Can Rice Cooker Cook Meat?

If you have been wondering about whether you can cook meat in a rice cooker, you are exactly where you want to be! How well do they cook meat with such a simple feature, and rice cookers are all about cooking rice efficiently, right? Come, lets get into it and see how and why a rice cooker can be your best friend, when it comes to meat.

While generally used whole solely for cooking rice, a rice cooker is a multi-cooker. At the base of the pot is a heating element, and over this the pot is covered with a lid, as the water comes to the boil to cook the rice. However, present day rice cookers do have features that let them cook just about anything aside from rice (While always using rice at the same time too), such as soups, stews, meat…

What rice cookers actually do is have a thermostat that can sense that the water inside has boiled away and the temperature starts to rise. At this point the cooker will automatically turn onto a “keep warm” so that the rice will not continue to cook. Then there are the fancier rice cookers that have different settings for grains, slow cooking or steaming, giving them more versatility.

The point being, is it possible to use a rice cooker to cook meat? The answer is yes! And while rice cookers can cook meat (it all depends on the kind of meat, the rice cooker, and the way we’re cooking the meat), there are definitely some clear pros and cons.

More than any other type of meat, rice cookers can adapt for, but they are best reserved for cuts that are naturally quick-cook and tender. Here is a summary of some meats you can roast:

While it is pretty straightforward to cook meat in a rice cooker, a few tips and tricks help your melted like butter result taste heavenly and feel like butter. Cooking different kinds of meat in a rice cooker:

There are many methods for cooking chicken in a rice cooker. When you serve it with a whole chicken, the chicken can be laid on top of the rice, then it becomes a one-pot meal with very little effort. Toss a little water (or stock) in there, season it up and just let your rice cooker take care of the rest. As the rice cooks, the chicken will steam, and this can be a very flavorful meal.

For some boneless chicken breasts or thighs, sauté first (if your rice cooker has a sauté function) to brown them, then toss in broth, spices, and then let it take its time to finish cooking.

If using beef — say you wish to make a stew or casserole — brown the beef in the rice cooker (with liquid added after) to cook it. This will help to boost the taste and richen your dish. If it is a tougher cut of beef, it may need to be simmered a while longer, or more liquid, so as to stay tender.

For example, pork is great if you plan to use your rice cooker to make pork chops, or shredded pork. For shredded pork, the meat is usually braised with broth or a sauce for added flavor and that can be done all in the rice cooker, as well. Set it and forget it, let it be fork tender, then shred it for tacos and sandwiches, or eat with the sides you love!

Cooking Fish If there is a specific type of food that is particularly easy to cook, it should also be fish. Just throw in your fish, some herbs, and broth or water to steam it. Pop it in the rice cooker and steam the fish until it flake and moisture meets the mouth.

If you never cook or have cooked meat in a rice cooker, you may ask why I should do so. Why cooking meat in a rice cooker can be a wise move? Here are a few reasons:

Although you can definitely use a rice cooker for meat, there are some factors you need to consider when cooking meat with a rice cooker to maximize the outcome.

Most rice cookers are optimized for tender cuts of meat, or meats that cook fast like chicken breasts, fish filets, or ground beef. For tougher cuts, such as beef brisket or pork ribs, a longer cooking time or additional liquid may be necessary to avoid over-drying.

On the other hand, rice cookers are not like a stovetop setting, where the steam can be conserved in a pan. The cooker needs the liquid to create steam, so it cannot take as small as there as soon as it needs to go. Add enough water, broth, or sauce when cooking meat to keep it from burning or drying out.

And, if the rice cooker has a sauté function, you could sear your meat first to build flavor. Caramelizing the meat like this will help achieve a richer, deeper flavor.

Rice cookers have a limit on the amount of food they can take. Your rice cooker can also cook meat, but overloading it will lead to uneven cooking. You always want to make sure you leave space between each piece of meat so that they can cook properly.

Yes, you can cook ground meat in a rice cooker! Getting the most out of your multitasking cooker that does include treating ground meat or more at a rice cooker! Be it ground beef, chicken, turkey or pork, your rice cooker can manage ground meat expertly. It’s a really straightforward process and works better if you are wanting to use the meat for tacos, meat sauces or stir-fries. Here’s how to do it:

• Add Oil or Fat: Begin by pouring a small amount of oil or fat (such as butter or cooking oil) into the bowl of the rice cooker. This prevents the meat from getting stuck, and this allows it to be cooked evenly.

• Browning the Meat: Use the rice cooker’s “cook” mode to brown the ground meat. Stir once in a while to break the meat into smaller chunks, which will help it cook through more evenly.

• Season and Cook: After everything is browned you can add your seasoning, onions or garlic. If you are preparing a stew or dish with a sauce base, you may also incorporate liquid (for instance, broth or sauce).

• Simmer: After a few mins of adding your meat other ingredients, simmer to allow it to cook and then switch so it will be on keep warm if you have to hold the meat for guns ablazing.

Note that rice cookers work well for searing meat, but in small amounts. You may not be able to get proper space for the meat to properly cook.

How long to cook beef in a rice cooker will vary on what type of beef . Here is a rule of thumb for some of the different kinds:

• Ground beef: about 10-15 minutes to cook. This is how long it takes to brown and cook the meat.

• Beef Stew Meat: 30-40 mins, if you have beef cubes for stew or braise You may have to include something such as broth to aid in decompounding the flesh.

• Steak: 10-15: For IVJ (thin cut) steak such as flank or skirt steak on the “cook” setting For larger steaks, it can take as much as 20-30 minutes, depending upon the cut and desired doneness.

As with all rice cooker dishes, it is really important to pay attention to the meat while you cook, because rice cookers automatically switch into the ‘keep warm’ set after the cooking cycle is over. So, if your beef in not tender enough you can repeat your cycle or add a little bit more liquid and further cook it.

Another even more specialized category is rice cookers with more complex functions for cooking different kinds of food. If you have a multi-cooker or a pressure cooker like an Instant Pot or a multi-functional rice cooker, you will have even more options for cooking meat. In fact, many such devices also work as a pressure cooker, crock-pot and sautéing device so that you can make meat-based recipes too!

Several of today’s rice cookers are likewise pressure stoves. It can also shorten the cooking time for tough cuts of meat. For braising or cooking large cuts of beef or pork, there is a pressure cooker that requires high operating temperatures and pressures.

So in conclusion: yes you can cook meat with a rice cooker. Your rice cooker can also be used to cook chicken, beef, pork, and fish. Once you get the hang of it — and after some seasoning — you will be able to prepare wedges of meat that will cook along with your rice, making your life easier in the kitchen. Next time you might be asking if your rice cooker can go above and beyond, try cooking the meat—we bet it will be surprised!