This easy yellow rice recipe is a simple side dish made from scratch with long-grain white rice, turmeric, chicken base, and a few pantry ingredients. The turmeric gives the rice its beautiful golden color, while the chicken base adds savory flavor. This homemade rice pairs well with chicken, pork, beef, seafood, and more.
What's great about this recipe
- Made with just 5 simple ingredients, it's perfect for weeknight dinners and meal prep.
- It's a budget-friendly side dish that goes well with all kinds of meals. One of my favorite ways to serve it is with mixed vegetables.
- It's a nice change of pace from plain white rice without adding too much extra work.
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Budget Check
- The full recipe is about $1.50-$2.00
- Per serving (6 servings): about $0.25-$0.35
Uses conventional ingredients. Based on recent U.S. national averages. Actual prices will vary by store and region.
Ingredients you'll need
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- Rice - Long-grain white rice works well for this recipe.
- Chicken base - Adds savory flavor to the rice. I use Better Than Bouillon chicken base, but you can use your favorite brand. For a vegetarian version, use vegetable base instead.
- Turmeric - Gives the rice its beautiful golden-yellow color and adds a mild, earthy flavor.
- Dried onion - Minced dried (dehydrated) onion adds flavor without any chopping and is easy to keep on hand.
- Optional garnish - Chopped parsley and sliced toasted almonds make a nice garnish, adding a little color and crunch.
📖 See the recipe card for quantities and preparation.
What makes yellow rice yellow?
Yellow rice gets its color from seasonings added during cooking. For this recipe, we chose turmeric for its bright golden-yellow color and mild, earthy flavor.
Other ingredients can also give rice its yellow color. Saffron adds a golden hue and distinctive floral flavor and is used in Spanish dishes like paella. Annatto (achiote) is commonly used in Latin American and Caribbean cooking for its warm yellow-orange color. Bijol is a seasoning and coloring commonly used in Cuban cooking.
These seasonings add different flavors, so they aren't necessarily interchangeable.
How to make yellow rice
- Bring the water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add the chicken base, dried onion, and turmeric. Stir well until the chicken base is dissolved.
- Add the rice. When the water comes back to a boil, lower the heat to medium and stir well. Simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, until most of the water has cooked out and the rice is visible on the surface, about 7-10 minutes.
- Give the rice another quick stir, lower the heat to low, and cover. Cook for 20-25 minutes, or until the rice is tender.
- Uncover and let some of the steam escape. Fluff the yellow rice with a fork and let it sit for a few minutes before serving.
- Garnish with toasted sliced almonds and chopped fresh parsley, if desired. Serve and enjoy.
Recipe tips and notes
- Use the full amount of water. We tested this recipe with 3 cups of water, but the rice came out too firm. Increasing it to 3¼ cups made the difference.
- Rinse and drain the rice well. Rinsing removes excess surface starch and helps keep the cooked rice from becoming too sticky.
- Keep the lid on. Once covered, avoid opening the saucepan while the rice cooks. The trapped steam helps it cook evenly.
What to serve with yellow rice
Yellow rice is a versatile side dish that goes well with all kinds of meals. Serve it with oven roasted pork butt or French onion pork chops for a hearty dinner. It also pairs well with roasted chicken or grilled chicken skewers. Add a vegetable or simple salad on the side for a complete meal.
One of my favorite ways to serve it is with vegetables. I usually use a frozen mix with green beans, carrots, corn, and peas. They're inexpensive, ready in just a few minutes, and add color and texture.
Storing and reheating
Refrigerate leftover rice as soon as possible in an airtight container and use within 3-4 days. For faster cooling, divide larger amounts into shallow containers. Do not leave cooked rice at room temperature for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour if the temperature is above 90°F.
Freeze in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Reheat rice in the microwave or in a non-stick skillet over low to medium-low heat. Add a small splash of water or broth and cover to create steam. Heat until hot throughout and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
If you enjoyed this easy yellow rice, try one of our other rice recipes. This chicken flavored rice goes with just about everything and is even delicious on its own. Our seasoned rice is a great side for tacos, grilled meats, and other weeknight favorites. Or try mushroom rice pilaf for a savory side made with mushrooms, onions, and seasoning.
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📖 Recipe
Easy Yellow Rice
Ingredients
- 3¼ cups Water
- 1½ tablespoons Chicken Base such as Better Than Bouillon (or use your favorite brand)
- ½ teaspoon Minced Dried Onion
- ½ teaspoon Turmeric
- 1½ cups Long Grain White Rice rinsed and drained well
- Chopped Parsley for garnish, optional
- Sliced Toasted Almonds for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Bring the water to a boil in a medium saucepan.
- Add the chicken base, minced dried onion, and turmeric. Stir well until the chicken base is dissolved.
- Add the rice to the saucepan. When the water comes back to a boil, lower the heat to medium and stir well.
- Continue simmering the rice, uncovered, until most of the water has cooked out, stirring occasionally. The rice should be visible on the surface, about 7-10 minutes.
- Give the rice another quick stir, lower the heat to low, and cover.
- Cook the yellow rice for 20-25 minutes, or until done. Uncover and let some of the steam escape, then fluff the rice with a fork. Let it sit for a few minutes before serving.
- Garnish with toasted sliced almonds and chopped fresh parsley, if desired. Serve and enjoy.
Notes
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Nutrition
The nutritional information above is computer generated and is only an estimate. There is no guarantee that it is accurate. This data is provided as a courtesy for informational purposes only.
Elizabeth
Yes.