Seasoned Rice – Spend With Pennies

This simply seasoned rice recipe that has great flavor and pairs with almost any meal!

This foolproof recipe ensures every grain is infused with lots of savory flavor, it’s so much better than packaged rice and doesn’t take much longer!

An Easy Rice Side Dish

I’d have to say rice is one of my favorite side dishes, regardless of how it’s prepared.  We especially love this rice recipe because it’s versatile and this basic recipe pairs well with almost any cuisine or even just grilled meats or baked chicken.

• Rice is a budget-friendly side dish, perfect for a big family or to feed a crowd.
• It uses a handful of ingredients you likely have on hand.
• We love that we know exactly what is in this homemade version and can control the ingredients.
• Homemade seasoned rice is so versatile. Stick to this easy recipe or make your own creation!

Ingredients & Variations

RICE: One cup of uncooked white rice will yield 3 cups of cooked. Brown rice, wild rice, basmati, or jasmine rice will all work in this recipe, cooking time and liquid may need to be altered.

SEASONINGS: Rice absorbs the flavors of anything it’s cooked with and the recipe below includes our favorite rice seasoning! A bit of soy sauce adds salt while Worcestershire adds great flavor.

Experiment outside the box and try homemade lemon pepper seasoning, Greek seasoning, or add in fresh herbs right before serving! Try garlic powder, paprika, thyme or oregano. Stir in finely chopped vegetables like celery, carrots or bell pepper for additional color and flavor.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with sauces and dressings, either!

How to Season Rice

Seasoned rice tastes best when the seasoning is cooked into the grains instead of mixed with them.

1. Cook the rice in a little bit of butter until slightly browned. Add onion & garlic, cook until softened.
2. Add remaining ingredients, cover, & cook (per recipe below).
3. Remove from heat & let rice rest for about 5 minutes.

Once the rice has cooked and rested, gently fluff up the grains with a fork. Season with additional salt & pepper to taste.

Tips for Perfectly Seasoned Rice

• Lightly browning the rice before cooking adds flavor (and also helps keep the grains separated).
• Keep the lid on the rice while the rice is simmering and resting to keep the steam in (this helps it to cook and avoids it getting sticky).
• The recipe below is for long grain white rice. If you use a different variety of rice, cooking time (and the liquid ratio) may change. If you’re uncertain, check the package of rice for this information.
• Double the batch and freeze half for a ready-to-eat side dish when time is tight!
• Keep leftover rice in an airtight container in the fridge or store in the freezer.

More Rice Favorites

Did your family love this Seasoned Rice? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!