white rice does. See your package of rice to see if it has specific instructions on whether or not the rice in the package needs to be rinsed before use.
Hello,
Love the rice in the oven but wondering if it can be baked in an air fryer?
I haven’t tested this recipe in an air fryer so I don’t know how it will turn out.
I’ll never make brown rice any other way again! It comes out perfect, light and fluffy, without having to watch it constantly on the stove top. I added 3/4 tsp. Better Than Bouillon vegetable stock and reduced the salt to 1/8 teaspoon for increased flavor. One serving makes enough for a side dish for my husband and me, but I can double it and freeze half in a Ziploc bag for future use.
Hi Gail, I agree that baking rice is the way to go! I’m so glad you enjoy the recipe, thank you for taking the time to let me know.
Can this recipe be doubled as written?
Yes, double the ingredients and keep the cooking time the same.
I love the idea of baking brown rice! I always forget about it on the stove top and burn it to the bottom of the pot 😂
My husband was out of town and I had to have rice… I couldn’t believe there was a recipe for just one person! It was so easy, and I didnt have to eat rice for way too many meals! The fact it was perfectly cooked was icing on the cake!