Yes, you can use brown rice for risotto—but expect a different beast. Brown rice has a bran layer that blocks starch release, so you won’t get that signature creaminess without a lot of extra elbow grease. You’ll need to toast it longer, add more broth, and accept a nuttier, chewier texture. It’s delicious in its own right, but it’s not classic risotto. It’s risotto-adjacent.
A pro tip: if you’re using brown rice, cook it like a pilaf first, then finish it risotto-style. Or just embrace it as a hearty, healthy Monday-night option. No one’s judging—we’re all just hungry.
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