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This Saffron Rice is a flavorful and naturally colorful side dish. Learn how to make it with our easy, step-by-step recipe.
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Saffron rice is a delicious side dish that you can whip up in about 30 minutes. It is made with chopped onions, garlic, basmati rice, chicken broth, and a pinch of saffron. We also love to add fresh parsley on top for a fresh finish. It’s just as easy as any other rice side dish but gives a slightly fruity, savory flavor to your meals. Perfect alongside chicken, pork, salmon or salads.
Ingredients in Saffron Rice
This is a simple side dish that packs a beautiful, flavorful punch but comes together quickly and easily. Here’s what you need:
- Butter – two tablespoons, salted or unsalted, whichever you prefer
- Yellow onion – half a cup, finely diced
- Garlic – half a teaspoon, minced
- Saffron threads – one teaspoon. You can find saffron threads in most grocery stores, especially Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, etc.
- Basmati rice – 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.
- Chicken broth – one and a half cups. You can use water or a combination of broth and water if you like.
- Parsley – fresh or dried, chopped, to taste
- Salt and pepper – to taste
What is Saffron?
Saffron is a spice, and if you’ve ever shopped for it, then you know it is an expensive spice. It is the stamen of the crocus sativus flower. The stems are harvested by hand and also the flower only blooms for one week a year. But, don’t let the price tag deter you, most recipes just need a pinch. Saffron has a unique flavor that blends sweet with savory. It has an unmistakable aroma and it gives food a golden yellow color. If you’ve tasted it then you know just how delicious it can be. Sometimes, a mortar and pestle is used to crush the saffron and extract even more flavor.
Where Saffron Comes From
Saffron rice is a part of many countries’ cuisines including, but not limited, to Spain, India, Pakistan, Turkey, and Iran. It can be grown in the United States, too. The saffron flower is a bit labour-intensive, because the stigmas have to be handpicked from each flower, spread on trays and dried. But wow, it’s flavorful and delicious!
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 still create the saffron rice recipe.
What Makes Saffron Rice Yellow?
The yellow coloring comes from the carotenoid chemical crocin in the saffron flower. That, plus using chicken stock or vegetable stock to cook the rice, gives the dish a bright yellow color, along with subtle floral and earthy aromas and flavors.
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
Our Saffron Rice recipe is very simple. However, in different cuisines around the world you’ll find additions to the basic Saffron Rice that make it even more delicious! Here are some of our favorites:
- golden raisins
- cardamom
- nutmeg
- cloves
- cinnamon
- pistachios
- pine nuts
- finely chopped red peppers
Recipe Tips
Questions
You’ll get equal parts floral and earthy flavors from the saffron spice. The dish tastes buttery, creamy and pairs so nicely with lots of main dishes.
You can get decent quality saffron from most grocery stores in the spice aisle. However, if you are looking for the best saffron for your rice, you’ll need to look in a gourmet grocery store, a Middle Eastern grocery store, or online.
Saffron is a very unique spice. Nothing will taste exactly like it. However, in a pinch, you can use turmeric. Turmeric is a golden spice taken from a plant in the ginger family. It also carries the sweet but savory taste that saffron has.
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.
Paired with lean proteins, vegetables, and healthy fats this rice can absolutely be part of a balanced and healthy meal.
No, yellow rice is usually flavored with turmeric, not saffron.
Store the leftovers in an airtight container. You can store them in the fridge for up to a week, or in the freezer for 1-3 months. To thaw, move to the fridge overnight. Heat up thawed rice in the microwave.
Read Next: 35+ Quick and Easy To Follow Dinner Ideas Your Family Will Surely Love
What to Serve with Saffron Rice
Saffron Rice is typically served with grilled or broiled meats and fish. It also pairs well with Indian dishes like Chicken Tikka Masala. Check out some of our favorite recipes to serve with saffron rice. If you have a dish you love to serve with Saffron Rice, then let us know down in the comments!
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How to Make Saffron Rice
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Video
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.
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!