Rice is a staple food for nearly half of the world’s population. However, plain white rice can often taste bland and boring on its own. The good news is that there are countless ways to add flavor and make a bowl of rice taste delicious. With the right combination of ingredients and seasoning, you can take rice from bland to brilliant in no time.
Why is plain rice bland?
White rice, which has had the bran and germ removed during processing, is predominantly made up of starch. While starchy foods are an important source of energy, starch itself has little flavor. This is why a bowl of plain steamed rice can taste rather one-note.
The blandness of rice also has to do with the cooking process. Boiling or steaming rice in water rinses away much of rice’s natural aromatics and compounds that give it more flavor. Raw rice has a more distinct taste, while cooked rice ends up quite mild mannered in comparison.
Additionally, rice grown in different regions and cooked using various techniques can range in taste. Basmati rice and jasmine rice tend to have more fragrance than short or medium grain white rice. Brown rice retains more nutty flavor due to the bran. But in general, a bowl of plain, steamed white rice is not going to taste very bold or impactful on its own.
Tips for seasoning and flavoring rice
Cook rice in broth or stock
One of the easiest ways to boost the flavor of rice is to prepare it in broth, stock or any flavorful liquid instead of plain water. Try vegetable, chicken or beef stock for the cooking liquid. The rice will soak up the savory notes of the stock as it cooks, adding much more taste to the final dish. Just use the same ratio of liquid to rice that your recipe calls for.
Stir in butter or oil
Adding a pat of butter or drizzle of oil to a pot of cooked rice imparts richness and moisture. The fat coats each grain and brings out more flavor. Almost any neutral oil like canola, grapeseed or peanut works well, along with coconut oil for a tropical twist. You can also use ghee or brown butter for deeper nuttiness. Just a tablespoon or two of your fat of choice transforms basic rice into a more lustrous and appetizing side.
Include aromatic ingredients
Incorporating fragrant herbs, spices, peppers or aromatics like onions or garlic during cooking infuses rice with their essence. Try adding a bay leaf, cinnamon stick or sliced ginger to the cooking liquid. Or sauté minced garlic and onions in oil before adding rice and liquid. Garnishing cooked rice with chopped fresh herbs brightens up the taste too.
Stir in sauces, vinegars and zests
For instant extra flavor, you can simply stir some sauce or seasoning into cooked rice. Soy sauce, fish sauce, rice vinegar, lemon juice or sesame oil will all add a tasty punch. Grated citrus zest, a dollop of pesto or salsa, or a drizzle of seasoned rice vinegar gives rice a wake-up call. Just be careful not to over-season, as a little sauce goes a long way.
Toss with nuts, seeds or coconut
Nuts and seeds complement rice’s mildness with their deliciously nutty, crunchy texture. Toasted almonds, cashews, sesame seeds, pepitas and coconut flakes or chips can all be stirred into a pot of hot rice to create nutty rice. The coconut in particular adds sweetness to balance rice’s neutral flavor.
Mix in vegetables and greens
Incorporating vegetables into rice is an easy way to make it more hearty and flavorful. Cook chopped veggies like carrots, spinach or kale right into the rice as it simmers. You can also fold in fresh, raw veggies at the end – think diced cucumbers, bell peppers, scallions or parsley. The bright colors and flavors of produce give boring rice new life.
Top with egg, protein or cheese
Turn rice into a complete, tasty meal by topping it with eggs, meat or other proteins. A fried egg, piece of grilled chicken or sauteed shrimp elevates rice from a side to an entree. Sprinkling shredded cheese over rice adds creaminess and a salty accent. The protein and richness improves the overall flavor.
Make flavored rice varieties
To infuse even more flavor right into the grains, try making rice varieties like pilafs, biryani or dirty rice. Pilafs are cooked in broth then mixed with sauteed aromatics and vegetables. Biryani features layers of rice and marinated meat cooked together. Dirty rice gets its name from the addition of chicken livers that give the rice a speckled look.
Use condiments and spices
Jazz up boring rice with your favorite condiments and dried spices. Ketchup, ranch dressing, salsa, hot sauce, teriyaki, etc. can all inject flavor when stirred into a bowl of rice. Chili powder, curry powder, cumin and paprika are examples of spices that pack a punch of flavor and color. Start with small amounts and adjust to your preference.
