Rice is the most popular pantry staple used across the world, and it’s really no surprise. It’s delicious, comforting, and versatile — it soaks up different flavors so well, making it the perfect base of any meal. Whether you add some seasonings to change it up a little, or throw in protein and veggies to completely transform it, the options are endless. So if you are wondering what to cook with rice that goes beyond plain rice, or simply "how to cook rice", then you are in the right place. We are sharing over 30 of the most popular and best rice recipes including simple plain rice recipes, stir fried rice, chicken and rice, creamy rice, rice stuffed into vegetables, soup with rice, and more!
Best Rice Recipes
Steamed Rice
Learn how to make steamed rice that's perfectly cooked, fluffy and delicious in 30 minutes. Cook white rice on the stove, rice cooker, or instant pot.
One Pot Spanish Chicken and Rice
Packed with flavour, real ingredients and vibrant colours, one pot Spanish chicken and rice is the perfect no fuss, no clean up weeknight meal.
Easy Coconut Rice
Easy coconut rice is light, fluffy, delicious, and flavorful. It's a quick and easy side dish that compliments all Thai, South Asian, and tropical dishes.
Vegetarian Fried Rice
Make flavourful, Chinese restaurant-style vegetarian fried rice at home in 10 minutes, with fully customizable ingredients, and say good-bye to take-out!
Cilantro Lime Rice
Cilantro lime rice is a fresh, bright and vibrant side dish that will add extra flavour to any meal you serve it with. It's a quick, easy, one pot recipe.
Basmati Rice with Saffron
Basmati rice with saffron is an essential side in Middle Eastern diets. Make it in 15 minutes with this easy-to-follow recipe.
Curry Chicken Fried Rice
Flavourful curry chicken fried rice with chicken, mushrooms, peas, rice, and curry flavours is so easy to make in less than 10 minutes on busy weeknights. Serve with a fresh Chinese garlic cucumber salad on the side.
Broccoli Rice
Broccoli Rice is the perfect side dish: creamy, cheesy, healthy, and filling. Plus, it’s quick and easy and all made in one pot in just over 30 minutes.
One Pot Rice Pilaf with Carrots
One pot Rice Pilaf with Carrots is quick, easy, and loaded with flavor. Cook this vegetable rice on the stove, rice cooker, or instant pot.
Creamy Parmesan (No Wine) Risotto
Creamy Parmesan (No Wine) Risotto is a rich, creamy, and comforting classic Italian dish that may be intimidating but is actually quick and easy to make.
Greek Rice
This simple Greek Rice is lemony, full of herbs, and warm, delicious flavors — and it couldn't be much easier to make. Our go-to fluffy herb rice dish!
Ground Beef Stuffed Peppers
Ground beef stuffed peppers are delicious, healthy, and filling. Stuffed with beef rice and veggies, they're easy to make ahead and freezer-friendly.
Instant Pot Chicken Fried Rice
Instant pot chicken fried rice is easy to throw together, packed with flavor, and delicious. It's perfect for a weeknight family dinner or meal prep.
Chicken and Rice Soup
Chicken and rice soup is delicious, warm, cozy, and comforting feel-good meal that can warm you up on a chilly day. Easy to make in one pot.
Beef and Bean Burritos
Hearty and filling beef and bean burritos are easy to make ahead, freezer-friendly, and take just 30 minutes for restaurant-quality Mexican food at home.
Mushroom Risotto
Mushroom Risotto is a rich creamy one pot rice dish made with simple ingredients that deliver bold flavors. Making homemade risotto from scratch is easy!
Pineapple Fried Rice
Pineapple fried rice is a quick and easy meal that is ready in just 20 minutes. It's a savory, sweet, delicious, and flavorful weeknight family dinner.
Easy Vegan Stuffed Bell Peppers
Vegan Stuffed Peppers are stuffed with pan-fried mushrooms, tender rice, and veggies, making them flavorful and filling. Easy to make in under an hour!
