Seasoned yellow rice is an easy stovetop recipe that yields perfectly fluffy rice every time. Serve this versatile dish with chicken for a quick weeknight meal that’s ready in less than 30 minutes!
Seasoned Yellow Rice
Today I’m sharing a recipe for this simple but flavorful seasoned yellow rice with turmeric. I cook rice at least four times per week. Most times I cook plain old white rice but sometimes I jazz it up.
When I lived with my parents my mom cooked parboiled rice and swore that it was brown rice. When I got married and started cooking for my husband I did the same, until I started experimenting with different varieties of rice. I still use parboiled rice for certain rice dishes but jasmine rice is my rice of choice.
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 the Middle East, Asia, India, Spain, Africa, and Cuba.
Ingredients for Yellow Rice
The foundation of my yellow rice seasoning is a homemade green seasoning blend.
- Green seasoning: Combine spelled 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.
- Green onions: Finely chopped as an optional garnish.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Yellow Rice
How to Season Yellow Rice
Make a quick green seasoning. I blend together onion, garlic, tomatoes, and cilantro (you can also add fresh thyme). Then I sauté the seasoning on high heat in a hot skillet with about a tablespoon of oil. I cook the green seasoning all the way down until it’s dry and almost to the point of burning.
Then I add washed Jasmine rice, followed by salt and turmeric. I mix it then add three cups of water. Turmeric is what gives the rice its color.
Sometimes I add two chicken bouillon cubes instead of salt. Other times I add chicken stock or vegetable broth instead of water. This rice is very versatile and easy to experiment with.
How to Cook Yellow Rice
The trick to perfectly cooked rice is not just the water-to-rice ratio but also the cooking method. Once I add the water, I give it a good stir to free the rice from the bottom of the pan. Then I let the rice come up to a boil on high heat, uncovered.
Once it starts to boil, I reduce the heat to the lowest possible heat and cover the rice. I let it cook on low for 20 minutes or until all the water cooks off and the rice grains are completely cooked and soft.
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 fluffer. In fact I hated it when someone stirred up my rice while serving themselves.
But fluffing rice really helps to separate the rice grains for a looser versus a clumpy and clammy rice dish. Are you a rice fluffer?
This seasoned yellow rice dish comes together quickly and cooks within 20 minutes. If you’re a multitasker you could put this rice on before starting your protein and be ready with dinner within half an hour. Of course it depends on what your protein is and how you’re cooking it.
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.
Leftover rice can be repurposed for fried rice.
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
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
- 2 tablespoon olive oil or other cooking oil
- 2 cups Jasmine rice washed and drained
- 3 cups water or chicken stock
- 2 heads green onion finely chopped(optional garnish)
Instructions
- Add onion, garlic, tomatoes and cilantro to a food processor and blend together until a smooth paste forms (green seasoning), then set aside
- Warm a large skillet on high heat, then add oil. When oil becomes hot, but not smoking add the green seasoning and cook for 3 to 5 minutes or until all the liquid cooks off.
- Next, Add the washed rice to the cooked green seasoning, followed by the salt and turmeric
- Stir together until the turmeric mixes well with the rice
- 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.
- Remove lid and fluff rice with a fork
- Garnish with finely chopped green onions and enjoy
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.