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This easy saffron rice recipe is rich, buttery, and packed with flavor! Learn how to make this vibrant, fragrant side dish in just 30 minutes.
Table of Contents
- Golden, Buttery, and Irresistibly Delicious
- Why You’ll Love This Saffron Rice
- What You’ll Need
- What is Saffron?
- Is Saffron Rice the Same as Basmati Rice?
- What Makes Saffron Rice Yellow?
- Flavor Additions to Saffron Rice
- Questions About Saffron Rice
- What to Serve with Saffron Rice
- More Delicious Rice Recipes
- Final Thoughts
- How to Make Saffron Rice
- Saffron Rice Recipe
Golden, Buttery, and Irresistibly Delicious
If you’re looking for a way to elevate your usual rice side dish, you’re in for a treat! This Saffron Rice is rich, buttery, and bursting with flavor, thanks to a pinch of the world’s most luxurious spice—saffron. Not only is it absolutely delicious, but it also brings a gorgeous golden hue to your table. And the best part? You can make this restaurant-quality dish right at home in about 30 minutes!
Why You’ll Love This Saffron Rice
- Easy & Quick – Ready in just 30 minutes with minimal effort.
- Naturally Vibrant – No artificial colors here! Saffron gives the rice its beautiful golden hue.
- Pairs with Everything – Perfect alongside chicken, pork, seafood, or salads.
- Incredibly Flavorful – The subtle floral, earthy notes of saffron make this dish irresistible.
What You’ll Need
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp butter – Salted or unsalted, your choice.
- ½ cup yellow onion, finely diced
- ½ tsp garlic, minced
- 1 tsp saffron threads – The key ingredient! You can find saffron threads in most grocery stores, especially Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, etc.
- 1 cup basmati rice – Jasmine rice or any long-grain rice works too.
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth – You can also use vegetable broth or water.
- Salt & pepper – To taste.
- Fresh parsley – Fresh or dried, chopped (for garnish).
What is Saffron?
Saffron is the dried stigma of the crocus sativus flower, and it’s considered one of the most expensive spices in the world. Why? Because each flower blooms for only one week a year, and harvesting saffron is an incredibly delicate, labor-intensive process. But don’t let the price tag scare you—just a pinch of saffron goes a long way, adding a subtle, aromatic depth of flavor to dishes like this one. Saffron has a unique flavor that blends sweet with savory. It has an unmistakable aroma and it gives food a golden yellow color.
Where Does Saffron Come From?
Saffron is a key ingredient in cuisines from Spain, India, Iran, Pakistan, and the Middle East. While it’s traditionally grown in these regions, you can also find saffron cultivated in parts of the U.S.!
Is Saffron Rice the Same as Basmati Rice?
Saffron is the herb that enhances basmati rice to a floral, slightly nutty aroma and flavor. Basmati rice is long grain rice that can be earthy and nutty all on its own. But the two together are a delicious combination. You can use different types of rice to create the saffron rice recipe.
What Makes Saffron Rice Yellow?
The vibrant yellow color of saffron rice comes from crocin, a natural carotenoid in saffron. When saffron is soaked and added to the rice, it releases this pigment, giving the dish its signature golden hue. If you ever see “yellow rice” made without saffron, it’s likely colored with turmeric instead.
Instead of butter in your saffron rice, you can use ghee, coconut oil, or vegetable oil. You can also use chicken stock or vegetable stock in place of the chicken broth.
Flavor Additions to Saffron Rice
While this recipe is simple and delicious as-is, you can customize it with these add-ins:
- Golden raisins – For a touch of sweetness.
- Cardamom, cinnamon, or cloves – To enhance the spice profile.
- Pine nuts or pistachios – For a bit of crunch.
- Chopped red peppers – For color and added flavor.
Questions About Saffron Rice
Saffron rice has a delicate balance of floral, earthy, and slightly sweet flavors. The butter adds richness, and the broth gives it a savory depth.
You can find decent saffron in most grocery stores, but for the best quality, check gourmet markets, Middle Eastern stores, or reputable online sellers.
Nothing quite matches saffron’s unique flavor, but in a pinch, you can use turmeric for color. Just keep in mind that turmeric has a more earthy, peppery taste.
Most saffron rice recipes use white basmati rice, but you can use any long-grain white rice. I have used Jasmine rice and white rice before for this recipe.
Store leftover saffron rice in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of broth or water to restore moisture.
Read Next: 35+ Quick and Easy To Follow Dinner Ideas Your Family Will Surely Love
What to Serve with Saffron Rice
Saffron rice pairs beautifully with grilled or roasted meats and seafood. Here are a few delicious ideas:
Chicken Tikka Masala
Grilled Coconut Curry Chicken
Mediterranean Bowls
Rainbow Buddha Bowl
Baked Mahi Mahi
Got a favorite dish you love with saffron rice? Let me know in the comments!
More Delicious Rice Recipes
If you love saffron rice, try these other tasty rice dishes:
- Jollof Rice – A spicy West African classic.
- Easy Yellow Rice – Turmeric-based and full of flavor.
- Indian Coconut Rice – Creamy, fragrant, and slightly sweet.
- Lemon Rice – A zesty, bright side dish.
- Sushi Rice
- Orzo Rice
- Wild Rice
- Madre’s Mushroom Rice
- Pesto Rice
- Stick of Butter Rice
- Mango Sticky Rice
Final Thoughts
There you have it—an easy, foolproof saffron rice recipe that’s just as gorgeous as it is delicious! Whether you’re making it for a fancy dinner or just to spice up a weeknight meal, this dish is a total winner. Try it out and let me know how it turns out—I’d love to hear your thoughts!
How to Make Saffron Rice
Saffron Rice
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup yellow onion diced
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon saffron threads
- 1 cup basmati rice
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- parsley chopped, to taste
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a large skillet with a lid. Add the onions and cook until soft. Add the garlic and saffron threads. Cook for 1 minute.
- Add the rice and stir.
- Add the chicken broth, salt, and pepper.
- Bring to a boil and then cover, reduce heat to medium low, and cook for 17 minutes. You'll know it is done when the liquid is gone from the pot and the rice is soft.
- Fluff the rice with a fork, stir in the parsley, and serve.
Video
Notes
- Instead of butter in your saffron rice, you can use ghee, coconut oil, or vegetable oil.
- You can also use chicken stock or vegetable stock in place of the chicken broth.
- Trader Joe’s has the most affordable saffron that I have seen in local grocery stores.
I love this Saffron Rice Recipe/ It is the first time I cooked rice.
I did substitute the parsley with cilantro. Yummy!
My husband loves saffron so I made him your dish. OMG, we loved it, thank you for great tips and recipes!
Absolutely delicious and so easy to make!