Rice is one of the most consumed foods in the world. It’s a global staple, feeding almost half of the world’s population in a huge variety of dishes. Whether you’ve stocked up on grains and in need of inspiration or just want to try something new, here are 30 nourishing and flavorsome rice recipes that might surprise you.
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Mushroom risotto
Creamy, rich mushroom risotto is a comfort food winner. While it might sound like an intimidating dish, don’t worry. As long as you don’t let it dry out too much or catch at the bottom, it’ll be great. Add a splash of white wine or vermouth to add extra depth of flavor.
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Egg fried rice
Fried rice is a takeout classic but it’s quicker, cheaper, healthier and more flavorsome to make your own. Plus it’s a brilliant way to use leftover rice – in fact, day-old rice is best for this dish. If you don’t have any, just use cooked and cooled grains.
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Prawn and cabbage fried rice
To take fried rice to the next level, add prawns and cabbage. The leafy greens impart a sweet crunchiness and the meaty shellfish absorbs the soy and oyster sauce base. Move fast when you’re making this stir-fry otherwise the prawns can become rubbery.
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Asparagus, salmon and squash rice bowl
This wholesome dish makes for a healthy and colorful dinner option that’s packed with delicious sweet, sour, salty and savory flavors. You can save the leftovers for a nutritious lunch the next day as well. Play around with the vegetables depending on what you have or what’s in season.
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Chicken soup with rice
There are very few things as comforting as chicken soup. To make it even heartier, bulk up the broth by adding rice. This recipe uses a whole chicken for an added depth of flavor and is finished with dumplings, but you could skip those for grains.
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Butternut squash risotto
The flavors of this squash, sage and Comté risotto are simply irresistible. The creamy cheese, the earthy squash and the tang of sage all work together brilliantly to create a hearty meal that’s so much greater than the sum of its parts.
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Slow-cooked lamb shoulder with spiced rice
This Lebanese-inspired recipe has a secret weapon. Not only is the bed of rice spiked with an aromatic seven spice mix, ras el hanout and mint, ground lamb is also mixed through for the ultimate feast. The lamb shoulder and rice are crowned with plump dried fruits, infused with cinnamon, star anise and rose water.
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Bibimbap
Literally meaning mixed rice in Korean, bibimbap is a brilliant way to use up any leftovers you’ve got lurking about in the fridge (we see you, questionable zucchini). You could throw in bean sprouts, matchstick carrots, thinly sliced beef or kimchi. Chop and change the ingredients to whatever suits you… just make sure you top it all with a crispy fried egg.
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Arancini
If you’ve got leftover risotto (hey, it happens sometimes), then the answer should always be to make a batch of arancini. The crispy on the outside, cheesy on the inside Italian rice balls are always better when they’re made with slightly overdone rice so they’re ideal to make the next day. In this recipe, they’re also stuffed with wild mushrooms and served with tomato ragù.
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One-pot harissa chicken and apricot pilaf
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Kimchi fried rice
Another take on fried rice, but inspired by Korean flavors, this recipe incorporates tangy and hot kimchi. You could use up leftover rice for this dish and don’t forget to add a poached or fried egg on top – the oozing yolk will cover the rice in a rich sauce.
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Nasi goreng
Inspired by nasi goreng – Indonesian fried rice – this dish is a great way to use leftovers. Rice is stir-fried in a chili-based paste alongside scallions and, in this version, shredded chicken. It’s transformed into a full meal with cucumbers and peanuts scattered on top. And don’t forget to top it with an egg too.
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Stuffed eggplants
Stuffed eggplants don’t have to be boring. Give this recipe a shot – the cooked flesh is mixed with roasted red pepper, onion, garlic, chopped tomatoes, cinnamon, cilantro, toasted pine nuts and cooked rice.
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Thai beef curry with peanut sauce
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Wild rice salad with grilled avocado
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Tofu panang curry
This is one of the most popular curries in Thailand. You’re guaranteed to find panang curry at khao gaeng (rice and curry) shops on every corner. This recipe is quick and simple – just as this kind of food is meant to be. And obviously this curry wouldn’t be as good if served without the fragrant steamed jasmine rice.
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Maqloubeh with eggplants and peppers
While maqloubeh is usually made with meat, it doesn’t need it for a hugely satisfying meal. Baked eggplants and red peppers make a brilliant base (and then top) for this Palestinian upside-down spiced rice dish. Serve as a main course or an accompaniment to grilled meat or fish.
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Jerk haddock and jollof rice-inspired salad
Inspired by Caribbean flavors, this dish is singing with onion, pepper, tomatoes and scotch bonnet chili. It’s hearty and spicy enough to see you through colder days, but it’s not so heavy that you’ll find yourself in a carb coma afterwards. Bonus: it’ll be ready in under an hour.
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Prawn, pea and zucchini risotto
The fresh flavors in this risotto make it a guaranteed winner at the dinner table. Juicy prawns, peas and soft herbs like parsley, mint, dill and chives keep things light while the creamy base of risotto rice adds the right amount of comfort.
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Stir-fried runner beans with holy basil
This healthy stir-fry is a vegetarian take on a classic Thai dish, which replaces ground meat with ground soybean. It’s sure to become a quick midweek favorite and is best served with a crispy fried egg over steamed rice – the perfect vessel for this flavorsome meal.
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Wild rice, kale and pistachio salad
This is a simple salad that combines some wonderful flavors. There’s the occasional sweetness from the raisins and a touch of saltiness from the sun-dried tomatoes. It’s also very tasty served warm and you can transform it into something more substantial by adding pan-fried tempeh, cut into chunks, or protein of your choice.
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Cavolo nero biryani
Think you need meat to create a flavorsome biryani? Think again. Laden with aromatic saffron, heady cardamom, cumin and a big whack of ginger, this superb biryani will definitely prove you wrong. It’s vegan too.
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Seafood paella
A seafood take on the classic Spanish rice dish, this recipe also includes controversial chorizo. The mix of seafood is up to you but prawns, mussels and squid give great color and texture while the chorizo will add a bit of heat. Make sure you use the largest pan you can – the rice swells up a lot as it cooks.
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Chicken and chorizo paella
For those not so keen on seafood, this oven-cooked paella requires no stirring and combines tasty saffron rice with chorizo, chicken and garlic. The ingredients aren’t strictly traditional but it tastes just as delicious as the classic Spanish dish this recipe is inspired by.
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Risi e bisi
Translating as rice and peas from Italian, this is risotto in its simplest form. A classic dish from Venice, risi e bisi is made pretty much just like risotto with fresh new peas in spring (you can also use frozen). However, the dish has many variations. If you’re after a meaty addition, salty pancetta works well.
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Jambalaya
A New Orleans-inspired recipe rooted in Cajun and Creole flavors, this one-pot combines peppers, tomatoes and onions. The traditional version also features prawns and andouille sausage (you could substitute with smoked sausage), but this recipe uses it as a side to barbecued chicken for a summery meal.
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Tex-Mex rice
Capturing the delicious flavors of Tex-Mex cuisine, this recipe is hearty and filling. Brown an onion, green peppers and carrots, then add uncooked rice and enough stock to cover the rice. Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce and seasoning, and simmer on low until the rice is almost cooked. In the last few minutes of cooking, stir in black beans, sweetcorn, jalapeños or chopped cilantro. Serve with sliced avocados and sour cream.
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Easy ham and rice casserole
This is such a simple dish which you can mix and match according to what’s in the fridge or freezer. Ham, uncooked rice and vegetables are mixed with stock and condensed mushroom soup, baked in the oven, then topped with grated Cheddar and baked until the cheese has melted. Everyone loves it!
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