Updated 06 August 2026

Panda Express Brown Steamed Rice

from $4.60Sides & VegetablesSelect locations

Brown Steamed Rice is on the Panda Express sides & vegetables menu. It is priced from $4.60.

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About This Dish

Brown Steamed Rice is the whole grain base at Panda Express: steamed brown rice with nothing added, $4.60 for a medium a la carte, available in selected markets rather than nationally. It exists for the same reason brown rice exists anywhere on a menu, and it is worth asking for when your store carries it.

The texture is the trade. Brown rice keeps its bran layer, so the grains stay firmer and chewier than white rice and take longer to soften under a sauce. The flavor is nuttier and slightly sweet, enough to register on its own rather than disappearing under an entree. It looks tan next to the bright white rice on the line, and it holds up better in a takeout container over a longer drive.

Panda Express does not publish a national nutrition panel for this side, since it runs regionally. That means no verified calorie, fiber or sodium figures are available to quote here, and this site does not estimate numbers it cannot source. What is reliably true of brown rice generally is that the bran adds fiber the white version lacks; for the exact figures at your location, ask the store for its current nutrition sheet. White Steamed Rice at 520 calories is the national comparison point with published data.

How much is Brown Steamed Rice? $4.60 for a medium a la carte where it is served, with no upcharge as the side in any format from $8.50.

It suits anyone choosing whole grains by habit and anyone who wants a base with more character than white rice. Pair it with String Bean Chicken Breast at 210 calories for a lean, high fiber meal, or with Grilled Teriyaki Chicken at 275 calories when the goal is protein. Super Greens at 130 calories remains the lightest base if calories rather than grains are the priority.

How to Make Brown Steamed Rice at Home

Brown rice needs more water and more time than white, and the resting step matters even more. Rushing it produces grains that are hard in the middle.

Prep 5 minCook 45 minDifficulty Easy4 servings

Ingredients

2 cups long grain brown rice
4 cups water
1/2 tsp salt, optional

Steps

0 of 5 steps

Rinse. Rinse the brown rice under cold water for 30 seconds to remove dust and loose bran.
Soak. Soak the rice 20 minutes if you have time. It softens the bran and shortens the cook.
Boil then reduce. Bring rice and water to a boil uncovered, then cover and drop to the lowest heat.
Cook long. Cook 40 to 45 minutes without lifting the lid. Brown rice needs roughly twice the time of white.
Rest and fluff. Rest covered 10 minutes off the heat, then fluff with a fork.

Tips

Two parts water to one part rice, not the one and a half used for white rice.
The soak is optional but it makes the texture noticeably better.
Brown rice freezes well in portions and reheats with a splash of water.

Variations

Half brown and half white rice gives a middle texture that cooks in about 30 minutes.
Cook it in stock rather than water for a savory base.
A bay leaf in the pot adds a subtle background note.

Serve it with: Under any wok entree, particularly the lean ones where the nuttiness has room to show.

Brown Steamed Rice FAQ

How many calories are in Brown Steamed Rice at Panda Express?

No national nutrition panel is published for this side because it runs regionally, so no verified figure exists to quote. White Steamed Rice at 520 calories is the published comparison.

Is Brown Steamed Rice available at every location?

No. It is a regional side, so availability varies by market. Check your store's page on this site or ask at the counter.

How much does Brown Steamed Rice cost?

$4.60 for a medium a la carte where it is served, with no extra charge as the side in a Bowl, Plate or Bigger Plate.

Is brown rice healthier than white rice here?

Brown rice keeps its bran layer, which adds fiber the white version lacks. Without a published panel for this item, the honest answer for exact figures is to ask the store.

What pairs best with brown rice?

The leaner entrees. String Bean Chicken Breast at 210 calories or Grilled Teriyaki Chicken at 275 calories both work well against the nuttier base.