15 Best Rice Pilaf Recipes

Mushroom and Herb Rice Pilaf

This flavorful Mushroom and Herb Rice Pilaf combines earthy mushrooms with fragrant herbs for a delightful side dish.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup long-grain rice
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method:

1. Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Sauté onions and garlic until fragrant.
2. Add mushrooms, thyme, and parsley; cook until mushrooms are tender.
3. Stir in rice, coating it with the mushroom mixture.
4. Add vegetable broth, bring to a boil, reduce heat, and cover.
5. Simmer for 15-20 minutes until rice is cooked.
6. Fluff with a fork and season with salt and pepper before serving.

Lemon and Dill Rice Pilaf

Bright and zesty, this Lemon and Dill Rice Pilaf is perfect for a refreshing side dish.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup basmati rice
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method:

1. Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
2. Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
3. Add rice, stir to coat with oil, then add chicken broth.
4. Stir in lemon juice and zest.
5. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover and cook for 18-20 minutes.
6. Remove from heat, let it sit for 5 minutes, fluff with a fork and stir in fresh dill.
7. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Almond and Apricot Rice Pilaf

This Almond and Apricot Rice Pilaf is a sweet and nutty side that's sure to please.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup jasmine rice
• 2 cups water
• 1/2 cup dried apricots, chopped
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted
• 1 tablespoon butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method:

1. Rinse jasmine rice in cold water until clear.
2. In a pot, melt butter over medium heat and add rice, stirring to coat.
3. Add water and apricots, bringing the mixture to a boil.
4. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-18 minutes.
5. Remove from heat and let it sit for 5 minutes.
6. Fluff rice with a fork, topping with toasted almonds.
7. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

Spinach and Feta Rice Pilaf

This Spinach and Feta Rice Pilaf is a Mediterranean-inspired delight that pairs well with any main course.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup long-grain rice
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method:

1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat and sauté onions until translucent.
2. Stir in rice, coating with oil, then add vegetable broth.
3. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
4. Add spinach during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
5. Remove from heat, let it rest for 5 minutes, and fluff with a fork.
6. Mix in feta cheese and season with salt and pepper before serving.

Curry Coconut Rice Pilaf

Infused with curry and coconut flavors, this Curry Coconut Rice Pilaf offers an exotic twist to the classic pilaf.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup basmati rice
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon curry powder
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• Salt to taste

Cooking method:

1. Heat coconut oil in a saucepan over medium heat, then sauté onions until soft.
2. Add rice and curry powder, stirring to coat.
3. Pour in coconut milk and water, bring to a boil.
4. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-18 minutes.
5. Remove from heat, let stand for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
6. Season with salt before serving.

Pine Nut and Saffron Rice Pilaf

Delicate and aromatic, this Pine Nut and Saffron Rice Pilaf is perfect for a luxurious dining experience.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup basmati rice
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 teaspoon saffron threads
• 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt to taste

Cooking method:

1. Heat olive oil over medium heat and add rice, stirring to coat.
2. Add saffron to chicken broth, then pour over rice.
3. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 18-20 minutes.
4. Remove from heat and let it sit for 5 minutes.
5. Fluff rice with a fork, stirring in toasted pine nuts.
6. Season with salt before serving.

Cranberry and Orange Rice Pilaf

This Cranberry and Orange Rice Pilaf offers a sweet-tart flavor, perfect for holiday meals.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup long-grain rice
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• Zest of 1 orange
• 1 tablespoon butter
• Salt to taste

Cooking method:

1. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat and stir in rice.
2. Add vegetable broth, cranberries, and orange zest, bringing to a boil.
3. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
4. Remove from heat, let it rest for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
5. Season with salt before serving.

Spiced Carrot and Raisin Rice Pilaf

Sweet and spiced, this Carrot and Raisin Rice Pilaf is a delightful match for any main dish.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup jasmine rice
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup carrots, grated
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt to taste

Cooking method:

1. Heat olive oil over medium heat in a saucepan, add rice, stirring to coat.
2. Add carrots, raisins, and cinnamon, stirring well.
3. Pour in vegetable broth, bring it to a boil.
4. Reduce heat, cover, and cook for 15-18 minutes.
5. Remove from heat, let stand for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
6. Season with salt before serving.

Pepper and Pea Rice Pilaf

Colorful and crisp, this Pepper and Pea Rice Pilaf adds a crunchy texture and vibrant color to your plate.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup long-grain rice
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method:

1. Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat and add rice, stirring to coat.
2. Add chicken broth and red bell pepper, bringing to a boil.
3. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.
4. Stir in peas during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
5. Remove from heat, let sit for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
6. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

Garlic and Lemon Asparagus Rice Pilaf

Fresh and tangy, this Garlic and Lemon Asparagus Rice Pilaf is a delightful accompaniment to any meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup basmati rice
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat and sauté garlic until fragrant.
2. Add asparagus pieces and cook until tender.
3. Stir in rice, coating with oil, then add vegetable broth and lemon juice.
4. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and cover, simmering for 15-18 minutes.
5. Remove from heat, let sit for 5 minutes, and fluff with a fork.
6. Season with salt and pepper before serving.