Seasoning ideas for different rice dishes
Now that we’ve covered a variety of techniques for boosting rice flavor, let’s talk about how to season and enliven some classic rice dishes:
Plain rice
– Cook rice in chicken or vegetable stock instead of water
– Stir in pat of butter, olive oil or drizzle of sesame oil after cooking
– Sprinkle with minced scallions, parsley, cilantro or shredded carrot
– Drizzle with soy sauce, lemon juice, rice vinegar or pesto
Fried rice
– Use day-old rice for best texture
– Saute rice with garlic, ginger, onions, greens
– Include shredded veggies like carrot, cabbage, corn
– Add soy sauce, fish sauce, hoisin or oyster sauce
– Top with eggs, shrimp or leftover meat
Risotto
– Cook rice slowly in broth, stirring frequently
– Flavor broth with garlic, onions, mushrooms, herbs
– Stir in cream or cheese at the end for richness
– Garnish with grated parmesan
Pilaf
– Saute onions, garlic in oil before adding rice
– Use chicken or veggie broth instead of water
– Finish with herbs, lemon, nuts, dried fruit
Biryani
– Marinate meat in yogurt, spices like cumin, coriander
– Layer rice and meat in a pot, cook until tender
– Top with sauteed onions, fresh cilantro
Congee
– Simmer rice in broth until it breaks down into porridge
– Add flavor boosters like ginger, scallions, shrimp
– Top bowls with soy sauce, chili oil, sesame oil, eggs
Rice pudding
– Cook rice in milk, cream or half-and-half with cinnamon
– Sweeten with sugar or honey and add vanilla
– Stir in raisins or chopped fruit
– Top with whipped cream or caramel sauce
Tips for extra flavorful rice
Here are a few more pointers for making sure your rice turns out super flavorful every time:
– Opt for aromatic rice varieties like basmati, jasmine or Texmati
– Try brown rice for a more nutty, robust flavor
– Rinse rice thoroughly before cooking to remove excess starch
– Don’t forget to salt the cooking water or broth
– Allow rice to steam with the lid on after cooking to absorb moisture
– Fluff rice with a fork as soon as it’s done for best texture
– Combine white and brown rice for combo of fluffy and chewy
– Add a sprinkle of spice just after cooking while rice is hot
– Store cooked rice in the fridge then freshen up with water and heat
– Use condiments, sauces and herbs just before serving
Seasoning combinations for rice
Rice is the perfect canvas to experiment with different seasoning blends and ingredient combinations. Here are some delicious ways to spice up rice:
Italian rice
– Saute rice with garlic, tomatoes, spinach
– Season with Italian herbs and parmesan
Mexican rice
– Cook with onion, garlic, peppers, tomatoes
– Flavor with cumin, chili powder, cilantro, lime
Indian rice
– Stir in garam masala, turmeric, raisins
– Finish with cashews and cilantro
Spanish rice
– Saute rice with onion, garlic, bell pepper
– Include peas, diced tomatoes, saffron
– Add smoked paprika, herbs
Cajun rice
– Cook with ‘holy trinity’ of onion, celery, pepper
– Season with Cajun spices, hot sauce, parsley
Coconut rice
– Use coconut milk for the cooking liquid
– Season with lime, cilantro, toasted coconut
Thai rice
– Flavor with lemongrass, ginger, chili paste
– Stir in sliced garlic, onion, carrots
– Finish with lime juice, fish sauce, basil
Chinese rice
– Cook rice in chicken broth with soy sauce
– Add scallions, garlic, sesame oil, peas
– Garnish with green onions
Troubleshooting rice seasoning issues
Even with the most flavorful ingredients, rice can sometimes turn out bland. Here are some common issues and solutions:
Problem: Rice is too dry and starchy tasting
Solution: Stir in extra broth, stock or water while fluffing rice to add moisture
Problem: Rice lacks depth of flavor
Solution: Be sure to salt cooking liquid or add seasoning like soy sauce
Problem: Rice tastes too salty
Solution: Rinse rice before cooking to remove excess starch and cut back on added salt
Problem: Rice smells rancid or tastes off
Solution: Use fresh rice and make sure to store properly. Discard old rice
Problem: Rice turns out mushy
Solution: Avoid overcooking. Fluff rice right after cooking.
Problem: Rice is bland even with additions
Solution: Use more seasoning or acidic ingredients to brighten flavor
Problem: Rice looks dry and clumpy
Solution: Make sure to rinse and drain rice before cooking. Fluff rice after cooking.
Conclusion
Bland, boring rice doesn’t have to happen with the right techniques and flavor additions. Simply cooking rice in broth or stock instead of water makes a huge difference. Stirring in aromatic ingredients, acids, spices, herbs, nuts and proteins amps up the taste even more. Globally inspired seasonings like Mexican, Indian and Thai also pack rice with lots of flavor. With the endless ways to spice up rice, you’ll never have a dull bowl again. Experiment with different seasoning combinations to discover your favorite ways to transform rice from bland to brilliant.
| Seasoning | Amount |
|---|---|
| Chicken stock | 1 cup |
| Olive oil | 1 tablespoon |
| Garlic | 2 cloves, minced |
| Italian seasoning | 1 teaspoon |
| Parmesan cheese | 2 tablespoons, grated |