Rice is a true pantry staple for oh so many people. It makes a quick and easy side—can be dressed up with herbs, sauces, and nuts—or take on the starring role. Toss it into soup or salad to bulk up a lighter meal, stuff it into veggies, use it as a base for curries, stews, and stir fries—the opportunities feel endless. That being said, there’s something about rice that can sometimes feel a bit, well, blah too.
I always keep my kitchen stocked with several different kinds of rice. Shorter grains can get creamier during cooking (depending on how you cook them), while longer grains stay separate after being cooked. Different kinds of rice work best for different preparations—make sure to check the recipe and follow the recommendation if you’re not familiar with cooking with different kinds.
Here, we’ve rounded up 30 recipes to make with rice—and not a single one could be considered boring.
1. Mushroom Risotto
2. Lemon Rice
3. Sticky Pomegranate Meatball Bowls
4. Vegan Arancini
5. Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
6. Black Rice Salad with Roasted Vegetables
7. One Pan Apple Cider Glazed Roasted Butterflied Chicken with Rice
8. Kimchi Fried Rice
9. Jeweled Rice with Cranberry and Almonds
10. Bacon Fried Rice with Shallots
11. Harvest Wild Rice Skillet
12. Salmon Caesar Salad Rice Bowls
13. Jamaican Rice and Peas
14. One Pot Lemon Artichoke Chicken and Rice
15. Honey Garlic Shrimp and Broccoli
16. Broccoli Rice Casserole
17. Cameroonian Coconut Rice
18. Wild Rice and Carrot Soup
19. Red Beans and Rice
20. Arroz con Pollo
21. Garlic Kale and Brown Rice Salad with Lemon Dressing
22. Pumpkin Rice Stuffed Chicken Breast
23. Instant Pot Cheesy Southwestern Lentils and Brown Rice
24. Jollof Rice
25. Green Rice with Poached Fish and Herbed Brown Butter
26. Vegan Burritos
27. Spicy Tomato Chickpea Sauce and Baked Chicken
28. Sun-Dried Tomato Basil Chicken Meatballs with Creamy Parmesan Rice
29. Pressure Cooker Veg Pulao
30. Peruvian Fried Rice (Arroz Chaufa)