Tasty Rice Recipes to Serve with Any Main Dish
Rice Recipes make the perfect side dish — easy to prepare, budget-friendly and endlessly versatile.
Whether you’re keeping it simple with herbed rice or adding bold flavors with spices, veggies, or sauces, there’s a rice side to complement any meal.
From comforting classics to fresh and fun variations, these rice recipes will round out your dinner plate with delicious ease.
Table of Contents
FAQs
What Rice Is the Healthiest
The healthiest rice options are whole-grain varieties that retain their bran and germ, providing more fiber, vitamins and minerals:
- Brown rice: High in fiber and nutrients, great for digestion and heart health.
- Wild rice: Technically a grass, very high in protein, fiber and antioxidants.
- Black rice (forbidden rice): Rich in antioxidants and nutrients, with a slightly sweet flavor.
These types of rice provide more lasting energy and nutritional benefits compared to white rice, which has been stripped of most fiber and nutrients.
Can Rice Go Bad
Yes, rice can go bad. Uncooked white rice lasts a long time (up to 4-5 years if stored properly), but brown rice has natural oils that can spoil within 6-12 months.
Cooked rice should be refrigerated and eaten within 3-5 days, as it can grow harmful bacteria like Bacillus cereus if left out too long.
Always check for off smells, discoloration or mold.
Can Rice Be Frozen
Yes, rice can be frozen.
Let cooked rice cool completely, then store it in airtight containers or freezer bags for up to 3 months.
When ready to eat, reheat it in the microwave or on the stove with a splash of water to bring back its soft texture.
Can Rice Be Reheated
Yes, rice can be safely reheated if it has been stored properly in the refrigerator.
Reheat it until it’s steaming hot all the way through, either in the microwave, on the stove with a little water or in a steamer.
Never reheat rice more than once, as repeated cooling and reheating increases the risk of foodborne illness.
Rice Recipes Your Family Will Love
Must-try rice recipes your family will love turn this simple staple into flavorful, satisfying meals.
From savory main dishes to comforting sides, these recipes show rice’s versatility.
They make everyday dinners both easy and delicious.
Rice Recipes
Cranberry Pecan Wild Rice
Cranberry pecan wild rice combines nutty wild rice with tart cranberries, toasted pecans, and fresh herbs for a flavorful and festive side dish.
Spinach and Pumpkin Rice Casserole
Spinach and Pumpkin Rice Casserole is super creamy, combining sweet pumpkin puree with three gooey cheeses.
Better Than Takeout Chicken Fried Rice
Better Than Takeout Chicken Fried Rice sautés sesame oil‑coated onion, peas, carrots, eggs, chicken, and rice, then tosses them with soy sauce and green onions for a flavorful homemade meal in about 20 minutes.
Mediterranean Rice
Mediterranean rice combines fluffy white rice with vibrant ingredients like tomatoes, olives, feta, herbs, and a hint of lemon for a bright, flavorful side dish.
Mexican Corn Salad
Embrace the vibrant flavors of Mexican cuisine with this irresistible Mexican Corn Salad. The combination of grilled corn, creamy dressing and aromatic rice creates a medley of taste sensations that will transport you straight to the streets of Mexico.
Bojangles Dirty Rice Recipe
Bojangles-style dirty rice blends savory sausage, bell peppers, onions, garlic, and spices like cayenne and smoked paprika with fluffy rice and optional beans for a hearty, flavorful dish.
Edamame, Brown Rice and Lentil Salad
Indulge in a wholesome culinary experience with our Edamame, Brown Rice and Lentil Salad, a delightful blend of nutritious ingredients that promise to tantalize your taste buds.
Curry Rice Salad
Wild rice salad blends nutty wild rice with vibrant add-ins like dried cranberries, pecans, feta, arugula, and a zesty vinaigrette for a flavorful, satisfying side dish.
