Like jam on bread, ragu on noodles and a flurry of toppings on tender potatoes, sauce turns piping hot, fluffy rice into a complete meal. A blank canvas for a world of options, there’s no limit to how you can sauce your rice! Delicate and delicious, rice is a versatile base for any type of sauce, from any cuisine.
Whether you crave spicy and savory, tangy and sweet, or nutty and rich, you can eat a different meal every day of the week with these top-notch ideas. Beyond bold flavor, the right sauce for rice can add texture, color and loads of personality to any dish.
Discover more about the best sauces for rice and give new life to every delicious bowl of Success® Rice.
BBQ Sauce
Tangy, sticky, spicy and sweet, BBQ sauce is a favorite across the country, and beyond. A condiment that varies from region to region, BBQ sauce comes in myriad variations, from bright vinegar-based versions to thick tomato-based ones. While some types of barbecue sauce pack a spicy punch, others are smoky and mild. Choose your favorite style, and try it in these crowd-pleasing dishes:
- Melt-In-Your-Mouth Braised BBQ Chicken
- BBQ Chicken Rice Bowl
- Vegan Meatloaf with Brown Rice and BBQ Sauce
- Korean BBQ Bowl
Tomato Sauce
A must-have for pasta, tomato sauce also shines when paired with rice and quinoa. Zesty and bright, tomato sauce is a familiar ingredient that’s delicious as is, or doctored up with herbs and spice. A sauce that balances sweet and sharp notes, tomato sauce is often flavored with onions and garlic, which make it perfect for savory dishes.
Buffalo Sauce
You already love it on wings, so why not savor zingy Buffalo sauce on a fluffy bowl of rice? A condiment that ranks among our favorite sauces for rice, Buffalo works well in cheesy casseroles and chicken dishes or loaded veggie bowls that need some oomph!
Soy Sauce (THE Sauce for Fried Rice)
The OG sauce for fried rice, soy sauce is salty and umami-forward, with toasty, vinegary notes. Different types of soy sauce vary in their levels of sweetness, thickness and color. A natural pairing for any type of Success® Rice, soy sauce is particularly delicious with aromatic Success® boil-in-bag jasmine rice and fragrant Success® boil-in-bag basmati rice.
Sriracha Sauce
Perfect for adding zip at the table, sriracha is a great garnish for soups, rice or quinoa bowls, and noodle dishes. Made from chili peppers, vinegar, garlic, sugar and more, sriracha is bold and fiery, with savory and sweet notes. The ultimate sauce for rice bowls, sriracha can be used with soy for loads of layers of flavor.
Teriyaki Sauce
As a marinade, in stir fries or as a sticky dipping sauce, teriyaki sauce is hard to beat! An ingredient that goes with almost anything (think glazed salmon or as a sauce for chicken and rice), teriyaki is a pungent combination of soy sauce, mirin, sake and sugar. Salty and sweet, it’s a must-have for a number of delicious rice dishes.
Gochujang Sauce
Dish a little dull? Few things liven up every mouthful quite like Korean gochujang sauce! Fermented chili paste made with soybeans, glutinous rice powder, malt, salt and other flavorings, gochujang adds a bold hit of flavor to anything it touches. Choose your level of spice wisely—some gochujang is extremely hot!
Sweet Chili Sauce
It’s likely you’ve dunked a spring roll into sweet chili sauce at least once in your lifetime. But have you ever turned to this kicky condiment to zhuzh up a rice bowl? Tossed with chicken or shrimp, or drizzled atop a loaded bowl, it brings ingredients to life, thanks to its complex combo of punchy, sweet, sour and savory flavors. Give any dish, such as this delicate stir-fry, a little lift with this easy-to-find sauce.
Oyster Sauce
Don’t let the name put you off this essential sauce! Thick and rich with flavor, oyster sauce tastes a little like soy sauce, with unique sweet, salty and umami notes. Though it is made with oyster extract, for its depth of flavor, the sauce isn’t fishy. A favorite among seasoned cooks, oyster sauce can be used in stir-fries, fried rice dishes and to marinate or glaze proteins.
Satay Sauce
Popular in Southeast Asia, satay sauce is a creamy, nutty and utterly irresistible mixture of peanut butter, coconut milk, soy sauce, sugar and spices. Great with crunchy appetizers, it’s also a go-to for dressings and stir-fries and, naturally, as a marinade for tofu, chicken or seafood.
Gravy
Ideally, this homey, comforting sauce is made from the drippings of a roast beef, chicken or turkey, though when you’re short on time instant or store-bought gravy is also great! To save proteins from dryness and add zip to dishes, from weeknight faves to guest-worthy entrées, gravy is second to none.
Mushroom Sauce
A sauce you’ll want to put on everything, this is comfort food at its finest. Creamy, luscious and earthy, this sauce is a simple blend of butter-sautéed mushrooms and wine blended with cream, broth, herbs and seasonings. Ladled onto tender beef or pork, noodles or rice, it makes for an elegant dish any night of the week.
Chimichurri
For dishes that scream for herbs, reach for this punchy parsley, olive oil, and garlic sauce. An uncooked condiment that you can spoon over grilled meats, seafood, roasted vegetables, white rice and pasta, this one is also amazing with breakfast and brunch staples, like eggs, burritos and avocado toast.
Pesto
This classic Italian sauce is made from little more than quality olive oil, pine nuts, garlic, a generous bunch of basil and parmesan cheese. Generally used on pasta, in sandwiches and on meat and fish, pesto can also add zippy flavor to rice dishes.
Mayonnaise
Ever turned your favorite sandwich spread into a rice topper? If the answer is no, it’s time to give it a try! Creamy, sweet and velvety smooth, mayonnaise adds richness to any dish. It can also be spiced and seasoned—with herbs, citrus, mustard, curry powder and more—for a different flavor profile.
Tahini
Similar to peanut butter, this sesame paste is nutty and heavy, and a little goes a long way! Whisk it with yogurt, lemon juice or hummus, and use it to top salads, heaped rice bowls, sandwiches and more.
Tzatziki
It’s likely that you’ve sampled tzatziki in Greek or Mediterranean dishes, such as wraps and salads, or served as a dip alongside pita and crudités. A versatile sauce that’s light, fresh and tangy, tzatziki can wake up a range of rice dishes.
Curry Sauce
Curry sauce and Success® boil-in-bag basmati rice are an ideal culinary match! Mild or fiery, curry sauce is aromatic and richly spiced, with notes of cumin, curry powder, paprika and more. Mixed with any protein and vegetables, it can be served atop rice for a meal that’s satisfying, comforting and bold.
Chipotle Crema
Simple to whip up, chipotle crema is a staple of Tex-Mex and Mexican cuisine. Striking and silky, it’s a tempting blend of sour cream, chipotle, lime and salt that you can add to burritos, tacos, enchiladas and, of course, stacked rice bowls.
Peruvian Green Sauce (Aji Verde)
As its name suggests, this sauce was invented in Peru from cilantro, aji amarillo peppers, garlic, green onions and oil. For a sauce with a creamier consistency, some recipes include fresh cheese or mayonnaise. Dress rice and steak, fish or chicken with this vibrant sauce for a dinner that will grab everyone’s attention!