If you are wondering how to add more flavor to your rice, then check out these easy rice recipes below including garlic butter rice, turmeric rice, spanish rice, rice with bell peppers, taco rice, cilantro rice, broccoli cheddar rice, and pineapple coconut.
8 Flavored Rice Recipes
I have now officially tested 8 different rice recipes in the last week and I can confirm that I am not going back to my old rice cooker ways. This method of cooking rice on the stove with spices and vegetables adds so much more flavor!
Rice is a staple ingredient in a variety of dishes and for good reason! It’s the perfect base to soak up delicious flavors making it an amazing side dish! You can add spices and seasonings easily to bring out incredible flavors, throw in a protein like chicken or pork, and add in chopped vegetables.
Recipe Tips
- DON’T STIR – Never stir the rice while it’s boiling in the broth. This will activate the starch and result in mushy soggy rice.
- RINSE RICE FIRST – Rinse long-grain rice before you cook to release excess starch. Just add it to a fine mesh strainer and rinse under cold water. Rinsed rice can be added right to the pot.
- LOW HEAT – First, bring the liquid to the beginning of a boil, then let the rice simmer on low heat until all of the liquid is absorbed by the rice.
1. Garlic Butter Rice
This is the perfect classic base recipe to use with a variety of dishes as it will go with almost anything. After trying all eight recipes, this is still one of my favorites and can be paired with crispy baked chicken, roast beef, salmon, and pork chops.
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp salted butter
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- ¼ cup chopped yellow onion – chopped small
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 1 ½ cups uncooked white jasmine rice
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 3 Tbsp salted butter
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
Heat a pan over medium-high heat with butter and olive oil. Add the garlic and onion. Cook until the onion turns translucent. Add in the rice and lightly toast for 1-2 minutes. Add the chicken broth and stir the ingredients together. Cover the pot with a lid and turn heat to low. Let simmer until all liquid has disappeared (do not stir during this step). Remove from heat and let sit for 5-10 minutes covered to steam rice. After that, fluff the rice with a fork and then serve.
2. Turmeric Rice
I love this turmeric rice because the flavors are subtle and not overpowering at all with a lovely fragrance as it simmers in the pot. It can be served with any meal including baked chicken, pork chops, roast beef, or salmon.
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp salted butter
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- ¼ cup chopped yellow onion
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1 ½ cups uncooked white jasmine rice
- 1 ½ tsp turmeric powder
- 2 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1 bay leaf
Instructions
Heat a pan over medium-high heat with butter and olive oil. Add the garlic and onion. Cook until the onion turns translucent. Add in the rice and turmeric powder and stir together. Lightly toast the rice for 1-2 minutes. Add in the chicken broth and bay leaf. Cover the pot with a lid and turn the heat to low. Let simmer until all liquid has disappeared (do not stir during this step). Remove from heat and let sit for 5-10 minutes covered to steam rice. After that, fluff the rice with a fork and then serve.
3. Tomato Infused Rice
This is an easy recipe using tomato sauce and spices to create a beautiful reddish hue in the rice. Grape tomatoes and onions are added for simple veggies.
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp salted butter
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- ¼ cup chopped yellow onion
- ¼ cup grape tomatoes – chopped
- 1 ½ cups uncooked white jasmine rice
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1 cup tomato sauce
Instructions
Heat a pan over medium-high heat with butter and olive oil. Add the garlic, onion and chopepd tomatoes. Cook until the onion turns translucent. Add in the rice, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and dried thyme and lightly toast for 1-2 minutes. Add the chicken broth, tomato sauce and stir ingredients together, scraping the bottom of the pot while you do this. Cover the pot with a lid and turn heat to low (a high setting will burn because of the tomato sauce). Let simmer until all liquid has disappeared – gently scrape the bottom of the pot with a flat silicone or wood spatula, but don’t overstir the rice as you do this. Once liquid has cooked, remove from heat and let sit 5-10 minutes covered to steam rice. After that, fluff the rice with a fork and then serve.
