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    Home » Dinner » Side Dishes

    How to Cook Black Rice

    Published: Mar 11, 2020 · Modified: Mar 17, 2021 · 7 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    Love black rice, and want to cook it yourself? This easy stovetop recipe uses short-grain black rice (forbidden rice) and tops it with a quick and easy lime dressing.
    Love black rice, and want to cook it yourself? This easy stovetop recipe uses short-grain black rice (forbidden rice) and tops it with a quick and easy lime dressing.
    Love black rice, and want to cook it yourself? This easy stovetop recipe uses short-grain black rice (forbidden rice) and tops it with a quick and easy lime dressing.
    Love black rice, and want to cook it yourself? This easy stovetop recipe uses short-grain black rice (forbidden rice) and tops it with a quick and easy lime dressing.
    This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Love black rice, and want to cook it yourself? This easy stovetop recipe uses short-grain black rice (forbidden rice ®) and tops it with a quick and easy lime dressing.

    Black rice with lime dressing in a serving dish

    A few years ago, I found myself staring at a restaurant menu, asking my husband, "What in the world is forbidden rice?"

    Followed quickly by, "If it's forbidden, how are they allowed to sell it?" 

    If you want to leave now, before the jokes get worse, I totally understand.

    I didn't try the rice that day, but a few days later, while walking through Jungle Jim's in Cincinnati, I saw it again and grabbed some. And no worries, even though it was marked "forbidden" rice, they didn't confiscate it at the cash register.

    I even successfully cooked the contraband rice, without any strange rice regulators banging through my front door.

    I later learned that this nutty, gluten-free grain is definitely NOT forbidden. I'm just kidding guys, I totally knew that right away.

    Want more rice tutorials? Learn how to make basmati rice in the microwave, or make Instant Pot versions of basmati, jasmine, or brown rice!

    What is Forbidden (or Black) Rice?

    Forbidden rice is actually a trademarked brand name owned by Lotus Foods used for their brand of short-grain black rice.

    So technically, forbidden rice isn't a variety of rice. That said, for me the Lotus brand of black rice has been easy to find and high-quality, so I'd definitely recommend them.

    That said, you can use any short-grain black rice in this recipe!

    Short-Grain Black Rice (Forbidden Rice)
    Short-Grain Black Rice (Forbidden Rice)

    What Does Black Rice Taste Like?

    To me, black rice tastes like a cross between brown rice and wild rice.

    It's soft and nutty (like brown rice), but with a little something extra that reminds me of wild rice. It's delicious.

    Black Rice vs Black Sticky Rice

    This recipe is for short-grained black rice.

    Black sticky rice (or Chinese black sticky rice, or Thai black sticky rice) is a different type of rice, and I have not tested it with these cooking directions.

    When cooked, this black rice is fluffy and is not sticky.

    Why Is It Black?

    This variety of rice has a dark hull, and (similar to purple dark fruits and veggies).

    Will This Rice Stain My Cookware?

    It can.

    Black rice tends to "bleed black." Actually it "bleeds" a dark purple.

    Avoid serving it on dishes that stain easily, don't use wooden utensils (unless yours are already stained like mine!), and be careful if you have stone countertops that stain easily.

    To minimize stains, rinse the rice before cooking, make sure to let all the water absorb from the rice while cooking, and be aware that if you try to cook rice along with another dish (like in soup) it will dye the rest of your food purple.

    Do I Need To Soak This Rice?

    You don't need to.

    If you prefer to soak your rice you can; just keep in mind that the cook time for soaked rice will be faster than the time listed.

    How Much Water to Grain Should I Use?

    A lot of rice recipes call for 1 part rice and 2 parts water.

    This recipe uses less water, with just over a 1-to-1 ratio of 1-and-¼ cups of water for each cup of rice.

    How to Cook Black Rice

    Add the rinsed rice to a saucepan with water, oil, and salt.

    Bring the water to a boil, and then immediately lower the heat to a simmer and cover the pot.

    Make sure your heat is set as low as you can go without losing the simmer.

    On my gas stovetop, that's almost as low as the gas heat will go, but on an electric stovetop your heat setting might need to be slightly higher. If possible, use a tempered glass lid so that you can keep an eye on the liquid.

    Simmer the rice for 30 minutes, and then turn off the heat. Let the rice sit, covered and off-heat, for another 10-15 minutes.

    Cook Black Rice Until Tender + Fluffy
    Cook Black Rice Until Tender + Fluffy

    Remove the lid and fluff the rice.

    If you want to add the dressing, mix together a little lime juice, olive oil, and fresh herbs, and stir it into the rice.

    Serve the rice as a side dish, or use it anywhere you'd normally use brown rice.

