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Super Easy Yellow Rice complements just about any meal. You can make this on the stove top or in the rice cooker. So tasty!
This yellow rice recipe is one of our favorite side dishes. It truly is “super easy” and it seriously goes with almost anything! You can keep it plain or spice it up to go with different meals. If you are in a rush and don’t have time to make it over the stove, you can also throw all the ingredients in a rice cooker. My family loves this light and fluffy side dish and you will too!
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What is Yellow Rice?
Yellow rice is basically white rice that is colored by the spices turmeric or saffron when prepared. This yellow rice recipe calls for turmeric, but you could easily substitute saffron and achieve the same bright yellow color and a slightly tangy flavor. Yellow rice is traditional in Spanish, Cuban, Indian and Indonesian dishes, plus many more. The flavor is mild enough that you can serve it with countless recipes.
Ingredients in Yellow Rice
- Butter – This is used to toast the rice giving it a nice golden, brown color.
- Long-Grain White Rice – Jasmine or basmati rice work great!
- Chicken Broth – Using broth instead of water gives depth and richness to the flavor of the rice.
- Seasonings – Garlic, onion powder, turmeric, salt, and pepper season this rice perfectly.
- Fresh Cilantro – Stir this in after the rice has cooked for added flavor and color.
How to Make Yellow Rice
Step by Step Instructions
- Toast the Rice: Toasting the rice in some butter before you boil it gives it an amazing, nutty flavor. Melt the butter in a saucepan and gently stir the rice until it begins to lightly brown. You definitely don’t want to skip this step!
- Season the Rice: Stir in the garlic, onion powder, turmeric, salt, and pepper.
- Add Chicken Broth: Once the chicken broth is added, raise the heat and bring it to a boil and cover. Simmer for 20-25 minutes.
- Fluff the Rice: Remove the rice from the stove and use a fork to fluff the rice. Stir in the chopped cilantro. Reserve a little extra for garnish.
Yellow Rice Recipe Variations
The possibilities for this rice recipe are endless! Mix and match any of these to create the perfect, easy yellow rice side-dish for your next family meal.
- More Veggies: Adding frozen peas or carrots to the rice while cooking is an easy way to add color, texture, and added nutrients.
- Cajun-Style: Make this dish Cajun style by adding diced onion, red and/or green bell pepper, and diced jalapeño while sautéing the rice. Sprinkle with Cajun seasoning before adding the chicken broth. After the rice is finished cooking, you can stir in grilled smoked sausage, shrimp or chicken. Red or black beans make the meal even more hearty and delicious.
- Indian Flavors: For a more Indian flair, add ½ teaspoon of sugar, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, four cardamom pods, and a handful of golden raisins before bringing to boil. So yummy!
- Mexican Side Dish: Add this side to your Mexican dishes by adding jalapeño and diced onion to the rice while sautéing, and sprinkle with a little cumin before adding the broth.
How to Make Yellow Rice in a Rice Cooker
You can also throw all the ingredients in a rice cooker to make yellow rice that way. It’s a secret weapon for making the rice extra fluffy, and it can save up space on the stovetop. I like this one from Aroma Housewares that can make up to 6 cups of cooked rice, which is more than enough for this yellow rice recipe.
More Flavorful Rice Recipes
Rice is one of those easy to make, filling, and oh-so-delicious side dishes. After you try this Yellow Rice, try a few of our other favorites:
How to Make Yellow Rice
Video
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 1 teaspoon fresh minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon onion powder , or dried minced onion
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt, or to taste
- ground black pepper, to taste
- 2-3 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Heat butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the rice and gently stir until rice begins to lightly brown.
- Add garlic, onion powder, and turmeric and stir until well mixed in.
- Slowly stir in chicken broth and raise heat to medium-high. Add salt and pepper to taste. Bring the mix to a boil then turn the heat to low and cover the pan with a lid. Simmer for 20 to 25 minutes.
- Remove from heat, add cilantro, and fluff with a fork. Serves 4.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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I’ll be using a rice cooker. It says to just throw it all into the rice cooker. I just want to make sure I don’t have to melt the butter before putting it in there? Can I just put it in cold?
Yes, you can just put it in there cold. It will melt in the rice cooker and infuse the rice 🙂
The purpose of the butter is to brown the rice a little bit before cooking, I’d recommend doing that first and then throwing everything in the rice cooker.
Yup thats the way i do it. I toast the rice in butter then put it in the rice cooker with everything else. My family loves this recipe. Including myself who never liked yellow rice until i made it myself!
Sooooo much better than the store bought Vigo yellow rice.
I use Better than Bouillon for my Chic broth and omit adding salt.
I usually serve a Shish Kabob with the rice.
Delish…..
So glad you liked it! I had it a few days ago for breakfast with a sunny-side up egg and some feta cheese and it was SO good. It goes with so many dishes!
This is my go-to recipe for yellow rice. Thank you for helping me with meal planning!!!
Of course! So glad you like it!
I truly loved this receipe
I am so glad!
I can’t wait to try this! Always looking for new things to cook!
You will love it – it really is a great recipe that we use often. Enjoy!
I made this last night with chicken and added roasted red peppers. It is a great recipe. I grew up eating yellow rice and chicken, but my mom always used the rice in the bag with the seasonings. This is so much more tasty.
I’m so happy you like the recipe! Thank you for sharing how you served it. Great ideas!
This would make a great side dish with porchops. Yum
Love this yellow rice! I always drizzle a little hot sauce on the top, absolutely delicious!!
In my house, everyone loves rice with certain meals. Will be trying this very soon.
Easy to make and delicious!
This dish was amazing to make. It was really dilishes.
This is so easy to make and it taste delicious. It’s a family favorite at our house.
This is great love it
This really is a great rice recipe. It elevates any meal to fancy. Great flavors and so simple and tasty.
A really easy side dish to serve with chicken, pork or salmon. Enjoyed by all ages in the family. I use my rice cooker and can give my attention to other parts of the meal prep.
Great idea using the rice cooker, definitely makes it more hands-off!
This really easy and tasty. I use my rice cooker and it is a breeze so I can can give my attention to other parts of the meal. I usually serve this with chicken but it is also good with salmon and any pork dish.
One of our favorites!
THIS SIDE DISH IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. THE RICE IS SO FLAVERFUL
Love the easy of this quick tasty sidedish
One of my favorite recipe, Yellow Rice is so easy to make and accompany with any kind of meat, and is so delicious. My family is so happy I get to cook different meals now because of your versatile recipes and for that reason…
Thank you!