10+ Rice Recipes to Spice Up Your Dinner Routine

Rice is one of the most popular and versatile ingredients for cooking. You can make it as a simple side dish or turn it into a hearty main meal.

Rice recipes offer easy and tasty ways to add variety to your meals with ingredients you probably already have.

You’ll find rice recipes for all skill levels and tastes. Rice can be flavored and prepared in many ways to keep your meals interesting.

Ingredients

• Rice
• Water or broth
• Oil or butter
• Salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
2. In a pot, combine rice with water or broth (usually 2 cups liquid per 1 cup rice).
3. Add a pinch of salt and a little oil or butter.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover.
5. Cook for about 18 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.
6. Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork.

1) Classic Fried Rice

Classic fried rice is a quick and tasty dish you can make with simple ingredients. It’s great for using leftover rice because dry rice fries better and doesn’t clump.

You’ll usually cook it in a hot pan or wok to get a nice, slightly crispy texture. Add veggies like peas, carrots, and green onions to keep it fresh and colorful.

Soy sauce gives the main seasoning, along with a little salt and pepper. Scrambled eggs join the mix for extra protein and flavor.

You can customize it by adding chicken, shrimp, or tofu. This recipe is ready in about 15 minutes.

Ingredients

• 3 cups cooked white rice (preferably day-old)
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup peas and carrots (frozen or fresh)
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat (about 375°F / 190°C).
2. Scramble the eggs quickly and set them aside.
3. Add more oil if needed and stir-fry peas, carrots, and green onions for 2-3 minutes.
4. Add the rice and break up any clumps. Stir-fry for 4-5 minutes.
5. Mix in soy sauce, scrambled eggs, salt, and pepper. Cook for another 2 minutes, stirring well.
6. Serve hot and enjoy!

2) Buttery Seasoned Rice

Buttery seasoned rice is a simple way to make plain rice taste better. You add butter, herbs, and spices to cooked rice.

You can use garlic, onion, thyme, or parsley for extra flavor. The butter melts into the rice, coating each grain.

This dish goes well with many meals and is quick to prepare. It works with any white rice and is a good side dish for weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups long grain white rice
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme or parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 ½ cups water

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse the rice under cold water until clear.
2. In a pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant (1-2 minutes).
3. Add rice and stir for 2 minutes until coated.
4. Pour in water and add thyme, salt, and pepper.
5. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover tightly.
6. Cook for 18-20 minutes, or until water is absorbed.
7. Remove from heat, let sit covered for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving.

Check a buttery seasoned rice recipe for more tips.

3) Mujadarra (Rice and Lentils)

Mujadarra is a simple and tasty Middle Eastern dish made from rice and lentils. Crispy caramelized onions add lots of flavor.

This dish is vegan and protein-rich. The combination of rice, lentils, and onions gives you a balanced taste and texture.

You can enjoy Mujadarra on its own or with a side of yogurt or salad. It’s perfect for lunch or dinner.

Ingredients

• 1 cup brown or green lentils
• 1 cup long grain rice (like jasmine or basmati)
• 3 yellow onions
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• Water

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse lentils and boil in water for about 15 minutes until just tender.
2. While lentils cook, thinly slice onions and fry in olive oil over medium heat until golden and crispy.
3. Drain lentils and add rice to the pot with them. Add salt and enough water to cook rice (about 2 cups).
4. Cover and simmer on low heat for 15-20 minutes until rice is cooked.
5. Stir in half of the caramelized onions, then top with the rest before serving.

4) Garlic Butter Rice

Garlic Butter Rice is a simple and tasty side dish you can make quickly. The rich butter and savory garlic flavors mix well with plain white rice.

You can cook the rice with chicken broth for extra flavor. Finely mince the garlic so it cooks evenly and doesn’t burn.

Serve it alongside meats, vegetables, or your favorite main dishes. This recipe is ready in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups long grain white rice
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 2 ½ cups chicken broth or water
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Melt the butter in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add the garlic and sauté until golden, about 1-2 minutes.
3. Stir in the rice and cook for 1-2 minutes to coat the grains.
4. Pour in the chicken broth and add salt if needed.
5. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18-20 minutes.
6. Remove from heat and let it sit covered for 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork.

For more details on this recipe, you can check Garlic Butter Rice from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe.

5) Spanish Rice

Spanish rice is a tasty side dish that goes well with tacos, chicken, and steak. Start by sautéing rice in oil until it turns light brown.

This adds a nice nutty flavor. Next, add tomato sauce, broth, and seasonings like garlic and cumin.

Cover the pan and let the rice cook until it’s soft and fluffy. You can add chopped onions or bell peppers for extra flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 cup long grain white rice
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 8 oz tomato sauce
• 1 tsp cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add rice and cook, stirring, until golden brown.
3. Add onion and garlic; cook 2 minutes.
4. Pour in chicken broth and tomato sauce.
5. Add cumin, salt, and pepper. Stir well.
6. Cover and simmer on low heat for 20 minutes or until rice is tender.
7. Fluff with a fork before serving.

