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
Source: Sweet Tea and Thyme
2. Lemon Rice
Source: By Erin Clarke of Well Plated
3. Sticky Pomegranate Meatball Bowls
Source: The Defined Dish
4. Vegan Arancini
Source: Jessica in the Kitchen
5. Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
Source: Brooklyn Supper
6. Black Rice Salad with Roasted Vegetables
Source: The View From Great Island
7. One Pan Apple Cider Glazed Roasted Butterflied Chicken with Rice
Source: Whisk it Real Gud
8. Kimchi Fried Rice
Source: What’s Gaby Cooking
9. Jeweled Rice with Cranberry and Almonds
Source: Jehan Can Cook
10. Bacon Fried Rice with Shallots
Source: Platings and Pairings
11. Harvest Wild Rice Skillet
Source: Pinch of Yum
12. Salmon Caesar Salad Rice Bowls
Source: Spices in My DNA
13. Jamaican Rice and Peas
Source: Grandbaby Cakes
14. One Pot Lemon Artichoke Chicken and Rice
Source: Budget Bytes
15. Honey Garlic Shrimp and Broccoli
Source: Orchids + Sweet Tea
16. Broccoli Rice Casserole
Source: By Erin Clarke of Well Plated
17. Cameroonian Coconut Rice
Source: Precious Core
18. Wild Rice and Carrot Soup
Source: The View From Great Island
19. Red Beans and Rice
Source: What’s Gaby Cooking
20. Arroz con Pollo
Source: Sweet Tea and Thyme
21. Garlic Kale and Brown Rice Salad with Lemon Dressing
Source: Pinch of Yum
22. Pumpkin Rice Stuffed Chicken Breast
Source: Jehan Can Cook
23. Instant Pot Cheesy Southwestern Lentils and Brown Rice
Source: Platings and Pairings
24. Jollof Rice
Source: Grandbaby Cakes
25. Green Rice with Poached Fish and Herbed Brown Butter
Source: Brooklyn Supper
26. Vegan Burritos
Source: Jessica in the Kitchen
27. Spicy Tomato Chickpea Sauce and Baked Chicken
Source: Orchids + Sweet Tea
28. Sun-Dried Tomato Basil Chicken Meatballs with Creamy Parmesan Rice
Source: Host the Toast
29. Pressure Cooker Veg Pulao
Source: My Food Story
30. Peruvian Fried Rice (Arroz Chaufa)
Source: Whisk It Real Gud