Helpful Tip: Cook the rice on a low temperature and gently scrape the bottom of the pot every 5 minutes or so, but don’t overmix the rice when you do it. This will help to prevent the bottom of the pot from burning with the tomato sauce.
4. Cajun Seasoning Rice
This recipe adds yellow, red and green bell pepper to the rice. Adding veggies will increase the serving portions and help stretch out the meal longer! This recipe uses cajun spice and the bell peppers are the perfect addition. Make sure to dice the vegetables small so that they will cook faster.
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp salted butter
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- ½ cup chopped yellow onion
- ¼ cup chopped red bell pepper
- ¼ cup chopped green bell pepper
- 1 ½ cups uncooked white jasmine rice
- 2 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1 or 2 tsp cajun seasoning
- 1 bay leaf
Instructions
Heat a pan over medium-high heat with butter and olive oil. Add the garlic, onion, and chopped bell pepper. Cook until onion turns translucent and bell pepper softens. Add in the rice, chicken broth, cajun seasoning, and bay leaf, and stir the ingredients together. Cover the pot with a lid and turn the heat to low. Let simmer until all liquid has disappeared (do not stir during this step). Remove from heat and let sit 5-10 minutes covered to steam rice. After that, fluff the rice with a fork and then serve.
5. Taco Seasoning Rice
Taco seasoning rice is a delicious side dish to serve with a variety of meals. White jasmine rice is mixed with taco seasoning and green chilies. Everything is simmered in chicken broth with tomato sauce until the rice absorbs all of the liquid for the perfect consistency. It’s the perfect alternative to serve with chicken, tacos or our sweet potato taco bowl.
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp salted butter
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- ¼ cup chopped yellow onion
- 1 ½ cups uncooked white jasmine rice
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 4 oz chopped green chilies – 118 ml
- 1 Tbsp taco seasoning
Instructions
Heat a pan over medium-high heat with butter and olive oil. Add the chopped onion and cook until onion turns translucent. Add in the rice and lightly toast for 1-2 minutes. Add the chicken broth and tomato sauce and stir ingredients together, gently scraping the bottom of the pan to lift any rice. Cover the pot with a lid and turn heat to low. Let simmer until all liquid has disappeared, but gently scrape along the bottom of the pan with a silicone or wood spatula once or twice during the process. Remove from heat and let sit 5-10 minutes covered to steam rice. After that, add the chopped green chilies and fluff the rice with a fork and then serve.
Helpful Tip: Same as the tomato flavored rice recipe above, you want to cook this rice on a low temperature and gently scrape the bottom of the pot every 5 minutes or so, but don’t overmix the rice when you do it. This will help to prevent the bottom of the pot from burning cause by the tomato sauce.
6. Cilantro Lime Rice
This recipe uses flavors of lime and cilantro and works well in burritos or burrito bowls, and grilled veggie kabobs. If you’re not a cilantro fan, then you’ll want to skip this one or swap it with chopped parsley instead.
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp salted butter
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- ¼ cup chopped yellow onion
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- 1 ½ cups uncooked white jasmine rice
- 1 zested lime
- 2 ½ cups chicken broth
- 2 juiced limes
- ¼ cup finely chopped cilantro
Instructions
Heat a pan over medium-high heat with butter and olive oil. Add the garlic and onion. Cook until onion turns translucent. Add in the rice and lightly toast for 1-2 minutes. Add the chicken broth and lime zest and stir the ingredients together. Cover the pot with a lid and turn heat to low. Let simmer until all liquid has disappeared (do not stir during this step). Remove from heat and let sit 5-10 minutes covered to steam rice. AfteAdd the lime juice, and chopped cilantro and mix into the rice, then serve.
7. Broccoli Cheddar Rice
Consider this an easy family favorite! A bag of chopped broccoli and some cheddar cheese turn rice into a comforting side dish that can be paired with any protein like chicken, beef, fish or pork.
