Check out our favorite rice recipes that are perfect for any day of the week. We cover the basics such as white and brown rice but also have weeknight inspirations such as one pan rice and chicken recipes and many side dishes to choose from!
If you have followed us for a while, you know that rice is one of our main and favorite ingredients to work with. So we gathered all our favorite rice recipes in one place for you to check out. Don't forget to check out my notes and tips about what kind of rice to choose, how to store and serving suggestions!
Table Of Contents:
Rice - A humble but mighty grain!
Rice is a common grain all around the world and many cuisines use it commonly. It comes in many varieties and the cooking method is different for each of them. Here are some facts about rice:
- It's the most popular gluten-free grain and works for many people suffering from celiac.
- Rice is anti-inflammatory and helps with your gut.
- Brown rice is low in fat, sodium and cholesterol, but high in fiber.
What type of rice should I use?
There are many different types of rice and the use for each is different. Some of the popular types are rice are:
- Basmati: This long grain rice is easy to cook and is fragrant. The grains don't stick together after cooking. This type of rice is popular in Mediterranean, Middle Easter, Indian and Pakistani cooking.
- Arborio: Used in Italian cooking, specifically risotto, this medium grain rice releases starch while cooking to create a creamy texture.
- Jasmine: Popular in Thailand and some other parts of South East Asia, Jasmine rice is medium grain and is stickier than basmati. You can use it particularly in fried rice recipes.
- Brown rice: Brown rice is just white rice but with its outer bran layer. All varieties of rice also come in the brown variation. It contains more fiber ad because of the bran layer, this type of rice requires more time and liquid to cook.
- Bomba: Popular in Spain and also known as Valencia rice, bomba is a medium grain rice that's used specifically to make Paella.
Best rice recipes
Instant Pot White Rice Recipe
Instant pot white rice comes out perfectly every time. Learn how to make white rice in instant pot, the cooking time is only 5 minutes.
Check out this recipe
Tomato Rice Persian Style (Dami Gojeh Farangi)
Persian One Pot Tomato Rice – Dami Gojeh Farangi
Persian tomato rice is an easy vegetarian dish full of amazing flavors. This one pot rice recipe uses very few ingredients and can be prepared in no time!
Check out this recipe
Instant Pot Brown Rice Recipe
Instant pot brown rice is easy and absolutely no-fail. It includes less than 5 minutes of preparation and you will end up with delicious and fluffy brown rice every time.
Check out this recipe
Greek Lemon Rice Recipe
This Greek lemon rice is ready in 30 minutes. The lemon and garlic add a lot of flavor to this Greek-inspired dish, which can be served on the side or as the main meal!
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Persian Style Shrimp and Rice (Meygoo Polo)
Persian Style Shrimp and Rice (Meygoo Polo)
Try the classic combination of shrimp and rice with a Persian twist. This dish is packed with delicious and warm Middle Eastern spices! Master this recipe by watching our video and step-by-step tutorial.
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Persian Rice and Tahdig - A Step-by-Step Guide
Persian Steamed White Rice - Chelow
Persian rice is the key element of Persian cuisine. This post will help you master the essential Persian rice with a crispy golden crust, known as tahdig.
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Mujadara - Lebanese Lentils and Rice with Crispy Onions
Mujadara Lebanese Lentils and Rice with Crispy Onions
Mujadara is a simple Lebanese lentil and rice dish with crispy onions that's packed with flavor. This lentils and rice recipe calls for only a few ingredients and is very easy to make.
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Turkish Rice Pilaf with Orzo Recipe
Turkish rice pilaf with orzo is a simple side dish you can serve with almost anything. It calls for only 4 ingredients and is ready in 30 minutes.
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Easy Lebanese Rice with Vermicelli
Easy Lebanese Rice and Vermicelli
Lebanese rice with vermicelli is a classic Middle Eastern side dish made with only three ingredients. This is a simple and easy recipe that goes well with many dishes!
