Many people choose brown rice over white rice, mostly because of its health benefits. Due to its whole grain nature, brown rice is naturally rich in healthy, gut-friendly fiber that contributes towards good digestion. Brown rice also has a low glycemic index, which means that it’s great for giving you long-lasting energy and keeping you feeling full for longer.
To help you choose the best brown rice for your plate, we reviewed dozens of different brands of rice. During our research, we looked at factors like variety, quality, cost, taste, and origin. After looking at dozens of brown rice options, we narrowed our search down to five of the best brown rice products that will make a delicious addition to any meal.
After an extensive research process, we chose RiceSelect Organic Texmati Brown Rice as the best brown rice overall. This rice is made from a unique hybrid of Basmati and long-grain rice and has a delicious nutty flavor and soft texture. We also love that this rice is grown in the U.S. and that you don’t need to wash it before use.
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The 5 Top-Rated Brown Rice Products
| Editor’s Picks | Brand | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Best Brown Rice Overall | RiceSelect Organic Texmati Brown Rice | 4.5 |
| Best Brown Basmati Rice | Lundberg Organic California Brown Basmati Rice | 4.6 |
| Best Budget Brown Rice | Uncle Ben’s Wholegrain Brown Rice | 4.4 |
| Best Microwavable Brown Rice | Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice Whole Grain Brown Rice | 4.5 |
| Best Brown Jasmine Rice | Dynasty Jasmine Brown Rice | 4.3 |
*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change
Best Brown Rice Overall: RiceSelect Organic Texmati Brown Rice
Can’t decide whether you should get American long-grain brown rice or Basmati brown rice? Then consider buying RiceSelect Organic Texmati Brown Rice. This is a unique type of rice made from the agricultural hybridization of Basmati rice and long-grain brown rice. As such, this rice contains many of the best features of both.
Because this unique rice has long milled grains, it swells in both length and width when cooked, resulting in a light and fluffy texture. The rice, which takes about 45 minutes to cook, also has a wonderful aroma (many customers compare the smell to freshly popped corn) and a delicious nutty flavor. Since this rice is grown in the U.S., you don’t need to wash it before or after cooking it.
The rice is certified gluten-free, non-GMO Project Verified, and certified Kosher by Star-K and comes in a 32 ounce (2-pound) see-through 100% recyclable BPA-free jar. Since the rice comes in a set of 4, you get 128 ounces of rice in total. The rice should keep for about 18 months. Keep in mind that the rice is packed in a processing plant that also handles nuts and wheat products.
RiceSelect Organic Texmati Brown Rice Key Features:
- Set of 4 jars (2-pounds each)
- Hybrid rice (Basmati and long-grain brown rice)
- Takes 45 minutes to cook
- Popped corn aroma
- U.S.-grown
- Gluten-free, non-GMO, and Kosher certified
Best Brown Basmati Rice: Lundberg Organic California Brown Basmati Rice
Popular in Indian cooking, Basmati rice is light and delicate and is ideal for when you want a fluffy, drier texture. Like most brown rice, brown Basmati rice has its bran coating intact, which makes it healthier than white Basmati rice. The Lundberg Organic California Brown Basmati Rice is grown in the U.S. The rice, which is GMO-free, cooks with the fragrance of Indian Basmati rice, but doesn’t elongate.
When you buy this rice, you don’t just get 1 bag of rice — you get 6 (each bag contains 32 ounces or 2 pounds of rice). All Lundberg packaged rice products are produced in a facility that’s free from the top 8 U.S. allergens and top 10 Canadian allergens. The rice is, therefore, safe for people with peanut and tree-nut allergies. The Organic California Brown Basmati Rice has a shelf life of 12 months.
In addition to providing its customers with high-quality rice, the company is also doing its bit for the environment. Its processing facility is TRUE Zero Waste Certified, and the company diverts more than 99% of its waste from landfills. Lundberg also offsets the electricity it uses onsite with renewable energy via self-generation and renewable energy certificates.
Lundberg Organic California Brown Basmati Rice Key Features:
- Pack of 6 bags (2 pounds each)
- U.S.-grown
- GMO-free
- Free from top 8 U.S. allergens and top 10 Canadian allergens
- 12-month shelf-life
Best Budget Brown Rice: Uncle Ben’s Wholegrain Brown Rice
If you’re looking to stock up on rice, you probably won’t find a better deal than Uncle Ben’s Wholegrain Brown Rice. This 25-pound (400-ounce) bag of rice is sure to last you a good while. Because the rice is parboiled, it cooks quicker than regular brown rice. The company says that this rice should cook to perfection in under 25 minutes, although some people say that their parboiled rice cooks in just 15 minutes.
Unlike regular brown rice, which usually lasts for only six months before it goes rancid, parboiled rice has the shelf life of white rice. In other words, parboiled rice can last for up to 30 years if properly stored! For that reason, parboiled rice is very popular with preppers. It helps that parboiled rice is very nutritious, as well. Like all Uncle Ben’s products, this long grain rice doesn’t need to be rinsed before or after cooking.
Uncle Ben’s Wholegrain Brown Rice Key Features:
- 25-pound bag
- Parboiled
- Cooks in under 25 minutes
- 30-year shelf life
Best Microwavable Brown Rice: Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice Whole Grain Brown Rice
Another Uncle Ben’s product, this microwavable brown rice is the perfect choice for health-conscious eaters who are short on time. Simply pop the disposable rice pouch into your microwave and wait for 90 seconds — no prep work or cleanup required! If you don’t have a microwave, you can also heat the rice in a skillet.
The pouch ingredients include whole grain parboiled brown rice, water, and canola and sunflower oil. The convenient packaging means that there’s no need for artificial preservatives to keep the rice tasting fresh. The rice is also low in sodium (15 milligrams per serving).
You don’t need to store Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice Whole Grain Brown Rice in your fridge or freezer. The pantry will do just fine unless you’ve already opened the pouch. Once opened, the rice can keep for around three to five days. The package contains 2 servings, and each serving has 190 calories. This rice comes in a set of 12.
Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice Whole Grain Brown Rice Key Features:
- Set of 12
- 2 servings per package
- Microwavable
- 90 seconds to prepare
- Low in sodium
Best Jasmine Brown Rice: Dynasty Jasmine Brown Rice
The Thai-made Dynasty Jasmine Brown Rice is perfect for Asian-inspired dishes, like curries, stir-fries, and other steamed dishes. Often used as a substitute for Basmati rice, Jasmine rice is generally a little cheaper. It’s also shorter and stickier.
Brown Jasmine rice is minimally processed. Because only the husk is removed (the rice bran remains intact), the rice is very nutritious and rich in dietary fiber. When cooked, the rice is fluffy and light. It also has a pleasant aroma and a nutty flavor. However, it’s not very sticky, so it’s not great for making things like rice croquettes.
Note that brown Jasmine rice takes longer to cook than regular rice (50 minutes to an hour). However, you can always pre-soak the rice to help it cook more quickly (30 or 40 minutes). Dynasty Jasmine Brown Rice comes in a resealable bag to guarantee freshness. The rice should last you between three and six months at room temperature (longer if refrigerated).
Dynasty Jasmine Brown Rice Key Features:
- 5-pound bag
- 50 – 60 minute cook time
- Resealable bag
- 3 – 6-month shelf-life
It’s always a good idea to have a bag or two of brown rice in your kitchen cupboard. From curries to soups and salads, you can add this versatile grain to any meal for extra nutrition. Looking for other foods to stock up on? Check out our review of the best freeze-dried foods.