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 Tbsp salted butter
- 1 ½ cups uncooked white jasmine rice
- 2 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1 Tbsp salted butter
- 2 cups frozen chopped broccoli – bite-size pieces or smaller
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
Heat a pan over medium-high heat with butter and olive oil. Add the frozen broccoli and cook 2 minutes. Add in the rice and lightly toast for 1-2 minutes. Add the chicken broth and stir ingredients together. Cover the pot with a lid and turn heat to low. Let simmer until all liquid has disappeared (do not stir during this step). Remove from heat and let sit 5-10 minutes covered to steam rice. After that, sprinkle the cheese on top and mix with the rice then serve.
8. Pineapple Coconut Rice
Coconut milk will infuse the rice with a delicious creamy flavor. Pineapple chunks and soy sauce add a sweet and salty taste.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1 ½ cups uncooked white jasmine rice
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 cup diced pineapple – or crushed pineapple
- ¼ cup chopped green onion
Instructions
Add the broth and coconut milk to a pot and bring to a gentle boil, reduce the heat to low and add the rice. Give it a stir, then cover the pot with a lid and let simmer until all liquid has disappeared. Remove from heat and let sit for 5-10 minutes covered to steam rice. After that, stir in the soy sauce and diced pineapple, fluffing the rice with a fork as you go, then serve.
Helpful Tip: Adding coconut milk to the pot can cause a layer on the bottom of the pot to burn. It is important to cook on a low temperature to help avoid this. You can also gently scrape the bottom of the pot with a wood or silicone spatula while the rice is cooking, just try not to stir too much (to avoid mushy rice).
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can. White basmati rice will also work for this recipe. I haven’t personally tried using brown rice but I think it will work as well.
No you can use vegetable broth or beef broth as well. You can also use water but the rice will lack the same flavor.
You may have added too much liquid and overcooked the rice. The style of rice or brand you choose can all affect how much liquid to add. Next time you make rice, add 1/4 cup less liquid and see if that fixes the problem. Continue adding a bit less each time until you reach your desired consistency. Also, don’t stir the rice while it’s cooking as this can make a mushy texture.
Ingredients
Garlic Butter Rice
- 1 Tbsp salted butter
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- ¼ cup chopped yellow onion - chopped small
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 1 ½ cups uncooked white jasmine rice
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 3 Tbsp salted butter
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
Turmeric Rice
- 1 Tbsp salted butter
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- ¼ cup chopped yellow onion
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1 ½ cups uncooked white jasmine rice
- 1 ½ tsp turmeric powder
- 2 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1 bay leaf
Tomato Flavored Rice
- 1 Tbsp salted butter
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- ¼ cup chopped yellow onion
- ¼ cup grape tomatoes - chopped
- 1 ½ cups uncooked white jasmine rice
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1 cup tomato sauce
Cajun Seasoning Rice
- 1 Tbsp salted butter
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- ½ cup chopped yellow onion
- ¼ cup chopped red bell pepper
- ¼ cup chopped green bell pepper
- 1 ½ cups uncooked white jasmine rice
- 2 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1 tsp cajun seasoning
- 1 bay leaf
Taco Seasoning Rice
- 1 Tbsp salted butter
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- ¼ cup chopped yellow onion
- 1 ½ cups uncooked white jasmine rice
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 4 oz chopped green chilies - 118 ml
- 1 Tbsp taco seasoning
Cilantro Lime Rice
- 1 Tbsp salted butter
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- ¼ cup chopped yellow onion
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- 1 ½ cups uncooked white jasmine rice
- 2 ½ cups chicken broth
- 2 juiced limes
- 1 zested lime
- ¼ cup finely chopped cilantro
Broccoli Cheddar Rice
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 Tbsp salted butter
- 1 ½ cups uncooked white jasmine rice
- 2 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1 Tbsp salted butter
- 2 cups frozen chopped broccoli - bite-size pieces or smaller
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Pineapple Coconut
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1 ½ cups uncooked white jasmine rice
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 cup diced pineapple - or crushed pineapple
- ¼ cup chopped green onion
Instructions
Garlic Butter Rice
- Heat a pan over medium-high heat with butter and olive oil. Add the garlic and onion. Cook until onion turns translucent. Add in the rice and lightly toast for 1-2 minutes. Add the chicken broth and stir ingredients together. Cover the pot with a lid and turn heat to low. Let simmer until all liquid has disappeared (do not stir during this step). Remove from heat and let sit 5-10 minutes covered to steam rice. After that, fluff the rice with a fork and then serve.
