Instant rice is a convenient pantry staple that cooks up fast, making it perfect for busy weeknights or quick lunches. However, some people find the flavor of instant rice to be lackluster compared to regular rice. The good news is there are easy ways to amp up the flavor of instant rice so it tastes just as good as rice that’s been cooked the traditional way.
What is instant rice?
Instant rice, sometimes called minute rice, is a type of parboiled rice that has been pre-cooked then dehydrated. This process allows the rice to cook very rapidly, usually in just 5-10 minutes by simply adding hot water or broth. The parboiling changes the structure of the rice grains so they don’t stick together when rehydrated. Instant rice is available in white and brown varieties and comes in quick-cooking pouches or boxes.
Some key advantages of instant rice:
– Extremely fast prep time compared to regular rice
– Minimal active cooking time, just needing to boil water
– Portion controlled pouches for convenience
– Long shelf life before opening
– Tends to be inexpensive compared to other types of rice
Some potential downsides:
– Texture can be mushier vs. regular rice
– Flavor is often milder/blander
– Limit on variations available (mainly just plain white or brown instant rice)
– Higher sodium content in some varieties
While instant rice will likely never match the taste and texture of freshly steamed long grain rice, there are easy tricks to elevate instant rice to make it more flavorful.
Tips for making instant rice taste better
Cook it in broth or flavored liquid
One of the easiest ways to boost the flavor of instant rice is to cook it in broth, stock or other flavorful liquids instead of plain water. Try using chicken, vegetable or beef broth for more savory rice. For a Spanish flair, use tomato juice or a mix of tomato juice and chicken broth. Cooking the rice in coconut milk is delicious for a Thai-inspired dish. You can also add a few tablespoons of tomato paste or pureed salsa to the cooking liquid. Warming up some mushroom or clam broth to use in the rice can add lots of extra taste.
Finish with butter or oil
Adding a pat of butter, drizzle of oil or spoonful of cream after cooking can make instant rice richer and more indulgent. Stir in a tablespoon or two of butter, olive oil, avocado oil or coconut oil right after the rice is done. The fat will coat the rice grains and help carry the other flavors. For even more flavor, melt the butter with minced garlic, rosemary or other herbs before mixing into the hot rice.
Mix in fresh herbs and spices
Chopped fresh herbs are an easy way to make instant rice taste fresher and more vibrant. Try stirring in some minced parsley, dill, basil, cilantro or green onion after cooking. Dried herbs like oregano, thyme and rosemary can also add aromatic flavor. Spices like turmeric, cumin and curry powder can give your rice a kick. For a Mediterranean rice salad, add oregano, garlic powder, black pepper and lemon zest.
Add roasted vegetables or meat
Cooking instant rice with extra ingredients is a sure way to make it heartier and more flavorful. Add chopped roasted vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, peppers or butternut squash. Cooked chicken breast, shrimp or turkey sausage are all tasty proteins to mix in. For a vegetarian rice bowl, top with a fried egg. Nuts, seeds and shredded cheese also pair well with instant rice.
Stir in condiments or sauce
Drizzling on your favorite condiment or sauce is a quick shortcut for adding lots of flavor. Try mixing in soy sauce, fish sauce, sriracha, teriyaki sauce, hoisin sauce, pesto or harissa paste. A spoonful of miso paste, curry paste, chutney, olive tapenade or sun-dried tomato pesto can also amp up the taste of plain instant rice. For a Latin flair, stir in some salsa verde or chimichurri.
Make it crunchy with toasteds
Adding crispy, toasted elements gives instant rice more appealing texture. Top your cooked rice with toasted sliced almonds, cashews or peanut. Frying up some bread crumbs in oil or butter to sprinkle over the rice adds crunch. Toasted sesame seeds, panko crumbs or crushed tortilla chips are also tasty mix-ins. For breakfast, mix in some toasted oats or granola.
Mix with flavorful leftovers
Leftover cooked vegetables like roasted squash or grilled eggplant can be chopped up and combined with instant rice for an easy rice bowl. Wilted greens, sauteed mushrooms or caramelized onions are also tasty add-ins. For a protein boost, dice up leftover chicken, beef, pork or shrimp. Beans and lentils, like black or pinto beans, chickpeas or dal also add nutrition and texture.
Full recipe ideas
Here are some flavorful recipes to make the most of instant rice:
Cheesy Pesto Rice
Ingredients:
– 1 packet instant rice
– 1 cup water
– 1/4 cup pesto
– 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
– Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Bring water to a boil in a small pot. Stir in instant rice and cook per package instructions.
2. Remove from heat and stir in pesto. Add mozzarella and stir until melted.
3. Season with salt and pepper.
Coconut Curry Rice
Ingredients:
– 1 packet instant rice
– 1 can coconut milk
– 1 cup vegetable broth
– 1 tbsp red curry paste
– 1 cup diced carrots
– 1 cup frozen peas
– Chopped cilantro for garnish
Instructions:
1. In a saucepan, heat coconut milk, broth and curry paste over medium heat until simmering.
2. Add rice and carrots and bring back to a simmer. Cook per package instructions.
3. Once rice is cooked, stir in frozen peas and cook 1-2 minutes more until heated through.
4. Serve garnished with cilantro.
Mediterranean Rice Salad
Ingredients:
– 1 packet instant rice
– 1 cup water or chicken broth
– 1/2 cup cucumber, diced
– 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
– 1/4 cup kalamata olives, sliced
– 2 tbsp olive oil
– 2 tbsp lemon juice
– 1 tbsp oregano
– Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Bring water or broth to a boil, stir in instant rice and cook per package directions.
2. In a bowl, combine cucumber, tomatoes, olives, olive oil, lemon juice and oregano.
3. Once rice is cooked, stir into vegetable mixture and season with salt and pepper.
4. Chill before serving.
Tips for cooking instant rice
While instant rice is designed to be fast and convenient, there are some easy tips to ensure it turns out tasty every time:
– Use a pot with a tight fitting lid to help the rice cook evenly.
– Resist lifting the lid frequently, this lets steam escape and can make rice mushy.
– Use the exact liquid to rice ratio recommended on the package. Too much liquid can make rice soggy.
– Fluff the rice with a fork after cooking for optimal texture.
– For firmer rice, spread it out on a baking sheet to cool instead of leaving it piled in the pot.
– Check expiration dates and store opened instant rice in an airtight container.
– If refrigerating cooked rice, use within 3-5 days for best quality and safety.
Conclusion
While instant rice will never quite replicate the taste of traditionally cooked rice, the convenience factor makes it a pantry hero for quick weeknight meals. With a few extra ingredients and flavor-boosting tricks, it’s easy to make instant rice taste just as delicious. Experiment with liquids, herbs, spices, oils and add-ins to find your favorite flavored instant rice meals. Soon you’ll have a repertoire of speedy rice dishes perfect for hectic days.