Who knew frozen brown rice could be so good? Trader Joe’s has done it again!

Who knew frozen brown rice could be so good? Trader Joe’s has done it again!

Trader – It’s hard to believe Trader Joe’s frozen brown rice could taste good, let alone compare to fresh rice, but it does! In fact, it tastes so good you may not be able to tell the difference between fresh and frozen! It’s the perfect way to make sure your favorite brown rice dishes are healthy and ready when you are—and at an affordable price that won’t break the bank! Not only that, but Trader Joe’s frozen brown rice comes in several different varieties so you can find just the right one for your needs and what you’re cooking.

Brown Rice

Trader Joe’s Frozen Brown Rice is a simple way to add whole grains and fiber to your diet, or for those days when you don’t have time to cook. I love how easy this product is to use–just place in the microwave and enjoy–and that Trader Joe’s includes portions of vegetables (namely onion, carrot, mushroom, bell pepper) in each bag. The vegetable flavors are evident throughout the dish without being too overpowering. While Trader Joe’s Frozen Brown Rice contains some sodium-laden ingredients like soy sauce, even the most health-conscious person would agree that a little salt goes a long way. The four servings per box are great for feeding one or two people–they reheat easily if there are leftovers. It’s also versatile: add extra veggies, take out veggies you don’t like, or mix in any favorite protein. My favorite recipe involves chopping up the vegetables beforehand and adding tofu with garlic powder, turmeric powder, cumin powder, crushed red pepper flakes, oregano leaves; then microwaving on high until water starts boiling).

 The wide variety of grains and vegetable combinations gives you a lot of choice in preparing meals. Vegetables like celery, mushrooms, spinach, and tomato can add even more nutrition to your dish; also try switching out vegetables to suit your taste. I love cooking up a big batch of brown rice on Sundays for busy weeknight dinners. It’s great for making ahead and storing in individual servings in containers or plastic bags. The single-serving packaging is excellent if you’re eating alone or are bringing a meal to work. You can easily include veggies or protein in your microwaveable bag, or use any leftover side dishes (like beans) from another meal as an accompaniment.

The Zojirushi Micom 3-Cup Brown Rice Cooker

I’ve owned my Micom 3-Cup Brown Rice Cooker for about four years now, and I never thought I would love Trader Joe’s Frozen Brown Rice as much as I do. Trader Joe’s Frozen Brown Rice is actually some of the best brown rice I’ve ever had–it cooks up with a beautiful light golden crust on the bottom. It also doesn’t require any seasonings or additions because it tastes so delicious straight out of the package. What we especially like about Trader Joe’s Frozen Brown Rice is that you can microwave it in just three minutes flat and have a well-balanced side dish that makes your kitchen smell amazing (seriously). You can even eat it cold if you’re in a rush and need to pack a lunch. We’re not sure how they do it, but this is one frozen food product we’ll never forget to buy from Trader Joe’s again!

 The Micom 3-Cup Brown Rice Cooker is designed with Fuzzy Logic and an LCD screen to help you prepare a variety of foods with precision. The cooker keeps track of how long your food should cook depending on its temperature. It also includes a timer and automatic Keep Warm function, which makes it possible to have homemade meals in 20 minutes or less–perfect for busy families on-the-go who are trying to eat healthier than fast food but can’t find time to cook healthy meals at home. For example, you can throw all the ingredients into the pot and set it to cook while you go through your morning routine. Once it finishes cooking, let it sit for five minutes before serving so all the nutrients will be preserved. You’ll get perfect fluffy rice every time without adding anything extra! And bonus: cleanup is easy because there’s no sticky residue left behind after cooking. If only everything in life was this easy…

How to cook brown rice in the microwave

Trader Joe’s Frozen Brown Rice was the first thing I tried, and I have to say, for a store-bought product, this is about as close to restaurant quality as you’re going to get. To cook this brown rice in the microwave: 

 1) Pour the frozen Trader Joe’s Brown Rice into a cereal bowl. 

2) Add water until it reaches just under the level of the brown rice. A 10-12 oz. cereal bowl is what you need for one package of Trader Joe’s Brown Rice. You will want at least 6 oz. per cup of brown rice or 8 oz per 12oz package of Trader Joe‰۪s Frozen Brown Rice. 

3) Microwave on high for 4 minutes, stirring every minute. 

4) It should be soft but still have some texture when you bite into it. If not, add another minute of cooking time.

5) Serve with your favorite sauce like soy sauce or teriyaki sauce and enjoy! 

It is such an easy meal to make and satisfying too.

To serve four people (you can make two packages): 

 1) In two bowls place enough water to cover one package of Trader Joe’s Frozen Brown Rice. 

2) Cook each batch separately in the microwave for 9 minutes, stirring every minute. 

3) The brown rice should be ready after 9 minutes. Stir before serving to redistribute any extra liquid that may have accumulated at the bottom of the bowl during cooking.

5 Ways to Use Frozen Brown Rice

1. If you are in a hurry and want a quick, easy meal that doesn’t involve the stove or oven then Trader Joe’s Frozen Brown Rice is perfect for you. With minimal prep work, Trader Joe’s Frozen Brown Rice is ready to eat in just 10 minutes, not including time to defrost the product beforehand.

2. I prefer Trader Joe’s Frozen Brown Rice to their pre-cooked version because I find it more flavorful and have found this to be the case with other people too who have tried both versions of Trader Joe’s Frozen Brown Rice . 

3. I like using Trader Joe’s Frozen Brown Rice as an accompaniment to my main dish as opposed to using it as the main dish itself because sometimes plain old white rice can get boring. 

4. One way I enjoy Trader Joe’s Frozen Brown Rice is by adding some peas, carrots, soy sauce and sesame oil for a complete meal on its own which makes my life easier when I don’t feel like cooking but still want something filling and satisfying. 

5. Another way I like to use Trader Joe’s Frozen Brown Rice is as an alternative for pasta in casseroles such as lasagna or layered chicken enchiladas by substituting half of the cooked noodles with Trader Joe’s Frozen Brown Rice so there are fewer carbs without sacrificing flavor from whole grain brown rice. What are your favorite ways to use Trader Joe’s Frozen Brown Rice?