Quick Answer
There are several tasty alternatives to cooking rice in plain water that can add more flavor:
- Chicken or vegetable broth
- Coconut milk
- Tomato juice or crushed tomatoes
- Wine or beer
- Fruit juice
- Tea
Broth
Using broth instead of water is an easy way to infuse more flavor into rice. Chicken, beef or vegetable broth will all work nicely. The broth adds savory depth and can complement many dishes:
- Chicken broth is great with rice cooked alongside chicken or in chicken dishes.
- Beef broth pairs well with beef entrees.
- Veggie broth is ideal for vegetarian meals.
Simply use the broth instead of water at the same ratio when cooking the rice.
Sample Broth Rice Recipes
| Dish | Broth Used |
|---|---|
| Chicken and rice | Chicken broth |
| Beef stew with rice | Beef broth |
| Vegetable fried rice | Vegetable broth |
Coconut Milk
Coconut milk is another delicious liquid that can be used in place of water for cooking rice. It will provide a richness and subtle coconut flavor. Some tasty options include:
- Coconut rice to serve alongside curries or grilled meats
- Sweet coconut rice pudding for dessert
- Coconut sticky rice with mango
Use full-fat canned coconut milk and the same rice to liquid ratio as you would with water. Reduce the heat slightly as coconut milk scorches more easily.
Sample Coconut Milk Rice Recipes
| Dish | Ingredients |
|---|---|
| Coconut rice | Rice, coconut milk, salt |
| Coconut rice pudding | Rice, coconut milk, sugar, cinnamon |
| Mango sticky rice | Glutinous rice, coconut milk, mango, sugar |
Tomato Juice or Crushed Tomatoes
For a tasty Italian flair, use tomato juice or crushed tomatoes instead of water when cooking rice. This works very well with rice dishes featuring Italian sausage, meatballs or other classic Italian ingredients. The rice takes on a delicious reddish-pink hue and savory tomato flavor.
Use an equal amount of tomato juice or crushed tomatoes as you would water. You may want to add a bit of extra salt and spices like oregano or basil to complement the tomato flavor.
Sample Tomato Rice Recipes
| Dish | Ingredients |
|---|---|
| Tomato rice | Rice, tomato juice/crushed tomatoes, garlic, oregano, parsley |
| Spanish rice | Rice, tomato sauce, onion, garlic, saffron |
| Risi e Bisi | Rice, frozen peas, onion, parsley, tomato paste |
Wine or Beer
For a sophisticated flavor, try cooking rice in wine, beer or even champagne! The alcohol will cook off, leaving behind the aromatic flavor notes. White wine pairs especially well with creamy or cheesy rice dishes. Red wine can provide a robust flavor for heartier rice meals.
Some tasty ideas:
- Risotto cooked in white wine
- Jambalaya made with beer instead of water
- Champagne rice pudding
Use about the same amount of wine/beer as you would water. You may need to slightly increase cooking time as the alcohol takes longer to absorb into the rice. Add other complementary flavors like herbs and spices.
Sample Alcohol Rice Recipes
| Dish | Wine/Beer Used |
|---|---|
| Risotto | Dry white wine |
| Jambalaya | Ale or lager beer |
| Rice pudding | Sweet wine or champagne |
Fruit Juice
Using fruit juice like apple, orange or pineapple juice can provide a sweet, fruity flavor to rice dishes:
- Apple juice enhances wild rice pilafs.
- Pineapple juice is great for Caribbean style rice.
- Orange juice works well in Spanish style rice.
The juice imparts subtle fruit essence without overpowering. Balance the sweetness by adding spices and herbs like cinnamon, nutmeg or rosemary. Keep the ratios the same as you would for water. You may need to slightly increase cook time as fruit juice absorbs a bit slower.
Sample Fruit Juice Rice Recipes
| Dish | Fruit Juice |
|---|---|
| Wild rice pilaf | Apple juice |
| Pineapple fried rice | Pineapple juice |
| Spanish rice | Orange juice |
Tea
For an earthy flavor and beautiful color, try cooking rice in tea instead of water. Black, green or herbal teas can all infuse the rice with extra dimension.
Green tea works well in Asian inspired rice dishes. Herbal teas like chamomile or lavender lend a floral aroma. Black tea pairs nicely with saffron rice.
Use about 1 teabag per 1 cup of rice. Steep the tea first in a bit of hot water to fully extract the flavors before adding the rice and remaining liquid. Cooking time may need to be slightly extended as the tea can absorb at a slower rate.
Sample Tea Rice Recipes
| Dish | Type of Tea |
|---|---|
| Green tea rice | Green tea |
| Chamomile rice | Chamomile tea |
| Saffron rice | Black tea |
Conclusion
Rice cooked in flavorful liquids like broth, coconut milk, juice or wine absorbs those essences, producing much tastier results than plain water. Get creative with the cooking liquid to match the overall dish and flavors. Just be sure to keep the same ratio of liquid to rice as you would with water. With a little experimenting, you can take simple rice to new culinary heights.