Yellow Rice

Content… Where Did It Originate? Recipe Ingredients How to Make It Recipe Variations Tips and Tricks Make-Ahead Instructions Serving and Storage Instructions FAQs What to Serve More Awesome Rice Recipes to Try Conclusion Watch How to Make It

Where Did Yellow Rice Originate?

Yellow Rice is a popular, yellow-colored rice dish that is traditional in Spanish, Caribbean, Indian, and South African cuisines. What is different about yellow rice? Saffron or turmeric gives the rice a gorgeous and appetizing yellow color and distinctive aroma.

Recipe Ingredients

1. Rice – White rice is the core ingredient for either recipe variation.
2. Spices – Curry powder, turmeric, ginger, and many other spices give this recipe its exotic flavor.
3. Chicken Stock – We’re not using plain old water for cooking this rice, no sir, because chicken stock makes it extra flavorful.
4. Peas or Raisins – Depending on which version you make, you can add either peas or raisins to flavor-enhance your yellow rice.

How to Make Yellow Rice

Indian Style

• Saute Spices – Heat the oil or butter in a saucepan. Then add onions, garlic, ginger, paprika, curry pepper, cayenne pepper, and white pepper, and sauté for about a minute.
• Add Rice – Pour the rice into the pan and stir for about 2 minutes.
• Simmer – Add 4 cups of stock/water and raisins, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until rice is completely cooked (18-20 minutes, depending on how much liquid was added).
• Serve – Fluff with a fork, transfer the rice to a bowl, and serve.

South African Style

• Saute Spices – Heat the oil or butter in a saucepan. Add ginger, turmeric, and curry, then sauté for about a minute.
• Add Rice – Pour the rice into the pan and stir for about 2 minutes.
• Simmer – Add 4 cups of stock/water and raisins, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until the rice is almost cooked.
• Serve – Fluff with a fork, transfer the rice to a bowl, and serve.

Recipe Variations

In a pinch for time? The super-duper easy way to make this rice is to just throw everything in a pot, bring it to a bowl and let it simmer for about 18 minutes. You can even toss all the ingredients in a rice cooker, set it, and forget it!

Feel free to customize either one of these recipes. You can replace the peas or raisins. For example, make yellow rice with vegetables by adding cubed carrots, chopped green beans, and diced bell peppers. Or you could add shredded rotisserie chicken to make chicken and yellow rice, which is downright delicious!

Not a fan of spicy recipes? Leave out the cayenne pepper in the Indian-style yellow rice recipe to mellow it out.

Tips and Tricks

1. If the rice starts looking dried out before it has cooked, you can add more hot chicken stock or rice. Add it a little at a time to avoid overdoing it.
2. Don’t skip sautéing the spices so they can bloom because it really makes the dish shine.
3. If you like plumper raisins, soak them in warm water for about an hour before cooking.

Make-Ahead Instructions

You could make this recipe a day or two in advance and reheat it before serving. Keep the rice in an airtight container in the fridge. Then, when you’re ready to serve it, add 2 tablespoons of water per cup of rice before reheating to keep the rice from drying out. Reheat on the stovetop or microwave on low heat until warm.

Serving and Storage Instructions

This rice is so aromatic that I recommend serving it as soon as you cook it since everyone will already be asking what smells so delicious. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for no longer than five days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop, and don’t forget to add a little water to keep the rice from getting hard and dry.

You can even freeze yellow rice! Store it in the freezer in an airtight container and thaw it out in the fridge the day before you plan to use it. Then reheat as mentioned above. Frozen yellow rice will last for about 3 months in the freezer.

FAQs

What to Serve With Yellow Rice

Try the South African yellow rice with baked plantains and another South African dish that I love to pieces, Bobotie. You’ll thank me later. 😋

If you prefer Indian-style yellow rice, try pairing it with curry fish or chickpea curry. And of course, don’t forget the flatbread.

More Awesome Rice Recipes to Try

• Jollof Rice
• Seasoned Rice
• Cajun Rice
• Jamaican Rice and Peas
• Egg Fried Rice
• Mexican Rice

Conclusion

Hey, let’s get out of our cooking rut!!! This yellow rice recipe is the perfect way to do it. What do you plan on serving it with? Let me know in the comments. ❤️

This blog post was originally published in August 2018 and has been updated with additional tips, new photos, and a video

Watch How to Make It

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