No matter the day, the hour, the craving or the audience, rice is a kitchen staple that turns home cooks into heroes, one dish at a time. Though it’s a delicious ingredient on its own, you might sometimes wonder what to add to rice to suit your mood. From herbs and broth to zest, nuts, veggies and more, there’s an endless number of ingredients that you can add to rice to take it above and beyond! So learn what to add to rice for maximum flavor, and get cooking with this versatile kitchen star.
Upgrade Your Cooking Liquid
If water is your go-to for cooking rice, it’s time to step up your game. Upgrading your cooking liquid is one of the easiest ways to infuse rice with flavor from the get-go. Whether you opt for broth or juice, milk or herb-scented water, boosting your cooking liquid will amp up the flavor of every grain.
Broths and Stocks – Rich, Savory & Full of Depth
Savory and rich, broth and stock are both full-flavored alternatives that will boost the flavor of your rice when used in place of water. While broth is a seasoned liquid made from simmering meat and herbs, stock relies on aromatics and bones for its rich depth of flavor. To make rice with either one, choose the flavor you prefer (chicken, beef or vegetable) and use it in place of water. Some dishes, like pumpkin risotto, benefit from the subtle flavor of vegetable broth. Chicken broth and a delicate touch of spice give simple pilaf a sturdy backbone of flavor. Swap water for beef stock for a side of rice that complements hearty mains, such as stroganoff or beef curry.
Coconut Milk – Creamy & Fragrant for a Tropical Twist
Though we wholeheartedly agree that coconut milk makes exceptional desserts, we also love it as part of the main course! Whether used to cook rice or added in after the fact, coconut milk adds lush tropical notes to any type of dish. An ideal match for fragrant Success® boil-in-bag jasmine and basmati rice, coconut milk brings a taste of the tropics to your table in dishes like our Creamy Mango Coconut Rice.
Sautéed Veggies & Aromatics – Building Layers of Flavor
There will be days when water is all you have on hand. And that’s ok! It’s not just the liquid that changes the flavor of a rice dish, you can also build flavor with aromatics and vegetables. Many recipes begin by asking cooks to sauté onions and garlic in the saucepan before adding the water and rice. Some cooks take this a step further, by also sautéing celery and carrot or green bell peppers to add flavor and color to their cooking.
Spice It Up with Herbs and Seasonings
When used in rice dishes, spices and herbs can really pack a punch. Across the globe, cooks rely on certain add-ins to boost the flavor of their food. In Mexico, cumin, oregano, chili powder and cilantro give a wealth of rice dishes a familiar flavor profile. Cooks making Indian dishes, meanwhile, lean toward warm spices like cinnamon and cloves, cardamom, mustard seeds and saffron. In Asia, seasonings vary greatly from region to region. For example, lemongrass, pandan, coconut milk, ginger and fish sauce are popular in Thailand, while in China, soy sauce, rice wine, star anise and oyster sauce are preferred.
Toppings That Take Rice to the Next Level
There’s nothing wrong with crowning a screaming hot bowl of rice with a golden glob of butter and calling it a day. But there are also plenty of other paths you can take once you know what to add to rice to make it sing!
Fruits and Vegetables for Freshness
Aromatic vegetables aren’t the only produce that can elevate rice. Whether sautéed or roasted, squash, mushrooms, asparagus and cabbage all make great add-ins to a pot of plain rice. You can also go the fruit route, with sliced avocado, sautéed tomatoes or zest and juice from oranges, lemons or limes. Dried fruits (such as currants or dried apricots), can also offer a sweet contrast to spices and nuts in dishes like Jeweled Rice.
Cheese – Creamy & Comforting
It’s hard to think of a dish that doesn’t benefit from a sprinkling of cheese, whether it’s sharp and nutty or creamy, gooey and rich. When deciding what to add to rice, cheese can add a dazzling final flourish or be a major player in a winning recipe. Zingy and savory, feta, Parmesan and cotija are top choices to liven up fresh rice salads, risotto, tacos, burritos and more. Turn to Cheddar, cream cheese or a combination of melty favorites for comforting rice dishes with eye-catching cheese pulls!
Meat and Eggs – Protein-Packed & Hearty
Protein makes a hearty addition to any type of rice. When mixed into a fragrant jasmine rice salad, cooked, shredded chicken adds bulk and flavor. In the mood for tacos? Chicken also makes a comforting taco ingredient, layered onto fluffy white rice and topped with a host of zingy garnishes.
When using sausage, bacon or chorizo, a little goes a long way. Repurpose leftovers in a fried rice dish, a breakfast burrito or a filling Mexican main.
Eggs, meanwhile, are a popular choice when you crave breakfast-for-dinner or are cooking for vegetarians. A spicy departure from the norm, this Indian rice dish will have you looking at eggs in a whole new way.
Surprising as it may sound, nuts are also delicious in rice! Choose roasted pistachios or cashews, almonds, walnuts or pine nuts and you’ll see how their texture and distinct flavor can upgrade a simple rice dish.
Choosing the Right Flavors for Different Rice Varieties
Whether you choose white or brown, jasmine or basmati, rice is a culinary chameleon that plays nicely with almost any cuisine and any menu. However, different types of rice have unique qualities that you’ll want to keep in mind when planning your meals.
What to Add to White Rice for a Flavor Boost
Success® boil-in-bag white rice is a delicious, reliable kitchen staple with a neutral flavor that pairs with an endless array of ingredient combinations! When considering what to add to white rice, think of butter and flavored oils, herbs, aromatics, broth, spices, and add-ins like cheese, vegetables or nuts. From one-pot dishes with Mediterranean flair to burritos and delectable desserts, there are few places where white rice won’t feel right at home!
What to Add to Jasmine Rice for Fragrance and Taste
Delicately fragrant, long-grain Success® boil-in-bag jasmine rice is a natural partner to Asian and tropical dishes made with coconut milk, lemongrass, garlic, lime zest or pandan leaves. What to add to jasmine rice is a question easily answered by our recipes for sinangag, fried rice, frozen rice pudding and more.
What to Add to Brown Rice for More Flavor
Bold and satisfying, Success® boil-in-bag brown rice is a perfect complement to full-flavored ingredients like soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, heady broths, roasted nuts and herbs. Try it in zesty stuffed peppers, spice-laden chili and a beefy stir-fry with broccoli, mushrooms and an umami-rich, soy-based sauce.
What to Add to Basmati Rice for Aromatic Perfection
One of the world’s most popular rice varieties, basmati is a long-grain rice that’s aromatic and lightly floral. Often used in South Asian and Middle Eastern dishes, it shines when enhanced with butter and spiced nuts, dried fruits and spices, including cinnamon, saffron and cardamom. Sample it in a Moroccan-style pilaf, a fragrant curry or a simple, coconut-laced side, and you’ll quickly understand its universal appeal.
What to add to rice? What CAN’T you add to rice is more like it! Endlessly adaptable, Success® Rice can be sweet or savory, fiery or mild, complex or simple, and is as qualified to be the main attraction of a meal as it is to play a supporting role. Whether you upgrade your cooking liquid or layer on the flavors once your rice is fluffy and warm, there are myriad ways to upgrade plain rice. Take a look through your cupboard and fridge before you begin, and there’s no telling where tonight’s cooking adventure might take you.