10+ White Rice Recipes to Spice Up Your Meals

White rice is a versatile staple that can be the base for countless delicious meals.

Whether you’re looking to create a simple side dish or a flavorful main course, there are plenty of recipes that can elevate white rice to a whole new level.

This article will explore various ways to cook and enjoy white rice, providing ideas that suit any taste or occasion.

From seasoned rice dishes to simple stir-fries, you’ll find options that are easy to prepare.

Get ready to discover how to make the most of this humble ingredient in your kitchen.

1) Asparagus Beef Teriyaki

Asparagus Beef Teriyaki is a quick and tasty dish. It combines tender beef with crisp asparagus in a savory teriyaki sauce.

You can prepare this meal in about 20 minutes.

This dish works great over a bowl of white rice. The rice absorbs the delicious teriyaki sauce, making each bite flavorful.

You’ll love how easy it is to make a restaurant-style meal at home.

Ingredients

• 1 pound beef (thinly sliced)
• 1 bunch asparagus (trimmed and cut)
• 1/4 cup teriyaki sauce
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 2 cups cooked white rice

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat (about 375°F or 190°C).
2. Add the beef and cook until browned, about 3-4 minutes.
3. Stir in the asparagus and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
4. Pour in the teriyaki sauce and stir to coat the beef and asparagus evenly.
5. Serve over cooked white rice and enjoy!

2) Sausage Ratatouille

Sausage ratatouille is a colorful and tasty dish that brings together fresh vegetables and savory sausage.

You can use any mix of vegetables you like, such as zucchini, bell peppers, and eggplant. This recipe is simple and perfect for a cozy dinner.

Start by roasting your chosen vegetables to deepen their flavors. Adding sausage, like Italian or andouille, makes it a filling meal.

Pair it with white rice for a complete dish that satisfies.

Ingredients

• 1 medium eggplant, chopped
• 1 zucchini, sliced
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 (14 ounce) package of sausage, sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toss the vegetables with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Spread the vegetables on a baking sheet.
4. Top with sausage slices.
5. Bake for 25-30 minutes until everything is tender.
6. Serve over cooked white rice.

3) Lemon Rice Pilaf

Lemon Rice Pilaf is a bright and tasty dish that pairs well with many meals. It has a fluffy texture and a zesty flavor from fresh lemon juice.

You can easily make this dish with simple ingredients.

To prepare, you will need white rice, chicken broth, onions, and plenty of lemon juice. Cooking it with these flavors creates a delicious side dish.

This pilaf is perfect for lunch or dinner. It’s also easy to customize with your favorite herbs or veggies.

Ingredients

• 1 cup long grain white rice
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• Salt to taste
• Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat.
2. Add chopped onion and sauté until soft.
3. Stir in the rice and cook for 2 minutes.
4. Pour in chicken broth and lemon juice, then bring to a boil.
5. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes until rice is tender.
6. Fluff with a fork and add salt to taste.
7. Garnish with parsley if desired. Serve warm.

4) Teriyaki Glazed Chicken

Teriyaki glazed chicken is a tasty dish that pairs perfectly with white rice. The chicken is juicy and full of flavor from the sweet and savory teriyaki sauce.

You can whip this up quickly for a weeknight dinner.

To start, you’ll need some simple ingredients. The sauce usually includes soy sauce, mirin, brown sugar, ginger, and garlic.

Cooking the chicken in this sauce adds a delicious glaze.

This dish is not only easy to prepare, but it’s also a crowd-pleaser. Serve it over fluffy white rice to soak up all the tasty sauce.

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup mirin or rice wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger (grated)
• 2 garlic cloves (minced)

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, mirin, brown sugar, ginger, and garlic.
2. Heat a skillet over medium heat.
3. Add the chicken breasts and cook until golden, about 5-6 minutes per side.
4. Pour the teriyaki sauce over the chicken and simmer for 5-7 minutes.
5. Slice the chicken and serve over white rice.

5) Thai Coconut Beef

Thai Coconut Beef is a delicious dish that combines tender beef with rich coconut flavors. You can serve it over hot white rice for a satisfying meal.

The use of coconut milk gives the beef a creamy texture that is hard to resist.

To prepare, start by cooking beef strips until browned. Then, add coconut milk along with spices for a tasty sauce.

This dish often includes lime juice and brown sugar to balance the flavors.