    How to Make a Black Rice Salad

    This recipe originally appeared on Champagne Tastes back in 2016. Back then, it included a few extra ingredients, but I've since simplified it to make it a little more weeknight friendly.

    However, if you want to add the extras back in, check the recipe notes! This black rice makes a delicious rice salad when you add sautéed mushrooms and shallots!

    Black rice with lime dressing in a serving dish
    Black rice with lime dressing in a serving dish
    Print Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    5 from 5 votes

    How to Cook Black Rice

    Love black rice, and want to cook it yourself? This easy stovetop recipe uses short-grain black rice (forbidden rice) and tops it with a quick and easy lime dressing.
    Author: Sarah Trenalone
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Cook Time30 minutes mins
    Total Time40 minutes mins
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Servings: 6 people
    Calories: 142kcal
    Freezer Friendly?
    No
    Will It Keep?
    No
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • fine mesh sieve

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup short-grain black rice (forbidden rice)
    • 1 ¼ cup water
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • ½ teaspoon sea salt

    Dressing:

    • ½ lime, juiced
    • 1 teaspoon olive oil
    • 2-3 sprigs fresh herbs, removed from stems + chopped if needed (optional) I use thyme or cilantro

    Instructions

    • Add rice to a mesh sieve and rinse with warm water until the water runs clear.
    • Add rice, water, oil, and salt to a saucepan, and bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat.
    • When water begins to boil, cover the pot and lower the heat to low. Lightly simmer for 30 minutes.
      Tip: You want the water to simmer lightly. The exact heat setting will vary depending on your stovetop and cookware. If possible, use a pan with a glass lid to check on the water, but avoid opening the lid while cooking.
    • After 30 minutes, leave the lid on the pot. Let the rice sit covered, off heat, for 10-15 minutes. Open the lid and fluff the rice with a fork.
      Cook Black Rice Until Tender + Fluffy
    • Optionally, whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, and fresh herbs, and stir it into the rice.
      Black rice with lime dressing in a serving dish
    • Serve warm.
    • Leftovers:
      This rice is best served immediately, but can be kept refrigerated in a sealed container for up to 4 days. To reheat, add about a tablespoon of water, and microwave covered until warm (2-3 minutes).

    Notes

    Yield: 1 cup dry black rice yields approx. 3 cups cooked black rice.  Est. serving size is ½ cup per person.
    Multiplying Recipe: Recipe can be doubled or tripled.
    Recipe Variations: This recipe is also delicious with sautéed mushrooms and shallots added.  Cook them in a separate pan while the rice cooks, and then fold into the rice along with the lime dressing.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 142kcal (7%) | Carbohydrates: 24g (8%) | Protein: 2g (4%) | Fat: 4g (6%) | Saturated Fat: 1g (6%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 199mg (9%) | Potassium: 75mg (2%) | Fiber: 1g (4%) | Sugar: 1g (1%) | Vitamin A: 3IU | Vitamin C: 2mg (2%) | Calcium: 11mg (1%) | Iron: 1mg (6%)
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and rating below!

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    About Sarah Trenalone

    Sarah is the primary creator at Champagne Tastes. She's a photographer, food writer and traveler, and is certified in Backcountry Kitchen and Backcountry Navigation from the Colorado Outward Bound School and Identifying Wild Plants from Backpacker.

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    Comments

    1. Oriana

      May 23, 2016 at 8:05 pm

      YAY...I have a bag of black rice sitting in my pantry!! I have never had it before, so this is a perfect recipe to try!

      Reply
      • champagne-tastes

        May 23, 2016 at 8:28 pm

        Sweeeeet!! Fantastic timing!! Enjoy- it's yummy!

        Reply
    2. Ludmilla

      May 23, 2016 at 10:55 pm

      I love forbidden rice!! I have made it with sweet and sour chicken before ... It was delicious!! I love your recipe.

      Reply
    3. Kylee

      May 24, 2016 at 1:53 pm

      Lol - rice regulators.
      What an interesting tale about Forbidden Rice. I've never had it before (perhaps everyone I know is worried about rule breaking), but if it's easily and readily available - I should give it a try. It certainly LOOKS delicious!

      Reply
    4. Dawn

      May 25, 2016 at 12:07 pm

      That's so funny...'if it's, how are they allowed to sell it?' I've never had this type of rice before, but it does intrigue me, that's for sure! It looks so pretty! And thanks for the little factoid info about the rice. Love hearing little tidbits of info like that 🙂

      Reply
      • champagne-tastes

        May 25, 2016 at 1:33 pm

        Haha.. You just never know! 😛
        Thanks! It's tasty!

        Reply
    5. Marlee

      May 22, 2017 at 4:42 pm

      I LOVE forbidden rice and really need to get myself some so I can cook with it again! I love the idea of pairing this with mushrooms. Great dinner idea!

      Reply

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