Rice is a staple in so many dishes, and for good reason. Rice is easy to make, neutral in flavor, and tasty in so many iterations, from salty to spicy, savory, and sweet. While some rice varieties are higher in nutrients, like fiber, than others, rice on its own doesn’t contain any substantial quantity of protein.
Luckily, if you’re looking to boost the protein in your meal or side dish, a quick swap while making rice can help add several grams of protein: use broth instead of water. Both homemade broth and pre-made broth contain protein, and can easily be used instead of water when cooking any type of rice to add protein. Here’s how to do it.
How to do it
Swapping broth for water is as easy as it gets. Just use the same amount of broth as you would water.
For example:
- If you’re cooking 1 cup of rice with 1 cup of water (a typical 1:1 ratio),
- simply swap in 1 cup of broth instead of the water.
Low-sodium or unsalted broth works best, so you can control the salt levels, but any broth—vegetable, miso, beef, chicken, for instance—will work. Bouillon mixed with the right amount of water to create a broth works for this method, too.
Why it works so well
Anything that cooks in water can cook well in other liquids! Because rice fully absorbs the liquid it cooks in, you’re getting all the flavor and nutrients from the broth in every bite—including a small protein boost.
Depending on the brand, 1 cup of chicken broth typically adds about 5 to 10 grams of protein, which gets absorbed right into the rice as it cooks.
A few tips for the best rice
- Rinse your rice. Rice is an agricultural product, meaning it should be rinsed before cooking. Rinse it in a large strainer until the water runs clear. This helps remove any dust and excess starch that could make the rice too sticky.
- Don’t peek inside. Rice cooks best when it steams, meaning once you put the lid on, you shouldn’t check on it and release any steam. Instead, use a timer and trust the process.
- Fluff when it’s done. Instead of just scooping rice out of the pot or rice cooker, fluff it with a fork or rice paddle for the fluffiest results.
Want to take it further?
Once you’ve perfected your broth-cooked rice, you can add a few more elements to the dish to boost taste and nutrition.
- Boost the protein even more: Swap in bone broth instead of standard broth. It’s rich in protein and collagen, adding both nutrition and deeper flavor to your rice.
- Add a toasty, nutty depth: Dry sauté the rice in a pot for 1 to 2 minutes before adding liquid, cooking until it becomes fragrant. This simple step builds flavor without any extra ingredients.
- Make it extra rich and luxurious: Stir in a pat of butter just before fluffing the rice for a silkier texture and richer taste.
- Upgrade your setup: If you cook rice often, a small rice cooker is a worthwhile investment for consistently perfect results.
