How to Cook Rice Outdoors: A Step-by-Step Guide

Every year millions of people spend time outdoors in the United States, and this means a lot of cooking outside the kitchen is happening. When we think of “outdoor cooking,” often cans of baked beans and barbeques are the first things to come to mind. While many people might not immediately think of rice as an outdoor staple, this grain can make for an excellent addition to any menu. 

The key to cooking rice outdoors is to understand that it doesn’t cook in the same way as pasta or noodles. With a few bits of cooking gear, a little patience, and this step-by-step guide, you will be cooking perfect, fluffy rice out on the trail. 

In this article we will lay out a step-by-step guide on how to cook both white rice and brown rice in an outdoor setting. We will also take a look at a clever and time saving hack that makes cooking rice in rough conditions even quicker and easier. Read on for the ultimate outdoor rice cooking guide.

Materials

Rice is one of the easiest foods you can prepare, but you still need a few bits of kit to properly cook your rice outdoors.

• Cooking vessel: You will need something to cook the rice in. Depending on your outdoor gear and the style of camping you’re doing, this can range from a cast-iron skillet to a conventional pot or simply a canteen like this Jolmo Lander Military Canteen Cookware Set. The simplicity of the cooking process is part of the appeal of this cereal grain.

• Lid: This is essential to properly cook your rice. A pot or pan without a lid is of no use. However, necessity being the mother of invention, any improvised lid will do as long as it is able to make a decent seal that will keep steam from escaping while cooking.

• Measuring cup: Your cup doesn’t need an actual measuring cup. You just need something that allows you to get a consistent volume of both rice and water. 

• Spoon or utensil: You need something to stir the rice as well as a utensil with which to eat. Some bushcraft hobbyists enjoy whittling a spoon for each camping trip as a functional souvenir of their backcountry, culinary adventures. 

Ingredients

• Rice: This one is obvious, but you wouldn’t be cooking without it.

• Butter or oil: These are used to help keep your rice from clumping together and adding a bit of flavor. Once again, our choices are shaped by our style of camping. For those glamping in a fully furnished “tent” with access to refrigeration and other amenities, butter may be an option. For those in a more traditional camping setting, a small bottle of oil is an important part of your backcountry pantry. 

• Water: The most essential necessity for survival in the wilderness, water is also required to cook your outdoor rice.

How to Cook White Rice Outdoors: Step-By-Step

That’s it. With precious few bits of kit and three ingredients, you are ready to start cooking the perfect bowl of rice in the great outdoors by following these easy steps:

1. The first step is to get your heat source prepared. Whether this is a camp stove, barbecue or open fire, get your cook surface good and hot so that your water will come to a rolling boil.

2. Next, add rice to your cooking vessel. Fill your measuring cup with as much rice as you plan to cook and pour it into your pot, pan, or canteen. Remember, rice will triple its size, so judge your amount accordingly.

3. Using the same cup, add water to your pot at a ratio of 2:1. If you are cooking 1 cup of rice, add 2 cups of water. 

4. Use your spoon to stir the uncooked rice around in the water to get it thoroughly mixed.

5. Place your pot or canteen on the fire and allow the water to come to a steady, rolling boil. Add about a tablespoon of oil for each cup of rice you are cooking. This will help keep your rice from clumping.

6. This is perhaps the most important step in the entire process. Once the rice reaches a boil, take it off the heat source and cover it with your lid. DO NOT OPEN the lid to check on your rice. It is the steam that is trapped inside the pot that allows the rice to absorb the moisture and properly cook. 

7. Allow your rice to steam, undisturbed for 16-18 minutes. These times are for white rice; brown rice will take a bit longer.

8. Open the lid, fluff the rice with your spoon and serve.

All in, with a handful of materials and ingredients, you will have perfect white rice in under 30 minutes while enjoying the peace and tranquility of the great outdoors. 

How to Cook Brown Rice Outdoors

Many people prefer brown rice for the added nutrition and chewy texture, and this healthy alternative to white rice can be cooked outdoors as well. Barring a few exceptions, it is very similar to the process we just outlined and requires the same equipment only substituting brown rice for white rice..

1. The first step is to add 2.5 cups of water and 1 cup of brown rice into a pan or pot. This difference in the rice to water ratio– 1:2 for white rice and 1:2.5 for brown rice–is an important difference in preparing these grains. 

2. If you are adding butter, oil, or salt to your rice for more flavor, now is the time.

3. Bring your ingredients to a simmer. If you are using an outdoor stove medium-high heat is a good setting.

4. Once the rice comes to a simmer, lower the heat to keep your pan or pot at a low simmer and cover the pot.

5. Let the rice simmer for 45 minutes. DO NOT REMOVE the lid. Similarly to white rice, it is the steam produced that allows brown rice to absorb water and cook properly. 

6. After 45 minutes, check the pan to see that the rice has absorbed the liquid. If it has, remove the pan from the heat, leave the lid on and let it sit for ten minutes. If not, allow it to cook for a few more minutes and check again.

7. Once your rice has fully absorbed all the water and sat for ten minutes, fluff with a spoon and serve.

While it takes a bit more time, the tender, chewy results will be worth the wait. 

DIY Instant Rice

Cooking rice is not the mystery that some people seem to think it is, but cooking instant rice is even easier. This super-quick option is especially great for anyone that doesn’t want to spend the time waiting for rice to cook when spending time outdoors.

However, many outdoorsy type individuals are all about the DIY lifestyle and prefer to prepare their own food over buying pre-prepared versions from the supermarket. Luckily, prepping your own homemade instant rice is a cinch if you have a dehydrator. All you then have to do are these three quick steps:

1. Prepare rice in the same method that we previously outlined. You will be at home, so you will have all the necessary tools and ingredients on hand.

2. DO NOT ADD any butter, oil, or fat to your rice. This will lead to problems in the dehydration process.

3. Once it is finished cooking, spread the rice on your dehydrator trays and dry at 135-145℉ (57-63°C). Stir the rice once every hour or so to prevent clumping.

This DIY instant rice is just as easy to pack in when camping and cuts the cooking time down from about 20 minutes to less than 10. Perfect for those rainy nights on the trail when all you need is a quick, hot meal. 

Conclusions

Now that we know just how easy it is to cook rice outdoors, hopefully, more outdoor enthusiasts will think of this hidden gem for their next trip. Compact and versatile, rice makes for a great side that can be incorporated into complex meals like curries or stews, or eaten alone as basic sustenance on outdoor adventures.