You can find a similar easy recipe for Spanish rice here.

6) Rice Pilaf

Rice pilaf is a simple and tasty way to cook rice. Sauté onions and sometimes garlic in oil or butter.

Add rice and cook it until it’s lightly toasted. This step gives the rice a nutty flavor.

Pour in broth instead of water to add more taste. You can also mix in small pasta like orzo.

Let it simmer until the rice is soft and fluffy. Rice pilaf works great as a side dish for many meals.

Ingredients

• 2 cups long-grain white rice
• 2 teaspoons olive oil or butter
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/4 cup orzo pasta (optional)
• 4 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil or butter in a pot over medium heat.
2. Add onion and cook until soft.
3. Stir in rice and orzo, cook until rice is golden.
4. Pour in broth, add salt and pepper.
5. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and cover.
6. Simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed.
7. Fluff with a fork before serving.

For an easy recipe guide, see this easy rice pilaf recipe.

7) Cumin and Cashew Yogurt Rice

This rice dish is creamy and lightly spiced. Cook basmati rice until it’s fluffy and cool it to room temperature.

Fry cumin seeds, cashews, and fresh green chiles gently in ghee to add flavor. Mix in yogurt for a tangy and smooth taste.

Ginger adds a little zing. This recipe works great as a side or a light meal.

Ingredients

• 3 cups cooked long-grain basmati rice, cooled
• 1 tablespoon ghee
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1/4 cup cashews
• 1-2 fresh green chiles, chopped
• 1 tablespoon minced ginger
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt
• 1 teaspoon red chile powder (optional)
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat ghee in a pan over medium heat (about 350°F / 175°C).
2. Add cumin seeds and cashews; fry until golden.
3. Stir in chopped green chiles and minced ginger. Cook for 1 minute.
4. Add cooked rice and mix gently.
5. Remove from heat, fold in yogurt and red chile powder if using.
6. Add salt to taste, mix, and serve warm or at room temperature.

For more details, check out this Cumin and Cashew Yogurt Rice recipe.

8) One-Pot Mushroom and Ginger Rice

This dish is simple and full of flavor. You cook the rice with mushrooms and fresh ginger in one pot, making cleanup easy.

The ginger adds a mild spice that pairs well with the mushrooms. You can use different types of mushrooms like shiitake or cremini.

Cooking everything together blends the flavors. It works well as a side dish or a light main meal.

You only need a few ingredients. The recipe works on the stove or in a rice cooker.

It’s perfect when you want something warm and comforting without much effort.

Ingredients

• 1½ cups medium-grain white rice
• 2 cups vegetable stock
• 10 ounces mushrooms (shiitake, cremini, or your choice)
• Fresh ginger slices

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse the rice until water runs clear.
2. Heat a pot over medium heat and add mushrooms and ginger.
3. Pour in vegetable stock and rice, then bring to a boil.
4. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 15-20 minutes until rice is tender.
5. Remove ginger slices before serving.

9) Pineapple Fried Rice Cups

Pineapple fried rice cups are a fun way to enjoy a tasty meal. You cook jasmine rice with pineapple, shrimp, cashews, and curry for a sweet and savory mix.

Shape the mixture into small cups that are easy to hold and eat. These rice cups are great for parties or a quick dinner.

They look nice on a plate and have a crunchy texture from the cashews. The curry adds warmth and flavor without being too spicy.

You can make these cups ahead of time and reheat them when you’re ready to eat. They are colorful and perfect if you want something different from plain fried rice.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked jasmine rice
• 1 cup diced pineapple
• 1/2 cup cooked shrimp
• 1/4 cup cashews
• 1 tsp curry powder
• 1 tbsp oil
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add shrimp and cook until pink.
3. Stir in pineapple, cashews, and curry powder.
4. Mix in cooked rice and salt.
5. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring often.
6. Shape rice mixture into small cups on a baking tray.
7. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes to set the shape.

10) Turmeric Rice

Turmeric rice is a simple dish that adds bright color and mild flavor to your meal. The turmeric gives the rice a warm, earthy taste and a yellow hue.

It pairs well with many dishes, especially Indian or Asian-inspired meals. You can make turmeric rice using basmati or jasmine rice, turmeric powder, and broth or water.

Adding garlic or onion boosts the flavor. The dish cooks in one pot and stays light and fluffy.

Ingredients

• 2 cups basmati or jasmine rice
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1/4 cup diced onion
• 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
• Salt to taste
• 1 clove garlic, minced (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse rice under cold water until the water runs clear.

2. Heat oil or butter in a pot over medium heat.

3. Add onion and garlic. Sauté until soft.

4. Stir in turmeric and rice. Cook for 1-2 minutes.

5. Add broth and salt. Bring to a boil.

6. Cover the pot. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes.

7. Turn off the heat. Let the pot sit covered for 5 minutes.

8. Fluff rice with a fork. Serve warm.

For more ideas, check this Garlic Turmeric Rice recipe.