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    Published: Aug 27, 2021 · Modified: Aug 27, 2021 · By Susan

    Lazy Slow Cooker Rice Recipe

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    Jump to Recipe

    Slow cooker rice is so easy to make it is practically foolproof. Just add some water and rice and let your crockpot take over. You will have fluffy, delicious, perfectly cooked rice with minimal effort.

    silver bowl of white rice topped topped with fresh chopped cilantro
    Jump to:
    • 📝Shopping List
    • 🥣How to’s
    • 🍚Serving suggestions
    • Storing leftovers
    • 😉Hints & hacks
    • ❓FAQ's
    • 📖 Recipe

    Rice is one of the most versatile foods around. There are an unlimited number of ways to flavor it. You can use it as a base, as a filler, and even as a wrapper (sushi roll).

    It can be a perfect side dish, main dish, and even an awesome dessert (love rice pudding!). Plus, it is inexpensive

    However, (there is always a but...), It is not that easy to make (at least for me). I don't have a rice cooker and always made my rice stove top. No matter how hard I tried or how closely I watched it, my end product was always mushy. And stuck to the side of the pot!

    Until I decided to try to my old faithful slow cooker! Now...I make perfect rice. Every single time!

    finished rice in slow cooker

    📝Shopping List

    To make this simple recipe you will need:

    • rice - this recipe calls for white, long grain rice. Brown rice can be made this way too, but cooking time will need to adjusted
    • water
    • salt - just a pinch of table salt will do
    • non-stick cooking spray - you can also use olive oil or butter if you prefer.
    Jump to recipe card for exact details
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    🥣How to’s

    When making crock pot rice, first place it in a strainer in the sink and run it under cold water. This helps to remove some of the excess starch on the surface of the rice.

    Taking this step will help to reduce clumping and leave you with perfectly cooked, tender rice. The most important thing is to continue rinsing until the water runs clear.

    rice in a strainer being rinsed

    Next, coat your slow cooker with a non-stick spray or another coating. Olive oil is always my non-stick choice.

    I use a spray bottle to make sure it covers as much of the cooking surface as possible. You can also use a paper towel to spread it around.

    Crockpot with a spray bottle of oil in front of it

    Finally, add rice, water, and a pinch of salt to your slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 2 - 2&½ hours. Right around the 1:45 mark, or when all of the water is fully absorbed, check on your rice. If it still feels too firm or crunchy, it needs to continue cooking.

    Once the texture feels right, remove your slow cooker from the heating element. Be sure to do this carefully. It will be HOT!

    a fork holding some rice of a slow cooker of rice

    Hint: It is always great to make an extra-large batch of rice when cooking it this way. It stores well and is so versatile. It can be added to almost any meal.

    The key thing to remember is that you will need one cup of rice for every two cups of water. So, for example, if you wanted to cook 2 cups of rice, you would need 4 cups of water (which would yield 6 cups of cooked rice).

    🍚Serving suggestions

    Anyone else out there love plain rice? It is a staple in my house. If not, there are so many other great ways to serve it.

    It is awesome in slow cooker soup like my favorite: Lemon chicken and rice soup. Italian roast and slow cooker chili are both delicious served on top of the rice. Additionally, slow cooker chicken recipes such as apricot chicken and chicken lettuce wraps make great rice companions.

    rice with chicken chunks and peppers on side.

    Looking to add some extra flavor? Instead of using plain water, try cooking your rice with chicken, beef, or veggie broth. Add in some cut-up veggies and you have an easy, homemade vegetable rice dish!

    Storing leftovers

    Cooked rice stores really well! Airtight meal or recipe-sized containers or bags work perfectly. Your delicious rice will last 4-6 days in the refrigerator. Freezing is also a great way to store cooked rice and it will last up to 6 months. Just use a microwave to reheat and you are set!

    rice in container with a lid off to the side

    😉Hints & hacks

    • I always like to cook a big batch of rice and keep it in the freezer for future meals. (That's me being lazy!!)
    • There are many different types of rice, each with its own unique flavor. From white rice to jasmine rice to basmati rice to brown, whole grain rice, they are all delicious and slightly different. So far, this cooking method has worked with every type of rice I have tried. Don't be afraid to experiment.
    • Brown rice will take 30-90 minutes longer to cook than white. Keep an eye on it towards the end of the cooking time to make sure it doesn't get overdone. Long-grain brown rice is a great option if you are looking to add more fiber to your diet.
    • I always recommend the use of a slow cooker liner. Of course, this is an optional step. I like to purchase my liners in bulk for a less expensive per-piece price. Here are the liners I buy.
    • In the market for a new slow cooker? Here is the one I am currently lusting after
    • When you are finished cooking, use a fork to help fluff your rice.

