This easy Yellow Rice makes a tasty and fragrant side dish with antioxidant rich turmeric and so much flavor.
Vegetarian | Vegan | Gluten Free
I was lucky to grow up in a home where my Mom made pretty much everything from scratch. So, I naturally continued that trend raising our own family. Many years ago, a friend turned me on to yellow rice. She served it with her chili and it was incredible! Not really knowing anything about yellow rice, what it was or what the heck made it yellow, I bought a yellow rice mix from the store. All it required was a bit of butter and water and viola…yellow rice. It was definitely tasty.
Fast forward to many years later…my dear friends…stop buying those bags! Making yellow rice from home is fabulously easy and most importantly, you’ll control what goes into it!
Why You Should Stay Away From Packaged Yellow Rice Mix
Processed yellow rice contains animal fats, anti caking agents, monosodium glutamate, yellow 5, sugars and an excess of salt among other “flavorings.” You guys are too good for that. You deserve better.
As far as timing and ease, this yellow rice recipe is very simple and truly, you’ll have it ready almost as quickly as those prepackaged rices.
What Makes Yellow Rice Yellow?
What makes this rice yellow is ground turmeric. Turmeric is a relative to ginger. The root has a vivid orange color and contains compounds, particularly curcumin, that are thought to reduce inflammation in the body. Studies are always ongoing, but curcumin may help benefit things like depression, type-2 diabetes, cancers, irritable bowl syndrome, high cholesterol, arthritis and Alzheimer’s. Personally, after a health scare this past year, I began taking a curcumin supplement daily. Will it make a difference? I hope so.
Curcumin is better absorbed by your body with help from piperine, a compound found in black pepper that also has health benefits. So, of course, I’ve added a healthy dose of black pepper to this rice. The combination of turmeric and black pepper with just a bit of smokey cumin and some fruity olive oil make this a really tasty and versatile side dish.
Yellow Rice
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons finely minced onion
- 1 cup long grain rice See Notes
- 3/4 teaspoon ground turmeric See Notes
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 3/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 cups water
- extra virgin olive oil for drizzling
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan over medium high heat add the olive oil and the onions. Cook for about 3 to 4 minutes, or until the onions just begin to soften.
- Add the rice. Stir to coat. Add the turmeric, cumin, salt and pepper. Stir just to combine and get the spices slightly toasted.
- Add the water and cover. Increase the heat to high and bring the water to a boil. Immediately reduce to low and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and allow the rice to sit for about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Drizzle with a bit of fruity extra virgin olive oil before serving.
Notes
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WOW! So delicious. I made this recipe at about 8am this morning for an event later in the day, and I can’t stop eating it! I have a new breakfast go to. Super with coffee, too. I may need to make another batch before this afternoon. My riffs: Once the rice comes to a boil, I low simmer for about 13 minutes, not 20. Used about 1-3/4 water. I think I’ll add more onion next time, but this is a great recipe. Thanks. BTW – love the loaded hummus, too!
Hahaha…I love that we share that quality…I tend to snack on things I’m making for later, too! Thank you for sharing…you made my day!
This looks delicious ! I’m definitely going to try to make some of this soon !
Thanks so much, Hailey! Let me know how it goes! :)
I’m sorry but this Rice was a total disaster in my kitchen.
The measurement of pepper for this recipe was way over the top and I’m Spanish so you think that I would like spicy things which in fact I do. Totally killed me with a spice couldn’t even enjoy the rice because it was way too mushy as well. Not only that, but it was bland as hell.
I really appreciate you sharing this recipe but it was by all means measured incorrectly at least by me. In all honesty I probably was my fault for thinking I would get some type of yellow Mediterranean rice without going with my gut and questioning the measurement amounts. Like I said I really Appreciate you sharing this recipe but in my opinion the measurements are all out of whack.
Wow, I’m really sorry this didn’t work well for you, Danny. I’ve never had those issues, so from my perspective it’s hard to know what went wrong. I would love to offer some tips to help, but the rice being too spicy and too bland at the same time is really confusing. Mushy rice is usually a result of too much water, so be sure you’re measuring correctly. Thanks for your feedback!
Tried this recipie out since my boyfriend was craving yellow rice…followed the recipie as is.. perfect rice!
I’m really glad you and your boyfriend enjoyed it, Yazmine! So sweet of you to make it for him! Thanks for the stars! xo
Made it 2 days ago but didn’t have green olives and that’s exactly what it needed! Thanks
Green olives sound great, Dawn!
Made this last night with your chili. Wow! So good! We always bought those yellow rice packets too. This is so much better. Thanks. Love your site.
I like what I see here.
Glad to hear it, Sheila!
Pretty sure my mom used to make yellow rice from a box lol. But all those additives definitely scare me so I’m going to be making yours instead. Turmeric, FTW!
I’m pretty sure your Mom wasn’t the only one, Joanne! Yeah…turmeric is amazing. I think you’ll love this! xo