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Looking for new ways to enjoy rice for dinner? These 5 delicious and easy rice recipes will add some flavor to your weeknight meals.
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Ingredients and substitutions
- Rice – use any variety of your choice like white rice, jasmine rice, basmati rice, long-grain rice or brown rice.
- Liquid – like coconut milk, vegetable broth or water.
- Oil or butter – this will make the rice nice and moist. You can use coconut oil, butter or sun-dried tomato oil depending on the recipe.
- Seasonings – add flavor to your rice by adding in sugar, shallots, fresh herbs, garlic, veggies, aromatics and more.
- Salt – to taste.
How to cook rice
Step 1: Assemble your ingredients.
Add all the ingredients under your chosen heading to a rice cooker or pot.
Step 2: Cook the rice.
Simmer until the liquid is absorbed.
Step 3: Prep your toppings.
Chop up or assemble whatever toppings you want.
Step 4: Mix the toppings in.
Add all the toppings to the cooked rice.
Step 5: Stir well.
Stir until everything is combined.
Step 6: Serve and enjoy!
What to serve with rice
These easy rice recipes are a delicious side to just about any dish! Here are some ideas on what to serve with your rice:
- Firecracker Chicken
- Instant Pot Barbacoa Beef
- Creamy Basil Chicken Skillet
- Marinated Shrimp
- Stuffed Chicken Breast
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of rice should you use?
You can use any kind of rice for these recipes including white rice, basmati rice or jasmine rice. You can try using brown rice, but it will need to cook for longer.
What can you add to rice to give it flavour?
Add flavour to plain rice by adding in your favourite herbs and spices, aromatics and veggies. Spice things up by adding in herbs, spices, condiments, sauces, cheese, citrus, aromatics, veggies, lentils, legumes, broths or milk.
Do you season it before or after cooking?
For most of these recipes, you'll add in the seasonings before cooking, so that the rice soaks up the flavour while it cooks. There are certain ingredients, like veggies and fresh herbs, that you should only add in after cooking.
Can you make it in the Instant Pot?
Yes you can! You can make these rice recipes for dinner in a rice cooker, in a pot on the stovetop or in the Instant Pot. Check out my ultimate Instant Pot rice guide for more details.
Easy Rice Recipes
Even though plain rice is a popular side dish, you can take rice to the next level by spicing it up! I rounded up five of my favourite rice recipes for dinner that you can serve with any meal.
Coconut Rice
By using coconut milk instead of water in the rice cooker, you’ll be infusing your rice of choice with the tropical and creamy taste of coconut. Enjoy the flavours of summer all year long with this coconut rice!
I've paired this refreshing coconut rice with peanut chicken and a refreshing mango salsa. If you're not a fan of mango, use pineapple or peach for the salsa. You can also pair the coconut rice with salmon, Mongolian beef or Thai curry.
Mushroom Rice
Get the flavours you love from mushroom risotto and long grain wild rice in this recipe! This rice dish is ultra comforting and has a delicious creamy texture. Packed with sautéed mushrooms and fresh parsley, it’s the perfect side dish for any tougher meat like turkey or pork.
I've paired this creamy mushroom rice with diced turkey sausage. This rice dish can be enjoyed on its own but if you're looking to add protein to your meal, it’ll pair well with a tougher meat like pork chops, turkey sausage or steak.
Tomato Basil Rice
This tomato basil rice dish is packed with flavour and is ultra comforting with a delicious creamy texture.
I've paired this tomato basil rice with freshly seared scallops. Scallops are a delicious shellfish that are praised for their gentle texture. It also pairs beautifully with other seafood options or any seasoned chicken breast. As with many of the other recipes in this post, feel free to enjoy the rice on its own!
Shrimp Fried Rice
Fried rice is a classic dish! I suggest making this delicious fried rice with day-old leftover rice to ensure the best results, since when you’re using freshly cooked rice, the texture may vary.
I've paired this easy fried rice recipe with shrimp and a variety of veggies. Shrimp is a popular choice for fried rice but chicken, tofu, beef or pork can also be used to complete this dish. You can serve this fried rice on its own or serve it alongside your favourite Asian-inspired recipes like Kung Pao chicken.
Cilantro Lime Rice
This cilantro lime rice tastes great with my Chipotle copycat burrito bowls. Packed with the flavours of lime and the minty taste of cilantro, this rice is the base of choice for lots of Tex Mex inspired dishes.
I've paired this delicious cilantro lime rice with beans and bell peppers to make my own vegetarian burrito bowl! Want more protein in this vegetarian meal? Add chicken, sofritas or steak. You can also add the rice to a burrito wrap.
Storing and reheating
You can store any leftovers of these rice dishes for dinner in the fridge for up to 5 days. When you’re ready to use your rice, sprinkle some water over top and reheat it in the microwave or in a pan on the stovetop if you’re reheating fried rice.
Freezing cooked rice
You can freeze any cooked plain rice for up to 3 months in a glass container or a Ziploc bag. Defrost it in the fridge overnight, stir in the toppings from one of my easy rice recipes and reheat as normal.
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Meal Prep Tools
- Grab someglass meal prep bowls if you plan on turning these rice recipes into leftovers.