    Recipes that are great with rice

    • Lazy Slow Cooker Chicken Lettuce Wraps
    • Lazy Slow Cooker Lemon Chicken Rice Soup
    • Lazy Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff
    • Lazy Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas

    ❓FAQ's

    Why add salt when cooking rice?

    Adding a small amount of salt to this easy recipe will help to keep the rice from getting too sticky

    Aren't you supposed to stir rice while it cooks?

    Not in a slow cooker! Just put the lid on and let it work its magic

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases and affiliate links.

    📖 Recipe

    silver bowl of white rice topped topped with fresh chopped cilantro

    Lazy Slow Cooker Rice Recipe

    Slow cooker rice is so easy to make it is practically foolproof. Just add some water and rice and let your crockpot take over. You will have fluffy, delicious, perfectly cooked rice with minimal effort.
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Pin Rate Save Saved!
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 2 hours
    Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
    Servings: 6 Servings
    Calories: 225kcal
    Author: The Lazy slow cooker
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    Equipment

    • 4 quart or larger slow cooker
    • measuring cup
    • spoon and fork
    • slow cooker liner (optional)
    • strainer

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups uncooked long grain white rice**
    • 4 cups water
    • pinch salt
    • non-stick spay of choice

    Instructions

    • add rice to strainer. hold over sink and rinse with cool water until water runs clear
    • spray slow cooker (or liner if using) with non-stick agent of choice
    • add rice, water and salt to slow cooker
    • cover and cook on high 2-2½ hours
    • After about 1¾ hours, test rice to see if the grains are cooked all the way through. Continue to check every 5 minutes or so until rice reaches desired consistency.
    • once rice is fully cooked, remove from the slow cooker. If you leave this dish on warm, the rice will stick to the pot, and/or become mushy
    • rice can be used immediately or stored for future use,

    Notes

    Notes: 
    Cooked rice left in the slow cooker will become mushy and and/or can burn to side of slow cooker
    **Brown rice can be made this way as well.  Cooking time will need to be increased by about a half hour depending on your slow cooker.  
    Once water is fully absorbed, promptly remove from the heating element and fluff with a fork.  If you allow it to cook longer, it will quickly get mushy.  

    Nutrition

    Calories: 225kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 11mg | Potassium: 71mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 1mg

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Bob M says

      August 26, 2022 at 12:02 pm

      Can’t…WON’T…scroll thru all these adds etc

      Reply
      • The Lazy Slow Cooker says

        August 26, 2022 at 1:04 pm

        HI Bob. You don't have to scroll! Every recipe has a "jump to recipe" button - right under the title. It allows you to skip to the recipe card with all measurements and other details.
        Those ads are necessary to pay for all the expenses that go into making these recipes, photographing them, writing about them, and hosting a website so that I can share them with you for free. 🙂

    2. Bridget says

      December 15, 2022 at 8:45 pm

      Four cups or water is wayyy to much water for this amount of rice, I made this recipe exactly like the directions call for and the rice is all mush. It should be 1 and 1/2 cups of water for every 1 cup of rice.

      Reply
      • The Lazy Slow Cooker says

        December 16, 2022 at 12:45 pm

        Sorry to hear the rice didn't come out the way you hoped. I make this recipe all time and always use 2 cups of water for every one cup of rice. The only time my rice gets mushy is when I cook it for too long. Since every slow cooker is a little different, it could be that yours runs hotter than mine and may be finished a little sooner.

    3. Andi says

      January 04, 2023 at 9:08 am

      Lol, I saw stainer and the amount of water and thought you were going to strain cooked rice. Your recipe turned out beautifully for me. Rice cooker who? Thank you!

      Reply
      • The Lazy Slow Cooker says

        January 04, 2023 at 12:34 pm

        Hi Andi, Thanks for sharing! I agree! Who needs another appliance when your slow cooker can do it all? See you later rice cooker!! 👋

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    Photo of Susan, the lazy slow cooker holding a large margarita

    Welcome to The Lazy Slow Cooker. I am so happy you are here! My name is Susan (yep - I am Lazy Susan!) and I am the recipe developer/blogger behind these posts. I am the mom of three amazing but super busy kids and the wife of one awesome and also super busy guy. All 5 of us have very different schedules and I would not survive mealtime without my crockpot. Read More…

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