Turmeric Rice
- Heat a pan over medium-high heat with butter and olive oil. Add the garlic and onion. Cook until the onion turns translucent. Add in the rice and turmeric powder and stir together. Lightly toast the rice for 1-2 minutes. Add in the chicken broth and bay leaf. Cover the pot with a lid and turn the heat to low. Let simmer until all liquid has disappeared (do not stir during this step). Remove from heat and let sit for 5-10 minutes covered to steam rice. After that, fluff the rice with a fork and then serve.
Tomato Flavored Rice
- Heat a pan over medium-high heat with butter and olive oil. Add the garlic, onion and chopepd tomatoes. Cook until the onion turns translucent. Add in the rice, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and dried thyme and lightly toast for 1-2 minutes. Add the chicken broth, tomato sauce and stir ingredients together, scraping the bottom of the pot while you do this. Cover the pot with a lid and turn heat to low (a high setting will burn because of the tomato sauce). Let simmer until all liquid has disappeared – gently scrape the bottom of the pot with a flat silicone or wood spatula, but don't overstir the rice as you do this. Once liquid has cooked, remove from heat and let sit 5-10 minutes covered to steam rice. After that, fluff the rice with a fork and then serve.
Cajun Seasoning Rice
- Heat a pan over medium-high heat with butter and olive oil. Add the garlic, onion, and chopped bell pepper. Cook until onion turns translucent and bell pepper softens. Add in the rice, chicken broth, garlic powder, paprika, and bay leaf and stir ingredients together. Cover the pot with a lid and turn heat to low. Let simmer until all liquid has disappeared (do not stir during this step). Remove from heat and let sit 5-10 minutes covered to steam rice. After that, fluff the rice with a fork and then serve.
Taco Seasoning Rice
- Heat a pan over medium-high heat with butter and olive oil. Add the chopped onion and cook until onion turns translucent. Add in the rice and lightly toast for 1-2 minutes. Add the chicken broth and tomato sauce and stir ingredients together, gently scraping the bottom of the pan to lift any rice. Cover the pot with a lid and turn heat to low. Let simmer until all liquid has disappeared, but gently scrape along the bottom of the pan with a silicone or wood spatula once or twice during the process. Remove from heat and let sit 5-10 minutes covered to steam rice. After that, add the chopped green chilies and fluff the rice with a fork and then serve.
Cilantro Lime Rice
- Heat a pan over medium-high heat with butter and olive oil. Add the garlic and onion. Cook until onion turns translucent. Add in the rice and lightly toast for 1-2 minutes. Add the chicken broth and stir ingredients together. Cover the pot with a lid and turn heat to low. Let simmer until all liquid has disappeared (do not stir during this step). Remove from heat and let sit 5-10 minutes covered to steam rice. AfteAdd the lime juice, lime zest, and chopped cilantro and mix into the rice, then serve.
Broccoli Cheddar Rice
- Heat a pan over medium-high heat with butter and olive oil. Add the frozen broccoli and cook 2 minutes. Add in the rice and lightly toast for 1-2 minutes. Add the chicken broth and stir ingredients together. Cover the pot with a lid and turn heat to low. Let simmer until all liquid has disappeared (do not stir during this step). Remove from heat and let sit 5-10 minutes covered to steam rice. After that, sprinkle the cheese on top and mix with the rice then serve.
Pineapple Coconut Rice
- Add the broth and coconut milk to a pot and bring to a gentle boil, reduce the heat to low and add the rice. Give it a stir, then cover the pot with a lid and let simmer until all liquid has disappeared. Remove from heat and let sit 5-10 minutes covered to steam rice. After that, stir in the soy sauce and diced pineapple, fluffing the rice with a fork as you go, then serve.