Seasoned yellow rice is an easy stovetop recipe made with aromatics and a pinch of turmeric for color. It is a latin Caribbean favorite that is always a hit in my home.
Seasoned Yellow Rice
This seasoned yellow rice comes together quickly and is best cooked in a skillet or large frying pan. Why am I cooking rice in a frying pan you ask? Simply because it has a larger surface area and the rice cooks fast and evenly. Don’t believe me? Give this recipe a try. You may never cook rice in a large pot ever again!
Why You’ll Love This Yellow Rice Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Learn how to make yellow rice with turmeric in just a few simple steps. It’s perfect for weeknights if you want a quick side dish and flavorful enough for your holiday table.
- Flavorful: This fragrant rice has a fresh green seasoning flavor foundation, is spiced with turmeric, and simmered in chicken stock. It’s simply mouthwatering!
- Versatile: Rice goes with just about anything. It pairs perfectly with roasted chicken, sautéed shrimp or steamed fish. I’ve served it up in many different ways and it is always a hit. My kids absolutely love it and always gives it two thumbs up!
What is Yellow Rice?
Yellow rice is white rice seasoned with turmeric. It is popular internationally and is a staple in Latin Caribbean meals as arozz
Ingredients for Yellow Rice
The foundation of my yellow rice seasoning is a homemade green seasoning (also called sofrito) blend.
- Green seasoning: Green seasoning, also called sofrito if you are latin Caribbean. Combine peeled and chopped yellow onion, peeled garlic cloves, diced tomatoes, and chopped cilantro.
- Salt: Add to taste.
- Turmeric: This gives the rice its distinct yellow color.
- Olive oil: Use this or another cooking oil to sauté.
- Jasmine rice: Washed and drained.
- Water or chicken stock: Use either for your liquid base. If opting for water, consider adding chicken bouillon.
- Scallions: Finely chopped as an optional garnish.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Seasoned Yellow Rice
In my family we call blended season “grind seasoning” (as in ground up) or green seasoning, but in many Latin Caribbean homes it is sofrito. For this recipe I blend my aromatics into a green seasoning or sofrito. And this is where all in the magic is!
Cook the green seasoning in a bit of oil until all of the liquid cooks off.
Next add in the rice, the salt and turmeric. Continue to cook, stirring often to toast up the rice a bit, then add your water or chicken stock.
Bring the pot up to a boil, then cover and reduce the heat to low. Let the rice steam untouched for 20 minutes. Then fluff, garnish with the scallions and serve.
To fluff or not to fluff?
I always fluff my rice. It is easy to do. Using a regular dinner fork, I free the rice from the bottom of the pan, fluffing grains as I go. Once upon a time, I wasn’t a rice fluffy. Fluffing rice really helps to separate the rice grains for a looser versus a clumpy and clammy rice dish. Are you a rice fluffer?
Storage
Store leftover rice in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat it in the microwave with a splash of water or chicken broth if it’s gotten dry.
Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- No Tumeric: Don’t have turmeric? Some yellow rice recipes use saffron instead.
- Veggies: Throw in frozen peas and carrots for extra nutrients.
- Spicy: For a kick of spice add red pepper flakes.
Tips for the Best Yellow Rice
- Use long grain rice. If not jasmine rice, then basmati rice.
- Cover the rice once it comes to a boil. This prevents steam from escaping and ensures the rice isn’t undercooked.
- Fluff your rice. It separates the rice grains so they don’t clump together. It makes for softer, fluffier rice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yellow rice is seasoned with turmeric, a spice with anti-inflammatory properties. The rice itself is low fat.
It is most commonly made with white rice and turmeric, for flavor and color. Sometimes saffron, cumin, or annatto are used as substitutes, depending on the cuisine.
Rinse rice before cooking to remove excess starch. This yields soft, fluffy rice.
Do not use brown rice to make yellow rice. It takes longer to cook and has a different water-to-rice ratio.
Seasoned Yellow Rice
Ingredients
- 1/2 yellow onion (peel and chopped)
- 4 cloves garlic (peeled)
- 2 tomatoes (medium sized, diced)
- 1/2 cup cilantro (chopped)
- 2 tablespoon olive oil or other cooking oil
- 2 cups Jasmine rice washed and drained
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
- 3 cups water (or chicken stock)
- 2 heads scallions (thinly sliced)
Instructions
- Add onion, garlic, tomatoes and cilantro to a food processor and blend together to make a smooth paste (green seasoning or sofrito), then set aside.
- Add a skillet on medium-high heat and when it is hot add the oil. When oil is hot, but not smoking add the green seasoning (sofrito) and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring often until all of the liquid cooks off.
- Next, add the washed rice followed by the salt and turmeric. Mix to combine, then add the water or chicken stock to the skillet and stir well, freeing any stuck on bits of rice from the bottom of the pan
- Bring to a boil uncovered, then cover, reduce heat to lowest possible heat and let steam for 15 to 20 minutes or until all of the liquid cooks off and the rice grains are completely cooked.
- Then fluff rice with a fork to loosen up the rice. To finish off the dish, garnish with some thinly sliced scallions then serve warm.
Notes
Nutrition
The information listed in the recipe card is an estimate provided by an online nutrition tool. The tool evaluates ingredient names and amounts then makes calculations based on the number of servings listed for the recipe. It is provided as a general guideline and not as a precise calculation. For precise nutrition information please feel free to add the ingredients to your preferred nutrition calculator or consult a doctor or licensed nutritionist.
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Sabrina Says
My go to recipe for yellow rice! This is the best I’ve ever used. Simple and comes out so flavorful and the texture is perfect.
Erasmo Rampley Says
Bài viết này mời gọi sự suy tư một cách đáng chú ý.