Tuesday, February 17, 2026
HomeCookingBasic Rice Pilaf Recipe (Mild, Fluffy, and Simple)

Basic Rice Pilaf Recipe (Mild, Fluffy, and Simple)


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Rice pilaf is a kind of traditional facet dishes that by no means goes out of favor. This straightforward rice pilaf recipe is buttery and fluffy, making it the proper addition to only about any meal. Made with long-grain rice, evenly toasted pasta, and a savory broth, it comes along with minimal effort.

It’s good paired with grilled hen or salmon. This selfmade rice pilaf is a go-to recipe you’ll need to hold in common rotation.

Simple rice pilaf presented in a large ceramic bowl with a serving spoon.

Substances For Rice Pilaf

Every ingredient performs an vital function in constructing the flavour and texture of this rice pilaf recipe. From the savory broth to the buttery end, each aspect works collectively to create a superbly fluffy pilaf!

  • Hen Broth: Cooks the rice whereas infusing it with wealthy, savory taste.
  • Unsalted Butter: Provides richness and provides the pilaf its traditional, silky end.
  • Kosher Sea Salt: Enhances and balances all the flavors.
  • Garlic Powder: Provides delicate savory depth with out overpowering the dish.
  • Black Pepper: Offers mild heat and seasoning.
  • Smoked Paprika: Brings a lightweight smokiness and further layer of taste.
  • Olive Oil: Helps toast the pasta and rice for added nuttiness.
  • Vermicelli or Orzo: Provides texture and a barely toasted taste to the pilaf.
  • Lengthy-Grain White Rice: Creates the fluffy, tender base of the dish.
  • Contemporary Parsley: Finishes the pilaf with freshness and a pop of colour.

It’s a straightforward, reliable facet dish that works simply as nicely for on a regular basis dinners because it does for particular events.

Close overhead shot of buttery rice pilaf in a ceramic bowl, ready to serve.

Find out how to Make Good Rice Pilaf

Ever bitten right into a spoonful of rice pilaf that has crunchy and exhausting grains? Or worse, mushy and bland? This foolproof recipe takes the guesswork out of pilaf!

  1. Simmer: Add the hen broth, butter, salt, garlic powder, black pepper, and smoked paprika to a saucepan over medium warmth and stir to mix. As soon as the combination begins to simmer, scale back the warmth to low and hold heat.
  2. Toast: Warmth olive oil in a big skillet over medium-low warmth. Add the vermicelli and prepare dinner till golden brown, watching intently so it doesn’t burn.
  3. Add: Stir within the rice and proceed cooking till evenly toasted.
  4. Mix: Fastidiously pour the nice and cozy broth combination into the skillet with the rice and pasta, stirring to mix. Carry to a delicate simmer, then cowl and prepare dinner.
  5. End: Take away the lid and stir in a small quantity of recent parsley. Cowl once more and proceed cooking till the liquid is absolutely absorbed.
  6. Fluff: Take away from warmth, uncover, fluff with a fork, and serve heat.

Now you understand how to get completely fluffy, tender rice pilaf with simply the appropriate chunk… each single time.

Reheating and Storage Directions

This rice pilaf shops nicely as soon as absolutely cooked and cooled. Switch it to an hermetic container and place it within the fridge for later. To reheat, heat it gently on the stovetop or within the microwave, including a small splash of broth or water to assist deliver again moisture. Fluff with a fork and end with recent parsley earlier than serving, if desired.

Rice pilaf with a light, fluffy texture in a grey ceramic serving bowl.

Variations and Substitutions

This rice pilaf is straightforward to customise primarily based on what you’ve gotten available. You may swap the white rice for a special sort of rice, like brown rice, retaining in thoughts it might want an extended prepare dinner time and a bit extra liquid. For added texture, stir in crushed pistachios or slivered almonds, both toasted with the vermicelli or sprinkled on high earlier than serving.

You may increase the flavour by including additional spices or herbs like cumin, thyme, or bay leaf, or by sautéing celery, carrots, or onion within the skillet earlier than including the pasta and rice. Peas will be stirred in close to the tip of cooking for a pop of colour and sweetness. I’ve additionally had rice pilaf with sun-dried tomatoes, lemon and parmesan which is so good! For a vegetarian model, substitute the hen broth with vegetable broth.

What to Eat With Rice Pilaf

This rice pilaf is a flexible facet dish that pairs nicely with all kinds of predominant programs. It’s particularly scrumptious served alongside salmon or grilled hen, the place its buttery, savory taste enhances lighter proteins. Add easy veggies like roasted or sautéed asparagus for steadiness, or serve it with inexperienced beans, carrots, or a recent facet salad to spherical out the meal. It additionally works nicely with baked hen, pork chops, and even as a hearty facet for vacation and household dinners.

Overhead view of fluffy rice pilaf served in a large ceramic bowl with a spoon.

This rice pilaf recipe retains issues uncomplicated whereas delivering nice texture and taste. Regardless of the event is, it’s a facet dish you possibly can depend on!

Different Aspect Recipes You’ll Wish to Attempt

Watch How This Rice Pilaf is Made

Forestall your display from going darkish

  • In a medium saucepan set over medium warmth, add the hen broth, butter, salt, garlic powder, pepper, paprika and stir to mix. As soon as the combination begins to simmer, scale back to low warmth.

    2 ⅔ Cup Hen Broth, ⅓ Cup Unsalted Butter, 1 teaspoon Kosher Sea Salt, ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder, ⅛ teaspoon Smoked Paprika, ½ teaspoon Black Pepper

  • In a big skillet set over medium-low warmth, drizzle within the olive oil. When the oil is scorching, add the vermicelli and prepare dinner till brown, don’t over prepare dinner!

    2 Tablespoons Olive Oil, ⅓ Cup Vermicelli

  • Add the rice and prepare dinner one other 4-5 minutes.

    1 Cup Lengthy Grain White Rice

  • Fastidiously pour the nice and cozy broth combination into the rice skillet and stir to mix. Carry to a simmer, cowl and prepare dinner for quarter-hour.

  • Take away the duvet, and stir in 2 teaspoons to 1 tablespoons of the parsley. Cowl once more and proceed cooking for five minutes or till all the broth is absorbed.

    Contemporary Parsley

  • Take away the lid, fluff with a fork and revel in!

Serving: 1cup, Energy: 332kcal, Carbohydrates: 29g, Protein: 3g, Fats: 23g, Saturated Fats: 11g, Polyunsaturated Fats: 1g, Monounsaturated Fats: 9g, Trans Fats: 1g, Ldl cholesterol: 44mg, Sodium: 1201mg, Potassium: 62mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 508IU, Vitamin C: 0.01mg, Calcium: 20mg, Iron: 0.4mg

Diet info is mechanically calculated, so ought to solely be used as an approximation.

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