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Turkish Rice Pudding Recipe (Sutlac)
If you love light and creamy desserts, Sutlac, also known as Turkish rice pudding recipe is it. Creamy and rich with a golden top, this baked rice pudding is also gluten-free. Learn how to make this tasty dessert with this tutorial and step-by-step photos.
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Dill Rice with Peas (Persian Style)
Persian Dill Rice with Peas
Dill rice with peas is a vegan Persian recipe that is made in one pot with only 5 ingredients. This simple, aromatic side dish is ready in 30 minutes and is perfect for any occasion and you can serve it with chicken, beef or seafood.
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Lubia Polo Persian Green Bean Rice
Lubia Polo Recipe (Persian Green Bean Rice)
Lubia polo is a classic Persian green bean rice recipe that's flavored with warm and aromatic spices. Follow along to learn how to make this tasty recipe using my step-by-step recipe and tips.
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Zereshk Polo Morgh - Persian Barberry Rice with Chicken
Zereshk Polo Morgh - Persian Barberry Rice with Chicken
Zereshk polo morgh is one of the most famous dishes in Persian cuisine. It's full of wonderful flavors such as saffron, turmeric and barberry.
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Sabzi Polo (Persian Herb Rice)
Sabzi Polo (Persian Herb Rice)
Sabzi Polo is a delicious Persian Herb Rice that is usually served with fish for the new year. Sabzi Polo has a crispy lettuce Tahdig that's hard to resist!
Check out this recipe
Greek One Pan Chicken And Rice
Greek One Pan Chicken and Rice
An easy one pan chicken and rice recipe made Greek style! Juicy chicken and flavorful rice make the perfect weeknight dinner that's easy yet super delicious.
Check out this recipe
How To Make Saffron Rice
Learn how to make the best saffron rice. This is an easy rice recipe with delicious tahdig that you can make at home.
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Easy Instant Pot Chicken And Rice (Video)
Easy Instant Pot Chicken and Rice
Instant pot chicken and rice is ready in less than 30 minutes! Packed with veggies and so much flavor, this dish is perfect for a quick dinner!
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Mexican Rice Recipe (Arroz Rojo)
Easy Mexican rice recipe that's the perfect side dish to your barbecue. This restaurant style Mexican rice is so simple and feeds a crowd.
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Tahchin - Persian Savory Saffron Rice Cake
Persian Savory Saffron Cake - Tahchin
Persian Savory Saffron Cake - Tahchin is a very delicious traditional Persian rice dish full of saffron and other great flavors. Usually served with chicken, this tahchin recipe is surprisingly easy to make!
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Skillet Chicken and Rice with Veggies
Skillet Chicken and Rice with Veggies
An easy skillet chicken and rice with veggies that's ready in no time! Make this one pan chicken and rice dish in no time with a couple of shortcuts.
Check out this recipe
Quick Vegetarian Pineapple Fried Rice
Quick Vegetarian Pineapple Fried Rice
Quick Vegetarian Pineapple Fried Rice is an easy dish that can be ready in only 20 minutes! It's packed with vegetables and flavors, making it a perfect weeknight meal!
Check out this recipe
What to serve with rice
Rice is a great accompaniment to many main dishes. It's easy to make and you can customize it to your liking. Here are some of our suggestions for main dishes to serve with any rice side dish:
- Chicken: Turkish style roasted chicken and vegetables, baked Greek chicken, Mediterranean garlic chicken, grilled zaatar chicken or many other grilling recipes!
- Beef: Korean beef, beef shish kabob, kofta kebab, soutzoukakia (Greek meatballs in tomato sauce) and kabab tabe i (Persian pan kebab).
- Seafood: Garlic lemon tilapia, parmesan baked cod, shrimp kabobs and baked salmon fillet.
- Vegetables: Mirza ghasemi (Persian smoked eggplant and tomatoes) and vegetable tikka masala.