Pair it with rice to soak up the savory sauce. You’ll find that it’s a simple recipe that brings exciting flavors to your table.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) beef, sliced
• 1 cup (240 ml) coconut milk
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• Cooked white rice for serving

Cooking Instructions

1. In a pan, cook the sliced beef over medium heat until browned.
2. Pour in the coconut milk, soy sauce, and brown sugar.
3. Stir and let it simmer for about 10 minutes.
4. Add lime juice and stir well.
5. Serve hot over cooked white rice.

6) Vegetable Fried Rice

Vegetable fried rice is a simple and flavorful dish you can whip up in no time. It’s perfect when you want to use up leftover rice and veggies. Plus, you can customize it with your favorite ingredients.

Start by cooking some garlic and chopped onion in a pan. Then, add in fresh or frozen vegetables like peas, carrots, and bell peppers. Stir-fry until they’re tender.

Next, toss in your cooked rice, soy sauce, and seasonings. Mix everything well and cook for a few more minutes.

This dish is fun to make and great for a quick weeknight meal.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked white rice
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, bell peppers)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small onion, chopped

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a large pan over medium heat (350°F/175°C).
2. Add garlic and onion; sauté until softened.
3. Add mixed vegetables; cook until tender.
4. Stir in cooked rice and soy sauce.
5. Mix well and cook for another 3-5 minutes.

7) Creamy Mushroom Rice

Creamy mushroom rice is a delightful dish that brings a rich and savory flavor to your meal. This recipe uses white rice, sautéed mushrooms, and garlic to create a comforting side or main dish.

To make it, you’ll start by cooking the rice until it’s fluffy. Then, you’ll sauté mushrooms in a bit of olive oil until they are tender.

Combine the mushrooms with the rice, adding cream or broth for a rich texture.

This creamy dish pairs well with many proteins or can be enjoyed on its own. It’s easy to prepare and perfect for any night of the week.

Ingredients

• 1 cup white rice
• 2 cups water or broth
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1½ lbs baby bella mushrooms, sliced
• 1 cup cream or broth
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse and cook the rice in water or broth according to package directions.
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
3. Add minced garlic and diced onion; sauté until soft.
4. Add sliced mushrooms and cook until tender.
5. Combine the cooked rice with the mushroom mixture.
6. Stir in the cream or broth; mix well.
7. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

8) Chicken and Rice Soup

Chicken and rice soup is a warm and cozy dish perfect for any day. It combines juicy chicken, tender vegetables, and fluffy white rice in a savory broth. This simple recipe is easy to make and delicious to enjoy with family.

For extra flavor, you can add herbs like thyme or parsley. It’s a great way to use leftover chicken too. Within about 30 minutes, you can have a hearty meal on the table.

Ingredients

• 1 cup cooked chicken, shredded
• 1/2 cup white rice
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup carrots, diced
• 1 cup celery, diced
• 1 onion, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: herbs like thyme or parsley

Cooking Instructions

1. In a large pot, sauté onion, carrots, and celery until soft.
2. Add chicken broth and bring to a boil.
3. Stir in rice and let it cook for about 15 minutes.
4. Add the shredded chicken and herbs if using.
5. Season with salt and pepper, then serve hot.

9) Spanish Rice with Black Beans

Spanish Rice with Black Beans is a tasty and colorful dish. It’s easy to prepare and packed with flavor. You can enjoy it as a main dish or a side.

To make this dish, you will need rice, black beans, bell peppers, and spices. The combination gives a nice twist to plain rice. Plus, it is a great vegetarian option that everyone will love.

Ingredients

• 1 cup white rice
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Chopped cilantro (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat.
2. Add onion and bell pepper. Cook until soft.
3. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute.
4. Add rice, black beans, broth, cumin, salt, and pepper.
5. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cover. Simmer for about 20 minutes.
6. Fluff with a fork and garnish with cilantro if desired.

10) Cilantro Lime Rice

Cilantro lime rice is a fresh and flavorful side dish. It pairs well with many meals and is simple to make. You’ll enjoy its bright taste from lime juice and chopped cilantro.

To make this dish, start with cooked white rice. The rice should be fluffy and soft.

Mix in the lime juice and chopped cilantro to add a zesty kick. You can also include a bit of salt for extra flavor.

This rice is perfect for tacos, burritos, or as a standalone side.

Ingredients

• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 2 cups water
• Juice from 1 lime
• 1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro
• 1 teaspoon salt (to taste)

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse the rice under cold water.
2. In a pot, combine rice, water, and salt.
3. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
4. Once it boils, reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for about 18 minutes.
5. Remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes.
6. Fluff the rice with a fork.
7. Stir in lime juice and cilantro before serving.