The Best Rice Cookers to Dial In Your Meal Prep

Introduction

For many households, rice is a daily staple. In addition to being the main dish or carb for many meals, it is also a comfort food that can be paired or topped with just about any meat or vegetable imaginable.

Rice is also the perfect ingredient and stable for meal prep. Brown rice is super healthy and perfect when paired with lean chicken and vegetables. You can’t beat rice for the quick energy, nutritional punch, and price.

Of course, the equipment you use plays a large part in the quality and taste of your rice. To guarantee you’re making rice you can be proud of, check out this list of the best rice cookers available.

Instant Pot Duo

Starting off the list strong is an electric pressure cooker that boasts four different sizes, five styles, three unique accessories and over ninety-six thousand reviews. Rated as a #1 Best Seller on Amazon, this pressure cooker is perfect for beginners and experts alike. Check out this review of Instant Pot vs Air Fryer at Corrie cooks.

For rice, especially, the Duo, Duo Nova and Duo Plus are ideal. These three versions come as a three-quart, six-quart or eight-quart. You can get the pressure cooker by itself, or buy one with either a cooking pot, glass lid or air fryer lid included. Prices range from $80 to $150 dollars, depending on the size and selected features. Whether wanting to make enough rice for oneself or an entire family, the Instant Pot Duo group ensures great tastes at the highest level of safety and convenience. In addition to making rice, it also combines seven appliances in one device with fourteen different programs for cooking meats, soups and even desserts.

With its one-touch technology, effortless recipes are just a press of a button away.

Aroma Housewares 2-8-Cups (Cooked) Rice Grain Cooker

This Amazon Best Seller has been rated “America’s #1 Rice Cooker.” However, the possibilities don’t just end there. In addition to cooking both white and brown rice to perfection, this appliance also cooks jambalaya and steams meats or vegetables on top while the rice cooks below, offering a complete dinner in one easy appliance. Perfect for one-pot meals, especially, this Aroma Housewares cooker offers quality-tasting food in a competitively convenient size.

It prepares anything from two to eight cups of rice with no mess or fuss. All the tools you might need are included as well—a steam tray, measuring cup and even serving spatula. You can purchase this appliance in either white or silver, or choose between the professional or 2020 version. Prices vary between $30 and $70 dollars based on the style and purchasing location. Considering its quality for such a low price, there’s no wonder why this rice cooker has earned over eighteen thousand reviews.

Zojirushi 5-1/2-Cup Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker and Warmer

Made in Japan, this appliance uses some of the most advanced technology to guarantee perfect rice every time. Feel free to step away while cooking if necessary, because the Neuro Fuzzy technology enables the rice cooker to more or less think for itself and adjust settings as needed.

Famous for the variety of rice it can make, this Amazon’s Choice product is ideal for anyone wanting to get more creative or explore other rice types while cooking. In addition to regular white rice, it cooks brown, mixed and sushi rice and even porridge. Thanks to its advanced settings, the Zojirushi rice cooker knows exactly what temperatures and heating times are needed for each specific type. The accessories include a spatula, spatula holder and two measuring cups. Prices range between $180 and $260 dollars, often with sales too profitable to resist.

Dash Mini Rice Cooker Steamer

If a rice cooker could be cute, this would be it!

At only a two-cup capacity, this mini rice cooker is perfect for single households and smaller living spaces like dorms or RVs. The size of this appliance also encourages healthier portion control and a quicker cleanup. In addition to rice, it cooks oatmeal, stew, soup, quinoa, pasta and even steamed veggies within less than twenty minutes.

With over five thousand reviews, this rice cooker is another favorite Amazon’s Choice product. It comes with both a mixing paddle and measuring cup and comes in five trendy colors—white, black, red, pink and aqua. Of course, it is also practical. Its nonstick coating prevents messy cleanup, and the indicator light ensures you won’t overheat or overcook rice ever again. At an average price of only $20, this little appliance would make the perfect housewarming or wedding gift.

Cuisinart Rice Cooker

While some cookers might look bulky and less than attractive, the Cuisinart rice cooker is guaranteed not to clash with your kitchen! This modern-looking, stainless steel appliance works as well as it shines.

Another Amazon’s Choice, this rice cooker can make from four to eight cups of rice with ease. It includes a stainless-steel steaming basket, nonstick cooking bowl, glass lid, paddle and measuring cup. In addition to making perfect rice, you can steam other foods in the built-in tray while the rice cooks. Like other models, the nonstick coating helps prevent a mess, in addition to the steam vent that stops any splattering.

With almost two thousand reviews, it comes in 4-cup or 8-cup sizes. There is a 10-cup size as well, though not with the stainless steel finish. Prices vary between $60 and $130.

Tiger Multi-Functional Rice Cooker

Another stainless steel option, this rice cooker includes a unique slow cooking and bread making function. Its eleven different computerized cooking menus allow for more diverse recipes than many other rice cookers. Most excitingly, this appliance provides synchronized cooking with the power of induction heating.

What does that mean, exactly? Unlike other rice cookers that can only cook multiple foods in separate compartments, the Tiger multi-functional rice cooker lets you cook something else right on top of the rice. Thanks to its special cooking plate, the flavors of the food on top never affect the flavors or texture of the rice. The induction heating also makes it possible to rise and bake bread. This appliance comes in two sizes, 5.5-cup and 10-cup. Ranging between $290 and $370 dollars, this rice cooker is the most expensive on our list. However, with its unique features, it could pay for itself in no time.

Conclusion

Your meal prep doesn’t have to be a pain in the butt. A rice cooker is a fantastic way to prepare your meals in advance and pack them with the appropriate carbohydrate to kick off your day full of energy.

Of course, not all rice cookers are created equally. Your bottom of the barrel Walmart rice cooker just isn’t going to cut it if you’re serious about your meal preparation.

Try one of the six rice cookers we’ve taken a look at here, you won’t be disappointed. We feel these are among the best rice cookers you can buy at the moment.

It’s time to supercharge your meal prep!

About Theresa Duncan

Originally from Detroit, MI, Theresa has been offering health and fitness advice for the last 30 years while working as an engineer. She decided to turn her passion into a profession, and finds nothing more satisfying than helping others reach their health and fitness goals.