Seafood Fried Rice
Quick and easy, one-pan, 10-minute seafood fried rice with tiger prawns is so much healthier, tastier and better than takeout. It's the easiest weeknight meal.
Leftover Turkey Wild Rice Soup
Wholesome hearty one pot leftover turkey wild rice soup can be adapted easily for chicken instead of turkey. It's the most comforting way to use any leftover chicken or a store-bought rotisserie chicken.
Stuffed Butternut Squash with Wild Rice
Healthy, hearty and wholesome butternut squash with wild rice and mushrooms is an easy cozy vegetarian dinner or side dish for fall. It pairs so nicely with a juicy roasted turkey breast and nutty green beans.
Mediterranean Brown Rice Salad
Mediterranean Brown Rice Salad loaded with veggies and tossed in a Greek dressing is filling, healthy, nutritious, gluten-free, and easy to make.
Rice Croutons
Gluten-free rice croutons are a delicious, crunchy, and chewy homemade snack with the same texture as the best part of rice — the crispy bottom of the pot!
Zongzi Sticky Rice Dumplings (粽子)
Zongzi Chinese tamales (粽子) or sticky rice dumplings are stuffed with sticky rice, pork belly, and shiitake mushrooms, wrapped inside reed or bamboo leaves.
Leftover Turkey Fried Rice
Leftover turkey fried rice with turkey, fluffy rice, scrambled eggs, vegetables, and classic Asian seasonings is a one skillet meal made in just 10 minutes. Easily substitute the turkey in this recipe with leftover chicken.
Mexican Stuffed Peppers
Mexican stuffed peppers are a delicious, wholesome, healthy meal loaded with fun Mexican flavors. It freezes well and is perfect for meal prep.
One Pot Coconut Curry Chicken and Rice
Creamy, delicious and flavourful, Thai-inspired one pot coconut curry chicken and rice is a 30-minute weeknight meal made with red curry and coconut milk.
How to Serve Rice
There are so many ways to serve a side of cooked rice. I typically pair it with a protein and a side of vegetables or salad (unless it’s a complete meal like our Spanish Rice). Here are some of my favorite recipe collections for pairing with rice:
- 60 Best Chicken Recipes
- 15 Best Salmon Recipes
- 30 Best Shrimp Recipes
- 25 Side Dishes for Chicken
- 40 Best Salad Recipes
How to Store Rice
Store leftover rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4. days.
Reheat rice by steaming it in a steamer, or putting it in a microwave-safe container and covering it with a damp paper towel. Ensure there are no gaps for air to escape. Heat in the microwave in 30-second increments or until you notice steam rising from the paper towel. This method steams the rice, so it is soft and light instead of hard and dry. You could also reheat over the stove but you may need to add some water to soften it up a bit.
Did You Make any of These Rice Recipes?
Please leave a comment and rating below, and let me know what you thought of this round up of vegetarian rice recipes. Be sure to snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @aheadofthyme or share it on the Pinterest pin so that I can follow along.
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Print30 Best Rice Recipes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
Description
Over 30 best rice recipes including plain rice recipes, stir fried rice, chicken and rice, creamy rice, rice stuffed vegetables, rice soup, and more!
Ingredients
- rice
Instructions
- Pick a recipe you want to make.
- Gather and prep the ingredients.
- Make the recipe according to recipe instructions.
Notes
How to store: Store leftover rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4. days.
How to reheat: Reheat rice by steaming it in a steamer, or putting it in a microwave-safe container and covering it with a damp paper towel. Ensure there are no gaps for air to escape. Heat in the microwave in 30-second increments or until you notice steam rising from the paper towel. This method steams the rice, so it is soft and light instead of hard and dry. You could also reheat over the stove but you may need to add some water to soften it up a bit.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Rice
- Method: Various
- Cuisine: Various
Nutrition
- Calories: 140
Kathy says
What a great list. The cilantro lime rice was so good!!
Sam Hu | Ahead of Thyme says
Thanks Kathy!