37 Easy Rice Recipes

If you have rice in your pantry, you're halfway to something delicious. With a few extra ingredients, you can transform this versatile grain into a wonderful main dish or even dessert!

Perfect long grain white rice

Despite the simplicity of the process, cooking perfectly fluffy rice isn't always easy for everyone. Follow this foolproof recipe, and you'll always get tender, non-sticky rice that's perfect for serving as a side dish, even on a holiday table.

Rice with garlic, lime and cilantro

Looking for a simple trick to transform rice into a delicious side dish? Cook the rice in chicken broth instead of water. In this recipe, Ree also adds a little lime zest and lime juice, as well as sautéed onion and garlic.

Chicken and Rice Curry Soup

Rice is the key ingredient that makes this warming soup (infused with the flavors of Madras curry, cilantro, and lime) delicious and filling.

Rice with minced meat in a slow cooker

With this slow cooker recipe, you can prepare a complete, delicious, and interesting dinner without any extra effort. Simply place the rice in the slow cooker, cover with water, and, without stirring, top with vegetables, ground meat, and corn. The tomatoes will soften very well and blend with the rice during cooking, creating a quick sauce. Once you've mastered the technique, you can experiment with different ingredients and flavors.

Mexican Rice Casserole

If you haven't tried making this cheesy Tex-Mex inspired rice casserole as a side to your tacos or quesadillas, you've been missing out!

Arancini

If you have arborio rice (a short-grain variety that imparts a creamy texture) on your shelves, you're in luck. It's a great choice for making these deep-fried breaded rice balls with cheese.

Valencian rice

"My family always makes this Filipino version of Spanish paella for holidays and other get-togethers," shares recipe author Maya Ferrante, "and it's certainly easy to make any day of the week. Ingredients vary across the Philippines. Some add clams, chorizo, chicken liver, or pork, but my family always makes it this way—simple, vibrant, and delicious."

Fried rice with tofu, ginger and shiitake mushrooms

Rice becomes a memorable vegetarian main dish when pan-fried with tofu, mushrooms and ginger.

Spicy shrimp with rice

Good news: It only takes you twenty minutes (and one skillet) to make this sweet and savory shrimp dinner.

Perfect brown rice

While it's not difficult, cooking brown rice can be daunting when you need it to be just right, not too dense and not too mushy. Follow this recipe, and you'll always have great brown rice without the fuss.

Rice with broccoli, bacon and fried eggs

Who said eggs and bacon can't be healthy? When used wisely, you'll only need a small amount. If you're feeling adventurous, garnish your bowl with a poached egg instead of a hard-boiled one.

Tomato rice

A simple puree of tomatoes, onions, and garlic will completely transform an ordinary dish. Cook the grains in vegetable puree and chicken broth, and they will absorb all the flavors and delicious aromas.

Iranian yellow rice with saffron

This vibrant rice gets its sunny color from saffron. Saffron is an expensive spice, but when used correctly, you only need a tiny amount. It imparts a unique flavor and a slightly sweet aroma. A simple and quick side dish with fried onions and Middle Eastern-style raisins, it pairs perfectly with stews and kebabs.

Pan-fried Bibimbap Pizza

This simple lunch has the distinctive flavor of a popular Korean dish, but in a convenient, portion-friendly form – just like a pizza.

Fried rice with vegetables and ham

Combine sweet chili sauce and chili oil in this dish for just the right amount of sweetness and heat. Salty ham and earthy shiitake mushrooms create a complete meal.



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Chicken with rice and green peas in a slow cooker

A slow cooker makes this delicious chicken and rice dinner quick. It's ready in just 40 minutes.

How to cook black rice

Black rice has been prized since ancient times for its rich, nutty flavor and high antioxidant content. There are many different varieties from countries such as China, the Philippines, Indonesia, India, Thailand, and the United States. In some cultures, black rice is prepared as congee (rice pudding) or as a side dish for chicken, scrambled eggs, or pickled vegetables. Steamed black rice is also delicious. It can be served on its own or used in salads with nuts, greens, and roasted vegetables. Black rice is sometimes even used in sushi (instead of white rice) due to its slightly chewy, sticky, and tender texture.

Syutlach

Turkish sütlaç differs from other rice puddings in that it's baked in the oven, creating a delicious caramelized crust. Milk-based desserts are very popular in Turkey, and sütlaç is a classic. Although it's usually made at home, sütlaç can also be found in almost every Turkish restaurant and dairy dessert shop. The next day, when the dessert has completely set, it becomes even more delicious. Chefs often garnish sütlaç with hazelnuts or pistachios. The nuts can be chopped or ground into powder.

