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Yellow rice on an oval-shaped plate with chicken drumsticks and a blue towel placed around.

Yellow Rice

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Enjoy the flavors of our simple stovetop Yellow Rice recipe. Packed with savory tastes and aromatic basmati rice, this dish is a perfect complement to roasted or baked meats, veggies, stir-fries, and more!
Course Side Dish
Cuisine World Cuisine
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 4 serving
Calories 272
Author Sangeetha Vel

Ingredients

For Yellow Rice

  • 1½ cups Basmati Rice washed
  • 4 cloves Garlic minced
  • 5 tbsp Onion or half medium size, chopped
  • 1 tsp Turmeric Powder
  • 2 Bay Leaves
  • 2 cubes Chicken Bouillon crushed
  • 2¼ cups Water
  • 2 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 3 tbsp Unsalted Butter
  • ½ tsp Black Pepper Powder to taste
  • Salt to taste

For Garnishing

  • Cilantro Leaves chopped
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Preparing Yellow Rice

  • In a wide-bottomed pan over medium heat, combine oil and butter. Allow the butter to melt fully, then add the onions, garlic, and bay leaves. Sauté until the onions are soft and translucent, making everything wonderfully aromatic. This foundational step infuses the rice with a deep, savory base.
    A pan with onion, garlic and bay leaves sizzing in oil butter mixture.
  • Stir in the crushed chicken bouillon, turmeric powder, black pepper, and salt. Mix well and continue to cook until the spices are fragrant. This technique, known as blooming, maximizes the flavor extracted from the spices by heating them in fat.
    Spices and turmeric blooming in a pan with oil butter mix.
  • Add the pre-washed basmati rice to your pan. Toss it for about 2-3 minutes until the grains start to emit a nutty aroma. Toasting the rice helps to lock in the flavor and improves the texture of the final dish.
    A pan with rice in a oil, butter, spices and onion mixture.
  • Pour in the water, making sure to stir well so that all the ingredients are evenly mixed. Bring the mixture to a rapid boil and watch for vigorous bubbles at the center, indicating the right temperature for the next step.
    Rice cooking in spice infused water in a pan.
  • After giving the rice mixture a final stir, reduce the heat to low and cover the pan with its lid. Cook the rice undisturbed for about 10 minutes. Then, turn off the heat and let the rice sit for 5 minutes with the lid still on. The residual heat is crucial as it helps the rice to absorb any remaining moisture, ensuring each grain is fluffy and separate.
    Rice cooking in a pan with lid closed.
  • Gently fluff the cooked rice with a fork to separate the grains without breaking them. This step is key to maintaining the perfect texture. Finally, garnish with freshly chopped cilantro for a burst of color and freshness. Serve and enjoy!
    A pan with Yellow Rice garnished with cilantro leaves.

Serving

  • Serve this delicious Yellow Rice with your favorite baked or roasted meats, veggies, or stir fries. Looking for more pairing ideas? Be sure to check out our Serving Suggestions section below for additional inspiration!
    Yellow Rice served in a serving tray with roasted chicken drumsticks.

Notes

Here are some helpful tips to ensure your Yellow Rice turns out perfectly every time:
  • Wash Your Rice: Always begin by thoroughly washing your rice a few times. This step removes any unwanted dust and debris, and it also helps eliminate excess starch. Doing so ensures that the rice maintains its shape once it's cooked.
  • Rinse and Soak: Along with rinsing, soaking the rice for about 30 minutes before cooking can help achieve an even fluffier texture as it allows the grains to absorb water and cook more evenly.
  • Use Quality Spices: Since spices play a crucial role in flavoring Yellow Rice, opt for high-quality, fresh spices. Turmeric loses its potency over time, so using fresh turmeric powder can really make a difference in achieving that vibrant color and earthy flavor.
  • Toast the Rice: For a flavor-packed dish, I recommend toasting the rice until it turns a nutty brown, especially after blooming the spices. This step infuses the rice with rich, deep flavors.
  • Rice to Water Ratio: For basmati rice, I use a 1:1½ ratio of rice to water to achieve perfect fluffiness. If you're using a different type of rice, check the package instructions for the best results.
  • Cooking Methods: While I prefer the stovetop absorption method for this recipe, feel free to use an instant pot or rice cooker for convenience without compromising taste.
  • Add-Ins: This recipe is straightforward, but you can easily jazz it up. Consider adding peas, carrots, bell peppers, or jalapeños for extra flavor and color. For a Mediterranean twist, try including cashews, raisins, and cumin seeds right before blooming the spices.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 272kcal | Carbohydrates: 59g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 0.1mg | Sodium: 131mg | Potassium: 146mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 4IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 1mg

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