What All Can You Make In A Rice Cooker

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Rice cookers handle far more than plain white rice, from steamed vegetables to complete one-pot meals. So what all can you make in a rice cooker? Quite a lot, actually. This little appliance can cook breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even dessert.

Most people buy a rice cooker and use it for one thing. That is a waste. With a few simple techniques, your rice cooker becomes a second stove.

Below you will find meals, sides, and snacks you can make with almost no effort.

What All Can You Make In A Rice Cooker

The short answer is: almost anything that needs steady heat and moisture. Rice cookers hold a set temperature until the water runs out. That makes them great for grains, soups, stews, and steamed foods.

Here is a full list you can start using today.

Grains And Rice Dishes

This is the obvious one, but there is more variety than you think.

  • White rice, brown rice, and jasmine rice
  • Quinoa, barley, and farro
  • Couscous and bulgur wheat
  • Oatmeal and steel-cut oats
  • Rice pilaf with broth instead of water
  • Mexican rice with tomato sauce and cumin
  • Coconut rice with coconut milk

Use the same water ratio you would use on a stove. The cooker shuts off when the liquid is gone. For brown rice, add a little extra water and let it rest ten minutes after the switch flips.

One-Pot Meals

This is where the rice cooker realy shines. You toss everything in and walk away.

  • Chicken and rice with frozen peas
  • Rice and beans with salsa
  • Mac and cheese from a box
  • Pasta with marinara sauce
  • Chili with ground beef and kidney beans
  • Jambalaya with sausage and shrimp
  • Risotto with mushrooms and parmesan
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For pasta, use just enough water to cover it. Stir once halfway through. The starch thickens the sauce on its own.

Steamed Vegetables And Proteins

Most rice cookers come with a steamer basket. If yours did not, a metal colander works fine.

  1. Add one cup of water to the inner pot.
  2. Place the basket on top.
  3. Add chopped vegetables or protein.
  4. Close the lid and press cook.
  5. Check after eight to ten minutes.

Good options include broccoli, carrots, snap peas, dumplings, fish fillets, and chicken breasts. The steam cooks them gently and keeps them moist.

Breakfast Ideas

Your rice cooker can replace your morning routine.

  • Hard boiled eggs
  • Scrambled eggs with cheese
  • Frittata with spinach and onion
  • Overnight oats
  • Congee or rice porridge
  • Pancake batter cooked as one big cake

For eggs, add a half cup of water and cook for about twelve minutes. Let them sit in cold water after.

Soups And Stews

Soups work well because the cooker holds heat for a long time. You can keep it on warm for hours.

  • Chicken noodle soup
  • Tomato basil soup
  • Lentil soup
  • Potato and leek soup
  • Beef stew with carrots
  • Miso soup

Brown any meat in a pan first for better flavor. Then add everything to the pot and let it cook.

Desserts And Sweet Treats

Yes, you can make dessert in a rice cooker. The moist heat works like a bain-marie.

  • Rice pudding with cinnamon
  • Chocolate cake
  • Banana bread
  • Cheesecake
  • Apple cinnamon oatmeal
  • Steamed sponge cake

Use the steam function or a low cook setting. Check often so it does not overcook.

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Snacks And Side Dishes

These are quick wins when you need something small.

  • Boiled peanuts
  • Steamed edamame
  • Mashed potatoes
  • Corn on the cob
  • Sweet potato cubes
  • Stuffing or dressing
  • Warm dips like spinach artichoke

Things To Avoid In A Rice Cooker

Not everything belongs in there. Skip these items.

  • Deep frying anything
  • Large cuts of raw meat without liquid
  • Dry foods like toast or roasted nuts
  • Anything that needs high heat searing
  • Recipes with too much sugar, which can burn

Also avoid filling past the max line. Starchy water can bubble over and make a mess.

Tips For Better Results

  1. Rinse your rice before cooking to remove extra starch.
  2. Use broth instead of water for more flavor.
  3. Add frozen vegetables in the last ten minutes.
  4. Let the cooker rest on warm for five minutes after cooking.
  5. Spray the pot with oil before making cake or eggs.
  6. Stir once during cooking for even results.

Every rice cooker is a bit different. A cheap one with a single switch works fine for grains and soups. A fancy model with settings gives you more control for cakes and yogurt.

Start with one new recipe this week. Try a one-pot pasta or a batch of steamed dumplings. Once you see how easy it is, you will use your rice cooker every day. It is not just for rice anymore, and it never was.