Rice and noodles are frequent bases for meals in my house. Pair either with a protein, veggies, and a sauce, and you have dinner. But what about when I only have a few minutes for prep? And I’m tired and can’t be bothered? I don’t always have it in me to rinse the rice, add the right ratios to a pot, and wait for it to cook.
That’s why I always, always have Trader Joe’s Frozen Brown Rice in my freezer. I pick at least one package up every time I shop just to make sure I don’t run out. We eat brown rice once or twice a week, and since it takes about 45 minutes to cook plus prep—while the frozen kind takes three minutes—I estimate I’m saving at least an hour a week. When life’s busy, an extra hour is a game changer.
Trader Joe’s Frozen Brown Rice
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Price: $3.99 for 30 ounces (3 microwave pouches)
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Why I Love It: Ready in three minutes, each pouch contains two servings of perfectly cooked brown rice.
Credit: Simply Recipes / Trader Joe’s
Why I Love Trader Joe’s Frozen Brown Rice
I’ve already addressed the time savings, but they really can’t be overstated. To cook this frozen rice, you add a packet to the microwave and cook for three minutes. That’s it! Each packet contains two servings, and it’s easy to store and reheat half of the bag if you’re just cooking for one. If you’re cooking for four, I recommend microwaving the bags one at a time.
Brown rice, whether cooked on the stovetop or in a rice cooker, takes a notoriously long time. That’s what makes the frozen bags especially appealing—they’re cutting down on a lot of cook time for a nutritious grain. One that I will sometimes change my dinner plans to avoid making the traditional way. Opting for frozen means we’ll get a serving of whole grains no matter what.
In addition to the sheer convenience, the rice itself is excellent. In fact, I rarely cook it at home and achieve such an ideal texture. It has a nice chew with perky individual grains while still being tender and crowd-pleasing. Simply cut open the pouch, dump it out, and eat.
How I Enjoy Trader Joe’s Frozen Brown Rice
I find TJ’s frozen brown rice versatile enough to swap in any recipe that calls for cooked white rice. It’s a frequent stir-fry accompaniment or base for bowls like taco bowls and egg roll-in-a-bowl.
I’ll add the rice to an Asian-style salad to help bulk it up, or use it to make fried rice. For a super-quick meal, toss the rice with a little sesame oil and chili crisp and top with sliced cucumbers and a fried egg. Add your choice of sauce (sriracha is nice!) and dig in.
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