5 Rice Recipes That Are Must Try

When you’re looking for a warm side dish that will compliment any meal, none is quite the contender as rice. Rice is an absolute flavor sponge and can be adapted to a wide array of dishes and flavors. The starches of the rice help amplify whatever entree you’re pairing it with. Want to up your rice game but not sure where to start? Here are 5 recipes that are a must try.

This recipe is packed full of protein and flavor.

1. Rice And Beans

This warm rice dish brings out the hearty rich flavors of tomatoes and the rustic warmth of red beans. And while this dish has a light smokey kick, it’s not spicy, making it that perfect filler for any meal. I personally like melting pepper jack cheese over the top to add some kick to this rustic warm delight. 

Ingredients

• 1 cup rice of your choice
• 1 white onion, diced
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 3 cloves of garlic, peeled and minced
• 1 ½ tbsp Cajun seasoning, preferably salt free
• 3 cups chicken stock
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 pinch pepper
• 1 dash of hot sauce
• 2 tbsp parsley, chopped

Directions

Take a large saucepan and add 2 cups of water. Cook your rice according to the instructions. Next, in a large pot, heat up your vegetable oil over medium high heat. Add your onion and cook until soft. Add in your red beans, chicken stock and dash of hot sauce. Season with your salt and pepper and bring to a rolling boil. Cover and reduce the heat, letting it simmer for around 15 minutes. Using a large spoon, mash your beans gently until slightly thickened. Serve on top of your rice, garnish and enjoy. 

This recipe is a lovely sweet addition to any meal.

2. Spanish Rice

When you’re looking for something sweet and warm to pair with your next meat dish, Spanish rice is a perfect go to. Spanish rice especially pairs well with chicken, as it accentuates that rich tender meat by adding a rustic flavor of smoked paprika and tomato. This rice can be whatever you want it to be, looking for a soft sweet decadent side dish? The natural sugar sweetness of tomatoes brings those soft flavors forward in the rice. Looking to bring a little heat to your rice? Add some hot sauce to make a nose running dish that will keep you coming back for more. 

Ingredients

• 2 cups of long grain rice
• ⅛ cup vegetable oil
• 1 can tomato sauce
• 3 bunches of cilantro, chopped
• 1 pinch salt
• 2 cloves of garlic, peeled and minced
• 1 cube of chicken flavored bouillon
• 1 pinch cumin
• 1 pinch garlic powder
• 4 cups of water

Directions

Begin by heating up a large pan over medium high heat. Add your rice and roast until a light golden brown. Next, add in your chicken cube along with 4 cups of water into a small bowl. Add your water chicken mixture, tomato sauce, salt, cumin, garlic and garlic powder to the pan. Stir reduce heat, let simmer for 30 minutes before lightly fluffing your rice. Serve and enjoy. 

This rice is a perfect balance of sweet and aromatic.

3. Garlic And Herb Rice Pilaf

This recipe is perfect for when you’re looking for something sweet and aromatic to bring to your next dinner. This garlic and herb rice highlights the natural sweet earthy tones of oregano coupled with the aromatics of garlic, making for a beautiful decadent dish that pairs well with just about anything. 

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 cup of jasmine rice
• 1 large pinch garlic salt
• 1 pinch dried rosary
• 1 pinch dried thyme
• 1 pinch dried parsley
• 2 cups of chicken broth

Directions

Start by rinsing off our jasmine rice. Rice contains natural starches that we do not want in our cooking. Rinse and gently strain the rice, you’ll see a white milky liquid swirl down the drain as you strain your rice. Give the strainer a little  shake and set to the side. Take a medium saucepan and heat over medium high heat. Add in your butter and drained rice along with your garlic salt, thyme, parsley and rosemary. Lightly toast for 2 minutes until aromatic. Next, add in your chicken broth and bring to a rolling boil. Reduce the heat to a low simmer and cover with a lid. Let cook for about 15 minutes. Lightly fluff with a fork. Serve and enjoy. 

This rice is simply beautiful with any dish.

4. Sticky Rice

This recipe is a sweet and simplistic way to bring depth to any meal. Sticky rice is a naturally sweet dish with a lovely fluffy and sticky texture that will keep you coming back for seconds. And unlike other rice dishes, this recipe requires minimal seasoning, playing upon the rice itself rather than adding other flavors. When you want something simply beautiful for your next meal, try this recipe out. 

Ingredients

• 2 cups sweet rice
• Water

Directions

Begin by adding your sticky rice to a mixing bowl. Fill with water at least 3 inches off the rice. Let it soak for at least 6 hours. The rice will soak up the moisture and give it that softer texture. Next, drain the water from the rice and place into a medium saucepan.Lightly steam for 30 to 45 minutes. Serve warm and enjoy. 

This spicy rice is great for adding that kick to your next dinner.

5. Cajun Rice

Are you looking for a rice recipe that brings the heat for your next meal? This recipe is perfect for you. Cajun rice brings that smokey heat to any dinner. And the best part, you can make it as hot as you like by adding a hot sauce such as Tobasaco. This rice is also a perfect sick time food as the spices will help boost up your immune system. When you’re looking to spice up your next entree, try some cajun rice. 

Ingredients

• 2 cups of long grain rice
• 4 cups of beef broth
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• ½ green bell pepper, minced
• ½ white onion, minced
• 2 cloves of garlic, peeled and minced
• 1 tsp cajun seasoning
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper
• 1 pinch black pepper
• ½ cup water

Directions

Rinse your rice and thoroughly drain before adding to a large saucepan on medium high heat. Add in your beef broth and bring to a rolling boil before reducing the heat to low, simmer. Cover and let cook for 20 minutes. In the meantime, take a large skillet and add your vegetable oil, bell pepper and onion. Cook on medium high heat until soft. About 6 minutes. Add in your garlic powder, Cajun seasoning, cayenne pepper, black pepper and water. Stir thoroughly. Add in your rice and stir. Serve and enjoy. 

Whether you’re looking for a rice that is sweet and will complement any dish or a spicy stand alone. There is a rice recipe for everybody on this list.