- Stews: Ghormeh sabzi (Persian herb stew), gheimeh (split chickpea stew) and khoresh bademjan (eggplant and lamb stew).
How to store rice
- Uncooked rice: It's best to store uncooked rice in a sealed container in a cool and dry place. Rice absorbs moisture quickly so it's best to keep in sealed at all times.
- Cooked rice: Place cooled cooked rice in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Reheat the rice only once. You can also freeze cooked rice in a freezer bag or a container for up to 1 month.
How to reheat rice
Freshly cooked rice is very moist and when it's refrigerated or frozen, it loses some of that moisture. To reheat rice, it's best to place it in a pan or pot and add about ÂĽ cup water. Turn the heat on to medium low and let it steam and reheat. Mix the rice using a spatula to make sure the heat is distributed evenly.
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Step-by-Step Recipe
Easy Rice Recipes You'll Love!
Check out our favorite rice recipes that are perfect for any day of the week. We cover the basics such as white rice and brown rice but also have weeknight inspirations such as one pan rice and chicken recipes and many side dishes to choose from! Here is a recipe for Mexican rice aka Arroz Rojo. Check out all the other recipes above.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cup long grain rice
- 2 tablespoon canola oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ÂĽ tsp chili powder
- 8 oz tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon chicken bouillon powder
Instructions
- Rinse the rice a few times to get rid of the excess starch.
- Heat the oil in a pot over medium heat. Saute the rice for 5 minutes until lightly toasted.
- Add the garlic, salt, cumin and chili powder. Cook for another 5 minutes.
- Add the tomato sauce, chicken bouillon powder and 3 ½ cup water. Bring to a simmer. Cover and cook for 20 minutes .
- Uncover and cook until the water is fully evaporated.
- Turn the heat off and cover with a lid. Let the rice sit for 10 minutes. Fluff it with a fork and serve as a side dish.
Notes
- It's best to rinse long rain rice a few times to get rid of the excess starch.
- Store leftovers rice in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Reheat in a pan or saucepan with a few tablespoons of water.
- You can make this dish with long grain brown rice. However, cooking time will be longer.
Nutrition
Calories: 337kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 6gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 864mgPotassium: 268mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 286IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 37mgIron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe? Let us know how it was by leaving a comment and a 5-star review!
Cathleen
I have rice basically every day, so these ideas are perfect for me! Bookmarked to make later, thank you so much for this collection!
Beth
Wow! So many great rice recipes! The pineapple fried rice seems like a good place to start! Delish!
Anjali
These rice recipes look so good I can't wait to try them all! I might have to try the Mujadara Lebanese Lentils and Rice -- that looks amazing!
Amy
So much variety from such a humble grain! Love this collection and have a whole new list of inspiration to try out. Thank you!
Vanessa
My family loves rice! So many great ideas here to try.
Vicky
Rice is such a staple and easy side dish that goes with a variety of meals. I typically use the same rice recipes over and over so I love all the variety you have shared here.
Priya Srinivasan
Wow wonderful collection of Rice recipes! We eat rice most of the times, love to check these amazing varieties!
Tayler Ross
We eat rice several times a week, so I can't wait to try all of these- especially the saffron rice!
Jess
I love rice of all kinds! That Instant Pot Brown Rice is calling my name!
Jacqueline
That saffron cake has piqued my interest. Nice roundup of recipes.
Shadi HasanzadeNemati
Hope you give it a try!
Amy Nash
Love this collection of rice recipes. Lots of great ideas for this versatile, delicious grain!
Liza
What a fantastic roundup of rice recipes! We're always looking for new ways to enjoy rice, and now we have a whole new lineup of tasty dishes to try.
cam
So many amazing rice recipes!! It’s hard to know where to start, I can’t wait to try them all
Phoebe
I'm looking for ways to stretch our grocery budget. These rice recipes are going to be so helpful!
Taylor
This Mexican rice was SO delicious! Filled with flavor and super easy to make. Leftovers reheated great too!