Rice is a fabulous side dish or main, and pairs well with just about anything! But is rice gluten-free? Plus, Ming Tsai's 50/50 Rice recipe.
Living gluten-free means being aware of everything you eat. To identify whether or not a food contains gluten, you must read the label. Rice is gluten-free unless it has been blended or processed with gluten-containing goods or contaminated by gluten-processing equipment.
Is rice gluten-free?
Rice is gluten-free in all-natural forms, whether white, brown, or wild. Natural rice is a fantastic gluten-free option for those who are gluten-intolerant, allergic or have Celiac Disease.
What is glutinous rice?
Glutinous rice is also known as Asian or sticky rice. Despite the name “glutinous rice” this rice is gluten-free.
Is rice flour gluten-free?
Rice is one of the most desirable gluten-free grains for people with Celiac Disease. Rice flour is a frequently substitute for wheat flour in gluten-free foods. (Our favorite is from Koda Farms.) Rice flour comes is several forms, named after the type of rice used to make the flour: brown rice flour, white rice flour and sweet rice flour are the most common. Use finely ground rice flours for the best results in gluten-free baked goods.
What is cross-contamination?
Rice can come in contact wheat, barley, and rye throughout the growing, harvesting, and manufacturing processes. Although cross-contamination of rice is rare.
If feasible, you can choose rice that is labeled or certified as gluten-free.
To save yourself the trouble, avoid purchasing rice from the grocery store's bulk bins. If other customers have used the same scoop in both the gluten-free and gluten-containing grains in the bulk bins, cross-contamination is very likely.
Ordering rice when eating out:
If you're eating rice in a restaurant, be sure there aren't any extra ingredients that would change the gluten-free nature of the rice through cooking or cross-contamination. Many soup bases (often used in place of stock) contain gluten, so you'll want to be certain the rice is safe.
If you aren't certain whether your dish is gluten-free or not, ask your waiter or management. We recommend reviewing menus in advance or calling ahead to see if the restaurant you plan to visit offers safe options.
What rice isn’t gluten-free?
Rice can be made or sold with spices, soup base and sauces that may include gluten. Rice dishes can also be subject to cross contamination. Since rice itself is gluten-free, the cooking liquid or other elements would add any gluten.
Love rice as much as I do? Check out these other rice dishes!
Ming Tsai's Chicken Fried Rice Recipe
Use leftover rice to make the Best Fried Rice Recipe ever: Ming Tsai's Chicken Fried Rice!
Vegan Picadillo Tostadas with Rice and Peas
Is it possible that everyone will enjoy these tostadas? YES. Is this a fantastic vegan picadillo recipe? Yes!
Get my friend Kate's recipe here.
Gluten-Free Mexican Red Rice
This red rice recipe is full of flavor thanks to the spices, mushrooms, and red peppers, and it works well as a side dish or on its own!
Sheet Pan Fried Rice
Forget about frying rice on the stove. This oven-baked version is simple to prepare, feeds a crowd, and is also quite healthy!
Get my friend Meg's recipe here.
Try Ming Tsai's 50/50 steamed rice recipe! He shared it with us when we interviewed him about his commitment to the Food Allergy Network.
Ming Tsai's Steamed Rice (50/50 Brown & White Rice)
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups brown rice
- 1 ½ cups white rice
Instructions
- Rinse brown rice and let soak in fresh cold water to cover for about 1 hour.
- In the meantime, rinse the white rice by filling a bowl with water and stirring by hand. Drain and repeat until the water in the bowl is clear.
- Add both the brown and the white rice to a saucepan. Flatten the rice with your palm and without removing it, add water until it touches the highest knuckle of your middle finger.
- Cover and boil over high heat for 10 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 30 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the rice stand, covered, to plump, 20 minutes. Stir gently and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Photos: Meg van der Kruik - try her incredible Vegetable Fried Rice too!
Frequently Asked Questions about Rice:
Rice is high in carbs, the body's primary fuel source. Carbohydrates keep you energized and happy, and they're essential for exercising.
The majority of gluten-free dieters consume a lot of rice and rice-based processed foods. Intestinal inflammation has been linked to rice protein, so it's recommended to be aware of how much rice you are consuming if you have GI inflammation.
Quinoa: can be used in any rice-based salad, or most rice recipes.
Corn: Try 100% corn tortillas and fill them with your choice of delicious fillings. Many grain-free tortillas are also available.
Millet: Combine millet with your favorite stir-fry to make a delicious meal.
Cuban Rice, Saffron Rice, Risotto & Paella:
These rice dishes call for rice cooked in a stock or broth, usually made with chicken. Even high-end restaurants occasionally utilize wheat-containing chicken stock (also called soup base), which means the rice dish isn't gluten-free. Gluten-free diners need to confirm these dishes are gluten-free before consuming them.
Sushi rice:
Sushi rice is commonly seasoned with vinegar to flavor the grains and keep them sticky. In some cases, this is seasoned vinegar which could contain soy sauce or other gluten, which might trigger problems in a very gluten-sensitive person. Many of the fillings for sushi rolls may be made with soy sauce-based marinades. Gluten-free people should avoid regular soy sauce because it contains wheat.
Instant rice mixes:
Gluten-free additives, wheat-based thickeners such as hydrolyzed wheat protein, and flavor enhancers like soy sauce are typically found in supermarkets' precooked and preseasoned rice mixtures. These mixes may also include a combination of cereals or other grains, such as barley or rye, packaged with rice. Make sure to check the ingredient list carefully and choose brands that are gluten-free certified.
Boiled rice at grocers:
The pre-cooked boiled rice sold in the prepared foods area of the grocery store is frequently cooked in the same pot used to boil pasta and other gluten-containing products to save time. Even if the only item on the list is "rice," it's a good idea to double-check and ask if the rice was boiled separately.
Rice dishes at self-serve buffets:
Cross-contact is common in buffet bins because buyers are unaware of the problem of using the same scoop for gluten-free and gluten-containing grains.
Try this Melting Napa Cabbage recipe with your 50/50 rice!
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