Sweet Rice Porridge with Mung Beans "Sakkarai Pongal" in a Pressure Cooker

Pongal is a harvest festival celebrated in southern India, during which this dessert is served. Traditionally, it's made from freshly harvested rice and mung beans and sweetened with jaggery, an Indian sugar with a rich, caramelized flavor. The porridge is generously flavored with ghee for a velvety texture, then sprinkled with cashews for a pleasant crunch. It's served hot, a warming winter dessert. Leftovers make a delicious breakfast the next day.

South Indian yellow rice

This vibrant rice is made with turmeric, mustard seeds, nuts, and beans, finished with lemon juice and zest. The rice is fluffy, flavorful, slightly tart, and crispy. This recipe is perfect for livening up leftover cooked rice the next day. It's the perfect side dish for chicken!

Khichdi

Khichdi (or kichri) is an Indian vegetarian dish made with basmati rice and red lentils, simmered with a host of herbs and spices until it reaches a porridge-like consistency. Ginger, cumin, and jalapeño impart a particularly vibrant flavor to the dish. Stir in cilantro at the very end to infuse the dish with a refreshing aroma. This highly nutritious and protein-rich dish is widely used in Ayurvedic cooking.

Asian sticky rice

Sticky rice is also known as gluten, although it does not contain gluten. It is a long-grain Thai rice that, when steamed, becomes translucent, shiny, and very sticky. It is an essential ingredient in Southeast Asian cuisine. Although sticky rice is traditionally cooked in a special cone-shaped basket, you can also steam it in a standard collapsible steamer. Once cooked, sticky rice is formed into a neat ball and served covered with various Asian dishes and sauces or used in desserts.

Fried rice

Fried rice is a delicious Asian-inspired dish that you can make with leftovers from last night's dinner, infusing it with vibrant new flavors. It's made with cooked rice, cooked meat (anything you have in the fridge: beef, chicken, ham, pork), mushrooms, fried eggs, vegetables, and aromatic spices. All ingredients are added one by one to a wok (or nonstick pan) and fried over high heat, stirring frequently. The result is delicious, just like something you'd find in an Asian restaurant.

Turkey Fajita Rice Bowl

If you're a fan of fajitas, you'll love this quick and easy rice bowl. Grilled turkey, onions, and bell peppers are piled high on rice, topped with your favorite toppings like avocado, sour cream, and pico de gallo.

Pilaf with cranberries and almonds

Use the nuts and dried fruit from your trail mix to enhance a simple homemade rice and butter dish.

Rice porridge with cinnamon and raisins

This delicious, creamy rice pudding uses the classic combination of raisins and cinnamon. What's not to love?

Fried rice with bacon and eggs

Think making fried rice at home is too difficult? Jet's recipe is simple and uses familiar ingredients like bacon, eggs, and vegetables.

Rice, Cauliflower, and Tandoori Chicken Bowl

This rice bowl preserves all the tandoori chicken's savory flavor thanks to ginger, garlic, and curry powder. If you have basmati rice, use it. The long grains become fluffy when cooked, adding a nutty flavor to the dish.

Fried Rice Carbonara

The rich flavor of carbonara paired with crispy fried rice. Need we say more?

Peppers and zucchini stuffed with risotto

Risotto is an equally delicious filling for both peppers and zucchini, so you can use whichever you prefer at the store. You can also use yellow zucchini instead of red bell pepper.

Oven-baked fried rice with shrimp

Baking rice on a baking sheet makes it crispier—ideal. The older and drier the rice, the better (for this recipe). If you're using freshly cooked rice, spread it out on a baking sheet first and let it dry in the refrigerator.

Healthy Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice Soup

Brown rice is a great addition to this slow cooker soup. Whole grain rice makes it more filling without sacrificing the classic, nostalgic flavor.

Risotto with Parmesan and Lemon

The secret to super-creamy risotto is simple: add liquid gradually, one cup at a time. This will help activate the rice starch, which creates that special texture.

Fried rice with chicken teriyaki

Skip the cafe delivery. Chicken, vegetables, and rice with teriyaki sauce make a delicious and filling lunch that's quick and easy to prepare.

New Orleans Red Beans and Rice

This Louisiana-inspired dish is incredibly easy to make. It just requires a little prep and soaking the beans overnight. But trust me, it's worth the wait!

Microwave mushroom risotto

To make this risotto, you won't have to stand over the stove for half an hour, constantly stirring. Start with a rich, dried mushroom broth, then add fresh mushrooms and Arborio rice. Stir once, and in a few minutes, the simplest and creamiest risotto is ready.









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