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Craving a healthy and delicious side dish, but cooking for just one? This oven-baked brown rice recipe is your answer! It’s incredibly easy to prepare, uses minimal cleanup (no pot required!), and delivers perfectly cooked fluffy rice in under an hour. This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, health-conscious eaters, or anyone who wants a satisfying side dish without the hassle.

baked brown rice in a red baking dish.

Complement your fluffy brown rice with any of our delicious single serving main courses! We have a variety of options to choose from, including juicy Baked Chicken Thighs, hearty Salisbury Steak, flavorful Tuscan Chicken, or a protein-packed Chickpea Curry.

Why You’ll Love This Brown Rice Recipe

  • Super Simple: This recipe is as easy as it gets, so it’s perfect for stress-free meal prep.
  • Consistently Fluffy: This method guarantees evenly cooked, fluffy brown rice every single time.
  • Versatile: Use it in bowls, salads, stir-fries – this rice works with anything.
  • No Dirty Pot: Everything cooks right in the baking dish, meaning less cleanup.

Ingredients

If you have any ingredients leftover from this small batch baked brown rice recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.

  • Brown rice: The star of the show, brown rice is whole grain and nutrient-rich.
  • Water: Essential for cooking the rice. You can also use chicken or vegetable broth for added flavor.
  • Butter: Adds a touch of richness.
  • Salt: Adjust according to taste or dietary needs.
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How To Bake Brown Rice

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Combine rice, boiling water, butter, and salt in a small baking dish. Stir to mix, then cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil. Place in the oven and bake for 45 minutes.

This recipe yields one serving of rice.

RELATED: Cooking For One – Simple Tips To Eat Healthy and Save Money

baked brown rice in a baking dish.

How To Season Brown Rice

Brown rice is known for its nutty flavor and satisfying texture, but it can also be a great blank canvas for adding exciting flavors to your meals. Here are a few ways to transform your baked brown rice from simple to sensational:

  • Herbs and Spices: Dried herbs like thyme, rosemary, or oregano add a warm, fragrant touch. For a bolder kick, try a sprinkle of cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, curry powder, or Creole seasoning. Fresh chopped parsley, cilantro, or chives offer a bright, vibrant finish.
  • Aromatics: Sautéed onions, garlic, or shallots before adding the rice to the baking dish infuses it with a deeper, richer flavor.
  • Broth Substitutions: Swap out some or all of the water for chicken, vegetable, or beef broth for an extra layer of savory goodness.
  • Stir-Ins: Once the rice is cooked, fold in ingredients like chopped nuts or dried fruits like cranberries or raisins for a textural and sweet-savory contrast.

Expert Tips

  • Use a tight seal: Cover your dish tightly with foil for the best results, this traps the steam and cooks the rice evenly.
  • Oven Temperature: Ensure your oven is properly preheated to get even cooking.
  • Don’t overcook: Start checking at the 45-minute mark. If it seems dry, add a splash more water and cover again.
  • Let it rest: Uncover your rice carefully (watch out for steam!) and fluff with a fork before serving.

What To Serve With Brown Rice

This easy baked brown rice makes a fantastic side dish for so many meals! Here are a few ideas:

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use this recipe to bake brown rice for two?

Absolutely! Just use a 6.5×6.5-inch baking dish or a 6×8-inch baking dish and double the ingredients amounts.

How long will leftover brown rice last?

Cooked brown rice can be refrigerated for up to 4 days.

Why is my rice crunchy?

This could be due to insufficient water or cooking time. Be sure to follow the ingredient amounts and cook time in the recipe.

RELATED: 40 Easy Recipes For Busy College Students

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!


Your Cooking For One Source
Because you’re worth it

Easy Oven-Baked Brown Rice – Perfect Single Serving!

5 from 6 votes
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 45 minutes
Resting time: 5 minutes
Total: 55 minutes
Servings: 1 serving
Skip the pot! This easy brown rice recipe uses your oven to make a single serving of perfectly cooked rice in under an hour. Discover the best method for flawless brown rice every time.

Ingredients 
 

  • cup medium-grain or long-grain brown rice
  • cup water
  • ½ tablespoon salted butter
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
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Instructions 

  • Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  • Transfer the rice into a 5×5 inch baking dish.
  • In a separate small saucepan or kettle, bring the water to a boil.
  • Carefully pour the hot water over the rice in the dish, and then add the butter and salt.
  • Stir the ingredients gently to mix them.
  • Tightly seal the dish with aluminum foil.
  • Place the dish on the middle shelf of your preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes.
  • After baking, take off the foil and fluff the rice with a fork to separate the grains.
  • Your baked brown rice is ready to be served.

Notes

  • Use a tight seal: Cover your dish tightly with foil for the best results, this traps the steam and cooks the rice evenly.
  • Oven Temperature: Ensure your oven is properly preheated to get even cooking.
  • Don’t overcook: Start checking at the 45-minute mark. If it seems dry, add a splash more water and cover again.
  • Let it rest: Uncover your rice carefully (watch out for steam!) and fluff with a fork before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 278kcal, Carbohydrates: 47g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 15mg, Sodium: 644mg, Potassium: 137mg, Fiber: 2g, Vitamin A: 175IU, Calcium: 14mg, Iron: 0.9mg

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.

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Red 5-inch square baking dish with One Dish Kitchen branded paper sleeve around it.

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Iโ€™m Joanie and Iโ€™m incredibly happy youโ€™re here! Our aim is to inspire individuals with access to single serving recipes, education, and a supportive community that will enable them to enjoy the preparation of a meal that will nourish both body and soul.

5 from 6 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




14 Comments

  1. Marge says:

    Does this work for white long grain rice?

  2. Joyce says:

    Hi Joanie, when doubling the brown rice recipe which size of dish do you recommend? Thank you.

    1. Joanie Zisk says:

      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.

  3. allison says:

    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?

    1. Joanie Zisk says:

      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.

  4. Enoelia says:

    Hello,
    Love the rice in the oven but wondering if it can be baked in an air fryer?

    1. Joanie Zisk says:

      I haven’t tested this recipe in an air fryer so I don’t know how it will turn out.

  5. Gail says:

    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.

    1. Joanie Zisk says:

      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.

  6. Debbie says:

    Can this recipe be doubled as written?

    1. Joanie Zisk says:

      Yes, double the ingredients and keep the cooking time the same.

  7. Taryn says:

    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 ๐Ÿ˜‚

  8. michele says:

    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!