Easy Broccoli Rice Casserole
Made with a delicious combination of rice, cheddar cheese, cream of mushroom soup and broccoli florets, this is a super Easy Broccoli Rice Casserole that takes just 5 minutes of prep.
Easy Copycat Cilantro Lime Chipotle Rice Recipe
Copycat Chipotle cilantro-lime rice features fluffy long-grain rice cooked with bay leaves and rice bran oil, then tossed with fresh cilantro, lime (and lemon) juice, and salt to recreate the signature bright, zesty side dish.
Sausage, Peppers, and Rice Skillet
Hearty one‑pot skillet meal combines smoked Italian sausage, sautéed bell peppers and onions, wild rice blend, and savory beef broth for a satisfying, easy dinner.
Easy Homemade Mexican Rice
Flavor Mosaic’s Mexican rice simmers toasted long-grain rice with onions, garlic, salsa, and Ro*Tel in one pot to deliver fluffy, smoky, and authentic restaurant-style flavor in about 30 minutes
Savory Chicken Rice
Savory chicken rice sautés seasoned chicken with garlic and onions, then simmers it with rice, broth, and herbs to create a comforting one-pot meal.
Lemon Rice with Turmeric & Cashews
Bright yellow lemon-turmeric rice blends fluffy rice with toasted cashews, mustard seeds, and fresh lemon juice for a vibrant, nutritious side dish.
Easy Greek Lemon Rice Pilaf With Fresh Herbs
Greek lemon rice pilaf blends fragrant long-grain rice with fresh herbs, lemon juice, and olive oil for a light and flavorful side dish.
Kiribath (Sri Lankan Milk Rice)
Kiribath combines creamy rice and coconut milk into a smooth, sticky cake traditionally shaped into diamonds and served during Sri Lankan celebrations or as comforting breakfast.
Rose-Infused Rice with Cashews & Raisins
Rosé-infused rice blends long-grain rice with sparkling rosé wine–soaked sultana raisins, caramelized onions, warm spices, and roasted cashews for an elegant, festive side dish.
Mushroom Rice
Mushroom rice sautés aromatic mushrooms, garlic, and onions before simmering them with rice in flavorful broth until tender for a savory one-pot side dish.
Chilli Garlic Fried Rice
Chilli garlic fried rice stir-fries day-old rice with a spicy homemade chilli-garlic paste, soy, vinegar, and mixed veggies over high heat for a flavorful Indo-Chinese twist.
Mediterranean Rice Pilaf
Golden rice pilaf blends aromatic spices like cinnamon and turmeric with fluffy rice and mixed vegetables for a warm, flavorful side dish.
Forbidden Rice Recipe
Forbidden rice offers a nutty, chewy texture and deep purple hue when cooked, making it a healthy and visually striking side dish.
Jollof Rice
Vibrant vegan jollof rice simmers long-grain rice in a flavorful tomato and pepper stew seasoned with onions, garlic, curry powder, thyme, and bay leaves for a colorful, one‑pot West African staple.
Curry Leaves Rice with Vegetables
Curry leaves rice with vegetables blends fragrant curry leaves, spices, sautéed veggies, and coconut milk into a flavorful, aromatic rice dish popular in Sri Lankan and South Indian cooking.
Easy Pineapple Fried Rice
Flavorful pineapple fried rice sautés day-old rice with sweet pineapple, veggies, and cashews for a quick, vegan weeknight meal.
Wild Rice with Cherries and Hazelnuts
Wild rice with cherries and hazelnuts combines nutty wild rice, tart dried cherries, and crunchy roasted hazelnuts into a warm, flavorful side dish ready in under an hour.
Cajun Rice Dressing
Wild rice and oyster dressing blends nutty wild rice with savory oysters, aromatic vegetables, and herbs to create a rich and festive side dish.
Don’t miss out on our other family friendly recipes!
Some really delicious new rice recipes to try here – thank you!
Hope you find a new favorite!