11 Easy Ways To Spice Up Your Rice

Do you love eating rice every day but are finding it too bland lately? Are you looking for hacks to spice up (pun intended) your rice? Rice works well with many dishes, but eating it plain all the time can eventually get boring. Your taste buds will likely crave variety soon enough.

There are many hacks to spice up your rice, and most of these can be done within minutes. Plus, these hacks are easy to follow and require ingredients that are already found in your kitchen!  

Can’t wait to try out more flavorful rice on your next meal? Make this staple food more exciting and flavorful by following any of the hacks listed below:

Butter

Have you noticed how adding a bit of butter makes all your dishes taste better? The same works for your rice. The next time you purchase white rice from https://carolinarice.com/products/white-rice/ or any other reliable supplier, add a few tablespoons of butter to your rice as you’re cooking. You’ll be surprised how this hack will make your rice more flavorful!

Oil

Oil works the same way as butter: it improves the taste of your meals by adding more fat. Oil also has the power to add regionality to your rice, similar to how toasted sesame oil improves the taste of any Chinese recipe. 

Depending on your preferences, you can add a few tablespoons of oil when cooking rice or fry rice with a generous amount of oil. Either of these hacks will make your rice more flavorful.

Dried Fruits, Seeds, And Nuts

The blandness of rice can come in handy because you can mix it with just about any food found in your kitchen. So, if you have any dried fruits, seeds, and nuts, mix some of these to your rice the next time you cook some. These mix-ins can add crunch and texture to your rice, making it more exciting and satisfying.

Tomato Sauce

Are you craving something Mexican? Want to whip up a Mexican dish but don’t have the time and ingredients to follow complex recipes online? If your answer to these questions is an unequivocal ‘yes,’ mixing tomato sauce with freshly cooked rice is the best way to go. 

Tomato sauce will add a Mexican kick to your rice, especially if you use the spicy variety. If you’re feeling a bit extra, add two tablespoons each of onion and garlic powder.

bowl of rice

Fresh Herbs And Veggies

Fresh herbs and veggies don’t only make your dishes look expensive, the flavors these bring can also transform plain, old boring dishes. If you’re growing some herbs and veggies in your backyard, use them when you cook rice. 

Cilantro and parsley are great options as these bring more flavors than other herbs and give a vibrant kick to plan rice. You can also use veggies, such as jalapenos, to add spice to your rice or shredded carrots or sliced bell peppers for that extra crunch. These simple hacks will easily liven up any plain bowl of rice. 

Acid

Who says you need to spend a lot or learn several cooking techniques to spice up your rice? Adding a dash of vinegar or a squeeze of lemon is enough to bring more flavors to your rice. In fact, lemon rice is a common recipe in many countries. Its popularity is unsurprising as it’s both healthy and appetizing.

Aside from adding a few squeezes of lemon juice, you can also grate lemon zest for additional flavor and color. You can top off your rice by adding a few lemon slices as garnish. 

Soy Sauce

Soy sauce is a staple in every kitchen and can work well when mixed with plain rice. Soy sauce offers a rich savory flavor with umami and salty notes that can transform the taste of your rice.

When adding soy sauce to your rice, make sure to start with small amounts and continue seasoning to taste as you go along. Soy sauce should be added to rice with caution as too much can make your rice overly salty and bitter. 

Chicken Or Vegetable Broth

Instead of cooking rice with water, use chicken or vegetable broth. Aside from bringing more color to your rice, using chicken or vegetable broth injects a more savory flavor to your rice.

Cheese

For all the cheese lovers out there, rejoice as this tip is especially for you. If you’re a fan of cheese and don’t mind eating cheese-filled meals every day, add some to freshly-cooked rice. It’s best to add crumbled cheese, so it melts as your rice warms. 

Putting cheese on rice makes a very appealing dish, not to mention it’s very simple to do. And the best part? It makes your rice more fun and flavorful to eat.

Crumbled Bacon, Chorizo, Chopped Ham, And Sausage

If you want to spice up your rice by turning it into a complete meal, add a generous amount of crumbled bacon, chorizo, chopped ham, and sausage. These additional ingredients produce oil when cooked, making it easier for you to mix them with your rice. 

Take it up a notch by using spicy crumbled bacon, chorizo, chopped ham, or sausage. Adding these to your rice will make you feel full in no time.

Cooked Beans

Beans are great for your health because they’re great sources of protein and folate. Beans can also keep your heart healthy and control your appetite. These are all good reasons to add some beans to your rice the next time you cook a few cups.

You can add cooked red or black beans to rice to make it healthier and more colorful. If you’re using canned beans, make sure to add the liquid to the mixture, as this can thicken your rice.

Spice Up Your Rice

You have a wide range of options to choose from if you’re looking for ways want to spice up plain, boring rice. So, what are you waiting for? Head on to your kitchen, look for the ingredients mentioned in this article, and start experimenting with your rice. Once you’ve mastered adding the right ingredients to your rice, invite your friends and impress them with your more tasteful rice!