5 Rice Recipes To Liven Up Your Next Dinner

When it comes to cooking, rice is a severely underestimated ingredient. Despite it’s stereotype, rice comes in such variety and flavors it can be highly adaptable for any dinner occasion. And the best part? It’s good for you! Rice is full of vitamins and starches that are necessary for a healthy diet. Yet with so many different varieties, it can be hard to pick just the rice recipe for you. Soceity19 is here to help! Here are 5 recipes to liven up your next dinner.

Fried rice is great to add some life to your next dinner.

1. Fried Rice

This delicious classic is perfect for adding some salt and zing to your next dinner. The sweet starches of the rice, the salt of the soy sauce and the delicate crunch of scallions, is texture heaven. If you’re looking for some rice to steal the show at your next dinner, try this recipe. 

Ingredients

• 2 eggs
• 3 large carrots,chopped
• 3 green onions,chopped
• ½ bag frozen peas
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup soy sauce
• 2 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 2 tbsp butter

Directions

First, take a medium saucepan and place it over medium high heat. Take your two eggs and scramble them in a bowl. Butter your pan and pour in the eggs. This should take no more than 4 minutes. Then, place your eggs on a plate and set to the side. Next, saute your veggies and garlic on medium high heat until soft. Take another pan and melt the remaining butter. Turn it to high heat and add your rice, soy sauce and oyster sauce. Combine your veggies to the rice mixture and cook for 15 to 20 minutes while stirring. Your veggies and rice will begin to brown. Add in your sesame oil and scallions. Serve and enjoy. 

This rice is great for adding some zing and richness to any occasion.

2. Sticky Lemon Rice

This starchy treat is great for side dishes or a quick snack! Sticky lemon rice is the perfect combination of the starch and zing. The lemon helps cut through that fat starches that leaves you with a sweet refreshing dish. 

Ingredients

• 2 cups of white rice
• ½ a fresh lemon
• 1 pinch basil
• 1 pinch Italian seasoning
• 1 pinch oregano
• 1 tbsp butter

Directions

First, fill a medium saucepan ¾ full with water. Bring your saucepan to a boil. Squeeze in your lemon juice and rice. Add your seasoning and cover. This is how the rice gets sticky! Simmer on medium high heat for 15 minutes without stirring. Uncover your rice and stir for every 2 minutes until fully cooked. Serve and enjoy. 

Rice pilaf is a must try for any family dinner.

3. Rice Pilaf

Looking for a rice recipe that won’t leave you feeling heavy? This recipe is perfect for you! Rice pilaf is a cooking legend when it comes to this starchy grain. Rice pilaf offers that perfect combination of sweetness and crunch. I personally love using this rice recipe when I’m cooking steak and potatoes. This rice pilaf is great for offsetting a fatty dinner and offering some healthy texture. 

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp butter
• ½ cup orzo pasta
• ½ cup onion, diced
• ½ cup white rice, uncooked
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 cups chicken broth

Directions

Melt your butter in a skillet over medium low heat. Add your orzo and stir. Cook until golden brown. Then, add your onion and cook until translucent. Next, add your garlic and cook for 1 minute. Mix in chicken broth and rice while turning the heat to high. Bring to a rolling boil. Then, reduce heat back to medium low and cover for 20 to 25 minutes. We are trying to get the rice tender here. Finally, remove from heat and fluff your rice with a fork. Serve and enjoy. 

Herb butter rice adds a special sense of richness to any occasion.

4. Herbed Garlic Butter Rice

This decadent treat is perfect for adding that extra richness to your next dinner. I personally love eating this rice all on it’s own. Herbed garlic butter rice is a superstar in it’s own right and can stand on its own feet for a small entree or snack. If you’re craving something rich for your next dinner, try this recipe out. 

Ingredients

• 1 cup long grain white rice
• 1 ½ cup veggie stalk
• 1 cup water
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp garlic, minced
• ⅓ cup parsley
• 1 pinch pepper

Directions

First, warm up your stalk and water together. In a medium saucepan, heat your oil. Add your rice to the pan and stir for 2 to 3 minutes. Add your warm water and stalk to your rice. Mix and bring to a boil then reduce the heat and cover. Cook on low heat for 12 to 15 minutes. All water will evaporate. Take it off the heat and let it rest for 10 minutes. Using a fork, fluff up your rice. In another small skillet, melt butter and add minced garlic. Stir until golden brown. Add to your rice. Serve and enjoy. 

Yellow rice is a family favorite to add to your next dinner.

5. Yellow Rice

If you’re looking for a fresh color pop to your next family dinner, this recipe is perfect for you. The flavors of the chicken broth add a rich salty tang, making for a great entree or any snack. This one is a personal favorite of mine. This yellow beauty is a perfect combination of rich and salty to add to any family dinner. 

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp butter
• 1 cup long grain white rice
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 pinch onion powder
• 1 pinch ground turmeric
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 pinch pepper
• 2 tbsp cilantro, minced

Directions

Heat your butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add your rice and gently stir until lightly browned. Next, add your garlic, onion powder and turmeric. Then, slowly stir in your chicken broth and raise the heat to medium high. Add your salt and pepper and bring the mix to a rolling boil. Cover and let simmer for 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from heat and add cilantro. Fluff with fork. Serve and enjoy. 

If you’re looking to spice up your rice game, these recipes are a must try. Rice is a great way to liven up your side dishes or make for a perfect snack.  With so many different kinds of rice out there, it can be hard to find the perfect one. For your next family dinner, try these recipes out, you won’t be disappointed.