- Freeze leftover plain rice in glass microwave-safe bowls up to 3 months.
- If you're looking for a rice cooker – try this one!
- **Get my full list of tools here**
5 Easy Rice Recipes to Spice Up Dinner
Looking for new ways to enjoy rice for dinner? These 5 delicious and easy rice recipes will add some flavor to your weeknight meals.
5 from 2 votes
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Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 219kcal
Author: Taylor Stinson
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes minutes
Ingredients
Coconut Rice
- 1 cup jasmine or basmati rice
- 1 1/4 cups coconut milk
- 1 tsp coconut oil
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 pinch salt
Mushroom Rice
- 1 cup white rice
- 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 shallot, diced
- 8 oz cremini mushrooms
- Parsley, for garnish
Tomato Basil Rice
- 1 cup white rice
- 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tbsp oil from a jar of sundried tomatoes
- 1/3 cup julienne cut sundried tomatoes
- 1/3 cup chopped fresh basil
- 1 pinch salt
Fried Rice
- 1 cup white rice
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1 pinch salt
- 2 tbsp butter plus 1 extra tsp
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 egg
- 1 bunch green onions, sliced
Cilantro Lime Rice
- 1 cup white rice
- 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tsp butter
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 lime juiced, plus extra for garnish
- 1/2 cup finely chopped cilantro
Instructions
Coconut Rice
Add all ingredients under this heading to a rice cooker or pot on the stove. Cook until liquid has absorbed, which will happen automatically using a rice cooker. Serve and enjoy!
Mushroom Rice
Add all ingredients under this heading except for shallots, mushrooms and parsley to a rice cooker or pot on the stove. Cook until liquid has absorbed, which will happen automatically using a rice cooker.
Meanwhile, saute shallots and mushrooms with a bit of extra butter in a pan over med-high heat until juices start to release, about 3-4 min. Remove from heat while mushrooms are immersed in liquid, then stir mushrooms and parsley into rice once it is finished cooking. Serve and enjoy!
Tomato Basil Rice
Add all ingredients under this heading except for basil to a rice cooker or pot on the stove. Cook until liquid has absorbed, which will happen automatically using a rice cooker. Stir in basil once rice is finished cooking, then serve and enjoy!
Fried Rice
Add rice, water, 1 tsp butter and salt to a rice cooker or pot on the stove. Cook until liquid has absorbed, which will happen automatically using a rice cooker.
Ideally, refrigerate the rice overnight once cooled and then start with this step, but you can start with the rice hot from the rice cooker if necessary. Add your 2 tbsp butter to a large skillet, then saute garlic for 30 seconds. Add in rice and soy sauce, stirring to combine.
Make a hole in the middle of the rice, adding a tiny bit more butter. Crack an egg in the center and scramble for a few seconds until set. Add green onions and stir everything together, cooking another 1-2 min. Serve and enjoy!
Cilantro Lime Rice
Add all ingredients under this heading except for lime juice and cilantro to a rice cooker or pot on the stove. Cook until liquid has absorbed, which will happen automatically using a rice cooker. Stir in lime juice and cilantro, serving with extra lime wedges. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
NOTE: Nutritional info is for the mushroom rice. Nutritional values will vary depending on which rice is made. It is recommended to use Myfitnesspal for remaining varieties of rice as needed.
Stir in your favourite herbs, spices, condiments, sauces, cheese and more.
Season the rice before cooking, with the exception of vegetables and fresh herbs which should be added after cooking.
Make your rice in theInstant Pot.
Store cooked rice in the fridge for up to 5 days. Sprinkle some water over top then reheat in the microwave or in a pan on the stovetop.
Freeze plain rice for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge, stir in your toppings and reheat as normal.
Nutrition
Calories: 219kcal (11%)Carbohydrates: 41g (14%)Protein: 5g (10%)Fat: 4g (6%)Saturated Fat: 3g (19%)Polyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 8mg (3%)Sodium: 393mg (17%)Potassium: 308mg (9%)Fiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 2g (2%)Vitamin A: 275IU (6%)Calcium: 24mg (2%)Iron: 1mg (6%)
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Created by Taylor Stinson
Hey there, my name's Taylor! I’m the founder of The Girl on Bloor, a food blog where I share healthy meal prep recipes for busy people. I'm a busy city girl living in downtown Toronto on (you guessed it!) Bloor Street. I've got 10 years experience meal prepping, along with a Master's degree in journalism, and you can find my work across the internet featured on publications such as Buzzfeed, HuffPost, Women's Health, Reader's Digest and more. I also run the awesome 5-Day Meal Prep Challenge, which is a free email course and Facebook group where I share my meal planning strategies and easy meal prep tips and recipes. Be sure to check out my free beginner’s guide to meal prep and follow me on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram to get my latest recipes and meal prep tips!
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Melissa says
Hi, Taylor! For the coconut rice, what type of coconut milk do you use? Is it sweetened or unsweetened? There are so many choices out there! I’m thinking of pairing this with your Garlic Sesame Instant Pot Chicken Thighs. (I’m embarrassed to say I’ve never had, much less made, coconut rice!)
Reply
Taylor Stinson says
Hi Melissa! It’s the unsweetened coconut milk that comes in a can, not a carton. Hope this helps!
Reply
