Rice is a versatile and affordable staple that’s consumed by billions of people around the world. While plain white rice might seem bland, there are countless ways to impart more flavor. This guide will explore numerous methods for making rice more delicious.
Whether you want to jazz up plain rice to serve as a side dish or incorporate it into main courses, the possibilities are endless. With the right ingredients and techniques, you can take rice from boring to extraordinary. Read on to discover how to boost the flavor of rice using herbs, spices, aromatic ingredients, sauces, stocks and more.
Complement With Aromatic Ingredients
One of the simplest ways to boost rice flavor is to cook it in an aromatic liquid. Try using chicken, beef or vegetable stock instead of water. The rice will soak up savory notes from the broth as it cooks.
You can also sauté minced garlic, onion, herbs or spices in oil before adding rice and cooking liquid. As the rice simmers, it will absorb these aromatic flavors.
Adding whole spices and herbs like bay leaves, cinnamon sticks, cloves, peppercorns, fresh thyme or rosemary sprigs to rice as it cooks infuses subtle nuances. Remove them before serving.
Stir in some lemon or lime zest for citrusy rice. Coconut milk also delivers great flavor — swap it for half the cooking liquid.
Aromatic Ingredients for Flavorful Rice
- Stock or broth
- Onions, garlic, shallots
- Herbs like thyme, rosemary, basil
- Spices like cinnamon, cardamom, cloves
- Citrus zest
- Coconut milk
Finish With Butter or Oil
Stirring in a pat of butter or drizzle of oil after cooking gives rice a glossy sheen and rich mouthfeel. Fats also help carry flavor.
Butter provides a creamy note, while olive oil lends a light fruity flavor. Coconut oil has a subtle tropical essence. For an Asian flair, use toasted sesame oil. Finish simply steamed rice with a swirl of your favorite oil or melted butter.
Mix in Fresh Herbs
Fresh herbs add vibrant flavor to cooked rice. Their brightness balances the starchiness of rice. Fold in chopped soft herbs like dill, basil, cilantro, chives, tarragon or parsley after cooking.
Heartier herbs like rosemary, thyme and sage hold up well when added early in the cooking process. Try scattering them over rice before adding liquid. The leaves will infuse the rice with aromatic flavor as it simmers.
Best Fresh Herbs for Rice
- Basil
- Cilantro
- Chives
- Dill
- Mint
- Parsley
- Rosemary
- Sage
- Tarragon
- Thyme
Boost With Spices and Seasonings
Spices are an easy way to kick up the flavor of rice. Stir them into cooked rice or add them to the cooking liquid.
Warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger and cardamom lend comforting flavor. Smoky paprika and cumin add robust depth.
Salt and pepper season rice, while garlic and onion powders provide savory umami flavor. A squeeze of citrus juice right before serving gives bright, tangy zing.
| Spices for Rice | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Cinnamon | Warm, sweet |
| Nutmeg | Rich, earthy |
| Paprika | Smoky |
| Cumin | Bold, aromatic |
| Garlic powder | Savory flavor |
| Onion powder | Umami boost |
| Citrus juice | Bright, tangy |
Mix in Vegetables
Incorporating chopped vegetables is a healthy way to make rice more exciting. Their flavor tends to intensify when cooked into rice.
Try stirring in bite-sized pieces of carrots, bell peppers, corn, peas, edamame or spinach. You can sauté the veggies first to caramelize them or add them raw.
For variation, use coconut milk instead of water when cooking vegetable rice. This imparts creamy, tropical essence.
Best Vegetables to Flavor Rice
- Carrots – sweetness
- Onions – savory depth
- Bell peppers – fresh flavor
- Broccoli – earthy notes
- Mushrooms – richness
- Peas – bright green flavor
- Corn – sweet juice
- Spinach – green freshness
Stir in Meat, Seafood or Eggs
Cooked meat, seafood or eggs make hearty, protein-packed additions to rice. They add complementary flavors that satisfy.
Try folding in shredded rotisserie chicken, flaked salmon, sautéed shrimp, crumbled sausage, diced ham or bacon bits.
For easy protein, whisk an egg right into hot rice after cooking. The egg will cook from the residual heat.
You could also top rice with a fried egg for an extra richness and texture contrast. Drizzle the runny yolk over the rice.
Best Proteins to Flavor Rice
- Shredded chicken
- Crumbled sausage
- Flaked fish
- Sautéed shrimp
- Diced ham
- Bacon
- Scrambled eggs
- Fried egg
Make Infused Rice
For intense flavor, try infusing rice by simmering it in strongly flavored liquids.
Chicken stock, beef broth or vegetable broth penetrates rice with deep savory essence. Coconut milk gives it a creamy tropical vibe.
You can also cook rice in tomato sauce, pumpkin puree, beet juice or carrot juice. The rice will turn festive colors while absorbing flavor.
Infusing rice in fruit juice, wine or coffeeextracts nuanced notes. Try pineapple juice, cranberry juice, citrus juice, marsala wine or dark beer.
| Infusion Liquid | Flavor Added |
|---|---|
| Chicken stock | Savory, comforting |
| Coconut milk | Tropical, creamy |
| Tomato sauce | Tangy, robust |
| Fruit juice | Sweet, fruity overtones |
| Wine or beer | Complex, nuanced |
Make a Sauce for Serving
Rice can also be jazzed up with flavorful sauces stirred in right before eating. This adds moisture and brings everything together.
Tomato-based sauces like marinara, arrabiata or fra diavolo pair exceptionally well with rice. The tanginess contrasts the neutral starch.
Creamy gravy, cheese sauce, mushroom gravy, hollandaise, béchamel or velouté also coat rice luxuriously.
For Asian-inspired rice, use soy sauce, oyster sauce, miso paste, hoisin or sweet chili sauce. Peanut sauce adds nutty depth.
Best Sauces for Serving with Rice
- Marinara
- Pesto
- Alfredo
- Hollandaise
- Soy sauce
- Teriyaki
- Curry sauce
- Cheese sauce
Top with Cheese
Melting cheese over hot rice is an easy flavor boost. The cheese melts into rice for creamy texture.
Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Gruyère and fontina are great melting cheeses. Try making cheesy baked rice by stirring cheese into cooked rice, then baking until bubbly.
Soft fresh cheeses like goat cheese, feta, mozzarella or ricotta can be crumbled over rice. Their creaminess contrasts the fluffier rice texture.
For ultimate comfort food, make risotto flavored with Parmesan. The cheese lends nutty, salty flavor as the rice cooks.
| Cheese | Qualities |
|---|---|
| Cheddar | Sharp, nutty |
| Monterey Jack | Mild, creamy |
| Gruyère | Earthy, rich |
| Feta | Briny, tangy |
| Ricotta | Mild, fresh |
| Parmesan | Salty, nutty |
Conclusion
With endless options for adding flavor, plain rice can be transformed into a culinary masterpiece. Make it more exciting by cooking in aromatic liquids, stirring in fresh herbs, spices, vegetables
protein or cheese, and finishing with flavorful sauces.
The simple blank canvas of rice absorbs surrounding flavors wonderfully. Follow your creativity to turn rice into a mouthwatering dish, whether enjoying it as a side or the main attraction.
With a little added flavor, rice goes from boring to extraordinary. Implement these tips the next time you make rice to enjoy this versatile grain at its most delicious potential.